One hand phones, objectively ranked

Sony is back with it's top-dog 1 Series phone but the alarming lack of software effort remains. As usual, the hardware is amazing: premium build, great battery life, bright screen, good front-facing stereo speakers, two-stage camera button and now exclusive in the flagship world: SD memory expansion and headphone jack. The phone is still one of the narrowest flagships and the only one to hide the selfie in a bazel to allow you a full screen content.

Ten months since last Xiaomi’s Ultra comes a phone with the first-ever physical zoom ring. 17 Ultra Leica edition features a physical zoom ring, ribbed frame for better grip, encryption chip and dual satellite communication chops that plain 17 Ultra lacks. Both models loose one of the two telephoto lenses 15 Ultra had and their screens drop below 500ppi. The phones gained in width and battery size but their photography skills are better then ever. SUPERPOWER: this is the TOP 5 camera phone in the world

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectations of processor, battery, charging, screen, imaging and software performance) A true flagship phone from Redmi brings a spec-fest: world’s best processor, 7500mAh battery with fast charging, big and bright Dolby Vision screen, Dolby Atmos and Bose tuned stereo sound, triple 50MP back cameras, ultrasonic authentication and a flagship grade Display-Out USB-C port – all for half the price of iPhone 17PM or A25U (at lounch). Naturally, there are compromises on performance speed, imaging and software fronts.

Like other Cheese phone makers, Vivo is going small. This years X vanilla model is 2mm narrower and almost 10mm shorter to put X300 well into the new "compact size" of 72mm or less. The battery is bigger than before and the Zeiss branded camera system Vivos are known for is also upgraded. It now features a new 200MP main and a new 50MP AF selfie. The built is improved as well with silky finish both on the back glass panel and on a (squarish, iPhone-like) aluminium frame.

Xiaomi is going after Apple this year with matching gen number and addition of Pro and Pro Max models. Plain 17 adds a massive battery upgrade (from 5500 to 7000mAh, 6330mAh in EU), faster processor and storage, better selfie (finally with AF) and Dolby Atmos certified speakers. It is a battery endurance beast, providing 42+ hours to even a heavy user. Cameras are similar to excellent Xiaomi 15: competent performer with some excellent results. Apple flattery extended to physical design too - while last year's model was one of the nicest to hold because of softly curved front and back glass panels, the 17 has palm-cutting sharp frame with flat front and back.

S25 is taking on other flagship phones with excellent (very pocketable) build, great screen, good cameras, excellent selfie and of course: DeX – the best desktop replacement software there is. This year, Samsung is focusing on the software side, adding tons of features meant to set it apart. The battery tests confirmed our expectations: S25 offers no improvement over S24’s mediocre battery life and charging performance. S25 is not bad but what a shame to have to worry about topping up your phone before going out in the evening.

Great performance (with throttling under pressure) and exceptional battery endurance. Fast charging, excellent screen and very good photos and videos. It is too bad that Xiaomi cuts corners with it’s best compact so the 15 Pro and 15 Ultra can justify their higher prices. There is still no AF on the ultrawide. No AF on the selfie either. No memory expansion, headphone jack or desktop replacement feature but Xiaomi 15 comes with a 90W charger in the box (in many markets).

The most powerful Apple phone until 2025, delivered the best Apple had to offer. It was also the best all around phone on the market in the Fall of 2024, excelling in processor power and video recording while bringing top tier battery endurance, photos, selfies and videos. Apple never offered expandable memory, preferring to charge a lot for larger memory capacity and the use of iCloud. It will probably never include a desktop repacement option either. But this phone's USB C port does provides video-out, waiting for an app that could turn all that processing power into a desktop computer replacement dream… Oh, and Apple's iPhone lounch is still the best phone industry event, hands down.

This year Motorola has made an all-out assault on the flip-phone market. Top hardware joined with their years of excellent OS development. If you’re looking for a pocketable and premium, look no further… just be okay with a heavily throttled performance – I guess one can’t have everything.

One of the best 2024 camera phones owes it’s reputation to it’s Zeiss optics and excellent 200MP 3.7zoom periscope telephoto with multi-directional PDAF and OIS. This phone set new standard for phone photography topping most lists in 2024.

The best Oppo phone of 2024 is a full feature, mature flagship. Outstanding performance, excellent build with a silent-vibrate-ring slider and a new “control button” to start the camera, zoom and take a quick photo. Feels smaller and easier to hold due to both font and back 4 side micro-curved glass panels. 5 years of very stable OS and a great main camera with 2 zoom lenses but Oppo is saving it’s best for the X8 Ultra, expected in early 2025. Still no AF on Selfie, no memory expansion or desktop replacement software.

The N6 continues Oppo's great line of some of the best foldables. It comes with a top processor, class leading battery endurance and excellent (tho not the best) screen(s) and cameras. The stylus support makes it a real competitor to Samsung S26 Ultra and crease-less inner screen brings a bit of magic. Stylus support and multi-window support earn it 2 extra points in my list but availability is disappointingly limited.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectations of battery endurance, charging speed and imaging performance) Following Samsung, Apple and Motorola, Honor is putting out a 6mm thin phone. But this one is also a compact measuring less then 72mm in width (competition is all >74mm). The 8 Pro Air comes with a bigger battery, faster charging and a smaller screen. It has a full set of 3 back cameras instead of 2 on Samsung and Motorola and just 1 on iPhone. The battery life should last over 30 hours under moderate load – much longer then competition.

Many years of hard work at Huawei photo prowness are on display here with beautiful photos and selfies. Magic 6 Pro was the first Honor phone to offer outstanding battery life, a great screen and even the computer replacement function. In 2024, it placed top or close to the top of smartphone photo quality lists

This 2024 phone is that good. Samsung fit everything in there, a stylus, 6 cameras (!), the best screen in the industry (at the time) and (almost) 24 hours of battery life. In 2024, this was the best phone ever made by the world’s biggest phone making corporation. It had the most features too, by far. Samsung also included seven years (!) of OS updates as well as amazing desktop replacement (DeX) software. Consider that at 79 mm wide, this is a “two hands and a bag” phone.

As usual, Xiaomi T series are not-quite flagships. This one shines at raw power and endurance, has two excellent cameras for day and night photography (the main and periscope telephoto) and comes in a lovely build (tho big) package. It is too bad that Xiaomi refuses to upgrade the 12MP ultrawide and 32MP selfie or at least give them auto focus but otherwise this is a very good phone if you can get it at a good price.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of screen and imaging performance) Xiaomi completes it's 17 series with a 5th phone. Similar to 17 Pro Max but with bigger battery and lesser imaging setup. With no secondary screen of Pro and Pro Max, expect outstanding endurance. Design is Xiaomi 15-like: understated and elegant with nice color options.

Honor 600 Pro comes with a 2 year old SD 8 Elite processor and a smaller battery as Honor looks for a good place to park it's 2nd tier offering. This excellent phone delivers stellar performance (both hardware and software wise) at a very reasonable price. It comes with a Pro series first: a camera shutter button that also doubles as a AI hardware button.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectations of battery charging speed as well was photo, video and software performance) Oppo brings an iterative upgrade with narrower body, best Dimensity chip, UFS 4.1 memory architecture, ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, brighter screen and Bluetooth 6.0 but the biggest upgrades is the 7000mAh battery that delivers 2 day endurance. The back and front cameras remain the same with minor tweaks. Design and build are the same: flagship (tho a bit bland). Screen didn’t get LTPO tech and the selfie remains sans-AF: the weakest part of this excellent phone. Oppo also added more AI tricks and a new customizable function button.

This year, Xiaomi is all-out after Apple. Not only did it skip the 16th gen and name their flagships to match Apple's 17th gen - they also matched the design too. Except, instead of just offering a "plateau" bump across the upper back of their Pro phones, Xiaomi put a second screen there. Both back and main screens match in brightness and Dolby Vision certification and allow you to take selfies with back cameras. Otherwise, 17 Pro upgrades on last year's (China only) 15 Pro with better processor, faster memory, bigger battery size and charging speed, higher screen PWM dimming rate, water immersion depth, selfie with a PDAF, new OS and even added Dolby Atmos speaker certification.

8 months after X200 Pro Mini here comes another compact Vivo. Along with Oppo and Xiaomi, Vivo is now clearly after Apple’s compact phones profits. This phone looks and feels similar to iPhones falling somewhere in between iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 but delivering clean Android, much better battery life and faster charging.

Sony seems unsure about the direction of it’s mobile business. This year’s Xperia announcement didn’t introduce Xperia 10 VII – their midrange phone. Xperia 5 V from 2023 was the last compact Sony put out and now they seem to have slimmed their model range from 3 to just 1. 1 VII is still a great phone. The hardware is unique and more functional them any other flagship phone. Great grip and a bright screen, forward facing stereo speakers, hi quality headphone jack, SDmemory… this phone offers so much value. The battery life is still a 2-day affair, cameras are as good as ever (tho selfie lacks AF) and software is simple, elegant and bloatware-free.

(this is a pre-test score based on reasonable expectations of battery and camera performance) Arriving 6 months and week later, this is a Vivo X200 upgrade. The body is narrower by 0.5mm, Dimensity 9400 is now 9400+, UFS4.0 is now 4.1, Si/C battery got bigger by 400mAh and gained wireless charging, already bright screen is now (slightly) brighter with ultrasonic (instead of optical) fingerprint sensor. Wish the selfie received AF but that seems reserved for the Ultra edition.

Released in May of 2024 and topped by Vivo X200 Pro phone, Vivo X100 Ultra set a new camera phone standard with it’s 200MP telephoto camera and a top all-around hardware and software imaging setup. This is one of the best 2024 phones for photography. It has an outstanding screen too but Vivo left room to improve by excluding a memory card slot and missing the 4 or more years of OS software updates that Apple, Samsung, Google and others offer.

(we’re waiting for battery and camera test results – these scores are estimates) This is a cheaper version of 7 Pro. Same outstanding performance in the processing, battery and screen domain but no periscope tele camera and no desktop replacement feature. Sized as amazing Honor Magic 6 Pro > , this phone is a pleasure to use if your hand is big enough.

OnePlus has been doing things right for a long time, always searching for the “flagship killer” title. They got it right this time with a phone that cuts (a few) corners with the camera while besting the competition in performance and battery. The screen is great too, just not as bright as top competition. OnePlus still includes an excellent mute-vibrate-ringer slider but the SD memory and desktop replacement software are missing as always. No AF on Selfie either, only 4 OxygenOS future updates

Last year’s best iPhone is a fantastic value now that Apple stopped selling it (but will keep supporting for years). This was the best phone in the world a year ago and will remain in the TOP 20 for a long time.

Like it’s smaller version, iPhone 16 Plus is an excellent alternative to the Pro models – lacking are just the 120Htz refresh rate screen and a telephoto camera. The A18 processor is marginally slower than the A18 Pro chip used in 16 Pro and Pro Max making vanilla iPhones a better choice for more people. Battery charging remains painfully slow as with every iPhone and if coming from Android, iOS usebility and customization options can be downright upsetting. But iPhone users love how well Apple devices play with each other, so there’s that.

(the star after phone’s name indicates that we are still waiting for actual tests to be completed. My score string here is based on what we know so far and it is subject to change) Huawei’s 2025 flagship comes with a midrange performance processor and a brand new HarmonyOS based on Android 13 but everything else about this phone is flagship grade. The main camera system however, could be the best in the world – we’re waiting for actual tests to confirm this. Huawei committed early on to including a very good desktop replacement feature with all of their top tier phones. A 100W power adapter is likely to be included as well.

Honor 500 Pro midranger is actually a paired-down flagship: the 1-year old Snapdragon 8 Elite processor and camera setup and performance (now with periscope telephoto) take it out of the "midrange" territory while excellent build and feature rich MagicOS confirm this to be a proper flagship-killer phone. Too bad this is a China-only phone...

(this is a pre-test review as the star indicates. There is every reason to expect: a >30hr battery endurance and sub-1hr charging, more than 1300nits of screen brightness and excellent camera & selfie performance) The Find X8s and it's bigger version (a 74.5mm wide) X8s+ are China-only models. Both are flagship grade, sitting just below Find X8 Ultra and Find X8 Pro. They offer small (relatively compact) bodies, stellar processor and battery performance, with some compromises on screen, cameras and the USB port performance.

The small version of iPhone 16 Pro Max is a technological marvel (with a less-than-a-day battery life). It offers outstanding video recoding, top processor, screen and a camera like iPhone 16 Pro Max but trades battery endurance for a one hand size. The new camera control button may be just a gimmick but some of the Apple AI tricks have arrived at the end of October and help make 2024 iPhones that much better.

Sony & Samsung make 90% of all phones camera sensors but Sony has struggled to produce a top performing camera phone. Sony phones have always featured exceptional hardware and introduced many new features (like IP68 protection) but software side was always neglected. The company changed it’s direction with Xperia 1 VI by consolidating all photo/video apps into a very good one. Xperia 1 VI has a new form factor that matches it’s flagship competition – gone is the long and narrow design (21:9) and we have a wider phone (harder to use one-hand at 16:9). The screen went from 4K to a 1020p LTPO. But many great things are there: exceptional 2-day battery life, SDmemory slot (up to a 1TB), a headphone/microphone jack, camera button and a Tool-less SIM tray. The screen is the only notch-free one in the flagship phone world! Sony is pitching it’s top phones as “creator tools” so it would give Sony an better market position if their phones could be used as creator’s computer replacement . Maybe down the road?…

Top of some of the “Best Android Phone” lists, the S24+ is a lovely package that delivers so much flagship here. Samsung’s strategy of saving “the Best” title for their Ultra phone takes some excitement out of the S24+. It’s a shame as this is actually Samsung’s “top phone without a stylus”. Excellent screen, 7 year OS update policy and the full featured Desktop replacement software make the S24+ a much better phone than it appears. It only it’s battery was better…

As last year, Vivo’s subbrand IQOO released it’s top phone as soon as the top Snapdragon chip became available. This year there is no Pro model, just one amazing gaming powerhouse with a 6000+mAh Silicon Carbon battery that provides exceptional battery runtime. The screen is also outstanding, performing better than most flagships. If you can live with a good (but not great) cameras and you’re okay with a phone this big – IQOO 13 (and OnePlus 13) should be at the top of your list.

Just 6 months after it's predecessor, Z80 Ultra brings better hardware and software making this a very good value camera-phone option. With lots of physical controls, new version of OS and more tweaking of the solid (it not imperfect) camera setup. The beautiful 144Hz notch-less screen has minimal bezels and ultrasonic fingerprint sensor but no LTPO or HDR10+ tech yet. Just like it's predecessor, Z80 Ultra is a great gaming phone too.

A fantastic value considering that it differs from S24 Ultra by a small, incremental downgrade in processing speed, screen reflection and minor photo deficiencies. And it is smaller (easier to use) than the S24 Ultra. Samsung still promises 4 more years of OS updates making this one of the best options if you don’t want to spend much.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, charging and imaging tech) Motorola is happy to try different things and it's middle model has shifted size and target audience a lot: from 7.9mm thickness 2 versions ago, to 6mm in the last iteration, to now back to standard (7.2mm) thickness. The build remains excellent and includes full protection from dropps and elements. Screen is bright and sharp, camera improved with addition of a tele lenses and PDAF to selfie.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectations of processor, battery and camera performance) Huawei remains one of world's top imaging phone companies but is struggling to overcome the devastating loss of Google services and chip bans that started almost 10 years ago. 90 Pro Max comes with a new Kirin 9030s (7nm) chip which will deliver a midrange level performance. HarmonyOS 6.1 is breaking away from Android world creating Huawei's own OS ecosystem. Question is: "is camera quality your top need?"

Vivo is lifting it's V series of midrangers by adding an Elite badge unit. This is essentially a V70 with a better processor that can sustain years of OS updates and AI additions. If you can get it in your market, this phone should be on your list. It features fast performance, ultrasonic fingerprint reader, IR blaster, metal frame, great battery life, very bright screen and reliable imaging, all in a very compact, just 74mm wide body.

One of the very few small flagships, the S24 ticks many boxes except for battery endurance. The top 2023 processor, fast storage, great screen, the same reliable camera as on S24+, 7 years of OS updates and even a full-on desktop replacement make this small phone a very good value.

(the star after phone’s name indicates that we are still waiting for actual tests to be completed. My score string here is based on what we know so far but it is subject to change) Following this year’s tend, OnePlus is also releasing a “mini”. Their version could be a real hit with a top processor, Silicone Carbon aided battery and fast charging, a great 6.3″ screen, IP69 protection and a very good camera setup. We will know very soon if this very high score holds.

Vivo’s first try at a 6.3-inch-screen flagship. Add the best performing processor, excellent battery endurance, fast charging speed, bright screen and Vivo’s excellence in camera tech and this may be the phone you were waiting for. Keeping it from a spot in the TOP 10 are it’s selfie (with no AF), video recording, lack of SDmemory slot, only 3 years of OS updates and Vivo’s refusal to offer a desktop replacement feature.

X Fold 3 Pro is only a 3rd generation Vivo foldable but it outperformed foldable competition with battery and camera and hardware. This immersive phone is a great option if you can get it in your market. It is one of the thinnest, lightest and yet top in battery endurance and water protection among foldable. Excellent build and usability, great performance and 24hr+ battery performance on the outer screen. Very bright screens and a great camera setup takes this 2024 phone to a short list of phones to consider.

Another great effort from Vivo. A downgraded UFS speed, camera and a non-LTPO screen but otherwise very close to Vivo X200 Pro in performance, battery endurance, fast charging and screen departments. Highly recommended it you can get the 512GB version, not available everywhere.

The 15T continues in T series direction of offering Xiaomi’s version of a “flagship killer”. Your compromises would include large size, slow USB-C 2.0 connectivity, no AF ultrawide and the 32MP un-binded selfie with no AF.

(this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, screen and imaging performance) A year after Find X8s comes a change in direction for Oppo: leaving the compact flagship segment to make another excellent phone that is a stripped down Find X9. Hard to tell what caused this strategic change, perhaps X8s lost too badly to Vivo X200s and Oppo didn't feel they could compete? The X9s is the same build and size as X9, they share the same battery, screen and selfie but for about $200 less the X9s loses the wireless charging, periscope telephoto and multi-directional PDAF on all back lenses.

Featuring Xiaomi's own processor, the 15S Pro marks a beginning of a new era. Unlike Huawei's Kirin chips, the new XRing 01 is a proper 3nm top-of-the-line processor that should compete head on with SD 8 Elite and Mediatec's top Dimensity 9400. The rest of this phone is a copy of Xiaomi 15 Pro.

Motorola has preserved the spirit of innovation and creativity despite transfers to Google (in 2012) and Lenovo (in 2014). Their phones feature solid build with unusual and fun colors, good ingress protection and solid camera tech. The software is a very clean version of Android with useful but minimal additions such as “karate chop” move to turn on the main camera. This phone features a very interesting aramid fibre back, plastic frame, full IP68 water resistance with military grade drop protection, up to 5 years of OS updates and desktop replacement software bundled inside fast and feature rich OS.

Pixel 10 Pro brings a new Tensor chip produced by TSMC's 3nm manufacturing process. The screen is slightly brighter and battery (still old, Lithium tech) is just 170nAh larger. Android 16 brings in the 1st gen of build-in desktop replacement functionality. All cameras are the same as on 9 Pro but have some new AI tricks and the tele lense can focus closer. Qi2 wireless charging adds a cool touch.

Motorola keeps producing excellent midrange (processor) phones with lovely colors and build, great in-hand feel and non-slip surfaces, top ingress and military standard drop protection, bright screens with Pantene calibrated colors and smooth but powerful OS with all the AI works and DeX equaling desktop replacement functionality. Motorola phones don’t sell in all markets so consider yourself lucky if you can get one locally.

Honor skipped the V4 iteration and put out Magic V5 – the thinnest FOLD phone in the world. At 8.8mm thickness, the USB-C port barely fits in and to make future foldables any thinner, the device will need to skip the USB port. Honor also added dust protection, increased water resistance, put in a bigger battery and improved the back cameras.

The non-Pro Oppo Find X8 version is a little gem – it includes everything the Pro has except the 2nd periscope tele camera. Because of the screen tech and battery size difference, it scores better in performance and marginally worse in battery life (which will still easily give you a full day). In a paradox, the white version’s back panel feels like plastic – great feel and solid surface that is very satisfying to touch – may be the best color option of the series!

This Poco scores better than the new Poco X7 Ultra because it trades the top chip for last year’s SD 8 Gen 3 but comes with a much bigger (6000mAh vs 5300 on Ultra) battery. The camera setup is downgraded from the Ultra but still delivers competent main and ultrawide shots and videos. This phone is a pleasure to use too for it’s great IP68 build and smooth OS performance.

Xiaomi’s best 2024 phone was one of world’s top camera phones of 2024. Missing are selfie camera auto-focus, the memory expansion slot and any attempt at the desktop replacement feature tho “video out” is supported. Xiaomi did a fantastic job with the main camera that features 4 50MP sensors, all with PDAF functionality and with a Photography Kit accessory available as an extra purchase – this really is a camera-phone.

Honor’s second FLIP phone is a great foldable limited to Chinese market. Excellent chaftmenship, IP59 protection, very bright LTPO screens and a triple set of AF equipped lenses make this one of the best FLIP phones.

The 15T continues in T series direction of offering Xiaomi’s version of a “flagship killer”. Your compromises would include large size, slow USB-C 2.0 connectivity, no AF ultrawide and the 32MP un-binded selfie with no AF.