Some smartphones will always sell better than others. It is never surprising to see Apple and Samsung devices on lists of top sellers, especially in New Zealand, but consumers are hesitating as they grow more expensive. Many are wondering whether these phones are worth buying for such high prices and if there are any reasonable alternatives.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
First on the list is the Samsung S24 Ultra, starting at a cost of $2449.
Key Specifications:
Screen: 6.8 inches, resolution of 1440 x 3120
Camera: 200MP wide front, 12MP rear
CPU: Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Memory: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Operating System: Android 14
Samsung claims the lead in the Android space with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, an all-around great phone. For people who seek a high-quality camera and great functionality, this device does not disappoint.
iPhone 15 and 15 Plus
Price: Starting at $1,649
Key Specifications:
Display: 6.1 inches for the iPhone 15; the iPhone 15 Plus is 6.7 inches
Camera: Main 48 megapixels, secondary 12 megapixels ultra-wide
Processor: A16 Bionic
Available Memory: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB
Operating System: iOS 17
Apple added high-feature enhancements on its iPhone 15 and 15 Plus models, which acted as a relief to customers who felt that previous iPhones were becoming more expensive without providing additional value. You can compare the specifications here between the iPhone 15 and 16.
Don't be surprised if you end up paying more than $2000 for the latest iPhone 16 without a big jump in features, however. The only noteworthy upgrade for the latest model is the A18 chip, which boasts more power than the A16.
Google Pixel 6 Pro
Price: Starting at $1,899
Key Specifications:
Display: 3120 x 1440 resolution, 6.7-inch size
Camera: 50MP Wide Angle Camera, 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera, and 48 Telephoto Camera
Processor: Google Tensor
Storage Options: 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB Internal Memory
OS: Android 12
The Google Pixel 6 Pro is known for offering good quality at an affordable price. It's an appealing option for people living in New Zealand who are looking for an Android device that packs a punch and doesn't cost a fortune.
Picking the Best Phone
Choosing the best phone has become more complicated thanks to the many new options on the market, even though the list of specifications many of them have seems to be similar. Most of the time, you're paying for the brand name and the fact that it's a new release rather than the quality of the phone itself.
Nevertheless, the right choice for you depends on how you want your phone to function. Despite having similar specifications, the iPhone 16 and the Samsung S24 Ultra operate differently. From the way in which you close tabs to using the back button, some people simply prefer the way one device operates over the others.
When shopping for a phone, don’t automatically choose the latest release. Find the phone you think works best for you within your budget. If you only use your phone for WhatsApp, watching videos, or the occasional online card game, you don't need cutting-edge specifications.
Each smartphone caters to different user needs, and it ultimately depends on what you like. It is important to make a careful comparison and prioritise the features you need most before you make your decision.