from Apple's iPhone 16 series to the foldable Motorola Razr, plus these are the best phones for 2024. CNET thoroughly tested and reviewed every phone on this list and selected the best options across both iPhone and Android to fit your needs and budgets. Now for this

video, I'm only going to highlight the top five, but if you want to see our full list, check it out on CNET.com. Let's start with the $799 Apple iPhone 16, with its bold saturated colors, new camera features, an action button for triggering a shortcut,

the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are excellent choices for those looking to upgrade. Now, the marquee feature is no doubt Apple's intelligence. It adds nifty tools for writing, for removing distractions from photos, and it gives you the ability to type a prompt for Siri. Now, if you don't

need the iPhone 16 Pro's extra camera, larger screens, bigger battery, or higher price, the iPhone 16 won't disappoint. The iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are identical in nearly every way aside from the screen size, which is 6.1 inches for the regular

model and 6.7 inches for the Plus, but otherwise they have the same features, the same buttons, and the same hardware. Though the iPhone 16 isn't perfect, it doesn't have an always-on display, it doesn't have a high refresh rate display, and it's way overdue for an increase in

wired charging speeds. Now, in her review, CNET's Lisa Eadicicco said that the iPhone 16 is about how all the small things come together and result in a phone that feels faster, more intuitive, and more customizable than years past. Next up is the $800 Samsung Galaxy S24, which is our

overall favorite Android pick what impresses me the most about the S24 isn't the new Galaxy AI features the brighter screen or the solid cameras it's the battery life after testing the S24's large battery I can say it has no

trouble plowing through a long day on a single charge the S24 is a wonderful well-built phone that is excellent right out of the box but there are some downsides the Galaxy S24's camera hardware is essentially identical to what came out in 2022 and if you're

looking at the larger Galaxy S24 Plus know that Google's Pixel 9 Pro costs the same and has better cameras I should also note that Samsung is expected to release the Galaxy S25 series early next year the $499 Google Pixel 8a is

basically a more affordable version of the 2023 Pixel 8 it has a similar array of AI powered features like Circle to search and Magic Editor for the camera and it even runs on Google's Tensor G3 chip in her review CNET's Lisa Edo said that

the Pixel 8a is the bar for what a $500 phone should be of course there are some things to consider with the Pixel 8a like its IP67 rating which means it can be submerged under 1 meter of water the Pixel 8a's main camera has a higher

resolution than the Pixel 8 but the pixels aren't as large meaning that the Pixel 8 can take better photos in medium and low light situations that might sound like a lot but for $500 these are sensible compromises that likely won't make a huge difference in most people's

everyday experience now leaving Android for a moment let's talk about the $999 iPhone 16 Pro which has everything we've come to expect in a year-over-year upgrade the 6.3in iPhone 16 Pro and 6.9in iPhone 16 Pro Max have a slew of

upgrades including a great battery life larger displays outstanding photo and video chops support for high resolution slow-mo recording a new camera control button and the same Apple intelligence features as the regular iPhone 16 this year the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max

have the exact same cameras on either model unlike the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max which had different telephoto cameras the negatives are as thin as the borders around the new screens you only get 128 GB of storage for $11,000 the iPhone 16

Pro Max starts at $1,199 both phones only come in drab color options the new camera button is in an awkward position and it's easy to accidentally tap the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are excellent phones and worthy of a spot in your pocket if you

can afford them and Now for Something Completely Different the $999 Motorola Razor plus when I consider the clam shelf foldable on its own terms the Razor plus is outstanding and perhaps more importantly it is a delight to use the 4-in cover screen makes the

Razor feel like 2 phones in one and you can use pretty much any app on the front screen and respond to messages watch videos make video calls and even play games all without opening the phone up add to that a long battery life fast charging improved cameras and an ipx8

rating that certifies that the Razer Plus will survive temporary dunking and you realize just how much value Motorola has poured into its flagship foldable device, but there are some downsides. The $1,000 price is steep. It's processor, well, it handled everything I've thrown at

it very well, lacks the pure performance power of a flagship Qualcomm chip and the cameras are a mixed bag, especially under medium and low lighting. Simply put, I enjoy using the Motorola Razer Plus more than phones that cost $200 or $300 more, and that's my list. If you're

looking for even more top phone picks, make sure you check out CNET for our full list of best phones. But now I want to hear from you guys. Have you bought a phone in 2024 and is it on this list? Do you think it deserves a spot? Let me know

in the comments. Lastly, if you enjoyed watching this video, please give it a thumbs up and thank you for watching.

Our Top 5 Phones of 2024

CNET is the premier destination for explaining and navigating the changing world around us. Through news, product reviews, price comparisons, and more, we’ll tell you what’s new in the parts of modern life that increasingly matter more — from health, home, and money to tech, culture, and climate — and how to get the most out of them.

CNET

Top 5 Phones of 2024 - Introduction and iPhone 16

Highlights top 5 phones from a larger CNET list; features the $799 iPhone 16.

iPhone 16 and 16 Plus are excellent upgrades, highlighting Apple's intelligence features.

Compares iPhone 16 and 16 Plus, noting differences in screen size (6.1 inches vs 6.7 inches).

Critiques iPhone 16's lack of always-on display, high refresh rate, and slow wired charging.

Summarizes positive review, emphasizing its intuitive and customizable features.

Features the $800 Samsung Galaxy S24, praising its battery life as a key strength.

Notes downsides: similar camera hardware to 2022 models, and Google Pixel 9 Pro's superior camera.

Introduces the $499 Google Pixel 8a as a more affordable alternative to the Pixel 8.

Highlights AI-powered features and positive review, setting it as a benchmark for $500 phones.

Discusses compromises: IP67 rating, and main camera resolution trade-offs for better low-light performance on Pixel 8.

Reviews the $999 iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, highlighting upgrades and features.

Details upgrades: battery life, displays, cameras, slow-mo recording, and Apple intelligence.

Points out negatives: limited storage, drab colors, awkward camera button placement.

Concludes that they are excellent phones if affordability isn't an issue.

Introduces the $999 Motorola Razr Plus, praising its design and usability as a foldable phone.

Highlights positive aspects: long battery life, fast charging, improved cameras, and IPx8 rating.

Notes downsides: high price, less powerful processor compared to flagship Qualcomm chips, and mixed camera performance in low light.

Concludes with a positive overall impression despite some drawbacks.

Encourages viewers to check CNET for the full list and share their opinions in the comments.

Ends with a call for likes and thanks for watching.