Best Flagship Smartphone in 2024

scrimshaw on 10/04/2024 - 15:55
Last edited 10/04/2024 - 17:04

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.

Question

What is your favourite flagship smartphone in 2024?

The winner of Last year's poll was iPhone 14 Pro (206 votes), then Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra with 168 votes. The Google Pixel 7 Pro took 3rd place (73 votes).

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still widely available to purchase, supports Aussie networks including VOLTE and VoWifi compatiblity) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

How do I suggest products/providers to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and type in the “Suggestions” text box just above your comment:

Do try to make a sensible suggestion and include a brief argument as to why you made this recommendation.

Poll Options Wed, 01/01/2025 - 00:00

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2024. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Mobile What Should I Buy

Comments

  • jv on 10/04/2024 - 15:58

    iPhone 16 Pro

  • Pelicannn on 10/04/2024 - 16:00
    +2
    Suggested iPhone 15 Pro

    iPhone 15 Pro for me. Resale is best when able to salary sacrifice and buy a new one in twelve months time. Ends up usually making me money.

    • Punkboy on 22/08/2024 - 16:27

      Care to share the maths?

      • Pelicannn on 22/08/2024 - 17:41
        +3

        iPhone 14 Pro 256GB cost me $1799 in 2022.

        I salary sacrificed it, so I pay no GST (less $163) and I pay no marginal tax on the item (FBT exempt as well). I’m pretty much in the second highest to highest tax bracket so at a minimum I’m saving 37c on the dollar for the remaining cost (less $605). $25 admin fee to sacrifice means the phone effectively costs me:

        $1799 - $163 - $605 + $25 = $1055.

        I purchased the iPhone 15 Pro in 2023 for $2049.
        Same as above, no GST / Marginal Tax saving so it cost me $1198.

        I sold my iPhone 14 Pro for $1250 on Facebook the same week.

        Also there are other benefits on top of this. For example this year I have already purchased $2,500 worth of Apple gift cards - which netted me 25,000 FF points with Qantas.

        So not only will I get the new iPhone for basically free, if not making a little bit on top, I also get a bunch of free points. (P.s I do the points thing every year).

      • Pelicannn on 30/09/2024 - 23:43
        +1

        Fwiw,

        Just sold the iPhone 15 Pro for $1200 on marketplace

        iPhone 16 Pro cost me $1999. I used the 20x reward points promo at Woolies to buy the giftcards.

        After salary sacrifice $1144 for the iPhone 16 Pro + the 20,000 Qantas Points.

        New phone and $56 profit.

        Alternatively my colleague just did the same thing, but purchased the Aldi 10% off JB gift cards.

        They’re in the same tax bracket as me, foregoing the Qantas points and they’re still yet to sell the phone but they’ll end up paying around ~$950 with the additional 10% saving as the invoice still says the phone costs $1999 with them actually spending $1800 in 10% off gift cards. They’ve been offered $1150 for the iPhone already but I told them to hold out hah.

    • taki on 06/12/2024 - 11:25

      1y older S23 Ultra 512gb has more AIntelligence than Apple Un-intelligence, even iP16pm ;)
      Re-Usability Value is more important than re-Sale value of less capable phone before selling.
      ~$1700 with bonus $200 & 2y Care+ (will replace the fully capable 99.2% battery & keep for new 5y+ use :)
      Note 10+ with the lowest radiation, 1/6 of iPhones, still on original batt for >5y

      • Pelicannn on 06/12/2024 - 16:10

        I don’t use a phone for AI. I use a phone for calling, texting and ozbargain.

        I then sell said phone and make a profit, hence why I said iPhone 15 Pro for me.

        You do you.

  • Austin 316 on 10/04/2024 - 16:41
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

    Pretty good hardware upgrade and loving the flat screen and AI features

  • Caped Baldy on 10/04/2024 - 16:58
    +2

    Love that the S23U has more votes than the S24U. I understand that there are some limitations due to the 64 bit architecture in the S24U, though I do miss a flat screen.

    • Assburg on 12/04/2024 - 19:56

      Didn't realise 24U had a flat screen until reading.. Hopefully it sticks around for the next couple gens… Hoping to skip two generations.

    • LilSlip on 30/08/2024 - 21:13

      Just want to clarify- the S23 Ultra also has a 64 bit arch. It has since like the S5 I believe. The real difference between the two is that on the S24 ultra you are restricted to running 64 bit apps only, so mostly more modern apps. On the S23 Ultra you can still run older 32 bit apps.

      There are actually ways to get around this in software, and the Oneplus 12 and Xiaomi 14 has workarounds, but right now they do not exist for S24 Ultra.

  • mickyb80 on 10/04/2024 - 17:37
    +3

    Think the best one is the Pay Phone up the road.
    Essentially impossible to track the calls and caller… Just saying! :) lol

    • sriver on 08/07/2024 - 00:23

      You haven’t watched ‘the wire’ then. Still good viewing in 2024 :)

    • neonlight on 08/07/2024 - 09:16

      Payphone actually has a number displayed. It's not unknown caller confirmed with nearby Telstra phone box

      • zaprct on 12/09/2024 - 04:37

        The good thing is the people who ‘want to know’ are too busy bypassing simple consumer router firewalls for access to your personal devices under their fancy dystopian 2021 law the gov snuck through during COVID they aren’t thinking “Wait a bloody second - what if this guy’s been running his shady op through a bloody payphone?! You lot are a bunch of total wombats!” bellows the Senior Taskforce Commander of the AFP, his neck bulging like a rugby ball, face redder than a tomato on steroids - veins threatening to pop as he storms out of the command room, shrieking like a man possessed.

  • dealsucker on 15/04/2024 - 10:58
    +1
    Suggested iPhone 15 Pro Max

    iPhone 15 Pro Max by a long shot

    • taki on 06/12/2024 - 11:14
      -1

      1y older S23 Ultra has more AIntelligence than Apple Un-intelligence ;)
      Re-Usability Value is more important than re-Sale value of less capable phone before selling

  • payless69 on 16/04/2024 - 17:26
    +1

    Xiaomi 14 Ultra 5G

  • niknikniknik on 20/06/2024 - 21:53
    +1

    Used Samsung mostly for the past few years, and gave the iPhone 15 Pro a chance for my work phone. Maybe I've gotten too used to One UI, but don't see myself using an iPhone again in the near future. Probably just OS preference.

  • RetiredMoneyMaestro on 30/06/2024 - 10:26
    Suggested Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

    Is there a reason why people choose Samsung over the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro which has higher benchmark scores?

    • scrimshaw on 30/06/2024 - 14:11

      Usually because of generous discounts on EPP / trade in discounts and a long software update / security patch policy which is usually more important than raw gaming performance.

      They are also becoming less relevant nowadays since many non-gaming phones can already game, without the added active cooling, RGB embellishments or bulk that ROG phones usually come with.

      • neonlight on 08/07/2024 - 09:21
        +1

        Since when was ROG popular? It's only good for people dedicate their phones for games otherwise it's crap in general for everything else

  • neonlight on 08/07/2024 - 09:11

    Pixel 8 pro other than Ai and Camera features. Everything else is a let down. Gaming performance so poor.

    However price wise if you gotten the Optus deal then it's better than all flagships on value

    Performance = s23 ultra
    Camera = Pixel 8 pro

    If you are rich then iPhone 15 pro or S24 ultra (only if you like curve screen)

  • tony09 on 16/08/2024 - 17:17

    Pixel 9 Pro XL

  • ubor on 15/09/2024 - 20:12

    I vote for the new Huawei tri-fold.

  • Ebisu on 01/10/2024 - 13:40
    Suggested iPhone 16 Pro Max

    iphone 16 pro max

    • taki on 06/12/2024 - 11:31
      -2

      2y older S23 Ultra is better. batt lasts >1d on 20-80% recharge & now on 99.2% health. 200mp or 50mp quad sensor with 10x zoom, DEX multi-windows desktop replacement & best AI vs Apple Un-intelligence ;)

  • Frankensnore on 07/10/2024 - 16:43
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6

    No fold or flip?

  • olski1 on 12/10/2024 - 15:20
    -1
    Suggested Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

    TL;DR:
    - Long-time Samsung user switched to Pixel 9 Pro XL after disappointment with S23 Ultra
    - Pixel 9 Pro XL offers superior user experience, smoother performance, and fewer bugs
    - Camera produces great photos with minimal editing needed
    - Extensive AI features and editing options outperform Samsung
    - Exceptional low light photo and video capabilities
    - Better customization options compared to previous Pixel models
    - Impressive battery life and overall build quality
    - First time in years feeling completely satisfied with a phone, enjoying daily use

    I've been a devotee of Samsung flagships for many years, faithfully upgrading to their latest models. However, during the last iteration, I decided to try out the Pixel 8 XL, as it was touted to offer a smooth experience. Unfortunately, it disappointed me with its restrictive nature, especially in terms of customization and camera control. It just didn't offer enough options for what I wanted to do, so I ended up selling it and returning to Samsung with the S23 Ultra.

    However, my recent experience with the S23 Ultra left me feeling a bit underwhelmed. While it boasts impressive specs on paper, I encountered unexpected bugs, lag, and even downright freezes that hindered the overall experience. It felt as though the myriad of software features were competing rather than complementing each other, leading to significant slowdowns. The speakers were decent but didn't quite meet my expectations, and I faced intermittent Bluetooth connectivity issues and problems with Android Auto that didn't seem to get timely fixes. A quick look at the Samsung forums reveals many unresolved issues, including those affecting location-based routines.

    Given my dissatisfaction, I decided to give the Pixel series another chance with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and I couldn't be happier with that decision. This time around, Google has truly nailed it. They've addressed the customization limitations I experienced with the Pixel 8 XL, offering a much more flexible and user-friendly experience. Right out of the box, the Pixel 9 Pro XL feels like a polished, finished product that just works the way you want it to.

    The smoothness and speed of the user interface are immediately noticeable. The camera has seen significant improvements, providing greater control and versatility. The AI functionalities are genuinely impressive—from real-time song recognition in your surroundings to advanced photo edits and generation powered by the dedicated AI chip. The integration of Google's Gemini AI, especially when paired with a Google One subscription (which includes a free year with 1TB of storage), adds tremendous value.

    The display is crisp and vibrant, and the speakers are surprisingly robust, delivering excellent sound quality. The phone also feels great in hand—it's clear that attention was paid to build quality and ergonomics.

    Battery life comfortably gets me through a full day of medium to heavy use. While the charging speed isn't the absolute fastest on the market, the difference is negligible—maybe a 15-minute gap from zero to full charge compared to some competitors, which doesn't impact me since I charge overnight.

    In terms of photography, for 95% of the photos you're going to take, the Pixel is far better as they come out looking great, needing little to no edits. I felt like with the Samsung, even though it had higher megapixels and technically better resolution, I would need to spend time to get it to look like what I wanted or look as good. But now, the Pixel is not just great right off the bat, it also offers most, if not all, of the same options to edit as the Samsung did, plus a whole bunch of extra features that Samsung doesn't offer, based on AI and proprietary techniques. While the Samsung may excel in extreme zoom scenarios, the Pixel 9 Pro XL holds its own exceptionally well in all other aspects. The macro focus might not be as stellar as the Samsung's, but it's more than adequate for typical use cases.

    Notably, the low light photo and video capabilities of the Pixel 9 Pro XL are exceptionally good, surpassing even the Samsung in this regard. The night mode shots and videos come out clearer, with better color reproduction and less noise, making it a standout feature for those who frequently capture content in challenging lighting conditions.

    In summary, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has exceeded my expectations in every way. It delivers a seamless, enjoyable experience without the frustrations I've encountered elsewhere. For the first time in a very long time, I've been completely satisfied with a phone without complaint, just enjoying using it day in and day out. If you're debating on what the best flagship phone is right now, I wholeheartedly recommend giving the Pixel 9 Pro XL a serious look. It's a standout device that truly showcases the best of what a smartphone can be.

  • npnp on 31/10/2024 - 16:09

    These are very subjective matters.
    My vote is for Galaxy S24 Ultra.
    Objectively speaking, it has got the best hardware (has always been the case in comparison to respective Pixel & Apple products). Better screen, better camera (hardware wise - bigger sensor alongside with that of pixel), build quality is a little subjective but I think Apple might have an edge, S pen is great and android experience has never been better). I wish however though if it had Apple video smoothness and pixel AI photo editing features then it's truely the best smartphone on the planet. Well, you can't have everything can you?

  • churchado on 22/11/2024 - 07:26
    Suggested Google Pixel 9 Pro

    The smaller, cheaper version of the XL

  • maiuspala on 01/12/2024 - 23:22
    Suggested vivo X Fold3 Pro

    The only real flagship foldable phone with top of the line Snapdragon, very bright screen and a good camera

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