Modern smartphones are very capable computing devices, thanks to powerful hardware trickling down the price range and optimised apps. So you can save money by buying the previous year’s models while still getting top-notch performance.
To help you buy the best smartphone that fits your budget and needs, the tech experts at SoyaCincau.com, consisting of Alex, Hanif, Chapree, Putra Sam, Aisyah, and Duke, have curated a list of the best smartphones released in 2024 and awarded them Gold, Silver, or Bronze.
Naturally, we had to define some parameters to help narrow down our nominees. Therefore, only models launched between 20th November 2023 and 1st November 2024 were considered. Additionally, nominated phones had to be still on sale and available to purchase, so any limited edition or one-off models were disqualified.
Now without further ado, we present, SoyaCincau Awards 2024: The Best Phones of the Year:
Read the rest of our Awards
Once you’re done reading this list, check out our other curations for SoyaCincau Awards 2024!
- The Best Tablets of the Year (Coming Soon)
- The Best Gadgets of the Year (Coming Soon)
- The Best EV of the Year (Coming Soon)
- The Best Telco of the Year (Coming Soon)
- The Best and Worst in Tech (Coming Soon)
Value Phone of the Year
Bronze: Infinix GT 20 Pro
There are many reasons why the Inifinix GT 20 Pro is the Bronze medalist for the Value Phone of the Year category. Aside from having powerful performance thanks to its MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate chip, it also packs some interesting aesthetics with the LED lighting on its rear panel, 12GB of RAM, and a 144Hz smooth display, making it a great deal considering its affordable RM1,299 price point.
Advertised as a gaming smartphone, the Inifinix GT 20 Pro comes with some features that help elevate your gaming experience. This includes bypass charging along with the Magic Button, as well as the capability of turning the volume button into additional keys during gaming. It even comes with NFC and a pair of stereo speakers.
However, due to the Infinix GT 20 Pro being prioritised for performance and gaming, it can be a little behind in aspects such as lacking an ultrawide lens and a UI that won’t necessarily be up to everyone’s preferences. Its design can also be a little too “gamer-ish” for some.
You can check out the Infinix GT 20 Pro via Infinix Makaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Silver: CMF Phone 1
It might be surprising that we’ve placed the CMF Phone 1 as the runner-up in this category. However, in our opinion, it offers an excellent and smooth user experience although only packing midrange specifications. At RM1,099, it’s a value-for-money smartphone.
Among the reasons include the Nothing OS the CMF Phone 1 uses is among the smoothest on an Android smartphone, the same UI used on the more premium Nothing Phone 2. Being free from bloatware and packing a clean UI design is also another bonus Nothing OS hones, which is a rarity in other Android smartphones.
One of the most unique aspects of the CMF Phone 1 has to be its modular design with its swappable rear panel. Although only packing a midrange-class Dimensity 7300 processor, it still offers decent performance, while also supporting both 5G and a microSD card for storage expansion. It also sports an AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
However, due to the lack of features like NFC, stereo speakers, and a less impressive camera, it’s placed second in this category.
Learn more about the CMF Phone 1 here. You can also check out the device on CMF by Nothing’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Gold: Xiaomi 14T
It’s hard to beat what the Xiaomi 14T offers when looking at the value it brings to the table. It packs a combination of specifications that are balanced across various aspects including performance, camera, charging performance, and display at a reasonable price point.
Offered with a starting price of RM1,899, we can say that the Xiaomi 14T is worth every cent spent, and it doesn’t matter if it’s the standard or the Pro model you decide to go with.
The camera system of the Xiaomi 14T series that’s tuned by Leica has proven to deliver high-quality images at various focal lengths, even when in darker environments. Its performance is also among the best in the smartphone space with the MediaTek Dimensity 8300 and Dimensity 9300+ chips, giving users flagship-tier performance below the RM3,000 price point.
Furthermore, there is also the ultra-smooth 144Hz display and support for fast charging, with the Pro model sporting 120W via USB-C and 50W when charged wirelessly. Durability is also covered thanks to its IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
With that said, it seems like nothing has been sacrificed to reach the Xiaomi 14T’s affordable price tag, making it the champion of this category.
Learn more about the Xiaomi 14T here. You can also check it out on Xiaomi Malaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Gaming Phone of the Year
Bronze: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
It may be odd seeing the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra in this category, let alone winning the Bronze placement, but it does offer features that add to the gaming experience.
Despite not having shoulder buttons, it does come with bypass charging, which allows you to game for hours on end without worrying about battery charge. Additionally, since it can run an independent UI when hooked up to an external display, you can turn off the phone screen, increasing battery life and reducing heat output, while you enjoy your game on a larger screen.
For those looking for a smartphone that doesn’t have the gamer phone aesthetics nor the overwhelming gaming settings to tweak, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a good choice. Just that its thermal design doesn’t allow for long periods of sustained performance like our next two winners.
Side Note: While the Apple iPhone 16 series can play console-level games, you don’t get console-level quality; but rather a watered-down version. When you couple this with a lack of bypass charging and video output limited to screen mirroring with an incorrect aspect ratio for an external display, the Galaxy S24 Ultra easily leapt over it.
Wanna learn more about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra? You can check out this link. Or you may also visit Samsung Malaysia’s official Shopee and Lazada stores.
Silver: Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro and the Redmagic 9S Pro are competing hard for the top spot in the Gaming Phone of the Year 2024 category. However, the Gold medalist features the Console Mode and active cooling system, making it the more versatile choice, thus resulting in the ROG Phone 8 Pro being in second place.
Don’t get us wrong though, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is certainly no slouch in the performance department, as it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset. Its display is also the best among the three contestants here, featuring an AMOLED panel along with a 165Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits.
The ROG Phone 8 Pro also has an active cooling system, but only with the AeroActive Cooler X accessory attached. One unique feature the ROG Phone 8 Pro has is the programmable 341-dot rear LED panel, called AniMe Vision.
Asus has also fitted the ROG Phone 8 Pro with a whopping 24GB of RAM, the largest in this list. However, it doesn’t come cheap, being priced close to RM6,000.
You can check out this link to learn more about the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro. You can also visit Asus Malaysia
Gold: RedMagic 9s Pro
The first thing to note about the RedMagic 9s Pro is that it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 Leading Version SoC, whose clock speed is higher than the regular chip. This could also be thanks to the brand’s ICE 13.5 Cooling System that comes with a physical cooling fan that spins up to 22,000RPM.
Moreover, the RedMagic 9s Pro comes with gaming-enhancing features such as capacitive shoulder buttons, a large 6,500mAh battery, along with 80W wired charging. The 3.5mm headphone jack and Display Port are also present here.
At the end of the day, the feature that solidifies the RedMagic 9s Pro’s position as the winner in the Gaming Phone of the Year 2024 is its Console Mode. It’s like Samsung DeX but made specifically for gaming. Simply connect the phone to your monitor via a USB-C cable, and you can now game on a larger display. But no, this isn’t screen mirroring.
Learn more about the RedMagic 9S Pro here, and check out the RedMagic 9S Pro on RedMagic Malaysia’s official Shopee and Lazada stores.
Foldable Phone of the Year
Bronze: Xiaomi Mix Flip
I’m just as surprised as you are that Xiaomi’s first attempt at a clamshell-style foldable beat out the mature Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 to make it onto the podium. However, we chose the Xiaomi Mix Flip solely based on its cover screen layout as it’s the key differentiating factor in this segment.
While the Galaxy Z Flip 6 will run rings around the Xiaomi Mix Flip in software polish and durability, the Xiaomi offers a more fun and unique cover screen experience. Content is separated into two segments: One large section uninterrupted by the cameras, and a small section above the cameras for widgets.
Given that the main content section has a vertical aspect ratio, it allows apps to be displayed just like on the inner screen. This isn’t the case on the Galaxy Z Flip 6 with its more horizontal aspect ratio. Not to mention that the Xiaomi Mix Flip has a symmetrical screen, unlike the Galaxy Z Flip 6.
There are several ways you can customise the look of the cover display, though arguably not as much as the Galaxy Flip 6, but it has a couple of vibrant and fun ones. Moreover, the cover screen UI on the Xiaomi Mix Flip can rotate to match the orientation in which you’re holding the phone.
The hinge mechanism is smooth, so unfolding the phone is pleasant and HyperOS runs smoothly powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. This is a good first product from Xiaomi in this category and we’re looking forward to the successor.
You can learn more about the Xiaomi Mix Flip here, or check it out on Xiaomi Malaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Silver: Honor Magic V3
We feel that the Honor Magic V3 retained a lot of the things we like about the candybar form factor. You get a regular-sized outer screen, high-end cameras, and a huge battery that can easily get through a full working day. Add in the functionalities of a foldable form factor and this phone has some impressive hardware.
But by far the most impressive aspect of this foldable is its weight and thickness. It feels light whether you’re using it open or closed, and it’s thin enough that you can comfortably hold it in your hand and store it in your pocket. Even the hinge mechanism is smooth, opening flat without additional force and the crease is easy on the eyes.
So why did it get Silver? It’s because the software let it down. We found numerous quirks, oddities and rough edges in the operating system, especially in first-party apps. That’s not to say there aren’t any cool software features.
App Extender is a highlight as it optimises supported apps for the large inner display. But as a whole, the software lacks some magic.
Learn more about the Honor Magic V3 here, and check it out on Honor Malaysia’s official Shopee and Lazada stores.
Gold: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6
When Samsung debuted the Galaxy Z Fold 6, we were disappointed with the lack of any significant upgrades, not even upgrades to put it on par with some of its rivals. What we got were some welcomed design changes and a couple of new Galaxy AI features.
Despite that, we awarded the Galaxy Z Fold 6 with a Gold placement because Samsung’s software is more polished compared to its rivals, making it easier and more seamless to use. Everything is sensibly laid out and there are minimal software quirks. In our opinion, Samsung does some things better than even Google.
Sticking with software, you get things like Samsung DeX, Samsung Wallet, first dibs on new Android features, and 7 years of software updates. Yes, it trails behind in hardware when compared to rivals like the Honor Magic V3, but it has just enough to support the flagship smartphone experience.
However, seeing how software plays a more important role on smartphones these days, the Galaxy Z Fold 6 is the best choice for those who just want a foldable that is seamless to use with powerful hardware and tons of features.
You can learn more about the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 here, or visit Samsung Malaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Phone of the Year
Bronze: Xiaomi 14 Ultra
We tested numerous smartphone cameras this year, yet none left a mark on us like the cameras on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra. The cameras are by no means perfect. After all, they are limited by the constraints of smartphone packaging. But once you remove their shortcomings, what you’re left with is something—dare I say—magical.
It’s just something about how the Xiaomi 14 Ultra handles colour, contrast, highlights, and shadows that give the photo a distinct character. More often than not, you tend to fall in love with the photos. It also helps that the cameras have good optics co-engineered by Xiaomi and Leica with high-resolution, 50MP sensors.
There’s even an accessory which transforms the phone into a handheld camera, complete with a lens mount and a camera grip that doubles as a power bank. You can tell that Xiaomi was committed to making this phone the ultimate mobile camera.
If it wasn’t for the janky software, we would have placed the Xiaomi 14 Ultra at the top of this list. However, If you’re looking for the best or nothing in mobile photography, skip the other two winners on this list and get the Xiaomi 14 Ultra.
For more info on the Xiaomi 14 Ultra, you can check out this link. You can also visit Xiaomi Malaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Silver: iPhone 16 Pro Max
It might be easy to say that nothing much has changed with the iPhone 16 Pro Max and that recent iPhones have become boring.
However, the fact that it’s powered by Apple’s A18 Pro chipset also makes it one of the most powerful smartphones around. The iPhone camera system is also among the best you can get in a smartphone, and its video recording quality continues to be second to none.
And let’s not forget about how important the Apple ecosystem is for those who have invested deeply in the company’s other products and services.
So why isn’t the iPhone 16 Pro Max the champion in the Best Phone of the Year category? Well, as good as it is, we think Apple could have done so much more with its latest and greatest iPhone.
Firstly, the iPhone 16 Pro Max when first launched did launch with the highly advertised Apple Intelligence suite. Yes, it might be here now, albeit still in Beta form and not as powerful as its Google and Samsung competitors, but for those early birds who bought Apple’s latest smartphone based on its promises of AI, it must have felt like a betrayal.
Update: Apple Intelligence has started rolling out in phases to users. However, it wasn’t available during the winner deliberation. But we can confidently say that the outcome would have remained the same.
The much-hyped Camera Control button on the iPhone 16 Pro Max also seems half-baked, especially with its swipe interface.
You can learn more about the iPhone 16 Pro Max here, or check out one of Apple’s authorised resellers’ official stores on Shopee and Lazada, including Switch, Machines, Senheng, Thunder, and ITWorld.
Gold: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
It’s easy to argue the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra’s placement at the top of the podium given that it’s an incremental upgrade over its predecessor and that its competitors offer better specs like larger battery, faster charging, and better cameras. However, we feel that the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers the perfect blend of hardware, software, and ecosystem—a formula that the competition has yet to crack.
You get a seamless software experience with One UI. Everything is logically laid out, there’s ample customisation, and it’s packed to the brim with features. Powering its operating system is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy paired with the best hardware components available today.
Then, there is the ecosystem integration with both first-party and third-party products. Open your Galaxy Buds 3 Pro and the pairing process is seamless or use your Windows PC to interact with the Galaxy S24 Ultra. We haven’t even touched on the S Pen stylus, an input method no other smartphone can offer.
Yes, the competition might put down some impressive specs, but if you’re looking for the one phone to rule them all, the Galaxy S24 Ultra stands unmatched. That said, we hope Samsung doesn’t get too comfortable with next year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra.
For more info on the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, you can check out this link. You can also visit Samsung Malaysia’s official stores on Shopee and Lazada.
Conclusion
Based on the winners this year, it’s clear that the Value Phone segment has some fierce competition. Each year, we see new contenders on the list and that is exciting and, in the end, benefits all of us. We are also equally surprised to see that the king of gaming smartphones has been dethroned this year by the Redmagic 9s Pro.
However, the same can’t be said about Phone of the Year with Samsung’s S series claiming Gold for 3 consecutive years. It will be interesting to see if Samsung can hold on to that title next year, or will we see a new challenger being crowned the Gold winner for SoyaCincau Awards: Phone of the Year.
What do you think about our winners? Do you agree with our selection or do you think we choose wrongly? Let us know in the comments and don’t forget to check out the rest of our SoyaCincau Award winners.
