Picking the right Android phone in 2024 can feel like a puzzle with too many pieces, but we’ve looked at expert awards to find who actually won. Here’s what they say.

4 related posts

Top-selling global smartphone 2024: Apple iPhone 15 ·
Android Central’s Best Android 2024: Google Pixel 9 Pro ·
Pickr’s Best Phone 2024: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL ·
Best value Android phone 2024: Google Pixel 8a

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Four key facts, one pattern: expert consensus favors the Google Pixel 9 Pro series, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the top contender for sheer performance and display quality.

Fact Value
Primary publication date 2024-12-30 (based on Android Central and Pickr articles)
Number of expert sources referenced 4 (Android Central, Pickr, GSMArena, TechAdvisor)
Overall best Android phone consensus Google Pixel 9 Pro / Pixel 9 Pro XL
Top-selling smartphone globally Apple iPhone 15
Galaxy S24 Ultra battery life 20 hours 47 minutes (Pocket-lint (gadget review site))
Pixel 9 Pro main camera resolution 50MP (EFTM (Australian tech site))
Pixel 9 Pro telephoto zoom 5x optical zoom (48MP) (EFTM)
Pixel 9 Pro battery endurance 12 hours hard use / up to 24 hours light use (EFTM)

What are the best Android phones of 2024?

What are the top 5 Android phones?

  • GSMArena’s personal top 5 includes Galaxy S24 Ultra, Honor Magic V3, Pixel 9 Pro, vivo X200 Pro mini, vivo X100 Ultra (GSMArena (mobile database))
  • Android Central names Pixel 9 Pro (#1), Pixel 8a (best value), Vivo (best camera) – link removed due to duplicate URL; see earlier Android Central citation
  • Reddit community recommends ROG Phone 8 Pro and Xperia 1 MK VI for gaming and camera enthusiasts (Reddit r/Android (user community))

What is the most recommended Android phone?

Across multiple editorial outlets, the Google Pixel 9 Pro series appears most frequently at #1. PCMag Middle East (tech review outlet) calls the Pixel 9 Pro “a sensible middle ground” between compact size and pro power, while Droid Life (dedicated Android site) says its camera, battery, display, and design are all top notch after three months of use.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra the best Android phone of 2024?

TechRadar (consumer tech authority) puts the S24 Ultra at the very top of its 2024 list. Pocket-lint (gadget review site) calls it “the Android phone to beat this year,” citing a bright display, top-tier performance, and strong camera setup. Thurrott (tech editorial) praises its superior display, best-in-class performance, and real all-day battery life, but flags excessive Samsung bundleware as a drawback.

The implication: the S24 Ultra is the performance king, but the Pixel 9 Pro wins on software experience and camera consistency.

What are the best foldable Android phones in 2024?

  • GSMArena includes the Honor Magic V3 in its top 5, noting its slim design and high screen quality (GSMArena)
  • Pickr mentions foldables as a rising category but doesn’t award one overall (Pickr (Australian reviewer))
  • Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 remain popular, but didn’t top any expert list in 2024 (TechRadar (consumer tech authority))
Bottom line: 2024’s consensus best Android phone is the Google Pixel 9 Pro series. Power users should consider the Galaxy S24 Ultra for its unmatched battery life and zoom camera. Budget buyers: the Pixel 8a is the clear value pick.

The pattern: expert panels agree the Pixel 9 Pro series offers the best all-round experience, while the S24 Ultra remains the spec-sheet champion.

Which phone won the phone of the year in 2024?

There is no single “phone of the year” — each publication awards its own. Android Central (editorial authority) gave its top award to the Google Pixel 9 Pro. Pickr (independent reviewer) named the Pixel 9 Pro XL as its best Android phone, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max as best overall phone. Meanwhile, TechRadar crowned the Galaxy S24 Ultra (see earlier citation).

What is the most bought smartphone in 2024?

Counterpoint Research data confirms the Apple iPhone 15 was the world’s top-selling individual smartphone model in 2024, beating every Android phone in absolute sales volume (Counterpoint Research (industry analytics firm)).

The pattern: Android dominates the “best of” editorial awards, but Apple still wins the volume game.

Which is the most hacked phone?

No single model has been officially named the “most hacked” in 2024. However, security experts consistently note that Android devices face higher malware risk because of the open ecosystem and delayed updates (Kaspersky (cybersecurity firm)). iPhones are generally considered more secure but are not immune, especially against sophisticated attacks. For users concerned about security, choosing a phone with long-term update commitments — like the Pixel 9 Pro with seven years of updates — is a sensible move.

What this means: security is more about the manufacturer’s update policy than the specific model.

Which phone does Elon Musk use?

There is no publicly confirmed source that identifies Elon Musk’s current personal phone. Some reports and social media speculation suggest he uses a modified Samsung Galaxy S24 or another Android device, but nothing official exists. Given Musk’s background as a tech executive who has expressed criticism of both iOS and Android ecosystems, his choice remains an open question.

The trade-off: this is trivia, not a buying signal — don’t let it influence your decision.

Should I just throw away my old phone?

How can I responsibly recycle my old mobile phone?

Absolutely not. Throwing an old phone into the trash contributes to electronic waste (e-waste) and risks exposing personal data. According to Recycle Now (UK government-backed recycling program), phones contain lithium batteries and toxic materials that must be handled properly. Instead, follow the three-step plan:

  1. Back up any data you want to keep.
  2. Factory reset the device to wipe all personal information.
  3. Recycle through a certified e-waste program, trade-in, or carrier return program.

For a full walkthrough, read Phone Not Charging? 5 Common Fixes to Try Now — while that guide covers charging issues, the same caution applies: don’t toss a phone until you’ve exhausted repair options.

The implication: a responsible disposal plan extends the life of your device and protects the environment.

Two phones, one pattern: the Galaxy S24 Ultra dominates raw specs, the Pixel 9 Pro dominates software and consistency.

Feature Galaxy S24 Ultra Pixel 9 Pro Pixel 8a
Display 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz 6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz 6.1-inch OLED, 120Hz
Processor Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Google Tensor G4 Google Tensor G3
Main camera 200MP + periscope zoom 50MP + 48MP telephoto (5x) 64MP main
Battery life 20h 47min (video test) ~12h hard use / 24h light ~10h moderate use
Software updates 7 years OS + security 7 years OS + security 5 years OS + security
Starting price $1,299 $999 $499

Six key specs, one takeaway: the Pixel 9 Pro offers the best balance of camera, software longevity, and price among the three.

Specification Google Pixel 9 Pro
Display size 6.3-inch LTPO OLED
Resolution 1280 × 2856 pixels
Refresh rate 120Hz
Processor Google Tensor G4
RAM 16GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
Rear camera 1 50MP f/1.7 (wide)
Rear camera 2 48MP f/1.7 (ultrawide)
Rear camera 3 48MP f/2.8 (telephoto, 5x)
Front camera 42MP f/2.2
Battery 4700 mAh
Charging 27W wired, 23W wireless
Water resistance IP68
Software updates 7 years guaranteed

Upsides

  • Compact pro-grade phone in a market of huge flagships (PCMag Middle East)
  • Outstanding camera with 5x optical zoom (EFTM)
  • Seven years of software updates guarantee long-term value (Android Central)

Downsides

  • Less raw battery endurance than Galaxy S24 Ultra (Pocket-lint)
  • Not the best choice for mobile gamers (Tensor G4 trails Snapdragon 8 Gen 3) (Thurrott)
  • No stylus support, unlike the S24 Ultra

Confirmed facts

  • iPhone 15 was the world’s top-selling smartphone in 2024 (TechRadar (consumer tech authority))
  • Google Pixel 9 Pro is Android Central’s best Android phone of 2024 (Android Central)
  • Pickr’s best overall phone is Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (Pickr)

What remains unclear

  • Which phone is universally considered the “best” varies by reviewer (Android Central)
  • Elon Musk’s exact phone model is not publicly confirmed
  • Most hacked phone: no definitive single model (Kaspersky)

“The Android phone to beat this year.”

Pocket-lint (gadget review site) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

“This is the 2024 phone to buy.”

Droid Life (dedicated Android site) on the Galaxy S24 Ultra

“A sensible middle ground, combining the compact size of the Pixel 9 with much of the power of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.”

PCMag Middle East (tech review authority) on the Pixel 9 Pro

For buyers who want the best all-round Android experience in 2024, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the clearest winner across multiple expert panels. It delivers a top-tier camera, long software support, and a comfortable size that few flagships offer. The Galaxy S24 Ultra remains the better choice for power users who need the longest battery life, the brightest display, and a stylus. For anyone on a tighter budget, the Pixel 8a offers flagship-level camera quality at half the price. The catch? No phone does everything — but the Pixel 9 Pro comes closest.

The upshot

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro wins the 2024 consensus crown — but Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra still dominates the spec sheet. Buyers who value software updates and camera consistency have a clear choice; raw performance fans should look at the S24 Ultra.

Additional sources

androidcentral.com, youtube.com, phonearena.com

For a deeper breakdown of how each flagship performs in real-world testing, check out our full comparison of top Android phones in 2024.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the best Android phone for battery life in 2024?

According to Pocket-lint, the Galaxy S24 Ultra averaged 20 hours 47 minutes, outperforming the Pixel 9 Pro by nearly 9.5 hours. The Pixel 9 Pro still offers respectable all-day endurance, but the S24 Ultra is the battery king.

How long do Android phones typically last?

Most flagship Android phones receive 3–5 years of major OS updates. Google and Samsung now offer 7 years of security updates on their premium models (Android Central). Physically, a well-cared-for phone can last 4–6 years before battery degradation or performance lag becomes noticeable.

Are Google Pixel phones better than Samsung Galaxy?

It depends on priorities. Pixel phones (like the Pixel 9 Pro) offer cleaner software, faster updates, and best-in-class cameras. Samsung Galaxy phones (like the S24 Ultra) offer more powerful hardware, brighter displays, and extra features like S Pen and DeX. TechRadar ranks the Galaxy S24 Ultra first overall (see earlier citation), while Android Central prefers the Pixel 9 Pro.

What is the best Android phone under $500?

The Google Pixel 8a at $499 is widely considered the best value Android phone of 2024 (Android Central). It offers a 64MP camera, 120Hz display, and five years of software updates — unmatched at that price.

Which Android brand is the most reliable?

Samsung and Google lead in reliability due to their long-term update commitments and wide service networks. Droid Life calls the Pixel 9 Pro’s build and performance “top notch,” while Thurrott (tech editorial) notes Samsung’s bundleware as a minor annoyance but the hardware is solid.

What features should I look for in a 2024 Android phone?

Prioritize: 120Hz or higher refresh rate display, at least 8GB RAM, a good main camera (50MP+), IP68 water resistance, and a manufacturer that guarantees 5–7 years of updates. Battery life should exceed 4500 mAh for all-day use (Pocket-lint).

Is the OnePlus 12 a good option in 2024?

OnePlus 12 is a strong contender with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, great charging speed, and a competitive camera system. However, it did not land on the top spots of the major 2024 awards lists. It’s a solid alternative for users who prefer OxygenOS and fast charging.

Summary: The variety of questions shows that choosing a phone involves many factors beyond just specs. The Pixel 9 Pro, S24 Ultra, and Pixel 8a each serve different priorities, and readers should weigh their own needs against the expert consensus.

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