Smartphone shopping in 2024 is less about finding a “good” phone and more about choosing the right mix of performance, display quality, storage, and price. A fresh comparison of 30 popular models highlights where the real value is right now, from ultra-premium flagships to budget-friendly picks that still bring big screens and OLED panels.
At the very top of the list, Xiaomi’s latest flagship line dominates. The Xiaomi 17 Pro leads the ranking with a 90.5% score, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Adreno 840 GPU. It’s paired with a massive 16GB of memory and up to 1TB of fast UFS 4.1 storage. You also get a 6.30-inch LTPO AMOLED display at 2656×1220 with a sharp 464 PPI, all in a relatively light 192g body. For buyers who want maximum speed, lots of storage, and a compact-sized premium screen, this one sets the pace.
Apple follows closely behind. The iPhone 17 Pro takes second place at 89.9% with the A19 Pro chip, a 6.30-inch OLED display (2622×1206, 458 PPI), and a 512GB NVMe storage option in the listed configuration. If you want the biggest iPhone experience, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is also near the top at 89.2%, offering a larger 6.90-inch OLED panel (2868×1320) and a heavier 233g build that reflects its larger footprint.
Xiaomi doesn’t stop after the top spot. The standard Xiaomi 17 matches the iPhone 17 Pro Max score at 89.2%, again using the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 with a 6.30-inch LTPO AMOLED and 512GB UFS 4.1 storage. The Xiaomi 17 Pro Max is close too at 89.0%, bringing a larger 6.90-inch AMOLED screen and up to 16GB RAM with 1TB storage.
Google’s newest Pixel flagships sit just below that front pack. The Pixel 10 Pro scores 88.9% and the Pixel 10 Pro XL comes in at 88.1%. Both run the Tensor G5 and include 16GB memory with 256GB UFS 4.0 storage. If you value Google’s approach to the Android experience and want flagship-level specs with OLED/AMOLED displays, these are firmly in the top tier.
Sony also makes a strong showing with the Xperia 1 VII at 88.5%, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite setup and a 6.50-inch OLED display. It’s a reminder that if you want a premium Android phone that stands out from the usual designs, Sony remains in the conversation.
Just outside the very top, there are more heavy hitters worth considering. The iPhone 17 scores 87.9% with the A19 chip, 8GB memory, 256GB NVMe storage, and a 6.30-inch OLED display. Oppo’s Find X9 Pro scores 87.7% and comes loaded with a Dimensity 9500, 16GB RAM, 512GB UFS 4.1 storage, and a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen. OnePlus lands in the upper tier too with the OnePlus 15 at 87.1%, built around the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 16GB memory, and a large 6.78-inch AMOLED panel.
There’s also an interesting option for people who care about weight as much as power: the iPhone Air ranks at 86.8%, and the listed configuration shows a very light 165g body paired with an A19 Pro chip, 12GB memory, 512GB NVMe storage, and a 6.50-inch OLED display.
In the “affordable but still impressive” range, models like the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE (85.6%) offer an AMOLED screen and a balanced spec sheet with the Exynos 2400 and 256GB UFS 4.0 storage. The Vivo X200 FE (84.8%) also stands out with a 6.31-inch AMOLED display and 512GB storage, offering a compact feel with capable hardware.
Step down into value-focused picks, and you’ll find phones like the OnePlus Nord CE 5 (80.8%) and OnePlus Nord 5 (80.5%), both featuring AMOLED displays and pricing that’s far easier to justify than flagship costs. If repairability and sustainability matter, the Fairphone 6 scores 79.2% while still delivering a modern OLED-style pOLED display and 256GB storage.
At the budget end, a clear trend shows up: big screens, and often AMOLED, even when performance is more modest. The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (73.3%) and Galaxy A17 4G (72.0%) both include AMOLED panels, which is a major win for everyday viewing. Devices like the Motorola Moto G86 Power (76.3%) and Tecno Slim 5G (75.7%) emphasize large displays and practical pricing for buyers who mainly want screen size and battery-friendly efficiency.
If your priority is simply spending as little as possible while still getting a modern smartphone experience, options like the Motorola Moto G06 (71.0%) and Xiaomi’s Redmi 15 series (including Redmi 15 5G at 72.6% and Redmi 15C variants) deliver big 6.88–6.90-inch screens and large-device usability at entry-level prices, though they often rely on IPS panels and slower storage standards.
What this ranking makes clear is that the best smartphones of 2024 aren’t defined by one brand or one operating system. Xiaomi is pushing extreme hardware value at the top, Apple continues to deliver premium performance and polished displays, while Google, Sony, Oppo, and OnePlus offer strong alternatives depending on what you care about most. And if your budget is tighter, you can still find large-screen phones and even AMOLED displays without paying flagship money.
