September 2024
Smartphones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of smartphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of September 2024.
Summary
On 10 Sep 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 92 smartphone endorsements from 10 reputable publishers.
47 smartphones were endorsed in total, only 22 made it into this month's ranking. (ReviewFinder requires a minimum of 2 endorsements to be included)
As of 10 Sep 2024, iPhone 15 Pro Max takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smartphone with 6 expert endorsements. 4 experts out of 6 recommended it as the '#1 smartphone' this month.
Brand breakdown
-
Samsung: 12 smartphones
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra)
-
Apple: 10 smartphones
(#1 is iPhone 15 Pro Max)
-
Google: 7 smartphones
(#1 is Google Pixel 8a)
-
OnePlus: 5 smartphones
(#1 is OnePlus 12R)
-
Motorola: 4 smartphones
(#1 is Motorola Moto G84 5G)
Price breakdown
At a glance - September Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
Laptop Mag
|
The Verge
|
TechRadar
|
T3
|
Pocket-lint
|
Tom's Guide
|
IGN
|
Creative Bloq
|
Digital Trends
|
ZD Net
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max
The iPhone 15 Pro Max impresses with its camera capabilities, battery life, and USB-C integration, but faces criticism for its high price, slow charging speeds, and some underutilized features like the Action Button.
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
2
|
|
2
|
- | $950 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
|
-
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
|
3
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
4
|
+14 | $1595 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
|
-
|
7
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
6
|
13
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $499 |
Google Pixel 8a
|
-
|
5
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
|
6
|
+1 | $500 |
OnePlus 12R
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
4
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
|
7
|
New * | Check price |
Google Pixel 9 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
8
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15 Pro
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
9
|
New * | $1199 |
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
3
|
|
10
|
-1 | $409 |
Google Pixel 7a
The Google Pixel 7a has received positive reviews for its design, camera capabilities, display, performance, battery life, and speakers, making it a suitable choice for users who prioritize these features.
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
-1 | $900 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
|
12
|
-1 | $695 |
OnePlus 12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
7
|
|
13
|
-9 | $728 |
Google Pixel 8 Pro
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a flagship smartphone with a sleek design, impressive camera capabilities, vibrant display, powerful performance, and decent battery life, making it a recommended choice for users who prioritize photography, multimedia consumption, performance, and style.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
|
14
|
-8 | $1200 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is a flagship smartphone that offers a unique design, advanced camera capabilities, impressive performance, reliable battery life, and excellent speaker quality, making it a top choice for those seeking a high-performance smartphone.
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
- | Check price |
OnePlus 11
The OnePlus 11 receives positive reviews for its sleek design, premium materials, unique camera placement, exceptional performance, solid battery life, and good speaker quality, making it a recommended choice for users who value aesthetics, camera capabilities, smooth performance, and a high-quality display.
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
- | Check price |
Nothing Phone 2
The Nothing Phone (2) is a sleek and powerful device with a great display and battery life, but falls short in low light photography and audio quality.
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
+2 | $429 |
iPhone SE
The iPhone SE (2020) is a compact and well-designed smartphone that offers excellent performance and functionality, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a smaller device.
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
|
18
|
-1 | $1080 |
Oppo Find X5 Pro
The Oppo Find X5 Pro is a flagship smartphone praised for its sleek design, impressive camera performance, smooth display, powerful performance, and long-lasting battery life, but its audio quality may not meet the standards of some users.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
+1 | $1700 |
OnePlus Open
The OnePlus Open is a versatile and reliable foldable smartphone with a sleek design, powerful camera system, vibrant display, seamless performance, impressive battery life, and immersive audio quality, making it a great choice for users who prioritize portability, durability, and multimedia capabilities.
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
|
20
|
+2 | Check price |
iPhone 15 Plus
The iPhone 15 Plus has received highly positive expert reviews for its sleek design, impressive camera capabilities, high-quality display, exceptional performance, and long-lasting battery life.
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
|
21
|
- | Check price |
Samsung Galaxy S24
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
|
22
|
New * | $799 |
Google Pixel 9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max #1 in September 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 4 experts ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max as #1.
- 📸 Excellent Camera Quality
- 🔋 Impressive Battery Life
- 🔌 USB-C Port
- 🌟 Design and Build Quality
- 🚀 Performance
- 💸 High Price
- ⚡ Slow Charging Speeds
- 🔄 Action Button Underutilized
TechRadar
The best iPhone camera
|
Gorgeous albeit subtle redesign
Excellent photography
|
Pricier baseline (but more storage)
Charging should be faster
|
T3
The best Apple phone you can buy
|
Titanium enclosure makes it lighter
Most capable cameras
|
New action button not essential
Battery demands
|
Pocket-lint
Best overall phone / Editor's Choice
|
Beautiful, premium build
Performance is really smooth and fast
Excellent camera system with excellent 5x zoom
Action Button is very useful
|
Pricey
Camera can be a little overcomplicated
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone overall
|
Light and strong titanium frame
5x zoom power
Action button customization
Amazing performance
Lengthy battery life
|
Price increase over iPhone 14 Pro Max
Slow charging speeds
Action button could be more
|
Digital Trends
The best iPhone
|
Titanium design is a huge upgrade
The Action button is excellent
Outstanding camera system
Virtually perfect display
Blazing-fast performance
iOS 17 is great (especially StandBy)
USB-C port is convenient
|
Slow USB-C charging speeds
Only one way to use the Action button
Disappointing battery life
|
ZD Net
Best iPhone overall
|
Action button brings new customizability
Lighter, more comfortable form factor
Brighter screen for better outdoor use
5X zoom camera for high-quality shots
|
Battery life could be longer
Apple-branded cases, especially the FineWoven, need to be better
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra #2 in September 2024 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as #1.
TechRadar
The best Android camera phone
|
Incredible performance and features
Better cameras than ever before
|
AI features can be useless at worst
Big, heavy, and more expensive
|
T3
The best flagship Android phone right now
|
Seriously powerful hardware experience
Versatile camera system, including zoom
S Pen stylus comes in a handy slot
|
S Pen stylus won't be for all
Charging could be faster
|
Pocket-lint
Best premium phone
|
Innovative AI tools
Fantastic Camera
Excellent build-quality
|
Expensive
Bulky
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone from Samsung
|
Practical AI features
7 years of software updates
Incredible processing power
|
5x zoom lens isn't as powerful as S23 Ultra's 10x lens
More expensive than before
|
Creative Bloq
The new gold standard for Android AI camera phones.
|
Excellent cameras
Seven years of updates
S Pen is a great addition
|
The price
The AI
The software
|
ZD Net
Best phone overall
|
Best display available in any smartphone
Reliable quad-camera setup
Battery life remains among best in class
AI features deliver new value
|
Costs more than some premium laptops
No Qi2 magnetic charging
Can be unwieldy for some, especially with a case
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend smartphones.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of smartphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for September 2024 ranking
Laptop Mag
The Verge
TechRadar
T3
Pocket-lint
Tom's Guide
IGN
Creative Bloq
Digital Trends
ZD Net
We ranked iPhone 15 #3 in September 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 15 as #1.
TechRadar
The best iPhone overall
|
Dynamic Island retires the notch
Smooth design and soft-feel, color-infused rear glass
|
No zoom lens
No macro capabilities
|
Tom's Guide
The best bang/buck ratio in Apple phones
|
Impressive battery life
Good main camera with 2x zoom
A16 Bionic is still strong
Refreshed design
Improved display brightness
|
Charging remains slow
Still stuck with 60Hz display
|
IGN
Best iPhone
|
Plenty of software improvements
Solid and stylish build
|
Underwhelming battery life
No true optical zoom
|
Digital Trends
The best iPhone runner-up
|
Big camera upgrade
USB-C
Matte glass feels incredible
Dynamic Island
Curved edges are more comfortable
Reverse wired charging
|
60Hz refresh rate display
Most color options are too light
Can get warm when running intensive apps
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 #4 in September 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Samsung phone
|
Big main screen and wider cover screen
Best foldable from Samsung yet
|
Not dust resistant
Only a minor camera upgrade
Very expensive
|
IGN
Best Foldable Phone
|
Stunning displays, inside and out
Extremely powerful
|
Aspect ratios can be weird
|
Creative Bloq
A camera phone and a tablet in one? Count us in!
|
Beautiful large display
Great camera
S Pen included
|
Very expensive
Crease still visible
|
Digital Trends
The best foldable phone
|
Fantastic folding design
Refined size and weight
IP48 water and dust resistance
Two colorful, usable screens
Main camera takes fun, vibrant photos
Long software commitment
|
Slow battery charging
One-day battery life
More expensive than last year
|
We ranked Google Pixel 8a #5 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best budget phone
|
An affordable way get Google's AI magic
Cheap but still gets seven years of Android OS updates
|
Battery life could be better
Not the best performance, but AI-capable
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone value
|
Brighter screen than before
Much improved battery life over recent Pixels
7 years of software and security updates
|
Few camera changes from Pixel 7a
Slow charging
|
ZD Net
Best budget phone
|
Competitively priced at under $500
Bright and smooth 120Hz OLED display
Seven years of operating system updates
Plenty of Android AI features, with more to come
|
Lack of dedicated telephoto lens
6.1-inch screen may be too small for some users
Wired charging capped at 18W
|
We ranked OnePlus 12R #6 in September 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best battery life
|
Excellent battery life
Display is outstanding
Plenty of features
|
No seven-year update promise
Not many MP on those cameras
Can't charge wirelessly
|
Pocket-lint
Best mid-range phone
|
Excellent performance for the price
Long battery life
Includes a fast-charger
|
No SD Slot
No wireless charging
|
Tom's Guide
Best value for an Android phone
|
Epic battery life
Compelling budget price in the U.S.
Strong Snapdragon performance
|
No wireless charging
Software support could be longer
|
Digital Trends
The best phone value
|
Sleek, polished design
Top-notch display
Fast performance; runs cool
Excellent battery life
80W charging!
Unbeatable price
|
Poor ultrawide and macro cameras
No wireless charging
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 Pro #7 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best Android overall
|
Same camera specs on small and large Pixel 9 Pro
Amazing AI camera tricks
|
Photos can be saturated
Controls can be inconsistent and hard to activate
|
Tom's Guide
Best AI features on a phone
|
Super bright display
Vastly improved battery life
Excellent camera performance
|
Tensor G4 chip lags other top Android chipset in performance
As pricey as larger Pixel 8 Pro
|
Digital Trends
The best Android phone runner-up
|
Beautiful hardware and display
Compact size without compromises
It's pink!
Long battery life
Great cameras
Mostly good AI tools
Seven years of updates
|
Slow charging speeds
128GB base storage
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Pro #8 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best iPhone features in the smallest-possible package
|
New titanium body
Blazing-fast performance
Action button is more useful than old mute switch
Strong photography
|
Only 20W charging
3x telephoto doesn't match 5x on Pro Max
|
Creative Bloq
The best iPhone camera available.
|
Zippy performance
Better camera to rival Samsung and Xiaomi
Good battery life
|
Gets worryingly hot
Slow charging
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 Pro XL #9 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best phone for most people
|
Display arguably best Android has to offer right now
A great camera experience
Brilliant battery life
|
Still not very fast-charging
Samsung offers more raw power for gaming
The display's corners curve steeply
|
Digital Trends
The best big Android phone
|
Google's best Pixel hardware yet
Excellent display
16GB of RAM!
Really fantastic cameras
Helpful AI tools
Much better battery life
Seven years of updates
|
Pixel Studio is a mess
Slow charging speeds
128GB of base storage
|
ZD Net
Best camera phone
|
Quality cameras all across the board
Plenty of useful AI features
Up to 5,060mAh battery with LTPO display
Arguably the best front-facing camera on any phone
|
Stock Android can feel too minimal
Capped at 45W fast charging
Costs $100 more than last year's model
|
We ranked Google Pixel 7a #10 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 7a as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best phone smartphone for most people
|
$499 price point
Bright, vivid 90Hz display
Excellent photos
Exclusive Pixel features
Solid support
|
Mediocre speakers
Performance can’t match flagships
|
Pocket-lint
Best budget phone
|
Amazing price
Capable performance
Clutter-free user experience
|
Not the brightest
Lacks adaptive refresh rate
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 #11 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 as #1.
IGN
The Best Smartphone
|
Beautiful displays
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC
|
Foldable design brings an air of fragility
|
ZD Net
Best flip-style foldable phone
|
High-quality materials, fit, and finish
AI-powered Auto Zoom feature for photos
IP48 water resistance
Larger external display is game-changing
The most pocketable Galaxy phone yet
|
No telephoto camera
Expensive, but generous trade-in offers abound
|
We ranked OnePlus 12 #12 in September 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
A great flagship value
|
Sharper 3x periscope camera
Responsive performance
Wireless charging returns
|
Few AI features compared to Galaxy S24
Low-light photos disappoint
|
Digital Trends
The best Android phone
|
Beautiful curved display
Flowy Emerald is a truly unique color
Powerful performance
Hasselblad camera system delivers great results
Two-day battery
Very fast wired and wireless charging
|
Back glass is slippery
Curved screen has some annoyances
Large size can be unwieldy
|
ZD Net
Best fast-charging phone
|
Snappy and smooth performance
80W in the US with charger in the box
Premium build quality for the price
Competitive main camera for photos
|
IP65 rating is not as water resistant as flagship phones
Curved glass/frame design can be slippery for some
Video recording is not the best
|
We ranked Google Pixel 8 Pro #13 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Pocket-lint
Best value phone / Editor's Choice
|
AI-powered photo and video edits are unreal
Great software experience
Fantastic camera system
|
Android 14 doesn't change much
Battery life is nothing special
|
Creative Bloq
Taking a group selfie? Grab your Pixel.
|
50MP main camera + 5x telephoto with Super Res Zoom up to 30x
Magic Erasure is a game changer
Exceptional AI features for editing
|
No manual mode for video shooting
Not as popular as Samsung or Apple models
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra #14 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
The best Android flagship phone
|
Qualcomm's 8 Gen 2 chip is a game-changer
Excellent battery life
Impressive 200MP camera
Bright, vivid display
Seamless ecosystem between smartphone and Samsung PC
|
Minimal design changes
Starts at $1,199
|
T3
The best last-gen flagship Android
|
Seriously powerful hardware experience
Versatile camera system, including zoom
S Pen stylus comes in a handy slot
|
S Pen stylus won't be for all
The newer S24 Ultra is even better!
|
We ranked OnePlus 11 #15 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best affordable flagship phone
|
Improved camera performance
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
Vibrant 120Hz adaptive display
Class-leading battery life and fast charging
|
Lacks water resistance
Cameras still don't match top flagships
No wireless charging
|
T3
A great Android phone without a massive price
|
6.7-inch QHD+, 120Hz display
Powerful efficient performance
Seriously fast charging
|
Other phones have a better battery life
Weak zoom on the camera
|
We ranked Nothing Phone 2 #16 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best affordable yet powerful Android phone
|
Refined & lightweight design with unique aesthetic
Strong performance & battery life
Glyph lights are fun
|
Glyph lights won't be for everyone
Cameras won't outsmart Google Pixel
|
We ranked iPhone SE #17 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best budget iOS smartphone
|
Performance beast
Portable, compact form factor
Satisfying Touch ID
Decent price
|
Obsolete design
No Night mode
Middling battery life
|
Digital Trends
The best small iPhone
|
Compact and light
Very powerful
Touch ID works really well
Wireless charging
IP67 water resistance
|
Poor battery life
60Hz screen
64GB won't be enough
|
We ranked Oppo Find X5 Pro #18 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best Android phone design
|
Stunning QHD+ screen with 120Hz refresh
Long-lasting battery and fast-charging
Impressive camera system
|
No MicroSD card slot or headphone jack
Expensive
|
Creative Bloq
A sleek camera phone with Hasselblad filters
|
Incredible camera
Powerful battery
Great performance
|
Zoom lacks reach
Some features are buggy
|
We ranked OnePlus Open #19 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best foldable phone overall
|
Outstanding thin and light design
Dynamic Open Canvas multitasking
Long battery life paired with fast charging
Generous 512GB storage
|
Weak low light camera performance
No wireless charging
|
ZD Net
Best tablet-style foldable phone
|
Lightest and thinnest foldable design
Intuitive multitasking and productivity features
65W fast charging will spoil you
16GB RAM and 512GB of storage is the base level
|
$1,699 is still pricey, even if it undercuts the competition
No IP68 rating and wireless charging support
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Plus #20 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
The best iPhone for battery life
|
Exceptional performance
Superb battery life
|
No Action Button
Still only a 60Hz display
|
Digital Trends
The best big iPhone
|
Ergonomic design
Big, bright, colorful screen
Inspiring camera
Two-day battery life
USB C and MagSafe for charging
|
60Hz refresh rate screen
No always-on display
Not the latest processor
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 #21 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
An affordable phone with AI powers
|
Excellent battery life in a compact phone
Same Galaxy AI features as more expensive S24 models
Brighter display than before
|
No big camera improvements
Snapdragon chipset only in North American models
|
Digital Trends
The best phone value runner-up
|
Small and compact design
The flat edges are great
Beautiful and bright display
Long lasting battery life
Powerful performance
Improved color balance in photos
Useful Galaxy AI features
|
Matte glass feels slippery
No big camera upgrades
Only 25W wired charging
|
We ranked Google Pixel 9 #22 in September 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
Google's smarts for less
|
New brighter display
Much better battery life than predecessor
Many new AI features
|
Second price hike in as many years
Weak benchmark results
|
Digital Trends
The best small Android phone
|
Excellent design and build quality
Super camera
Tactile haptics
Fast and reliable security
Improved efficiency and battery life
Long software update commitment
|
Screen isn't always bright enough
Slow charging
More expensive than last year
|