2024 has been a year with so many great devices launched that picking the best options isn’t as clear-cut as it used to be. Picking the right phone, tablet, smartwatch, or accessory is no easy task, especially considering that there is always something new on the horizon.
That’s where TalkAndroid steps in to help make your choices a little easier by compiling a list of the gadgets and apps that have impressed us the most this year. We’ve cast our eye across flagships, affordable flagships, midrange handsets that pack a punch, and budget phone segments to help give you a better idea of what makes each model special. We’ve also included the best picks in the tablet, smartwatch, accessory, and app categories to give you a holistic viewpoint.
Naturally, we’ve examined everything from an Android user’s perspective. So join us after the break for TalkAndroid’s Best of Android Awards for 2024!
The Criteria
It’s all good saying something is worth buying or not but how do we reach that conclusion? Well, I can tell you that we considered factors such as price, hardware, software, software support, and certain features that can make or break the user experience. When it comes to best apps, we took their popularity and user reviews into account, how well they were supported, and if they are any good. Whether they were free, freemium, or a one-off purchase was also taken into account.
Premium Flagship Phone Of The Year 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Kicking off our Best of Android 2024 Awards is Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra, which continues the Galaxy Note legacy in both spirit and functionality. It packs heaps of power thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, an excellent camera setup that is augmented by its Galaxy AI features, and one of the best and brightest 6.8-inch AMOLED displays ever to hit a smartphone. And if productivity is your gig, then you’ll be using the internally stored S Pen.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is also full of handy AI features such as Circle to Search, Live Translator, Chat Assist, and Interpreter, all of which will make your life easier. With seven years of OS and Security updates promised, you’ll get your money’s worth out of the Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is available from $1,299 (RRP) from Amazon or directly from Samsung’s online store.
Honor Magic 6 Pro
Honor’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3-powered Magic 6 Pro, its latest flagship smartphone, is a great all-rounder with its big battery, speedy charging, a 120Hz ultra-bright display, and a bunch of AI features under the hood. If you grab one in the Epi Green or Cloud Purple colorways, you’ll also enjoy the grippy vegan leather finish on the rear panel.
A 180MP periscope telephoto lens with 2.5x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom, and OIS is accompanied by a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide lens. Sporting a big 5,600mAh battery, the Magic 6 Pro also features 80W SuperCharge (wired), and wireless charging up to 66W
Honor is committed to offering four years of OS updates and five years of security patches.
Priced at £899 ($1,150), Honor’s Magic 6 Pro is one of the more affordable ways to own a true flagship without breaking the bank. The only downside is that it’s not officially on sale in the US.
OnePlus 12
The OnePlus 12 also has a more affordable price. It sports all the flagship features you might want, with a minimum of 12GB memory and 256GB storage, a big battery, a 120Hz display with high brightness levels, and a fourth-generation Hasselblad camera system. OnePlus has also committed to four years of software support with security patches for twelve months.
It’s difficult to look past the OnePlus 12, which offers a heady mix of flagship power, cameras, and speedy charging—all for a very affordable price.
The OnePlus 12 is available in Flowy Emerald (Green) and Silky Black for $799/£799 directly from the OnePlus Store and Amazon in most regions.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is the 9 Pro’s larger sibling in terms of display size (6.8-inch) and battery capacity (5,060mAh) and has a slight price increase. It uses the new Tensor G4 processor and is crammed with new AI features such as Pixel Studio, Add Me, and Gemini Live that enable natural conversation with Google’s assistant. The Pixel 9 Pro XL will be the friend you didn’t know you needed.
The Pixel 9 Pro/Pro XL benefits from speedier charging rates when using Google’s new 45W wall charger. Sadly, you’ll need to buy the charger separately at $29.99.
Plus, you get the legendary Pixel camera experience, seven years of software updates, and security patches. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, priced at $1,099, is available on Amazon and the Google Store.
Xiaomi 14 Ultra
It may not be available in the US, but Xiaomi’s 14 Ultra is possibly the king of the flagships when it comes to photography. Packing a Leica quad camera setup that boasts four 50MP sensors, the primary, telephoto, and periscope telephoto lenses sporting OIS, and the ultra-wide having a 122° FoV, the 14 Ultra caters to every occasion you might encounter.
It’s powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with 16GB RAM, 512GB storage, and running HyperOS 14 software. A 6.73-inch AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and 20:9 aspect ratio is present. The 5,000mAh battery supports 90W wired charging and 80W wireless charging.
Its nano-tech vegan leather finish withstands dirt and fingerprints, and its premium-quality aluminum frame makes it a good-looking handset.
The Xiaomi 14 Ultra, priced at £1,299 (~$1,700), is available in Black and White on Amazon and the Xiaomi website.
Affordable Flagship Phone of The Year
OnePlus 12R
If the OnePlus 12 isn’t quite as affordable as you’d prefer, perhaps the OnePlus 12R will be your ticket to ride the ‘almost’ flagship phone wagon. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, the OnePlus 12R also benefits from 8/16GB of RAM and at least 128GB of storage.
You’ll find a slightly larger battery than its sibling, which, thanks to the 80W/100W SuperVOOC wired charging, will reach total capacity in under 40 minutes. The camera department sees the most changes, with its 50MP primary sensor accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide and one of those 2MP macro cameras that we aren’t particularly fond of.
While the display is ever-so-slightly smaller at 6.7-inches, it’s still a 120Hz OLED panel with up to 4,500nits peak brightness. The OnePlus 12R is available in Iron Gray and Cool Blue colorways, and the pricing starts at $499/£599.
Xiaomi 14
Launched during MWC 2024, the Xiaomi 14 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, so there’s no shortage of grunt. It also has 12GB of RAM, 256/512GB of storage, and a 6.36-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 1-120Hz refresh rate and up to 3,000 nits peak brightness.
A trio of Leica-tuned rear cameras includes a 50MP Light Fusion sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 32MP telephoto lens with OIS covering macro photography. The phone benefits from 90W wired charging that takes just 31 minutes to reach 100% capacity, plus 50MP wireless charging is included. And yes, there is a charger in the box.
While the Xiaomi 14 isn’t officially available in the US, elsewhere, you can pick it up from Amazon or the Xiaomi store starting from £699 (~$902).
Poco F6 Pro
Another phone not available in the US but worth mentioning is the Poco F6 Pro, which, like the Xiaomi 14 above, also runs on the HyperOS software. Like the OnePlus 12R, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, accompanied by 12GB of RAM and 512GB storage. There’s a 6.67-inch AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate and QHD+ resolution, and you’ll find a 50MP main rear camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro lens on the rear panel.
The 5,000mAh battery benefits from 120W HyperCharge (yes, there’s a charger in the box), which means you should always have enough power to get through the day.
Available in Black and White, the Poco F6 Pro can be purchased directly from the Xiaomi store or Amazon for £459/$505.
Google Pixel 9
Another of Google’s latest range appears in the form of the vanilla Pixel 9, which still packs a punch thanks to its Tensor G4 chipset. Also packing a 6.3-inch OLED panel but with FHD+ resolution, the Pixel 9 features a shiny aluminum frame, an under-display fingerprint reader, and the same 50MP primary sensor as its more expensive siblings. A 48MP ultra-wide lens is paired with it, and you’ll find a 10.5MP selfie camera with autofocus.
The Pixel 9, with a base model of 128GB storage, costs $799 and is available in Cosmo Pink, Mojito Green, Obsidian Black, and Porcelain White colorways from Amazon and directly from Google itself.
Pixel 8 Pro
It may be Google’s flagship from 2023, but the Pixel 8 Pro is still worth considering, as it will receive software and security updates for years to come.
Powered by the Tensor G3 chipset, the Pixel 8 Pro packs 12GB of RAM, at least 128GB of built-in storage, wireless charging, and the renowned Pixel camera experience with its 50MP main camera, 48MP ultra-wide camera, and 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. Its 6.7-inch OLED display has a 1-120Hz refresh rate, Always-on Display, and 1344 x 2992 resolution.
The Pixel 8 Pro is available on Amazon for $749 via the link below.
Budget Phones That Pack A Punch 2024
OnePlus Nord CE 4 Lite
The Nord CE 4 Lite is OnePlus’s latest budget smartphone. It packs the Snapdragon 695 5G processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB of built-in storage. The big 5,110mAh battery supports 80W SuperVOOC wired charging. The display is a super-bright 120Hz AMOLED with Aqua Touch, which aids in using the screen with wet fingers.
A 2MP depth sensor accompanies the much more useful 50MP rear camera with OIS and EIS. As is common in the more affordable segment, MicroSD support and a 3.5mm audio jack are also present.
The Nord CE 4 Lite is available in Super Silver and the eye-catching Mega Blue colorways. It comes with an 80W charger in the box and has an RRP of £299, although you can sometimes pick one up for just £249 on a deal. The only downside is that it’s not available in the US just yet.
Motorola Moto G Power 2024
Powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7020 chipset, the Moto G Power 5G (2024) features a 120Hz 6.7-inch LCD display with FHD+ resolution, 8GB RAM, and 128GB storage. It also has a 5,000mAh battery with 30W wired charging and 15W wireless charging support. On the rear panel, you’ll find a 50MP main sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultra-wide lens, with a 16MP selfie camera housed in the central punch hole on the display.
As with other phones in the segment, the Moto G Power 5 G 2024 includes MicroSD card support and a 3.5mm audio jack. It is a neat addition to Motorola’s burgeoning range of budget smartphones, sporting handy features at an affordable price.
You can order the Moto G Power 5G (2024) in Pale Lilac and Midnight Blue for $299 on Amazon and directly from Motorola.
CMF Phone 1 by Nothing
Making an appearance is the CMF by Nothing Phone 1, which adds some personality to the proceedings. Its unique, interchangeable design and the ability to change the device’s look and add useful attachments such as a kickstand or lanyard enable it to stand out from the crowd. The Phone 1 is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7300 chipset with 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of expandable storage, and a 5,000mAh battery that supports 33W fast wired charging.
A 50MP rear camera is paired with a 2MP depth lens, and a 16MP selfie camera is in the central punch-hole on the display. The display is a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate, with Always-on-Display, unlike the Motorola handset above. Unlike other entries, the CMF Phone 1 doesn’t feature a 3.5mm audio jack; weirdly, it also doesn’t support NFC, which means it can’t be used for mobile payment apps.
The CMF Phone 1, available in black, light green, and orange, is available on Amazon or the Nothing Store for $199.
Motorola Moto G85
Motorola’s Moto G85 is a follow-up to the G84 we reviewed a few months ago. It is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 6s Gen 3 processor and comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of expandable storage. The 6.67-inch OLED panel has an FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The Moto G85’s rear panel features a 50MP main lens with OIS paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and the selfie camera has been upgraded to a 32MP module. While there is no 3.5mm audio jack, NFC connectivity is available depending on your region.
A 5,000mAh battery that supports 30W wired charging provides the juice. The vegan leather finish combined with a number of useful features makes the Moto G85 an appealing option for those looking for value for money.
The Moto G85 is available on Amazon and directly from the Motorola website for £279.99 and is available in Olive Green, Cobalt Blue, urban grey, and Magenta Red.
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Samsung’s Galaxy A15 5G also makes the list, packing a 90Hz 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution. Under the hood is the Dimensity 6100+ processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of expandable storage. The rear panel features a trio of cameras: a 50MP main sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide, and a 2MP macro lens. None of which features OIS.
The 5,000mAh battery supports 25W wired charging, and you must buy the charger separately if you don’t already have a compatible unit. Software-wise, the phone runs Android 14-based One UI 6.0 out of the box.
The affordable price for a handset manufactured by a household brand makes the Galaxy A15 5G a popular choice for this segment.
The Galaxy A15 5G costs $199 and can be ordered in Black or Light Blue on Amazon and the Samsung Store.
Best Mid-Range Phones – 2024
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, the Galaxy S23 FE packs enough punch to compete with the big boys. With 8GB RAM, up to 256GB of built-in storage, and a handy-sized 6.4-inch AMOLED display with FHD+ resolution and 129Hz refresh rate, it would be easy to mistake the S23 FE for a flagship device. This is doubly so since Samsung gave it some of the S24 series Galaxy AI features, such as Live Translate, Interpreter, and Circle to Search.
The rear panel houses a 50MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 3x Optical Zoom. A 4,500mAh battery with 25W charging is included, although you’ll need to buy a charger separately.
A good mix of premium specifications and affordability, the Galaxy S23 FE could be the shrewd buyers choice when looking for a powerful smartphone that doesn’t break the bank.
The Galaxy S23 FE is available in Mint, Graphite, Purple, and Indigo colorways and costs $530 on the Samsung Store and $499 on Amazon.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Motorola’s mid-range Edge 50 Pro is a neat addition to its line-up. Its bright 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, power provided by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 chipset, generous 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage make it even more attractive. The rear panel’s vegan leather finish is also smudge—and fingerprint-resistant.
Unlike the Pixel 8a listed below, charging speed is not an issue for the Edge 50 Pro, which benefits from super-fast 125W TurboCharge to recharge its 4,500mAh battery. And if that isn’t enough, there is also support for 50W wireless charging and 10W reverse wireless charging.
A trio of rear cameras—a 50MP primary lens with OIS, a 13MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x Optical Zoom and OIS—are present, with the selfie camera sporting a 50MP sensor.
The Motorola Edge 50 Pro is available in Black and Lavender Purple on Amazon and the brand’s web store for £599 (~$785).
Google Pixel 8a
As might be expected, Google’s rather excellent Pixel 8a makes the list, continuing the the high-value nature of the A-series since its inception. The cheapest way to get your hands on the ‘Pixel Camera Experience, the Pixel 8a punches above its price bracket with the Tensor G3 chipset, 8GB RAM, and up to 256GB of built-in storage. Unlike others in this category, the Pixel 8a leans more towards the compact side of things with its 120Hz 6.1-inch OLED panel with FHD+ resolution.
The 64MP primary camera features OIS and is paired with a useful 13MP ultra-wide lens. The selfie camera sports 13 megapixels and is located in the central punch-hole in the display.
The Pixel 8a falls short in a familiar area for Pixel phones: It’s limited to 18W charging and takes over two hours to recharge its 4,492mAh battery fully.
If you are looking to get on the Google bandwagon, the 8a is a great way to get the Pixel Camera Experience without paying flagship prices. You can pick up the Pixel 8a in Aloe Green, Bay Blue, Obsidian Black, and Porcelain colorways for $499/£499 on Amazon and the Google Store.
Nothing Phone 2
Nothing’s Phone 2 offers something a little different from the rest. Its distinctive Glyph Interface assigns different light and sound sequences for contacts and notification types. Under the hood is the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, with 12GB RAM and up to 512GB of built-in storage. A 6.7-inch OLED display with FHD+ resolution and 120Hz refresh rate is also present.
Dual 50MP camera sensors (wide and ultra-wide) reside on the rear panel, with a 32MP selfie camera on the front. The 4,700mAh battery can be charged to 100% in just 55 minutes and supports 15W wireless charging. The Nothing OS also brings some unique design cues.
One thing you can be sure of with Phone 2 is that people will ask what handset it is, to which you can simply reply, “It’s Nothing.”
Available in White and Dark Grey, you can pick up the Phone 2 for $549/£519 directly from the Nothing website and on Amazon.
Foldable Phone Of The Year 2024
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
The Galaxy Z Fold 6 marks Samsung’s first acknowledgment of the rising number of competing devices from other brands. It features a different design and aspect ratio from its predecessors. Sporting 120Hz panels inside and out, the Fold 6 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and packs 12GB RAM and up to 1TB of non-expandable storage. It also benefits from IP48 water resistance, which most other foldables do not.
The rear camera setup consists of a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide lens. A 4,400mAh battery with 25W wired charging is probably its biggest drawback compared to its rivals, although it has 15W wireless charging. It will also receive a whopping seven years of software updates and security patches.
As you might expect, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 isn’t cheap. Starting at $1,899 for the 256GB variant, it is available on Amazon in Navy, Pink, and Silver and in Crafted Black and White colorways exclusively on the Samsung Store.
Honor Magic v2
Despite being a generation older, Honor’s Magic V2 is nothing short of a marvel. It is thinner, lighter, and has a larger display and a bigger battery than the Fold 6. This is especially noteworthy when you consider that the Magic V2 is priced around a third less than Samsung’s latest foldable.
The Magic V2 comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of built-in storage as standard. Its AMOLED inner display is 7.92-inches with a 120Hz refresh rate, with its cover display being 6.43-inches in size. A 5,000mAh battery with 66W wired charging is present, making a mockery of the so-called ‘fast-charging’ efforts of Samsung and Google. Wireless charging support and water resistance aren’t included, but it does have an IR blaster for those who keep losing their TV remotes.
The Magic V2, in Midnight Black and Phantom Purple colorways, is available for £1,199 (~$1,599) directly from the Honor Store and Amazon.
Motorola Razr+ 2024
Motorola continues its return to form with the exciting Razr+ 2024 flip phone, which features a handy performance boost thanks to the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, 12GB RAM, and a move to UFS 4.0 storage, of which there is 256GB as standard.
The Razr+ 2024 also gets a small bump in battery capacity from 3,800mAh to 4,000mAh and is upgraded to speedier 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. The camera department has also been upgraded and now sports a 50MP main sensor along with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide lens, both of which feature OIS.
The Razr+ 2024 has improved connectivity over its predecessor with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 support, and it’s also bumped to IPX8 water resistance.
The Razr+ 2024, or Razr 50 Ultra as it’s known as outside the US, is available in a slew of vibrant colorways for $999 on Amazon and the Motorola website.
OnePlus Open
While OnePlus isn’t launching a brand new foldable this year, it has unveiled the Open Apex model, which sports a vibrant new colorway and a boost in storage. Widely considered to offer one of the best software experiences on a foldable outside the Fold series, the OnePlus Open Apex now features a massive 1TB of built-in storage.
The Open Apex now benefits from increased security certifications, a dedicated security chip, and a new VIP mode, which blocks camera and microphone access when activated via the alert slider.
In terms of performance, it’s the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset with 16GB RAM under the hood. It also has a trio of rear cameras: a 48MP main sensor, a 48MP ultra-wide, and a 64MP telephoto lens.
The OnePlus Open Apex is priced at $1,899. Still, if the Crimson Shadow colorway and extra storage aren’t deal-breakers, the regular OnePlus Open can be ordered for $1,399 on Amazon and the OnePlus Store.
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Here we have Google’s second-generation foldable, which now has a veritable mouthful of a name. Google’s Tensor G4 chipset powers the Pixel 9 Pro Fold, which has up to 16GB RAM and larger internal and cover displays with adaptive 120Hz refresh rates.
Weirdly, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts a smaller battery than its predecessor, with just 4,650mAh capacity. However, it does benefit from 45W wired charging, which should make the topping-up experience a little shorter.
The cameras stay pretty much the same: a 48MP main sensor, a 10.5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The cover display camera is switched to a 10MP sensor, as is the selfie camera on the inner display. As with its siblings, the Pixel 9 Pro Fold will receive seven years of software and security updates, which only the Galaxy Z Fold series can match.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers the best of Google in a foldable package and is a marked improvement over its predecessor.
The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is available in Porcelain and Obsidian colorways on Amazon and the Google Store starting from $1,799.
Best Android Tablets 2024
OnePlus Pad 2
Having debuted in the Android tablet segment in 2023, the OnePlus Pad 2 follows up on its predecessor with all the right moves. Sporting true flagship power thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, a gorgeous 12.1-inch 3K display with up to 144Hz refresh rate, a 7:5 aspect ratio, and a big 9510mAh battery with 67W SuperVOOC fast-charging, the OnePlus Pad is a powerhouse.
Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity are available, as is stylus support. The Pad 2 runs OxygenOS 14.1 out of the box. OnePlus also offers an official Keyboard case, which Google still doesn’t have for its year-old Pixel Tablet.
Best of all, at just $499/£449 (with a free Folio Case), the OnePlus Pad 2 is also incredibly affordable for what it brings to the table.
Lenovo Tab Plus
Aimed at those watching content, Lenovo’s Tab Plus boasts a whopping eight JBL speakers (4x tweeters and 4x woofers), which support Dolby Atmos. Its 90Hz 11.5-inch 2K display offers 175° viewing angles, and there’s an 8,600mAh battery that enables up to 12 hours of streaming. When the battery hits empty, the 45W fast-charging tops it up to 100% in just 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, you’ll find a MediaTek Helio G99 processor, 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of expandable storage, and an 8MP camera on the front and rear panels.
Starting from just £289 (~$380), the Lenovo Tab Plus could be the content-streaming tablet you’ve been waiting for.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S9
As the best-selling brand for Android tablets, Samsung knows what it’s doing. Its Galaxy Tab S9 is a premium-specced tablet with Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 performance, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of built-in storage. The Dynamic AMOLED 2X display has 11-inches of viewing area with up to 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 2560 x 1600 resolution.
The Galaxy Tab S9 is the first Samsung tablet to benefit from both dust and water resistance (IP68). Its Armour Aluminum metal design also helps protect against shocks and drops. The included S Pen aids productivity, allowing users to write, draw, and move things around on the display with ease.
The Galaxy Tab S9, available in Beige and Graphite, costs $699/£649 from Amazon and the Samsung Store.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition
Samsung is here again, but this time it’s with the Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition, which, as you might have surmised, is aimed at the younger folk in your family. Sporting an 11-inch display with FHD resolution, the tablet has 64GB of expandable storage and runs Android 13 out of the box. A 7,040mAh battery keeps the lights on, and there’s a 5MP camera on the front with an 8MP sensor on the rear panel.
Samsung also includes a puffy cover case, which helps protect the tablet from the inevitable bumps and drops. A lanyard is also included for easy carrying. Samsung Kids helps you keep an eye on the youngsters, letting you adjust the user experience on the tablet so that it’s safer to explore the digital world.
The Galaxy Tab A9+ Kids Edition is also easy on the wallet, coming in at $269 on Amazon and the Samsung Store.
Amazon Fire 11 Max
Amazon is well known for its affordable tablets, and here we have its take on a productivity-focused device in the form of the Fire 11 Max. The most powerful of Amazon’s tablets, the Fire 11 Max features an 11-inch display with 2000 x 1200 resolution and blue-light protection. It also has 64GB of built-in storage, which can be expanded via the included MicroSD card slot.
Up to 14 hours of battery life can be enjoyed, and there’s also 15W charging (15W charger sold separately) on hand. Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 are supported, and you’ll naturally find the Alexa virtual assistant baked into the Fire OS software. One thing you won’t find is the Play Store, but Amazon’s App Store offers many of the most popular apps.
Amazon lists the Fire 11 Max at $229, but it’s often discounted to just $170, which means a lot of bang for your buck.
Best Android Wearables 2024
Motorola TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro
A stalwart of the Wear OS scene, Mobvoi’s latest contender is its TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, which boasts up to 90 hours of battery life and the brand’s second-generation Dual-Layer Display technology. Aesthetically, there’s a rotating crown with a button sitting above, and the reinforced circular bezel has a textured finish. Sapphire Crystal Glass protects the display, and the case meets US-MIL-STD 810H certification for withstanding rain, sand, ice, shock, and vibration.
Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 platform, the TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro supports more than 110 professional workout modes. The TicHealth app keeps all your data and goals in one place. Other features include Sleep Tracking with Snoring Detection, One-tap measurement, and 24/7 heart rate monitoring.
The TicWatch Pro 5 Enduro, available in Obsidian Black and Slate Grey, is $349 on Amazon and the Mobvoi Store.
Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra
Samsung’s most premium smartwatch, the Galaxy Watch Ultra, boasts a different design language from the Galaxy Watch 7, which features later in the article. Its squircle aesthetic consists of a circular Sapphire Crystal display wrapped in a squarish titanium case, creating an appealing, sophisticated, and rugged look.
Under the Super AMOLED display, you’ll find a penta-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 32GB of built-in storage. A 590mAh battery keeps the lights on for up to 100 hours, and there is also support for NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and e-SIMs.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra can withstand 10ATM water pressure and up to 55°C heat. It also boasts BioActive and Heart Rate sensors, Sleep Tracking, and SOS and Fall Detection functions.
The Galaxy Watch Ultra is available in Titanium Silver, White, and Gray colorways on Amazon and directly from the Samsung Store for $649.
Google Pixel Watch 3
Google’s Pixel Watch 3 looks remarkably like its predecessors with its rather simplistic design, but this time, it’s also available in 45mm, which offers a larger battery capacity and display. Running Wear OS 5.0, the Pixel Watch 3 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5+ Gen 1 processor with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. Its Always-on Display boasts 320ppi, 1-60Hz refresh rate, and up to 2000 nits peak brightness.
NFC, Bluetooth 5.3, and UWB are supported, and heart rate, pedometer, and accelerometer sensors help you track your health and fitness progress.
A good selection of official and third-party straps is available to customize the watch’s appearance.
Pricing for the Pixel Watch 3 starts from $349 on Amazon and the Google Store, and it is available in a range of colors.
OnePlus Watch 2R
One of the more stylish options in the Wear OS smartwatch space is the OnePlus Watch 2R, which has a classic design that suits just about any occasion. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon W5 Gen 1 chipset, the Watch 2R also boasts 2GB RAM and 32GB of built-in storage. There’s room for a 500mAh battery, which is good for up to 100 hours of usage, and the 1.43-inch AMOLED display offers 466 x 466 resolution and Always-on-Display functionality.
Bluetooth 5.0, dual-frequency GPS, and NFC connectivity are present, along with VO2 Max, heart rate sensors, and sleep and snore tracking support. A range of official watch faces are included from the get-go, with the watch also supporting the standard 22mm strap size for easy customization.
The OnePlus Watch 2R is available on Amazon and the OnePlus Store for just $199 in forest green and gunmetal gray.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7
The Galaxy Watch 7 is more affordable than its Ultra sibling and boasts a more conventional design that we would associate with Samsung. Available in 40mm and 44mm sizes, the Galaxy Watch 7 is powered by the same 3nm processor paired with 2GB RAM and 32GB storage. The 40mm version has a 1.3-inch display and 300mAh battery, while the 44mm model benefits from a 1.5-inch display and a 425mAh unit.
Sensors are present for heart rate tracking, temperature, electrical heart signal, and bioelectrical impedance analysis, and the device also has IP68 water and dust protection.
Depending on the chosen model, the Galaxy Watch 7 is available in green and cream or silver and costs $299 on Amazon and the Samsung Store.
Best Android Accessory of 2024
Anker Prime 200W Power Bank
We reviewed this little beauty and found it to be an almost perfect match of charging speed, size, and versatility when choosing a power bank. Anker’s 200W Prime Power Bank features a handy 20,000mAh capacity, 200W output via its two USB-C ports and a single USB-A port.
The built-in display shows all sorts of useful information, such as charging speeds, how much charge is left, which ports are in operation, and how long it will take to recharge the unit when it’s depleted. Plus, thanks to its support for 100W charging, it only takes 75 minutes to recharge the device fully.
Weighing 540g and sporting a premium design, the 200W Prime Power Bank is a perfect travel companion and is on sale on Amazon and the Anker Store for $129/£75.
Earfun Wave Pro Noise Cancelling Headphones
Great sound doesn’t need to come at a premium price, so it proves with Earful’s Wave Pro headphones which are under the $100 price point. With outstanding battery life and solid construction, the Wave Pro headphones punch above their weight in audio quality, too.
Active Noise Canceling (ANC) is present and able to mask noises of up to 45dB, with Ambient, Wind Noise, Comfort ANC, and Strong ANC functions available to choose from in the Earfun smartphone app.
Capable of up to 80 hours of playback in normal mode and 55 hours with ANC activated, the Wave Pro headphones need a 10-minute charge to give 10 hours of playback. This, along with the 3.5mm audio jack, makes the Earfun Wave Pro headphones an essential addition to your backpack when traveling.
Earfun’s Wave Pro headphones are available on Amazon for just $79.99 in Black and Oat White colorways.
ShiftCam LensUltra
Whether you’ve got a flagship smartphone or not, sometimes mobile photography just doesn’t cut it. Instead of buying a fancy DSLR camera, though, ShiftCam’s LensUltra kit will raise the bar when taking images with your handset. Its range of dedicated lenses can be attached to your rear camera.
Whether you need the full kit as pictured above or a single lens to get that perfect bokeh effect photo, ShiftCam’s add-on lenses are the middle-ground for upgrading your photographic abilities. The full LensUltra kit has seven lenses, which include a 16mm wide-angle lens, a 200° fisheye lens, multiple macro lenses, and a 60mm telephoto lens. A trio of filters is also included in the carry-case, along with a cleaning kit and a universal mount.
You can buy a specially designed case for your phone or use the universal adapter. LensUltra bundles start at around $207 and $1,099 for the full kit, although you can pick up a lens and universal adapter at $170 on the ShiftCam website.
Nanoleaf Shapes
Are you looking to refresh your office or living room or light up your gaming space with funky lighting? Nanoleak is one of the best-known brands in LED lighting. Its Shapes collection is Google Home, Apple Home, and Alexa compatible, which means you can control the lighting features and color themes from the comfort of your smartphone.
You can mix and match shapes to create your unique design and then have them dance to the beat of your music or perhaps mirror the colors shown on your TV or monitor. They are touch-sensitive; you can also set them to suit your schedule. There’s no need for specialist DIY skills either because the Nanoleaf Shapes are installed on any flat surface and come with mounting tape included in the box.
Depending on the number of panels needed, Shapes Starter Packs start at $179.99 and are on sale at Amazon and the Nanoleaf website.
GameSir G8+ Mobile Game Controller
GameSir’s G8 Plus Mobile Game Controller is incredible value with its $80 price tag and Hall Effect triggers and joysticks that work with phones, tablets, and even the Nintendo Switch. With shoulder bumpers, triggers, and remappable rear buttons, the GameSir G8 Plus isn’t short on customizable options.
Able to auto-connect and disconnect when stretching out the controller once you’ve set it up with a device via Bluetooth, the GameSir G8 Plus offers a user-friendly experience.
Whether you are playing Call of Duty: Mobile or Tears of Kingdom, the GameSir G8 Plus Game Controller does it all and has Hall Effect joysticks to boot, something its more expensive rivals don’t offer.
You can pick up the GameSir G8 Plus Game Controller on Amazon for $79.99.
Android App Of the Year
Google Gemini
2024 truly is the year of AI and despite the chances of the buzzword annoying you (as it does me), it’s capable of some great things that will make your daily life a little easier. Google’s Gemini app may have been late to the party, but it’s making up for lost time by adding more useful functions.
Whether it’s asking it to help you write, study, come up with workout schedules, create images on the fly, make travel plans with Google Maps and Flights apps, or even grab an answer from the internet, the Gemini app is a handy tool to have on your smartphone or desktop device. You can type in your request or verbally tell Gemini to perform a task, correct your grammar or punctuation, or create an overview of your latest project. The world is your oyster.
Now available in more regions than ever, the Gemini App can be downloaded free of charge on the Play Store. Remember that as great as it is, you should always check its output for accuracy if it is used for work or study purposes.
Microsoft CoPilot
Microsoft CoPilot integrates with most things, from the Windows creator, the Edge Browser, to Windows 11 and its lineup of Surface laptops. It also has a very handy mobile app, CoPilot, which can aid you in finding information or creating text or visual projects on your smartphone.
Whether it’s helping you write the perfect email to a colleague, creating an image of a dog wearing sunglasses and eating ice cream, or helping you finish your novel, CoPilot is the silent assistant you’ve wanted all these years. There are even specialized plugins to help you search, create a travel itinerary, shop, or even make a song.
While CoPilot is free across PCs, phones, and web browsers, paying the $20 monthly fee for access to the Pro tier brings priority access during peak times, adding AI features to Office Apps, and faster results. However, the free tier will be fine for most casual users.
You can download Microsoft’s CoPilot app from the Play Store via the link below.
Canva
Canva is one of the most user-friendly apps for designing images, removing backgrounds, assembling a collage of photos, or editing a video project. I use it daily for work, and it’s an essential app for those who don’t want to get lost in apps such as PhotoShop. It does what it says on the tin without awkward controls.
You can access Canva on the app and desktop, with projects syncing between the two. Some features, such as the AI functions, are only available on the paid version, which costs $15 monthly. Still, if it’s basic design features, access to graphics, backgrounds, elements, and the ability to create anything from posters, collages, Instagram Reels, and even YouTube thumbnails, you’ll love the ease and simplicity of Canva.
You can download the Canva app to your mobile or tablet via the Play Store link below.
Mobile Passport
If you are a frequent traveler, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency’s Mobile Passport Control app should be an essential part of your travel organization. Now able to handle multiple documents for each person and support scanning LPD cards and VWP passports, the app lets you complete your entire family’s submission from a single mobile phone.
Whether traveling by air or cruise ship, you can handle the submission for up to twelve family members, find your baggage, and save your passport details to the app to simplify your journey through security.
As you might hope, the Mobile Passport Control app is free to download on the Play Store.
JustWatch
Streaming apps are great, but finding which one has a specific show or movie available can be a pain. Here to help with that pain point is JustWatch, which calls itself the “Ultimate Guide for Film Fans and TV Series Lovers.” You type in the show or movie you want to watch, and the JustWatch app will find out where you can watch it (official sources only), what visual quality it’s available in, and how much it will cost.
Once you’ve chosen, you can watch a show or movie on your phone or TV; it’s really that simple. You can also make a watchlist; the app will send you personal recommendations based on your viewing history.
The JustWatch app is ad-supported and supports most popular platforms. It is free to download from the Play Store.
Conclusion
We had a lot of fun putting this guide together, and we hope you found it helpful in your quest to buy the best smart devices and apps in 2024. Don’t forget to check through our case guides on protecting your new phones and laptops, as well as essential apps, chargers, and accessories to help you make the most out of your new gadget.
