We have all been there. When we see a new phone that looks amazing, we are immediately enamored with the prospect of owning it; the Samsung Galaxy S24 is no exception.
It’s evident why. In just a few months, Samsung has dethroned Google as the king of AI, launched a new and exclusive version of Qualcomm’s most powerful chipset, and even found value in a different Galaxy in the form of the Galaxy S24 Plus, a model that has gone unloved for far too long.
For many, a Samsung Galaxy S24 preorder would be the natural choice. However, the Galaxy S24 does not stand alone.
Despite appearing to be the all-powerful Android phone for everyone, you may find yourself just as happy with an alternative flagship that costs much less and, arguably, has far more personality; if a phone could have a personality, that is.
The one and future king
The starting point for anything Android is, of course, Google, and given the current concentration on AI development, this is unlikely to change anytime soon. Despite being released in October, the Google Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro set the standard for what many people expected from the next generation of AI.
And it established a precedent for the Samsung Galaxy S24 with seven years of Android feature and security upgrades, a decision that demonstrates the excellence of some of the phones we currently see.
The Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro have also called into question the cost of the Galaxy S24, particularly the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The latest Pixel phones, priced at ₹73841.73 / $699 and ₹105533.46/ $999, are significantly less expensive than the Galaxy S24, S24 Plus, and S24 Ultra, which cost ₹84405.64 / $799, ₹94969.55 / $999, and ₹131943.23 / $1,299, respectively. An eyebrow-raiser for sure, especially given the sheer quality of the equipment you’re getting.
The troubled newcomer
When it comes to outstanding underdogs, OnePlus has always been at the top of my list of go-to brands, and its rise has seen it become increasingly popular among mainstream phone enthusiasts in both the US and the UK. The company’s latest phone, the OnePlus 12, hasn’t only upped an already high bar, but it’s certainly made Samsung and Google sweat with some of its remarkable specs, as well as its just stunning design.
The OnePlus 12 has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (but not the Samsung-exclusive version available on the Samsung Galaxy S24 in the US), up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and a 2K 120Hz ProXDR LTPO display, all powered by a 5,400mAh battery with 100W cable charging and 50W Wireless charging allows the OnePlus 12 to be amazingly powerful for extended periods of time, potentially outlasting the Galaxy S24.
A clever selection
An alternate option, I know, but the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra – or Motorola Razr+ if you’re in the US – simply has to make our list due to the sheer amount of personality it possesses. The Razr is unquestionably the best-looking clamshell foldable phone currently available, and that’s before you consider the various color options, which include Infinite Black, Viva Magenta, Glacier Blue, and Peach Fuzz, all of which are stunning in their own right.
Don’t get me wrong, it’s not the most powerful phone available, especially when compared to the OnePlus 12 or Google Pixel 8 Pro, but that doesn’t stop the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra from making some compelling points in its favor.
As we mentioned in our Motorola Razr Plus review, this phone isn’t for those who seek the most up-to-date specifications and features. However, what it lacks in performance, it makes up for with personality. A distinct and enjoyable user experience, combined with excellent color options and a number of well-thought-out features for a clamshell foldable smartphone, make the Motorola Razr 40 Ultra an excellent pick if you’re searching for a phone that you’ll undoubtedly like using.
