MKBHD Crowns Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra as 2024’s Top Smartphone

Tech influencer Marques Brownlee, better known as MKBHD, has declared the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra his top smartphone choice for 2024. In a highly anticipated video released this week, Brownlee lauded the device’s **holistic excellence**, praising everything from its stunning display and powerful processor to its exceptional camera system, long-lasting battery, and robust software. His endorsement carries significant weight in the tech world, potentially influencing millions of consumers’ purchasing decisions during the crucial holiday shopping season and beyond. The announcement further solidifies Samsung’s position as a leading player in the fiercely competitive smartphone market, but also highlights the impressive advancements across the industry in 2024.

Key Takeaways: MKBHD’s 2024 Smartphone Awards

• The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is crowned the overall “MVP” and “Best Big Phone” of 2024, according to MKBHD. This comprehensive win underscores its dominance across various key performance indicators.
• Brownlee highlighted the **remarkable balance** of the S24 Ultra, stating it excels without any single, flashy feature overshadowing its overall quality. He emphasized its **consistent performance across all aspects**.
• Apple’s iPhone 16 receives praise as the “Best Small Phone”, demonstrating Apple’s continued strength in delivering a well-rounded base model at a more accessible price point. This subtly challenges Samsung’s dominance by catering to a distinct market segment.
• The review provides a comprehensive overview of the best smartphones across various categories, not just highlighting Samsung’s win but offering a snapshot of the best current devices available.
• The announcement underscores the intensifying competition in the high-end smartphone market, with companies like Apple, Google, and Vivo pushing innovation across various design and technology aspects.

A Deep Dive into MKBHD’s Assessment of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Brownlee’s enthusiastic endorsement of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wasn’t simply based on hype; he meticulously dissected the phone’s features, highlighting its impressive array of strengths. He praised the **vibrant and sharp display**, noting the superior **anti-reflective coating** that significantly enhances usability under direct sunlight. The device’s **powerful processor**, ensuring seamless performance even under heavy loads, also received high praise. He even noted the quality of the **haptic feedback**, a feature often overlooked but crucial for overall user experience. The **battery life** and **durability** metrics also impressed the reviewer, indicating a phone designed for daily productivity and longevity.

Camera Capabilities & Software Refinements

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s **camera system**, often a critical differentiator in the high-end smartphone market, emerged as a major highlight. Brownlee eloquently described the camera’s image quality, emphasizing its capability in various lighting conditions and the advancements in image processing. The device’s **refined software** was another key component in its overall success. Seamless integration, intuitive functionality, and a refined user interface contributed to the positive assessment. He compared the phone, favorably, to the consistent performance of golfer Scottie Scheffler, underlining the reliability and dependability of the device.

The Broader Smartphone Landscape in 2024

MKBHD’s review wasn’t solely focused on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. He also acknowledged other noteworthy devices, including the Vivo X200 Pro and the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, both recognized for their innovative features. The Apple iPhone 16 earned accolades as a highly complete, yet relatively affordable, base model iPhone; a compelling option for consumers wary of the significantly higher price tags of the Pro models. “This was the most complete base iPhone they’ve ever made,” Brownlee stated, emphasizing the value proposition. His analysis covered a wide range of smartphones, providing viewers broader context in the current market, and offering insights into competing devices’ strengths and weaknesses.

Other Notable Smartphone Mentions

Brownlee’s detailed breakdown of various smartphones extends beyond the top contenders. His awards categories illustrated the diversity of strengths amongst leading brands. This diversification highlights the increasing sophistication and competitive features of the smartphone market, appealing to diverse consumers with varying specific needs or preferences. He identified specific phones as “Best Value” (Nothing Phone 2A), “Best Battery” (RedMagic 10 Pro), “Best Design” (Huawei Mate XT), and “Most Improved” and “Best Foldable” (Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold). This demonstrated industry leading innovation across various aspects of smartphone technology.

Market Share Battles: Samsung vs. Apple and Beyond

The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s success adds another layer to the ongoing battle for market dominance. Research from Counterpoint indicates Samsung’s early leadership in the **GenAI-capable smartphone** market during the first quarter of 2024, and Samsung’s Mobile Experience (MX) division’s substantial revenue figures solidify its leading position within the company. However, Apple’s consistent performance, as seen in its third-quarter record sales and near-equal market share with Samsung, presents significant competitive pressure. While Samsung’s strong performance is undeniable, the market remains highly competitive, with Apple and Huawei posing strong challenges. This competition for market leadership drives innovation and pushes manufacturers to release ever-more sophisticated devices.

Apple’s Continued Strength and Samsung’s Upcoming Releases

Apple’s dominance in the global market, as evidenced by its capture of the top seven spots in best-selling smartphones in previous quarters, underscores its continued strength. While Samsung has improved its market position considerably, it faces an uphill battle against Apple’s market share. The close market share positions of Apple and Samsung indicate the intense rivalry and technological innovation that drive advances in the smartphone industry. Samsung has already announced upcoming releases, including the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25+, signaling its commitment to staying ahead and capturing a larger market share. The anticipation of these subsequent releases underscores the continuous pace of innovation within this competitive technological landscape.

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Look at the 2024 Smartphone Market

MKBHD’s in-depth review and awards showcase not only the impressive capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra but also the robust innovation across the entire smartphone industry in 2024. The competition between giants like Samsung and Apple is driving significant advancements, benefiting consumers with access to increasingly sophisticated and powerful devices. While the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes center stage this year in MKBHD’s analysis, his breakdown highlights the breadth of innovation and compelling options available for consumers in the thriving smartphone market. Brownlee’s analysis, therefore, serves as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to understand the current state, and highlights the exciting future, of this constantly evolving sector.