May 2024
Smartphones: MetaRanking
This page highlights the aggregate summary of smartphones rankings posted by key online experts, as of May 2024.
Summary
On 2 May 2024, ReviewFinder team examined a total of 93 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 2 May 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: 14 smartphones
(#1 is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra)
-
Apple: 10 smartphones
(#1 is iPhone 15 Pro Max)
-
Google: 5 smartphones
(#1 is Google Pixel 8 Pro)
-
OnePlus: 5 smartphones
(#1 is OnePlus 12)
-
Nothing Tech: 3 smartphones
(#1 is Nothing Phone (2))
Price breakdown
At a glance - May Ranking
Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
ZD Net
|
Digital Trends
|
The Verge
|
T3
|
Pocket-lint
|
Tom's Guide
|
IGN
|
Creative Bloq
|
TechRadar
|
Laptop Mag
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15 Pro Max
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
- | Check price |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
|
1
|
-
|
4
|
2
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
- | $0 |
iPhone 15
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
2
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
4
|
- | $799 |
Google Pixel 8 Pro
|
3
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
+1 | $349 |
Google Pixel 7a
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
5
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
6
|
-1 | $1430 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
7
|
+2 | $0 |
iPhone 15 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
+2 | $549 |
Google Pixel 8
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
+2 | $800 |
OnePlus 12
|
7
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-3 | Check price |
OnePlus 11
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
4
|
11
|
+11 | $500 |
OnePlus 12R
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
12
|
- | $1700 |
OnePlus Open
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
13
|
+1 | $1700 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5
|
-
|
13
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
14
|
-6 | $878 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5
|
-
|
14
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
15
|
- | $479 |
Google Pixel 7 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
- | Check price |
Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus
|
-
|
11
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
17
|
+1 | Check price |
Nothing Phone (2)
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
18
|
+2 | $889 |
Oppo Find X5 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
19
|
+2 | $349 |
iPhone SE
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
5
|
20
|
+3 | $1110 |
Motorola Razr Plus
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
21
|
+3 | $860 |
Samsung Galaxy S24
|
-
|
12
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
22
|
-9 | $0 |
iPhone 15 Plus
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max #1 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 4 experts ranked iPhone 15 Pro Max as #1.
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
|
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
|
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
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
|
TechRadar
The best iPhone
Gorgeous albeit subtle redesign
Excellent photography
|
Pricier baseline (but more storage)
Charging should be faster
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra #2 in May 2024 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as #1.
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best overall phone
Incredible performance and features
Better cameras than ever before
|
AI features can be useless at worst
Big, heavy, and more expensive
|
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 May 2024 ranking
We ranked iPhone 15 #3 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked iPhone 15 as #1.
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best phone for most people
Dynamic Island retires the notch
Smooth design and soft-feel, color-infused rear glass
|
No zoom lens
No macro capabilities
|
We ranked Google Pixel 8 Pro #4 in May 2024 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
ZD Net
Best camera phone
Quality cameras all across the board
Plenty of useful AI features
5,050mAh battery with LTPO display
Priced to undercut the larger iPhone and Samsung Galaxy
|
Stock Android can feel too minimal
Capped at 30W fast charging
Costs $100 more than last year's model
|
Digital Trends
The best Android phone runner-up
Google's best phone design yet
Lovely, vibrant display
Phenomenal cameras
Unbelievable photo-editing tools
Face Unlock is magical
Tensor G3 is a big improvement
Seven years of updates!
|
The temperature sensor
Mediocre battery life
Slow charging speeds
|
Pocket-lint
Best value phone
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
|
Tom's Guide
The best AI camera phone
Pro camera features
7 years of software updates
Brighter display
|
Costs more than predecessor
Performance lags rival phones
|
TechRadar
The best Pixel phone
Great materials and matte finish
Call screening is natural and very useful
Incredible seven years of updates
|
Android settings and features are confusing
AI features feel creepy and impersonal
Cameras don’t beat the iPhone 15 Pro
|
We ranked Google Pixel 7a #5 in May 2024 because:
- 4 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 7a as #1.
Pocket-lint
Best budget phone
Amazing price
Capable performance
Clutter-free user experience
|
Not the brightest
Lacks adaptive refresh rate
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone value right now
Faster refresh rate on bright display
Excellent Tensor G2-powered features
Main camera offers more megapixels than before
|
Colors in photos skew toward darker tones
Phone gets warm when playing demanding games
|
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
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra #6 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra as #1.
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!
|
Creative Bloq
The new gold standard for Android camera phones.
Stunning shots in all conditions
Very good low-light performance
Gorgeous display
|
100x zoom is mostly a gimmick
Inevitably expensive
|
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
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Pro #7 in May 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.
Fantastic processing
Great macro photography mode inherited from the iPhone Pro 13
Resolution upgrade on main camera
|
One of the most expensive camera phones
Underwhelming selfie mode
No major design changes from the 13
|
We ranked Google Pixel 8 #8 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 8 as #1.
Digital Trends
The best phone value runner-up
Great main camera
Amazing AI photo editing tools
Two-day battery life
Slick, fast Android 14
Tensor G3 is cool and efficient
Seven years software support
|
Wide-angle camera disappoints
Average charge speed
|
IGN
Best Smartphone
Wonderfully responsive screen
Seven years of updates and OS support
Impressive camera
|
RAM upgrade reserved for Pro model
|
We ranked OnePlus 12 #9 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
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
|
We ranked OnePlus 11 #10 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
TechRadar
The best camera phone
5x camera zoom crushes it
New useful S Pen features
|
‘Ultra’ expensive
Slower charging
|
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
|
We ranked OnePlus 12R #11 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked OnePlus Open #12 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
TechRadar
The best tablet foldable phone
+Bigger displays inside and out
+Design looks and feels more ‘normal’ that other foldables
+Best cameras on any foldable phone
|
-Not as feature-packed as the Galaxy Z Fold 5
-Whoa, that’s a big camera bump
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 #13 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
Best Foldable Phone
Thinner and lighter than ever
Silent, high-quality hinge
Strong multitasking tools
Fun, social media-friendly camera
Inner screen is perfect for games and video
IPX8 and durable chassis
|
Battery life hasn't dramatically improved
Slow charging
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5 #14 in May 2024 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
Best flip phone
No more gap when folded shut
Extremely well-built
Hinge feels outstanding
Much more useful cover screen
Fantastic performance
Good and dependable cameras
5 years of updates
|
The crease is still there
Mediocre battery life
Cover screen requires lots of tweaking
|
We ranked Google Pixel 7 Pro #15 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
T3
The best phone for most people
Great camera experience
Bold and distinctive design
Savvily priced
|
Not the fastest charging tech
Aluminium finish scuffs too easily
|
Creative Bloq
The best camera phone for chances of a great deal
Useful camera software tools
Top camera hardware
Good deals available
|
Battery life isn't impressive
The ultrawide lens is fixed focus
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus #16 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best big Android phone
The flat sides are wonderful
New QHD+ screen looks fantastic
Runs fast and cool
One UI 6.1 is really nice
Seven years of updates
Phenomenal battery life
It's a surprisingly good value
|
Camera struggles with moving objects
Galaxy AI features are hit-or-miss
|
We ranked Nothing Phone (2) #17 in May 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 Oppo Find X5 Pro #18 in May 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
Elegant design
Hasselblad colour enhancements
|
Poor zoom
|
We ranked iPhone SE #19 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
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
|
We ranked Motorola Razr Plus #20 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
ZD Net
Best flip-style foldable phone
Large cover screen is a phone in and of itself
Incredibly compact
First dust-resistant foldable
Form factor lends itself to creative camera features
|
Battery is just good enough for a day of use
Repair solutions remain up in the air
Undeniably more fragile than the typical slab phone
|
TechRadar
The best clamshell foldable
Huge cover display is actually useful
Cool vegan leather and unique colors
|
Not water resistant enough
Too expensive for what you get
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S24 #21 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
Digital Trends
The best small Android phone
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
|
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
|
We ranked iPhone 15 Plus #22 in May 2024 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best smartphones” rankings.
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
|
Tom's Guide
Apple's cheapest big-screen iPhone
Stunning battery life
Upgraded main camera with 2x zoom
Fresh new design
Good computing performance
|
Slow to charge
No 120Hz screen
|