Christmas is approaching and it’s time to consider buying a new mobile phone.
Maybe it’s for you because you’re planning an upgrade and want a good deal or a new model. Or maybe it’s because you’re playing Santa and want to hand out candy to your family.
4
The new iPhone 16 is great, but it’s not the only supercharged smartphone option we’re hoping to find under the Christmas treeCredit: Apple/The Sun
Either way, The Sun spoke to top mobile phone experts to find out what the must-have models for 2024 will be.
Unsurprisingly, Apple’s premium new iPhone 16 made the list.
But Paolo Pescatore, technology industry expert at PP Foresight, also recommended two other gadgets.
“Despite concerns about weak demand, the new products are already generating interest and the iPhone is undoubtedly going to be very popular,” Paolo told The Sun newspaper.
“In the lead-up to the important holiday season, you can expect to receive a number of offers from Samsung, starting with Black Friday.
“Attractive and punchy bundles with free gifts will become popular.
“The new Flip resonates with our users with its unique form factor, making it a must-have for a wide range of customers.
“Google has been steadily increasing its presence and its novel features are starting to attract attention, so the new Pixel 9 will garner interest.”
“But for the emotional attachment and loyalty users have to their devices, it’s hard to beat the new iPhone.”
Here’s a quick guide to each phone Paolo talks about…
When I tried out the new iPhone 16 camera button, it had two surprisingly useful perks.
samsung galaxy z flip 6
Foldable phones are back! Yes, really – and they’re much better than the ones you were using in 2002.
The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6 has two screens that fold to a compact size and a crisp 50-megapixel snapper.
It’s packed with AI features, including the ability to live translate conversations in your language on one screen and another person’s language on the other screen.
And Samsung estimates 23 hours of video playback on a single charge.
4
This new Samsung phone is amazing Credit: Samsung
How much does a high-tech phone like this cost? £1,049 in the UK and $1,099 in the US.
google pixel 9
Next up is the Google Pixel 9. That’s literally what Android is made for.
Google decided that if they were building phone software for billions of devices, it would be a good idea to build terminals for them as well.
There are currently many Made by Google smartphones, but the Pixel 9 is the latest.
4
Google’s latest Pixel smartphone is even cheaper than Samsung’s Flip model Credit: Google
Available in a variety of sizes and colors, all come with built-in Google Gemini AI, magical photo editing features, and a 7-year update guarantee.
Google’s sleek AI blower costs £799 in the UK and $799 in the US.
iPhone16
Last but certainly not least is Apple’s latest model of the year, the iPhone 16.
There’s a new camera control button that makes the phone feel more like a proper camera.
4
The new iPhone is stylish, powerful, and full of AI potential Credit: Apple
There’s also a long list of features that come as part of Apple Intelligence, including the ability to create custom emojis.
The camera is great, but the real advantage is the long battery life.
Apple’s base model iPhone 16 supports about 22 hours of video playback, but the top model iPhone 16 Pro Max increases that to 33 hours.
And like Google’s phones, the iPhone 16 starts at £799 in the UK and $799 in the US.
Forget about your cell phone – buy this for Christmas instead
The Sun’s tech expert Sean Keach shares his top tips for stuffing stockings this Christmas.
Sure, the phone is great. But you almost certainly already have it, so it’s probably okay.
Instead, opt for a gift from the future: a mixed reality headset.
Yes, it may sound ridiculously expensive, but it doesn’t have to be.
Mark Zuckerberg has just announced the new MetaQuest 3S, a pair of sci-fi goggles that cost £289 in the UK and $299 in the US.
That’s cheaper than most consoles, and much cheaper than the upcoming PS5 Pro (which will set you (or Santa) back £699 / $699).
This gives you access to Mark Zuckerberg’s Horizon metaverse world, virtual reality games, and allows you to have a personal trainer in your living room or teleport to faraway locations.
And at that price it feels like a steal. This is a fun gadget for the whole family and perfect for playing with on Christmas Day and beyond.
If you’re really torn between this and a new iPhone, consider upgrading your old phone’s battery.
Typically priced under £100/$100 at the Apple Store, it will give your phone battery life like new and improve performance.
You can then spend that upgrade money on fancy meta goggles and pretend you’re living in 2060.
