Google Pixel 8 Pro | First up is the Google Pixel 8 Pro. The Pixel 7 Pro was already an excellent phone, but the Pixel 8 Pro takes things to the next level with AI features like the magic audio eraser and more. The device is powered by the Google Tensor G3 chipset, and Android 14 on the Pixel provides the cleanest and most intuitive software on any smartphone. Not only does the Tensor G3 chip boost performance, but it also enables a range of genuinely useful software features that improve the photography experience, along with capable lenses that deliver consistently excellent photos. The price? ₹106,999. (Image: Google Pixel)
iPhone 15 Pro Max | Moving on, let's talk about the iPhone 15 Pro Max. The iPhone 15 Pro has many noticeable changes, including a significant upgrade to USB Type-C and a premium-looking titanium build. The new titanium build is durable and noticeably lighter. There's also a new customisable Action Button, which I still use to silence and ring, by the way! Apple's A17 Pro chipset delivers stellar performance, and many apps now support the Dynamic Island, making it genuinely useful. The triple camera setup of 48MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto (5x) delivers some of the most stunning photos. The price? ₹159,990. (Image: Apple)
Samsung S23 Ultra | Now, let's discuss the S23 Ultra. Launched at the start of the year, it is a big device, but it offers every possible feature you could want to power through your day. It is powered by a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The 200MP main camera is outstanding, and combined with the 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto (2x), and 10MP telephoto (5x), it delivers stunning shots. This phone made astrophotography a rage! The S-Pen stylus tucked away in the phone adds to its appeal. It's one of the few phones out there with a squared-off body and screen, but it feels good to hold. The price? ₹124,999, further slashed down now. (Image: Samsung)
OnePlus Open | Let's move on to the OnePlus Open, one of the best book-style foldable phones available. The OnePlus Open strikes the best balance of weight-to-size ratio. When folded, the phone is as light as an iPhone Pro Max, and when unfolded, it expands into a thin slate. OnePlus leverages the 7.8-inch display by offering some of the most intuitive multitasking features, courtesy of 'Open Canvas.' The triple camera setup of 48MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 64MP telephoto also delivers good photos. OnePlus got the fundamentals right with Open by including 65W fast charging capabilities with a charger in the box. The cherry on top is the ₹139,990 price tag. (Image: OnePlus)
OnePlus 11 | The OnePlus 11 is hands-down the winner as the best affordable flagship phone of the year. It features a flagship-level processor, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, and a Hasselblad-branded rear camera setup of 50MP main, 48MP ultrawide, and 32MP telephoto. But what takes the cake is a 5,000mAh dual-cell battery with 100W SuperVooc fast charging, which takes the phone from almost empty to full in 25-27 minutes. That charging speed, coupled with the fact that OnePlus includes its charger in the box, puts it a step above the rest. The price? ₹56,999. (Image: OnePlus)
Xiaomi 13 Pro | Finally, the Xiaomi 13 Pro. In 2023, it was one of the first phones that you could buy outside of China with a 1-inch camera sensor, resulting in sensational low-light photography and a level of detail not found elsewhere. Xiaomi has collaborated with Leica for the Xiaomi 13 Pro, which is said to be the first device to feature Leica's 75mm floating telephoto lens. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset powers it through every task with ease, and it has great battery life too, along with 120W wired charging support. The price? ₹79,999. (Image: Xiaomi)