The time has come. At Xataka On, we’ve analyzed each manufacturer’s flagship high-end smartphones, concluding that 2024 has been a year of refinement rather than revolution.
After testing them all, I know which model I’d carry in my pocket. Curiously, it’s not the one with the best specs or the most spectacular design. Instead, it’s the most balanced for day-to-day use.
This year, I had the chance to review these high-end Android phones:
- Xiaomi 14 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
- Honor Magic6 Pro
- OPPO Find X8 Pro
- Realme GT7 Pro
- Google Pixel 9 Pro
Most of the smartphones from Chinese manufacturers aren’t sold in the U.S. However, this article doesn’t compare technical specs or delve into each model. Instead, I’ll share which phone I found to be the most well-rounded throughout the year.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra won the Xataka Award for Best Mobile of the Year in 2024, and I couldn’t agree more. It stands out as the most balanced option across several key areas, despite lacking standout specs.
The matte screen. The S24 Ultra remains the only high-end phone on the market with an anti-glare screen. As I noted in my review, this feature marks a turning point. While rivals, especially the Pixel, boast higher brightness levels, the matte treatment completely transforms the user experience.
Once you’ve used a phone with this feature, it’s hard to return to one without it. Adding to its appeal, it’s one of the few high-end Android devices with a flat panel—only the Pixel also features a completely flat screen. This combination made it my favorite screen of the year.
The second-best software. In my opinion, nothing beats Stock Android. However, setting aside the Pixel’s performance—it’s decent, but not strong enough to be my top high-end pick—Samsung still offers the best software experience on Android. It’s not my favorite ROM, but it’s certainly superior to HyperOS, ColorOS, and MagicOS.
Samsung’s system has personality. The phone offers few visual quirks, a seamless DeX mode when connected to displays, high-quality apps, and an integrated ecosystem with other Samsung products.
Battery performance is equally impressive. Despite lacking a 6,000 mAh battery, the S24 Ultra isn’t far behind its direct competitors. It doesn’t reach the 10+ hours of screen time I achieved with the Realme and OPPO models, but it lasts a day and a half—or two days with light use—while delivering over eight hours of screen time.
Although it’s not the most powerful device, the software-hardware optimization is remarkable. Most users won’t notice the difference between its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and the Snapdragon 8 Elite.
Reliable cameras. The S24 Ultra’s cameras didn’t blow me away—Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra performs better in this area. However, consistency stands out as the key advantage in comparisons.
While rivals excel in certain scenarios, the S24 Ultra feels like “the iPhone of Android” in terms of photography. I value the ability to predict how my phone will capture an image without processing surprises.
Though it rarely takes a perfect photo, its performance is consistently good. The camera interface is user-friendly, and it’s one of the few phones that shoots RAW images at 50 MP. The integration with Gemini enhances the editing experience, making photography on this phone a pleasure.
A consistent, no-frills smartphone. The Pixel is an excellent device, but its processor falls short. The Xiaomi impresses, but HyperOS isn’t my favorite. Honor has similar drawbacks, and Huawei’s lack of Google services is a deal-breaker. While OPPO and Realme excel in hardware, their software still lags behind.
The S24 Ultra isn’t the best in any single category, but it’s the most balanced overall. It shines in screen quality, camera performance, battery life, and system optimization. In terms of long-term support, it’s only second to Google.
Images | Xataka On
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