MKBHD Crowns Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as 2024’s Top Smartphone
Marques Brownlee, the renowned tech reviewer behind the MKBHD YouTube channel, has declared the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as his top smartphone pick for 2024. In a recent video, Brownlee lauded the device’s all-around excellence, highlighting its exceptional screen, powerful chip, long-lasting battery, impressive camera system, refined software, and robust durability. He even praised less-discussed aspects like the anti-reflective coating and the vibration motor, emphasizing the phone’s holistic excellence.
A Balanced Contender in a Competitive Market
Brownlee’s choice is particularly noteworthy given the fiercely competitive smartphone market. While acknowledging other excellent phones like the Vivo X200 Pro and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, he emphasized the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s consistent performance across all key areas. He described it as a ‘complete package’, a sentiment reflecting the phone’s lack of glaring weaknesses.
Other Notable Smartphones in MKBHD’s 2024 Awards
The review wasn’t solely focused on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Brownlee also recognized several other smartphones for their individual strengths. The iPhone 16 was lauded as an exceptional base model, offering a complete user experience without the premium price tag of its Pro counterpart. Other award winners included the Nothing Phone (2) for best value, the RedMagic 10 Pro for its battery life, and the Huawei Mate XT for its design. The Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold took home both the ‘Best Foldable’ and ‘Most Improved’ awards, while the Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra was unfortunately named ‘Bust of the Year’.
Samsung’s Continued Dominance and Market Competition
Samsung’s success with the Galaxy S24 Ultra aligns with recent market reports. Counterpoint Research indicated that the Galaxy S24 series led the GenAI-capable smartphone market in Q1 2024. Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division generated approximately $21.6 billion in revenue by Q3 2024, showcasing its strong position in the industry. However, Samsung faces persistent competition from Apple and Huawei. While Apple continues to hold a significant market share, reports suggest a tightening competition with Samsung, both companies holding around 18% of the market share in the third quarter of 2024 according to Canalys.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Success and Stock Performance
Apple’s iPhone 16, released in September, has reportedly seen strong initial sales. This success is reflected in Apple’s stock performance, which saw a slight increase on the day of Brownlee’s announcement and has experienced significant growth year-to-date. The company’s shares have outpaced the Nasdaq 100 index in 2024, indicating investor confidence in Apple’s continued success in the smartphone market. The ongoing rivalry between Apple and Samsung continues to shape the smartphone landscape, offering consumers a wide variety of high-quality devices to choose from.
Conclusion: A Victory for Samsung, but Competition Remains Fierce
While MKBHD’s endorsement is a significant win for Samsung, the smartphone market remains incredibly competitive. Apple’s continued strong performance and the emergence of innovative devices from other manufacturers ensure that the battle for market share will continue to be a dynamic and exciting one to watch.
