Best premium smartphones 2024: comparison and difference

Choosing your premium smartphone is not always easy, especially when it comes to price where the bar is often set very high. But if you look carefully, at Android in particular, high-end mobiles under a thousand euros exist. The best in this field are not necessarily those we think.

To differentiate between these opportunities and others, we therefore take advantage of the experience acquired during our tests of the best premium mobiles of this year. Here is what you need to remember, with details on each major family of technical characteristics: photo, performance, design, screen, etc.

Top of the best premium smartphones:

1. iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
3. Pixel 9 Pro and XL
4. Xiaomi 14 Ultra
5. Honor Magic 6 Pro

iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max

Apple’s most advanced models

Since we assume that this comparison aims to focus on the most efficient, and therefore the most expensive, smartphones, it seems obvious that Apple’s latest iPhones must be among the models discussed here.

The iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max correspond to the ultimate smartphones offered by the Apple firm in 2024, in particular thanks to greatly improved power thanks to the A18 Pro chip, but also thanks to a very efficient camera which notably exceeds the video performance of all the other devices covered in this list, even the Google Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL. And more Apple integrates a button Camera Control dedicated to this exercise.

For now, however, the full potential of the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max has not yet been achieved: in fact, the big novelty of these new models is compatibility with Apple IntelligenceApple’s in-house artificial intelligence system, which relies in particular on other language models such as Gemini or ChatGPT.

Unfortunately, Apple Intelligence will only be available in France from April 2025. So, if the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max are already among the most efficient smartphones on the market today, it You will have to wait a few more months to fully consider them, since they will then be able to truly offer their artificial intelligence functions.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The most complete pen experience.

Let’s now move on to the model which is perhaps the best known in our comparison: the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. This is, once again, the best smartphone from the eponymous brand. Be careful of the price, however, because this device will cost you the modest sum of no less than 1,469 euros.

But at this price, you can count on a high-end technical sheet, where, what’s more, there is almost nothing to complain about. In addition, users who like to draw freehand will have the chance to enjoy a stylus here. Its value proposition is reminiscent of the Apple Pencil Pro.

But the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is also the suite of Galaxy AI features. This allows you to benefit from a transcription assistant, ideal for meetings. With Galaxy AI, you can also translate conversations in real time, especially with wireless headphones in your ears.

In addition, if you are already familiar with the Samsung ecosystem, this mobile will certainly be your best ally. Indeed, the manufacturer offers numerous integrations with its other devices, including connected watches and laptops. With DeX, for example, you can create presentations on mobile and easily broadcast them on the big screen. This is ideal for business.

Let’s still end with some disadvantages. The choice of this smartphone will notably limit you to an old wireless charging standard, the Qi 2 standard not being compatible. What’s more, the charger is not provided in the box. If you buy this already very expensive smartphone, you will therefore have to add the price of a dedicated adapter to your order, if you do not already have one at home.

Below, find a comparative table of the best prices currently offered on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Pixel 9 Pro & 9 Pro XL

Google’s premium models for photo enthusiasts.

As long as you are mainly looking for a premium smartphone dedicated to photography, Google smartphones are generally the most suitable. This year is no exception: the Google Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL are the two most efficient models from the American giant, and stand out above all for their camera and a dedicated software section which directly challenges the competition.

The two models differ mainly in their size: the Google Pixel 9 Pro is the more compact version, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL stands out as the more imposing model. Thus, the Pixel 9 Pro offers a 6.3-inch panel, while the Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inch screen.

Both models highlight a very bright screen, still interesting photo services, long-term software updates (which means that it will not be necessary to change smartphones for a while), and lots of artificial intelligence through GeminiGoogle’s in-house model.

Overall, these two models are easily among the most competitive on the market, especially for fans of regular photo taking.

Xiaomi 14 Ultra: the Leica smartphone

Top performance, but so does the price.

The Xiaomi 14 Ultra is to its manufacturer what the Phantom is to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. This is the mobile with the best technical sheet found among all of Xiaomi’s premium smartphones. Here, nothing has been left to chance. Power, image quality and even intercompatibility are there with this model.

But its price is enough to curb our purchasing impulses, with still 1,499 euros on the clock. It’s even more expensive than an iPhone 15 Pro Max, which is rare enough to point out.

It must be said that the Xiaomi 14 Ultra is almost more of a camera than a phone. Indeed, its photo module was designed in partnership with Leica, the photography giant. The photos therefore reflect the very particular signature of the brand. And to take the experience to its climax, Xiaomi even offers an accessory to imitate the experience of a box.

We can without hesitation mention the multiple benefits of this device, starting with the presence of a charger in the box. This may make you smile at first, but let’s remember that Samsung or Apple are absent here from now on. A shame for brands operating in the high-end sector

To finish with the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, we still suggest that you take a closer look at the operating system and its overlay, before possibly checking out.

Indeed, our test revealed the presence of some fairly annoying bloatware. The integration of artificial intelligence is, moreover, not as efficient as at Apple or Samsung – for the moment. Finally, invasive advertisements can waste time.

Honor Magic 6 Pro

The best quality/price ratio in our comparison.

All the other smartphones covered in this comparison easily exceed €1000. After all, the goal here was to focus on premium models. But the premium does not necessarily indicate that the price should be that high. There are premium models that are a little cheaper, which offer excellent value for money, like this Honor Magic 6 Pro.

Accessible from €799the Honor Magic 6 Pro offers a well-rounded technical sheet, which does not necessarily have to be ashamed of the alternatives presented above. So, for this price, you will be entitled to a 6.8-inch OLED screen, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip from Qualcomm, and a very large 5600 mAh battery.

Thus, power combined with autonomy: this is the key word of this Chinese model which has continued to attract attention since its marketing a few months ago. And thanks to its attractive price, it is undoubtedly a relevant option for users who are looking for a premium model without having to exceed the psychological barrier of €1000.

So, which premium smartphone to choose in 2024?

It’s of course up to you, but here’s who, in our opinion, the premium smartphones in this comparison are intended for:

• iPhone 16 Pro & Pro Max: for Mac, Apple Watch and iPad users, or who already own an iPhone
• Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: for individuals looking for a large, very powerful smartphone integrating AI
• Google Pixel 9 Pro & XL: for lovers of quality photos and professionals who work with Gemini on a daily basis, particularly on Workspace
• Xiaomi 14 Ultra: for those who do not want to make the slightest compromise on the technical sheet
• Honor Magic 6 Pro: the best quality/price ratio on the premium market

So, which model appeals to you the most?

ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra

€670