The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, launched nearly a year ago in January, has been named MKBHD's Phone of the Year in his annual smartphone camera awards. This victory comes despite strong competition from Apple's newer iPhone 16 Pro Max.
MKBHD's Smartphone Awards
MKBHD ranks smartphones across 10 categories each year. While the iPhone 16 Pro Max did not win the top award, the standard iPhone 16 was recognized as the Best Small Phone of 2024. MKBHD noted the iPhone 16's improvements in performance, internals, and design compared to previous models, even though it features a 60Hz display.
According to MKBHD, The Galaxy S24 Ultra stood out for its performance, battery life, display, cameras, and other features. The YouTuber also praised the phone's anti-reflective coating. MKBHD stated that he used the Galaxy S24 Ultra the most throughout the year.
Despite Apple introducing a new Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max, some reviewers have deemed it impractical, preferring on-screen controls.
Despite not winning the overall award, the iPhone 16 Pro did receive the Best Camera Award, with MKBHD praising its photo and video capabilities.
2024 MKBHD Smartphone Awards
Here's the full list of winners in each category:
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Phone of the Year | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
| Bust of the Year | Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra |
| Most Improved | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold |
| Best Foldable | Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold |
| Best Design | Huawei Mate XT |
| Best Battery | Red Magic 10 Pro |
| Best Value | Nothing Phone 2a |
| Best Camera | iPhone 16 Pro |
| Best Small Phone | iPhone 16 |
| Best Big Phone | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
While MKBHD's rankings are subjective, they provide valuable insights for consumers. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is expected to offer further improvements, making it an even stronger competitor.
