United News of Bangladesh

The flagship smartphone market in 2024 was filled with cutting-edge innovations, as top brands unveiled their most powerful and stylish models. These high-performance devices set new benchmarks in design, technology, and user experience, redefining what premium smartphones can offer. From groundbreaking camera systems to next-gen processors, last year’s launches introduced some of the most future-ready smartphones yet. If you’re looking for the best flagship devices and budget isn’t a concern, here are the top pick smartphones from 2024 that are still worth considering. Best Flagship Smartphones Released in 2024 . Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra was launched on Jan 17, 2024. It is a 232g titanium-built flagship smartphone that measures 6.39 by 3.11 by 0.34 inches in dimension. Beyond an overhaul over its predecessor in key areas like design and performance, the phone is a leap forward in its lineup. As the first of the series, it integrates several AI functionalities in an attempt to dwindle competition and empower loyal consumers. The phone comes with a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset 4nm and a 1 GHz Adreno 750 GPU that ensures streamlined operations and maneuvers. For cameras, Samsung keeps the prior version’s 200MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto and adds a 50MP extra-zoom telephoto lens, making a quad camera system. The battery, S Pen Stylus, and major functionalities remain almost the same as in the previous version. Awaiting official launch in Bangladesh, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 12/256GB variant is available unofficially at a starting price of BDT 2,43,999. Read more: Honor 300 Review: New Contender in Midrange Smartphone Segment Xiaomi 14 Ultra Released on February 22, 2024, Xiaomi 14 Ultra manifests Xiaomi’s fight-back effort in a Flagship market ruled by giants like the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max, Google Pixel 9 Pro, and Samsung Galaxy S24. With a dimensional measurement of 6.35 by 2.96 by 0.36 inches, the phone bolsters the essence of a true flagship.  Drawing performative alignment to that essence, the phone uses a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm chipset, and a combined version of Android 14 OS and Hyper OS. However, the Xiaomi 14 Ultra distinguishes itself in the market with its exclusive vegan-leathered back panel and a powerful lens squad. A massive, circular quad camera module on the back engraves four 50MP lenses, featured by the German brand Leica. Installing a battery beyond the provided 5000mAh and a front camera beyond 32MP would give the phone a better competitive edge. The unofficial version of the Xiaomi 14 Ultra’s 16/512GB is available in Bangladesh at a price of BDT 1,35,000. Read more: itel A80 Review: Smartphone under Tk 10k with Standard Features Motorola Edge 50 Ultra Motorola expands its horizons with the release of Motorola Edge 50 Ultra on May 15, 2024. Confined to a 6.34 by 2.85 by 0.34-inch dimension, the mainframe is a sandblasted aluminum panel with glass on the front. Components like a P-OLED display, an 8s gen 3 Qualcomm 4nm chipset, an Adreno 735 GPU, and a 4500mAh battery attest to Motorola’s effort to manage the best within budget.  However, the phone hasn’t misered away from employing powerful lenses. The main camera module houses a 50MP wide, 64MP periscope, and 50MP ultrawide lens trio, while the front engraves a whooping 50MP wide selfie shooter.  Motorola Edge 50 Ultra’s 12/512 variant is unofficially available at 74000 TK in Bangladesh. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 Samsung marches forward with its foldable multipane smartphone series, dropping its 6th iteration on  July, 2024. Its 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipse 4nm chipsett, 1GHz Adreno 750 GPU, and Android 14 operating system each mark the top of their lines by version upgrade and performance. When folded, the 153.5 by 132.6 by 5.6 mm screen reduces to 153.5 by 68.1 by 12.1 mm. Its firm armour aluminum frame takes extra advantage of Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to provide better resistance against drops and tears. Read more: Colmi P78 Smartwatch Review: A Feature-Packed Budget Wearable Worth Considering Samsung employs LTPO AMOLED screens for panes and a triple-lense rear panel for cameras, featuring a 50MP wide, a 10MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide lens on the panel, a 4MP wide lens on the cover, and a 10MP wide lens on the front display. A brief 4400mAh battery provides day-long support while confining the phone’s weight to 232g.  The unofficial version of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6’s 12/256 GB variant is priced at BDT 1,58,000. Google Pixel 9 Series Launched in August 22, 2024, the Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL conciliates users with a knack for a big screen that Google’s usual iterations lack. However, its 6.41 by 3.02 by 0.33-inch dimension may still strive a little to make it as a Giant amid other taller flagships. The phone bestows users with a distinctive design perfectly aligned with the original thematic expression of Pixel phones. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL reflects its premium qualities, boasting a 4nm Google Tensor G4 chipset, which runs without lagging and heating, Android 14 that supports up to 7 upgrades, a flat LTPO OLED display, and a few great photo shooters.  Read more: realme 14 Pro+ Review: Know the Pros and Cons The horizontally pill-shaped camera bar on the back holds a 50MP wide, 48MP periscope telephoto, and a 48MP ultrawide lens. The frontal shooter is a 42MP lens. A 5060mAh battery backup runs long and allows for multiple wired and wireless charging access.  Users can buy the unofficial version of the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL’s 16/256 GB variant at BDT 1,15,000. Much smaller than the Pixel Pro XL, measuring only 6.02 by 2.83 by 0.33 inches, the Google Pixel 9 Pro is a noteworthy Flagship contender manifested by its high-end hardware. Size apart, the phone embodies all the components featured in the Pro XL, including a 4nm Google Tensor G4 chipset, Android 14, an LTPO OLED display, and the same lens range. The Google Pixel 9 only comes short in its scale and battery capacity. However, the 4700mAh battery offers all the changing options as well.  The unofficial version of the phone (12/256 GB) is available at BDT 1,20,000. Read more: Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Game-Changer or Overpriced Flagship? Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple’s latest and largest-ever smartphone, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max, was launched on September 9, 2024. Bolstering a dimension of 6.42 by 3.06 by 0.33-inch, the phone outstretches not only its predecessors but also all the major flagships currently available. The phone comes with the same LTPO Super Retina display as its previous model. Other similarities include a 48MP wide, a 48MP ultrawide lens, and 12MP periscope lens in the primary setup, a 12MP frontal lens, and the graphical processing unit. Apart from its increased scale, the phone distinguishes itself with an upgraded 3nm A18 Pro chipset, iOS version 18, and AI-assisted apps.  Catering to the demand of premium smartphone users, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max’s 256 GB variant is unofficially available at BDT 2,26,999. ROG Phone 9 Pro Since the ROG Phone 8 series, Asus has shifted towards becoming an all-rounder leaving its niche-focused design. The ROG Phone 9 Pro, launched on November, 2024, further emphasizes that shift offering more to general users at the expense of some gaming features. It strips off bezels around the display and removes the front speakers used in the previous models. However, the 6.45 by 3.02 by 0.35-inch aluminum frame sandwiched by Gorilla glasses doesn’t fall far from the original theme.  Read more: Smartphones Launching in February 2025: Top Flagship and Mid-Range Releases The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED screen now spreads throughout the frame in landscape view, housing the 32MP front lens in a dark punch spot. On the back, a square camera module houses a 50MP wide, a 32MP telephoto, and a 13MP ultrawide lens.  The 3nm Snapdragon 8 Elite 3nm chipset coupled with the Adreno 830 GPU provides an optimal gaming performance. The battery has also seen substantial improvement, boasting a capacity of 5800mAh and multiple charging systems.  The unofficial version of the ROG Phone 9 Pro is available in Bangladesh for BDT BDT 1,70,990. Conclusion The smartphone industry is rapidly shifting, making room for futuristic design and functionalities. The revolutionary advancements in the AI sector have opened a whole new world for exploring and innovating customer-centric possibilities. Top brands are competing with each other, increasing their abilities to tame the power of AI technology and use it to sharpen existing tools and create new ones. The 2024 flagship smartphone market shows a gradual upgrade in all aspects while demonstrating the influence of AI. Read more: Xiaomi 15 Review: Specs, Features, and Price in Bangladesh

As mobile games continue to push the boundaries of graphics and gameplay, the demand for high-performance smartphones has skyrocketed. In response, leading manufacturers have released cutting-edge gaming phones designed to deliver unparalleled speed, stunning visuals, and seamless gameplay. Here’s a look at the standout gaming smartphones of 2024 that are dominating the market with their impressive features and performance. 8 Most Powerful Gaming Smartphones Launched in 2024 . Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Released on January 18, 2024, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro advances its lineage with a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED 165Hz display, outperforming its 2023 predecessor's 144Hz screen and matching rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in brightness (2500 nits). Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm chipset and equipped with up to 24GB RAM, it outpaces competitors in benchmarks but grapples with mild thermal throttling under extended loads. Its 5500mAh battery, with 65W charging, surpasses the longevity of the RedMagic 8 Pro. Read more: Best Gaming Laptops of 2024 So Far: Top Picks for Every Gamer Cameras improve with a 50MP gimbal OIS setup yet lag behind Samsung’s flagship in versatility. Gaming features like triggers and a Mini-LED matrix cement its lead among enthusiasts. The unofficial price of Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro’s 16/512 variant in Bangladesh is about 151,999 Tk. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Released on January 24, 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a 1440p resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, offering superior brightness and color accuracy compared to the 2023 models. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and 12GB RAM, it excels in multitasking and gaming, outperforming its 2023 predecessor, the S23 Ultra, with smoother performance and better thermal management. Read more: Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Review – A Thrilling Revival of the Undead Horde Its 5000mAh battery supports fast charging at 45W, ensuring a day’s use, similar to competitors like the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Google Pixel 8 Pro. The 200MP camera and 8K video are notable upgrades, elevating mobile photography. The official price of Galaxy S24 Ultra in Bangladesh is about  243999 Tk. OnePlus 12R The OnePlus 12R, released in February 2024, boasts a 6.78-inch LTPO4 AMOLED display with 120Hz and HDR10+ support, offering vibrant visuals that surpass its 2023 predecessors. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset and up to 16GB RAM, it excels in performance, matching or exceeding competitors like the Samsung Galaxy A54 and Xiaomi 13T in gaming benchmarks, with no significant heat issues. The 5,500mAh battery supports 100W charging, providing rapid refills in just 26 minutes. Its 50MP triple camera setup delivers solid photos, but rivals like the Google Pixel 8 offer superior photography at similar prices. Read more: Asus TUF Gaming F15 Laptop Review: What Makes It Stand Out? OnePlus 12R’s 8/128 GB variant is priced at around 55,000 Tk in Bangladesh. ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro The ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro, launched on July 9, 2024, is a powerful gaming-centric smartphone. Sporting a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and 1600 nits peak brightness, it delivers vivid visuals. However, its resolution (1116 x 2480 pixels) is slightly lower than competitors like the Xiaomi 14T Pro. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and Adreno 750 GPU, it offers top-tier performance, especially for gaming, with a built-in cooling fan to manage heat—a feature the Xiaomi 14T Pro lacks. The device packs 12GB to 16GB of RAM and UFS 4.0 storage options, ensuring smooth multitasking. The 6500mAh battery supports 80W wired charging, achieving a full charge in 35 minutes, surpassing the Xiaomi 14T Pro’s 120W charging speed. Its 50MP triple camera setup records in 8K and 4K, comparable to Xiaomi’s 50MP setup, while the 16MP under-display selfie camera offers a unique touch. Read more: PlayStation 5 Pro Review: Key Upgrades and Is It Worth the Price? ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9S Pro is priced at around 80,000 Tk in Bangladesh. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6, released on July 24, 2024, continues its foldable legacy with significant upgrades. Its 7.6-inch Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display boasts a stunning 2600 nits brightness, a sharp 1856x2160 resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate, outperforming its predecessor in brightness and smoothness. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and 12GB RAM, the Fold6 excels in multitasking and gaming, achieving high AnTuTu (1,608,744) scores. Battery life, at 4400mAh, offers 15W wireless charging but struggles under heavy gaming with mild heat issues. The 50MP triple camera setup, though similar to 2023, is versatile, making it well-suited for competitors like Google Pixel Fold and Oppo Find N3. Read more: Video Games for December 2024: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is currently available in Bangladesh for about 145,000 Tk.    iPhone 16 Pro Max Released on September 20, 2024, the iPhone 16 Pro Max refines flagship excellence with a 6.9-inch LTPO OLED display offering unmatched brightness (2000 nits) and an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate. Its A18 Pro chip (3nm) delivers 15% faster CPU and 20% better GPU performance than the 2023 iPhone 15 Pro Max, ensuring smooth multitasking and gaming- although occasional heat issues arise under heavy loads. Equipped with 8GB RAM and a maximum of 1TB NVMe storage, the 16 Pro Max offers an ideal package for power users. Its 48MP ultra-wide camera and 5x telephoto lens outpace competitors like the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Boasting a 4685mAh battery, it offers 33 hours of playback, 4 hours longer than its predecessor. iPhone 16 Pro Max costs about 164,000 tk in Bangladesh. Read more: November 2024 Video Game Releases: Must-Play Titles You Don’t Want to Miss Xiaomi 14T Pro The Xiaomi 14T Pro, released on September 26, 2024, boasts a 6.67" AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate and Dolby Vision, a significant upgrade over 2023 models like the Xiaomi 13T Pro. Powered by the Dimensity 9300+ processor, it's a powerhouse for gaming and multitasking, outperforming rivals like the OnePlus 11 with its Immortalis-G720 GPU. Memory options up to 1TB and 16GB RAM ensure smooth performance. The 5000mAh battery, coupled with 120W wired and 50W wireless charging, offers impressive longevity. The 50MP triple camera setup is a standout, matching competitors in camera performance. However, like other gaming smartphones, its heat management may require attention during intensive tasks. Xiaomi 14T Pro is available for around 90,000 Tk in Bangladesh. Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro The Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro, released on November 20, 2024, is a powerhouse built for mobile gamers. With a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED display offering 185Hz refresh rate and up to 2500 nits peak brightness, it significantly improves on its 2023 predecessors, such as the ROG Phone 8, which had lower refresh rates. Read more: realme GT7 Pro Review: Speed, Style, and Gaming Excellence at a Competitive Price Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite, paired with 16GB or 24GB RAM, it offers stellar gaming performance and multitasking. It is a competent gaming smartphone against competitors like the Xiaomi Black Shark 5 Pro and Redmagic 8 Pro. Despite its raw power, heat management remains a concern, though its 5800mAh battery with 65W charging ensures long-lasting sessions. The 50MP main camera and 32MP front camera elevate its photography, making it versatile beyond gaming. The price of the Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro in Bangladesh is about 170,000 TK. Read more: vivo iQoo Neo9s Pro Review: The Mid-Range Gaming Powerhouse You’ve Been Waiting For? Conclusion The 2024 gaming smartphone market showcases innovation, with devices like the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and iPhone 16 Pro Max offering top-tier performance. Highlights include the ROG 9 Pro’s 185Hz display, the Fold6's multitasking prowess, and the Xiaomi 14T Pro's rapid charging. These high-end gaming smartphones released in 2024 have elevated gaming and multitasking, setting new performance, display, and design benchmarks. The prices of these gaming smartphones are subject to change. Read more: Top 10 Global ESports Tournaments of 2025

Every year, Samsung starts with its flagship lineup for the year which becomes the standard for all flagships to follow. This year, Samsung followed the legacy by announcing the S24 series on 17th January 2024. The S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest in the lineup, is an incremental update over last year’s S23 Ultra. But there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra   Design and Build Quality: Refined to Perfection  Samsung has always been true to the “Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken” ideology. From the back, the S24 Ultra looks identical to the outgoing S23 Ultra. However, the front side has been revamped in favor of a completely flat screen instead of the curve. And this year, it’s all titanium on the frame with seven different colorways to choose from.  The device comes in at 162.3 mm by 79 mm by 8.6 mm, a smidgeon smaller and slimmer than last year’s flagship. The front glass has been bumped up to Gorilla Glass Armor with the back featuring the standard Victus. The Ultra is also a tad bit lighter at 232 g thanks to the aluminum build. That’s about it when it comes to design changes.  Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers The quad camera, stylus, sim slot, and the Type C port are all where they used to be from last year. The IP68 water resistance is also there as is standard on most flagships these days. The flat screen is, however, the biggest change and it might prove to be the game changer for the S24 Ultra as it is generally preferred over a curved one.  The Display: Samsung’s Supremacy Bumped Up to New Heights  If there’s one thing Samsung flagships have consistently done right, it has to be the display. The S24 Ultra takes that a notch up even with its minor updates.  The flat 6.8-inch screen is what Samsung is calling their Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X. The flat screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and upgraded 2600 nits of peak brightness. The panel holds a 1440 by 3120 pixels resolution with an uncommon 19.5:9 ratio and 505 ppi density. Being flat on all sides, the screen-to-body ratio comes in at 88.5%.  Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera This year Samsung has added an extra layer of anti glaring coating on the Gorilla Glass Armor. The result is a bright, crisp, and sharp display that is just pure joy to navigate.  The Camera: A Utilitarian Approach  The quad camera on the S24 Ultra features a 200 MP f/1.7 24 mm wide angle main shooter. The sensor is complemented by a 10 MP f/2.4 67 mm telephoto and 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree ultra-wide camera. The periscope lens has been updated to a 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm lens from a 10 MP one. The new periscope sensor can shoot up to 5x instead of 10x on the last generation.  The cameras are stacked with features like multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and many other technical prowess. The result is a camera that can churn out 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, and 1080p@960fps all the while maintaining HDR10+ quality.  Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? On the front side, S24 Ultra sports a 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter. It can capture a maximum of 4k videos at 30 and 60fps. It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly changed in terms of picture quality. The typical Samsung processing is on full show with sharpened images and great dynamic range. The night mode or Nightography as Samsung calls it, uses AI to identify different subjects within an image and direct exposure accordingly.  Samsung has also partnered with Instagram and Snapchat for a direct feed upload for lossless image sharing on their platforms. Simply put, Samsung slightly upped the bar for an already great camera system.  Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability Processor and Performance: A New Level of AI Integration  The S24 Ultra is running the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the first time a Snapdragon processor has beaten the current Apple flagship silicone for mobiles. On top of that, the S24 Ultra is using a customized version of the chipset for an even greater performance boost.  On paper, the 8 Gen 3 features 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A52 chips with Adreno 750 GPU.  S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection There’s a new heat-dissipating tech on the Ultra which does an excellent job at keeping the phone cool, even under heavy duress. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran smoothly without any frame drops whatsoever.  But what’s interesting about Ultra is the incorporation of Galaxy AI. The S24 Ultra heavily incorporates AI for photo editing, note-taking, translation, and even quick image search using the S pen.  The smartphone is now able to transcribe recordings, make summaries, and optimize photos even before the shutter is clicked. There’s so much to grasp here that Samsung has its twinkling assistant to guide users wherever they can use AI on the phone.  Read more: Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: 2024’s First Flagship Gaming Device Battery and Charge Time: A Two-Day Battery Capacity  The battery on the S24 Ultra is a 5000 mAh one with 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless Qi charging. The wired brick can take the smartphone up to 65% in 30 minutes. There’s also 4.5W reverse wireless charging similar to the S23 Ultra.  In terms of use, the S24 Ultra will comfortably last a day and a half.   Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Pros:  - Gorgeous flat-screen - Updated build quality - Utility-focused camera updates - Great battery - A new bar in performance - Galaxy AI.  Read more: ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device Cons:  - Minute incremental update over the S23 Ultra- It is a bit pricey. Price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra  The S24 Ultra comes in at 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 12 GB/ 1 TB configuration. The official price of the variants are 1,29,999 INR, 1,39,999 INR, and 1,59,999 INR. The price roughly translates to about 1,71,806 BDT, 1,85,022 BDT, and 2,11,454 BDT respectively (1 INR =1.32 BDT).  Verdict: The Best Money Can Buy The S24 Ultra is a glaring testament to the best of what Android can offer. With its slightly updated design, build quality, camera, and processor, the S24 Ultra feels like a minor update over the previous gen. However, the high level of AI integration combined with the flat screen makes the S24 Ultra unique in its way. At over 1300 USD, the S24 Ultra isn’t for everyone, certainly not for those who already own an S23 Ultra. But there’s no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the flagship standard for 2024.  Read more: OPPO Find X7 Ultra: A deep dive into this photo-phone