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Google Pixel series 9
| Photo Credit: Haider Ali Khan
It has been a solid year for flagship smartphones in 2024 with launches of OnePlus 12, Vivo X100 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, Xiaomi 14 and foldables from Samsung, Motorola and Google. During fall, Google introduced the Pixel series 9 and Apple had the iPhone 16 series launch. However, the year concluded with major unveil from Realme, Oppo, iQOO and Vivo. Generative AI also became more common factor among the masses and the mobile maker’s strategy.
Let’s explore how smartphones evolved during 2024 and what new users got to experience.
Vivo X100 Pro
The first flagship phone to launch in January 2024 with its camera-centric theme was Vivo X100 Pro and its sibling, Vivo X100. The X100 Pro was also the first to introduce MediaTek Dimensity 9300 processor. The LTPO AMOLED display phone had triple 50 MP ZEISS-tuned lenses at the back and a 32 MP selfie camera. The X100 Pro went up to 5,400 mAh battery and a 100 W charger. Vivo X100 Pro was launched at ₹89,999.
Vivo was quick to catch the sentiment of Indian buyers with the launch of X200 series in December.
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OnePlus 12
The first to run on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor in India was OnePlus 12. It brought Hasselblad-tuned triple rear camera dominated by a 50 MP main sensor along with a 64 MP telephoto and a 48 MP ultrawide sensor. The battery and charger were equivalent to Vivo’s X100 Pro. OnePlus 12 was launched at ₹64,999.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
In Feb, Galaxy S24 Ultra stole the limelight with its hefty price tag of ₹1,29,999. It had the same SD 8 Gen 3 processor which arrived in OnePlus 12. Samsung was also the first to go vocal for gen AI features with Galaxy S24 Ultra that introduced live translate, interpreter, circle to search and photo assist, etc. The Galaxy S24 Ultra was also the first in 2024 to bring a 200 MP main lens along with a 50 MP and 10 MP telephoto and a 12 MP ultrawide sensor. The phone had a 5,000 mAh battery.
Xiaomi 14
In March, we witnessed the launch of Xiaomi 14 that also relied heavily on its Leica-tuned lenses and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile platform. It was first to run on Xiaomi’s renamed operating system, HyperOS. It has triple 50 MP rear camera and a 32 MP front lens. The LTPO OLED phone had a less than 5,000 mAh cell and was priced at ₹69,999.
Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
Motorola had an ‘Edge’ throughout 2024 with the launch of 5 edge series phones. The Edge 50 Ultra sat on top of chart with Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 processor, 144 Hz refresh rate and a 125 W charger. It too had AI features embedded in it. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra used a 50 MP main lens, a 50 MP ultrawide, and a 64 MP telephoto camera. It had a 50 MP selfie lens as well. The battery capacity had however remained below 5,000 mAh, the fast charger sufficed for it. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra was launched at ₹59,999.
Realme GT 6
The Realme GT 6 used the same processor as Motorola’s Edge 50 Ultra, however, it was launched at just ₹35,999. It had a 5,500 mAh battery and a 120 W charger. Realme GT 6 featured a 50 MP main camera, a 50 MP telephoto and an 8 MP ultrawide lens. Realme GT 6 was also the first phone to stretch the display’s peak brightness to 6,000 nits.
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google had an overhaul with Pixel’s design in 2024. It also took initiative to launch the Pixel 9 series ahead of Apple’s launch. Google continued with its home-made Tensor G4 processor in the series and being the champion of gen AI, introduced hosts of native gen AI features on to phones. The Pixel 9 Pro XL revived the ‘XL’ moniker as well for the brand after a long gap. The phone showed brilliant camera prowess and stability. However, it costed a premium of ₹1,24,999.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple being Apple, cautiously divided its fan base into two sets: A18 and A18 Pro. The A18 processor had obviously come in base and Plus variants and the Pro units got the A18 Pro SoC. Apple also ventured into gen AI with ‘Apple Intelligence’ and simultaneously introduced a new ‘camera control’ “button” to offer something new in the 16 series. iPhone 16 Pro Max had a 48 MP main, a 12 MP telephoto and a 48 MP ultrawide lens. However, it remained at 12 MP on front. Apple also stretched the screen size of 16 Pro Max to 6.9 inch this year. The iPhone 16 Pro Max costs ₹1,44,900.
Oppo Find X8 Pro
Oppo went on to Find the X8 series this year based on MediaTek Dimensity 9400 processor. The Hasselblad-tuned camera offered diverse range with triple 50 MP lenses at back and a 32 MP selfie shooter. The phone had IP68 and IP69 ratings which is evolving this year, along with ColorOS 15 and Android 15. The phone almost had a 6,000 mAh battery and was priced at ₹99,999.
Realme GT 7 Pro
The first phone to ship with Snapdragon 8 Elite to India was Realme GT 7 Pro. The gaming phone went beyond the Realme-set peak brightness level of 6,000 to 6,500 nits. A 50 MP main camera led the show backed by a 50 MP telephoto lens and an 8 MP ultrawide sensor. The GT 7 Pro used a 5,800 mAh battery supported by a 120 W fast charger. The phone worthed its cost which was ₹59,999.
iQOO 13
The second phone to run the newest mobile processor from Qualcomm, SD 8 Elite, after Realme GT 7 Pro was the iQOO 13. It too targets gaming segment with its BMW Motorsport inspired design, and a 2K 144 Hz display. The iQOO 13 followed the 50 MP main camera concept along with a 50 MP telephoto and a 50 MP ultrawide lens. With a 6,000 mAh battery and a 120 W charger, the iQOO 13 only asked ₹54,999 from its fans.
Published – December 14, 2024 04:50 pm IST
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