Nothing Phone 2A nails 'value' like very few phones this year. Hand it to someone for a week with no price tag and they'll guess at least $500. That’s the point: symmetrical bezels, big bright OLED, snappy software and a polished experience that feels flagship-grade. For $350 at launch — and less now — the 2A gives flagship vibes without flagship pricing. It’s not perfect (camera and extras have compromises), but it’s the best bargain across design, performance and day-to-day polish. Runner-ups include CMF Phone 1 and Google’s Pixel 8A, both offering strong value in different ways.
Best Value: Nothing Phone 2A
Nothing Phone 2A nails 'value' like very few phones this year. Hand it to someone for a week with no price tag and they'll guess at least $500. That’s the point: symmetrical bezels, big bright OLED, snappy software and a polished experience that feels flagship-grade. For $350 at launch , and less now , the 2A gives flagship vibes without flagship pricing. It’s not perfect (camera and extras have compromises), but it’s the best bargain across design, performance and day-to-day polish. Runner-ups include CMF Phone 1 and Google’s Pixel 8A, both offering strong value in different ways.
Best Battery: RedMagic 10 Pro
We're in the middle of a mini battery revolution and the RedMagic 10 Pro is leading the charge. Efficiency gains from the Snapdragon 8 Elite plus new silicon‑carbide battery tech have unlocked phones with 6,000mAh-plus cells and reliable all‑day endurance. The RedMagic 10 Pro goes farther: a massive 7,050mAh pack, 100W wired charging and smart battery‑care features that preserve longevity. That translates to true two‑day battery life for many users without juggling power modes. Gamers get the charging speed and thermal headroom; power users get peace of mind. Runner-ups: VIVO X200 Pro, Oppo Find X8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and ASUS ROG Phone 9.
Best Design: Huawei Mate XT
If most phones have become predictable slabs, the Huawei Mate XT refuses to play it safe. Its headline act, folding twice, feels like a dare in a market full of cookie‑cutter rectangles. It isn’t flawless: fit and finish, software polish and practicality still leave room to improve, and that ultra‑bold form factor isn’t for everyone. But as a design statement the Mate XT reintroduces wonder into hardware, proving risk still matters. It's the kind of gadget you admire even if you don’t buy it. Runner‑ups include the Nothing Phone 2A and CMF Phone 1, both more restrained but thoughtfully executed.
Best Foldable: Pixel 9 Pro Fold
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold was the model that moved folding phones from curiosity to a plausible daily driver. Google’s second‑generation effort combines hardware refinement, thoughtful software tweaks and improved durability to create the most complete foldable package we used this year. The outside display and inner foldable panel cooperate better, app continuity feels smoother and camera tuning is closer to the flagship Pixel experience. It still needs tweaks, weight, battery life under heavy load and app optimization, but this is the foldable that made me reach for it on real tasks, not just to show friends. Runner‑ups: Honor Magic V3 and Samsung Z Flip 6.
Most Improved: Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Remember the rough first‑gen Pixel Fold? It was full of promise but hampered by chunky bezels, middling performance and a hinge that wouldn’t lie flat. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold corrects almost every complaint. Google tightened bezels, boosted performance, improved cameras and reworked the hinge so the device feels flat and robust. The software also benefits from two generations’ worth of fixes, app continuity, multitasking and windowing finally behave. It’s a textbook second‑generation leap: same core idea, executed the way it should’ve been at launch. Runner‑ups: Oppo Find X8 Pro and Apple’s iPhone 16.
Bust of the Year: Zenfone 11 Ultra
The Zenfone 11 Ultra is our 'bust' this year, an odd mix of missed potential and a slow fade into forgettable territory. On paper it isn’t a disaster: solid hardware, decent performance and competent cameras. But it feels like a cult favorite diluted into a generic mainstream product, lost identity, less daring design and fewer reasons to get excited. If you loved older Zenfones for their character and focus on specific fans, this feels like the model that moved on without a proper goodbye. That quiet drift toward the middle is why it’s our disappointing pick.
Phone of the Year: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Our Phone of the Year is the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, an all‑around machine so complete it borders on boring. Like top PGA pro Scottie Scheffler, it’s elite in every department: stunning display, long battery life, class‑leading cameras, polished software and peak performance. It also ships with years of updates and proven reliability, turning what could be minor flaws into nitpicks rather than deal‑breakers. For anyone who wants one phone that won’t hold you back, the S24 Ultra is the safe, winning choice. Runner‑ups include the VIVO X200 Pro, Pixel 9 Pro Fold, Pixel 9 Pro and Apple’s iPhone 16.