Every year, Marques Brownlee, one of the most famous tech YouTubers in the world, presents the Smartphone Awards. With over 17 million subscribers on YouTube, "MKBHD", as he is known to his fans, is a fixture in the tech world. His reviews and analyses are equally relevant for tech lovers and smartphone enthusiasts, as he objectively tests and ranks the latest devices.
In his latest video, Marques highlights the best (and worst) smartphones of 2024. From impressive designs to revolutionary cameras to devices that unfortunately fell short of expectations, these awards offer a comprehensive look back at the year and help you spot the highlights of the smartphone market at a glance. We've summarized the most important findings from the video for you.
Best large smartphone
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Galaxy S24 Ultra impresses with a brilliant 6.8-inch display, which is ideal for multimedia and productivity thanks to its size and anti-reflective coating. Despite the impressive technology, the smartphone remains handy with its slim design and integrated stylus. Samsung has perfected the Ultra lineup and delivers a smartphone that achieves top scores in almost all areas.
Best small smartphone
Winner: iPhone 16
The compact iPhone 16 (6.1-inch) offers excellent performance, long-lasting battery life and typical Apple quality. Interestingly, despite its classification as "small", it is still larger than the largest smartphone from a few years ago, such as the Galaxy Note 4 (5.7-inch). For fans of smaller devices, it is one of the last options on the market that delivers true flagship quality.
Best Cinematography
Winner: iPhone 16 Pro
The iPhone 16 Pro camera remains the gold standard for photos and videos. With features such as manual control options and support for various formats, the device stands out especially in professional applications. The video performance is unmatched: from stabilized 4K recordings to impressive slow-motion video and fast autofocus technology.
Best price-performance ratio
Winner: Nothing Phone 2A
Priced at around €300, the Nothing Phone 2A offers an impressive overall package that is unmatched in this price range. It has a 120Hz display with thin, even bezels - a feature that is rare in this segment. The hardware is complemented by a 5,000mAh battery that supports fast 45W charging options and ensures long battery life.
Best Battery
Winner: Red Magic 10 Pro
The Red Magic 10 Pro is not just a gaming smartphone, but a real battery champion. With a huge 7,050 mAh battery and a 100 W fast charging function, it sets new standards in battery performance. Even with intensive use, such as gaming at 144 Hz, the battery easily lasts two days. For even more efficiency, the refresh rate can be lowered to 60 Hz.
Best Design
Winner: Huawei Mate XT (Tri-Fold)
The Huawei Mate XT with its triple-folding display is a milestone in smartphone design.It combines innovative technology with a futuristic look and shows how far foldable smartphones have developed. The device is extremely thin, has robust hinges and distributes the battery evenly across all three display segments. And the special thing: Depending on the folded state, the apps adapt dynamically so that the device remains fully functional in every configuration.
Best Foldable
Winner: Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google has dominated the foldable segment this year with the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. The device impresses with an improved hinge, thinner edges and an overall more compact design compared to its predecessor. The camera equipment has also been significantly upgraded and the bright, foldable display offers an almost seamless experience without any annoying bends.
The smartphone with the biggest improvements
Winner: Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is a prime example of how much a manufacturer can learn from the first to the second generation of a device. While the first Pixel Fold disappointed with its clunky design, thick bezels and an average camera, Google has improved the new model in almost every area.
The new hinge is not only thinner, but also allows it to fold completely flat. The cameras have been upgraded to a level that can compete with other flagships, and the display is brighter and higher quality than before. Google has thus proven that it has learned from its past mistakes and made the Pixel 9 Pro Fold a true foldable champion.
flop of the year
Winner: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
The Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra received the unfortunate title of "Flop of the Year", although it is not a bad smartphone. Rather, the problem lies in the disappointing development of the Zenfone range. Once known for compact, innovative devices, the Zenfone 11 Ultra has become a generic large smartphone that has lost its unique character.
Previous Zenfone models offered a rare experience for users who wanted a portable but powerful device. With the Zenfone 11 Ultra, that niche has been abandoned and the device now joins the crowd of large, hard-to-distinguish smartphones. A painful loss for the smartphone landscape.
Smartphone of the Year
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the undisputed winner of 2024. It combines an outstanding 6.8-inch display, powerful cameras, impressive battery life and sophisticated software into an overall package that impresses in every category.
Although it does not bring any radical innovations, Samsung continues to perfect the Ultra lineup. Even small details such as the anti-reflective coating on the display or the precise vibration motor show the attention to detail. For users looking for an all-round device without weaknesses, the S24 Ultra remains the best choice - a worthy winner of the title "Smartphone of the Year".
Conclusion – An exciting year for smartphones
The Smartphone Awards 2024 by Marques Brownlee show how diverse and innovative the smartphone market was again this year.From groundbreaking designs like the Huawei Mate XT to impressive all-rounders like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra to affordable options like the Nothing Phone 2A, there was something for every user.
The awards offer a perfect overview of the best and most relevant smartphones of the year and show where the journey could go next year: more innovation, better performance and hopefully even more exciting developments. The anticipation of 2025 is guaranteed
