Top 5G Smartphones to Consider in January 2024

Introduction

The rise of 5G technology has revolutionized mobile communication, bringing faster data speeds and improved connectivity to users worldwide. As we move into January 2024, the market is brimming with a diverse range of 5G smartphones catering to various needs and budgets. This article aims to guide you through the best 5G smartphones available, offering insights into features, performance, and value for money.

Benchmark: Flagship Smartphones

Apple iPhone 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max

Display: 6.1 inches

Chipset: A17 Pro Bionic chip

Camera: 48 MP primary with 3x optical zoom (Pro Max), 12 MP ultrawide, 12 MP telephoto (Pro Max), and LiDAR sensor

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave

Battery: Up to 29 hours of video playback (Pro Max)

Other Features: USB-C for fast charging and data transfer, Dynamic Island, iOS 17, Titanium frame (Pro models), Ceramic Shield

Why it’s great: The iPhone 15 Pro series offers excellent build quality, smooth performance, incredible camera capabilities, and long-term software support, making it a premium choice.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Display: 6.8 inches

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

Camera: 200 MP primary camera, 12 MP ultrawide, 10 MP 3x telephoto, 10 MP 1x telephoto, Laser autofocus

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave

Battery: 5000mAh, 45W fast charging

Other Features: S Pen support, One UI, Samsung's Android skin, IP68 water-resistant, 12GB RAM

Why it’s great: The S23 Ultra is a powerhouse, especially for photography, with its 200MP sensor, excellent display, and top-tier performance, making it ideal for those who seek premium specs.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Display: 6.7 inches

Chipset: Google Tensor G3

Camera: 50 MP primary, 48 MP ultrawide, 48 MP telephoto, AI-driven features

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave

Battery: 5000mAh, 30W fast charging

Other Features: Pure Android experience, Google AI features, 5 years of software updates, IP68 rating

Why it’s great: The Pixel 8 Pro excels in software and photography, leveraging Google's AI-driven camera software and fast updates, making it perfect for users who value the best software experience.

Benchmark: High-End Mid-Range Smartphones

OnePlus 11 5G

Display: 6.7 inches

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2

Camera: 50 MP primary, 48 MP ultrawide, 32 MP telephoto

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave

Battery: 5000mAh, 100W SuperVOOC charging

Other Features: OxygenOS near-stock Android, Dolby Vision support, 12/16GB RAM options

Why it’s great: OnePlus offers great value with excellent performance, fast charging, and smooth software. The OnePlus 11 is a solid all-rounder at a more affordable price than Samsung or Apple.

Xiaomi 14 Pro 5G

Display: 6.73 inches

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Camera: 50 MP primary with Leica optics, 50 MP ultrawide, 50 MP telephoto

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz and mmWave

Battery: 4600mAh, 120W fast charging, 50W wireless charging

Other Features: MIUI, premium build quality, high-end design

Why it’s great: The Xiaomi 14 Pro offers flagship specs like Leica camera technology, super-fast charging, and a premium design at a competitive price.

Realme GT 2 Pro

Display: 6.7 inches

Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Camera: 50 MP primary, 50 MP ultrawide, 3 MP macro

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz

Battery: 5000mAh, 65W SuperDart fast charging

Other Features: Realme UI, good build quality

Why it’s great: The Realme GT 2 Pro offers strong performance, a flagship-grade display, and fast charging, making it a great value proposition for the price.

Benchmark: Affordable 5G Smartphones

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

Display: 6.4 inches

Chipset: Exynos 1380

Camera: 50 MP primary, 12 MP ultrawide, 5 MP macro

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz

Battery: 5000mAh, 25W fast charging

Other Features: One UI, IP67 water-resistant, solid build quality

Why it’s great: The Galaxy A54 5G offers excellent value for money with good performance, a superb display, and 5G support at a competitive price.

Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G

Display: 6.72 inches

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7050

Camera: 64 MP primary, 8 MP ultrawide, 2 MP macro

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz

Battery: 5000mAh, 33W fast charging

Other Features: Realme UI, good camera performance for the price

Why it’s great: The Realme Narzo 60 Pro 5G is a fantastic budget-friendly 5G phone with a great display and strong performance for everyday tasks.

Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G

Display: 6.67 inches

Chipset: MediaTek Dimensity 7050

Camera: 200 MP primary, 8 MP ultrawide, 2 MP macro

5G: Supports 5G Sub-6GHz

Battery: 5000mAh, 67W fast charging

Other Features: MIUI, solid camera performance, great for gaming at this price

Why it’s great: The Redmi Note 13 Pro brings an impressive 200 MP camera and fast charging to the budget segment, making it an excellent choice for budget-conscious buyers who want a top-tier feature set.

Conclusion

Choosing the best 5G smartphone depends on your specific requirements and budget. Whether you seek premium performance, value for money, or an affordable option, there’s a 5G smartphone to suit your needs. By carefully evaluating the features, performance, and build quality of each model, you can make an informed decision to enhance your mobile experience.