Best smartphones to buy in 2024 (so far)

We’re nearly four months into 2024, and not surprisingly, the smartphone arena has seen a slew of exciting launches – across price points and use cases. If you’ve been unable to keep up or are in the market for a brand-new smartphone, here’s a guide to the best smartphones launched in 2024 so far.

1. Samsung Galaxy S24 series

Samsung’s Galaxy S24 series this year consists of three models – the vanilla Galaxy S24, the Galaxy S24 Plus, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

ALSO READ: Samsung Galaxy S24 series launched with Galaxy AI, 7-year software support

Regardless of which model you pick, you get several exciting features on the phones, including on-board Galaxy AI with text and image generation and editing capabilities, live call translations and transcriptions, and more. Oh and, did we mention as many as seven years of software updates?

2. OnePlus 12, 12R

The OnePlus 12 and 12R both offer several great features and powerful specs. For starters, the former is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which brings generative AI capabilities from the cloud to the phone.

ALSO READ: OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R launched in India: All you need to know

The OnePlus 12R, on the other hand, is powered by Qualcomm’s erstwhile flagship chipset – the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – which still remains an extremely potent unit in its own right.

3. Xiaomi 14 series

Xiaomi 14 series of flagship smartphones in India comprises of the base Xiaomi 14, and the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. Both smartphones pack Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipsets.

Other cool features include wireless charging, reverse charging support, and a 50MP primary camera. While both additionally get a 50MP ultrawide and a 50MP telephoto sensor, the Ultra variant gets a fourth 50MP telephoto sensor with 5x zoom.

4. Nothing Phone (2a)

The new Nothing Phone (2a), in essence, is the successor to the Nothing Phone (1). And while it is slightly redesigned, it still retains Nothing’s signature look with the glass back, and the glyph lights we oh-so-love.

ALSO READ: Nothing Phone (2a) review

The white variant especially, with the contrasting black volume rockers and power button, looks unlike anything out there today. It’s also not all show and no go. It gets a MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, which is 18 per cent faster and 16 per cent more efficient than the chipset on the Phone (1).

5. Vivo X100 series

Vivo’s camera-focused flagship smartphones are something all shutterbugs out there should check out. Both the Vivo X100 and X100 Pro get a triple-camera setup at the rear, co-developed with Zeiss, with 50MP primary, ultra-wide-angle, as well as telephoto sensors.

ALSO READ: Vivo X100 series announced with flagship cameras and the power of Dimensity 9300

Both are also powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 9300 chip, and get up to 120W wired FlashCharge support, and IP68 water and dust resistance rating, and more.

6. Realme 12 series

The Realme 12 series consists of four devices – the Realme 12 and Realme 12 Plus, and the Realme 12 Pro and Realme 12 Pro+. The devices are perfect for those looking for well-designed devices which feel good to look at and hold, without breaking the bank. All four models in the lineup do this quite well, with the gradient finish on the Realme 12 5G, and the vegan leather back on the rest.

ALSO READ: Realme 12 Pro 5G, Realme 12 Pro+ 5G are mid-range phones with a liquid cooling system

As many as four models in the lineup also guarantee that there is one suited to each budget and use case. For example, the base Realme 12 guarantees everyday ease of use with the Dynamic button (Realme’s own interpretation of the Action Button on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max).

The Realme 12 Pro and Realme12 Pro+, on the other hand, can handle gaming and heavy video editing with ease all day, with their 3D VC liquid cooling system, along with AMOLED displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and dual stereo-speaker setup with support for Dolby Atmos.

7. Redmi Note 13 series

The new Redmi Note 13 series comprises of the Redmi Note 13 5G, Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G, and the top-of-the-line Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G. The most affordable phone of the lot, even the Redmi Note 13 5G gets features such as an FHD+ AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection and up to 12GB RAM. The device also gets an IR blaster to control other devices in your home.

The higher-end Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G and the Note 13 Pro+ 5G also have AMOLED displays. But curved, giving them a premium appeal. They are powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 2 and MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipsets, and get UFS 3.1 storage, as well as support for the latest generation Wi-Fi 6 networks. Oh and in case we forgot to mention it, they have 67W and 120W wired fast charging support, and even an IP68 certification.

8. Samsung Galaxy A55, A35 5G

Samsung’s A-series phones are known for bringing competitive specs and features to the mid-range price segment. The Samsung Galaxy A35 5G and Galaxy A55 5G are no exception to this.

The more affordable of the two, the Galaxy A35 5G comes with a 6.6-inch FHD+ AMOLED display and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+. Under the hood, it gets Exynos 1380 chipset and comes with up to 8GB RAM and 256GB storage, which can even be expanded up to 1TB with a microSD card.

The slightly more expensive Galaxy A55 5G sports largely the same specs, but is more powerful with the new Exynos 1480 chipset, and up to 12GB RAM.

9. Oppo F25 Pro

The Oppo F25 Pro 5G is the company’s latest mid-range offering and is powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor. It has a rather premium feel to it, and offers a fast-charging 5,000mAh battery, triple camera setup at the rear, and a 32MP sensor on the front.

10. Realme Narzo 70 Pro

The Realme Narzo 70 Pro is a standout offering amidst a sea of mid-range smartphones, and manages to truly differentiate itself. How? Well, it gets air gestures, which allow you to navigate around the device without actually touching it, for one. The feature isn’t restricted only to navigation, though. It also allows you to take screenshots, and scroll through your gallery.

ALSO READ: Realme Narzo 70 vs Redmi Note 13 5G vs Vivo Y200e 5G: A head-on comparison

The second feature is Rainwater Smart Touch, which allows you to use the device even when the screen is wet, say, in the rain, by minimising mistouches and ghost touches as well. The feature, in case you missed it, has previously only been available on the OnePlus 12.

And there you have it! These were our top picks for smartphones launched so far this year. If these don’t appeal to you though, fret not, for we’ll keep updating this list as and when newer models are launched. Keep watching this space!