High-end smartphone
Best Flagship Smartphones of 2024: Top Premium Picks You Shouldn’t Miss
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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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1 day ago
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Review: A Game-Changer or Overpriced Flagship?
The Samsung Galaxy S series has long been synonymous with cutting-edge technology and premium design, setting benchmarks in the smartphone industry. Continuing this legacy, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is officially releasing this month. Let’s go over the specs, standout features, limitations, and pricing of the S25 Ultra in Bangladesh.
Key Features of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
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Design and Build Quality
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra retains the premium build quality that the Ultra series is known for, featuring Corning Gorilla Armor 2 on both the front and back, along with a grade 5 titanium frame. This makes it more durable than the S24 Ultra, which uses grade 2 titanium. Additionally, weighing 218g, the S25 Ultra appears a bit lighter (232g) than its predecessor S24 Ultra, improving comfort for long-term use.
Compared to its competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Huawei Mate X6 feature foldable designs, which make them bulkier but offer a different experience for users who prefer a larger, expandable display. The Huawei Mate X6, for instance, has an aerospace-grade aluminum frame and is IPX8 water-resistant, making it more resistant to water damage than the S25 Ultra's standard IP68 rating.
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Display Quality
The S25 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a standard 2600 nits peak brightness.
However, it is quite disappointing that in the market a bunch of mid-range smartphones are offering higher refresh rates and peak brightness levels. For instance, the realme Neo7 offers 6000 nits peak brightness and iQOO Neo10 boasts a 144Hz refresh rate for much lower price tags. It can be a deal breaker for flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra.
S25 Ultra features a resolution of 1440 by 3120 pixels. Compared to the S24 Ultra, the screen-to-body ratio has increased from 88.5% to 92.5%, offering a more immersive experience.
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When compared to competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers an 8-inch foldable OLED display, making it great for multitasking but with a lower peak brightness of 2700 nits. Meanwhile, the Huawei Mate X6 has a 7.93-inch foldable LTPO OLED display with Kunlun Glass 2 protection, which is a great alternative for those who prefer foldable devices.
Camera Performance
Samsung has made notable improvements to the S25 Ultra's camera system. It retains the 200MP (f/1.7) primary sensor, but the ultrawide camera has been upgraded to 50MP (f/1.9) from 12MP in the S24 Ultra. Its quadruple rear camera setting also boasts a 10MP (f/2.4) telephoto lens and a 50MP (f/3.4) periscope telephone lens. Additionally, Samsung has optimized AI-powered enhancements such as Best Face, which helps improve group photos.
Against competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold only has a 48MP primary camera, but it leverages Google’s AI algorithms to produce outstanding images. On the other hand, the Huawei Mate X6 boasts a 50MP primary camera with a variable aperture (f/1.4-f/4.0), allowing for better control over depth of field and low-light photography.
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What’s more, the S25 Ultra outshines both in video recording, offering 8K at 30 fps. However, the S25 Ultra bears a 12MP (f/2.2) front sensor that maxes out at 4K like the S24 Ultra.
Processor Performance
The S25 Ultra features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm chipset), which offers a 37% faster CPU and 30% improved GPU performance compared to the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. With an octa-core configuration, including two high-performance 4.47GHz cores, this processor makes the S25 Ultra one of the most powerful smartphones available.
The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes with the Google Tensor G4 chipset, which is designed for AI-based computing but is not as powerful as Qualcomm’s flagship chip. Similarly, the Huawei Mate X6 runs on Kirin 9020, which performs well in general tasks but falls short in gaming and high-intensity applications compared to the S25 Ultra.
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Gaming Performance
The S25 Ultra has significantly improved gaming performance due to the Adreno 830 GPU and real-time ray tracing support, making it ideal for high-end mobile gaming. The Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset also enhances power efficiency, allowing longer gaming sessions without excessive heating.
In comparison, the S24 Ultra, while still excellent for gaming, lacks the same level of GPU optimization and AI-driven gaming features. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold and Huawei Mate X6 are less gaming-focused, as they are optimized for multitasking and productivity rather than high-performance gaming.
Battery Life
Like the ancestor S24 Ultra, the latest S25 Ultra comes with a 5000mAh battery. However, the new 3nm chipset in the S25 Ultra allows for better power efficiency. Samsung claims that the S25 Ultra lasts up to 10% longer than its predecessor on a single charge.
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While charging speeds remain unchanged at 45W wired, the wireless charging speed has increased from 15W to 25W (Qi2). In contrast, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold has a smaller 4650mAh battery with 21W wired charging, making it less efficient than the S25 Ultra. However, the Huawei Mate X6 surpasses them all with a 5200mAh battery and 66W wired charging, which offers the fastest charging speeds.
Nevertheless, the mid-ranger realme Neo7 wins the race against these flagships with a 7000 mAh battery.
Software and User Interface
The S25 Ultra launches with Android 15 and One UI 7, offering seven major Android upgrades, ensuring longevity. Samsung’s One UI 7 is known for its user-friendly design, customization options, and seamless integration with Samsung’s ecosystem.
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In comparison, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold also offers seven years of updates, but its stock Android experience lacks Samsung’s custom features like DeX mode. The Huawei Mate X6, running HarmonyOS 4.3/EMUI 15, does not have access to Google Play Services, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.
Storage Options
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra offers multiple storage configurations, including 256GB with 12GB RAM, 512GB with 12GB RAM, 1TB with 12GB RAM, and a high-end 1TB with 16GB RAM variant. This marks an improvement over its predecessor, the S24 Ultra, which lacked a 16GB RAM option. It sports UFS 4.0 data transfer technology.
When compared to its competitors, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold maxes out at 512GB with 16GB RAM, while the Huawei Mate X6 provides storage options up to 1TB with 16GB RAM, putting it on par with the S25 Ultra in terms of capacity.
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Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
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Pros
- Premium build with a titanium frame and IP68 water resistance.- 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display- Snapdragon 8 Elite processor with 12GB/16GB RAM for smooth performance.- 45W wired, 25W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wired charging.- 8K video recording with gyro-EIS stabilization.- 200MP main camera with dual 50MP ultrawide and telephoto lenses.- 5X optical zoom for detailed distant shots.- Android 15 with One UI 7 and 7 years of software updates.- Under-display fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking.- Ultra Wideband (UWB) support for better connectivity.- Samsung DeX and Wireless DeX support for a desktop-like experience.- Stylus (S Pen) support for added productivity.- Stereo speakers for immersive sound.- 5G and NFC enabled for fast connectivity.
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Cons
- No microSD card slot for expandable storage.- No 3.5mm audio jack for wired headphones.- Lacks an infrared port for remote control functionality.- No FM radio support.- No Satellite SOS feature, unlike some competitors.- Average peak brightness level- Average refresh rate.- Average battery support.- Low-powered selfie sensor.
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The Price of the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The Galaxy S25 Ultra will be available at multiple prices for different configurations. The price of the 12/256GB variant is about BDT 224,999. However, the price is subject to change.
Final Words
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is perfect for power users, photographers, and gamers who want a premium display, top-tier performance, and advanced cameras. However, those needing a microSD slot, 3.5mm jack, FM radio, brighter display, higher refresh rate, or Satellite SOS may look into the other options.
On the whole, if you seek robust RAM, a versatile camera line-up, cutting-edge features, and long-term software support, this flagship is a great choice.
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