We have all been there. We see a new phone that looks amazing and are instantly struck by the idea of owning one; well, the Samsung Galaxy S24 is no different.
It's pretty clear to see why. In just a few months, Samsung has managed to dethrone Google as king of AI, launch a new and exclusive version of the most powerful chipset we've seen from Qualcomm and even find value in a different Galaxy in the form of the Galaxy S24 Plus, a model that , frankly, has been unloved for too long.
So for many, a pre-order of the Samsung Galaxy S24 would be an obvious choice. However, the Galaxy S24 is not alone.
Despite seeming like everyone's all-powerful Android phone, you'll likely be just as happy with an alternative flagship that won't cost you as much and possibly comes with a lot more personality; If a phone could have personality, that is.
The former and future king
The starting point for everything Android is inevitably Google, and given the current focus on AI development, there are no signs that this will change anytime soon. The Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, despite being released in October, set the benchmark for what many would expect from the next generation of AI.
And it set a precedent that the Samsung Galaxy S24 would follow in the form of seven years of Android security and feature updates, a decision that is a testament to the quality of some of the phones we can now see.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro also call into question the price of the Galaxy S24 and, especially, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Priced at £699 / $699 and £999 / $999, the latest Pixel phones sit comfortably below the price of the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus and S24 Ultra, which cost £799 / $799, £899 / $999 and £1,249 / 1,299 dollars respectively. Certainly something that catches your eye, especially considering the high quality of the devices you get (which you can learn more about in our Google Pixel 8 review and our Google Pixel 8 Pro review).
When it comes to specs and features, the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro are also no slouch in some of the capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S24, especially when you consider the £250/$300 price difference between the Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Features like Magic Eraser, Audio Magic Eraser, and Best Take have set the Google Pixel 8 series apart from most of the flagship competition, while Samsung's Circle to Search and Photo Assist AI features add new levels of simplicity to some of the most common. Reasons why we use our phone.
The troublesome newcomer
When it comes to impressive underdogs, OnePlus has always been at the top of my list of preferred brands, and its rise has made it increasingly popular among mainstream phone lovers in both the US and UK. . The company's latest phone, the OnePlus 12, has not only raised an already impressive bar, but has probably made companies like Samsung and Google sweat with some of its impressive specs and, in this case, its simply stunning design.
The OnePlus 12 features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (although it's not the Samsung-exclusive version available in the Samsung Galaxy S24 in the US), up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 2K 120Hz ProXDR LTPO display. all powered by a 5400 mAh battery. Battery with 100W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, making the OnePlus 12 impressively powerful, for periods of time that seem to last longer than the Galaxy S24.
Impressive specs are one thing, but it's in the details where you'll find the reason OnePlus needs more widespread appreciation. OnePlus has not only redesigned the phone's cooling system, helping to improve the lifespan and performance of the OnePlus 12, but it has also ensured that the phone supports Wi-Fi 7, uses USB 3.2, and has a of battery on the device, all to guarantee You will be able to use the OnePlus 12 for as long as possible. The OnePlus 12 also costs just £849/$799.99 for its 12GB RAM and 256GB base model, a price the Samsung Galaxy S24 simply can't match.
The sophisticated selection
An alternative option, I know, but the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra, or the Motorola Razr+ if you're in the US, simply has to be on this list based on the sheer amount of character it possesses. Off the blocks, the Razr is easily the best-looking foldable phone currently available, and that's before getting into the various color options it has available, including Infinite Black, Viva Magenta, Glacier Blue, and Peach Fuzz, each one of which. They are impressive in their own right.
Don't get me wrong, it's not the most powerful phone available, especially compared to the OnePlus 12 or the Google Pixel 8 Pro, but that doesn't stop the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra from having some pretty strong arguments in its favor.
First, and most notably, the Razr 40 Ultra has a 3.6-inch flexible AMOLED external display, the largest and arguably the best clamshell display available on a foldable phone. The phone also uses a Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1, which, although a little outdated, is still a more than capable chipset for a phone of this size, along with a dual rear camera setup and a 32MP selfie camera. So overall, a respectable spec list, especially compared to some of its foldable clamshell competitors,
As we mentioned in our Motorola Razr Plus review, this phone isn't necessarily for someone who wants the latest and greatest in specs and features. However, what it lacks in performance it makes up for in personality. A unique and fun user experience, combined with great color options and a host of thoughtful features for a foldable smartphone, make the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra a great choice if you're looking for a phone you won't find. I doubt you'll enjoy using it.
