The global smartphone market is now valued at over $500 billion. As of Q4 2023, over 1.16 billion smartphones were sold worldwide. The mobile phone industry continues to grow thanks to innovative new models and exciting new brands.
With so many options to choose from, which brands consistently deliver the best smartphones year after year? In this post, we evaluate the top 12 mobile phone brands based on market share, customer satisfaction, features, reputation, and real-world usage.
How We Evaluated the Top Mobile Phone Brands
To compile these rankings, we looked at:
- Market share – Brands with the largest slice of the global smartphone market
- Customer satisfaction – Third-party consumer ratings for major brands
- Innovation – Brands pushing boundaries with new features and designs
- Product offerings – Diverse selection of phones across price ranges
- Reputation – Renowned players known for quality, value, and innovation
Top 12 Best Mobile Phone Brands
Now let’s count down the top 12 best mobile phone brands worldwide!
#12 Nokia (0.3% Market Share)
The historic Finnish brand Nokia was once the top mobile phone maker globally. Though its market share has declined, Nokia remains respected for its solid budget and mid-range Android phones that offer great value.
For Nokia smartphones in 2024, the Nokia XR21 is highlighted as a notable model due to its rugged build, mid-range performance, and decent camera capabilities.
Pros:
- Excellent build quality and durability
- Clean, stock Android experience
- Solid cameras for the price range
Cons:
- Conservative, unexciting phone designs
- Lacks flagship-level devices
- Limited availability depending on region
#11 Realme (3.5% Market Share)
Founded in 2018, Realme has quickly become a top smartphone vendor thanks to its affordable yet powerful phones. Realme offers great specs and fast charging tech on a budget. Popular models include the Realme 9 Pro and GT series.
For Realme smartphones in 2024, the Realme GT 2 Pro is highlighted as a standout model, featuring the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, a WQHD+ LTPO AMOLED screen, and a 50Mp triple rear camera system.
Pros:
- Excellent performance-for-price ratio
- Fast charging capabilities
- Premium designs on a budget
Cons:
- Limited availability outside Asia currently
- Camera performance could improve
- Relatively new player compared to rivals
#10 OnePlus (1.2% Market Share)
Founded in 2013 and a subsidiary of OPPO, OnePlus has built a cult following by offering flagship-level specs and performance at reasonable prices. OnePlus maintains low price tags by selling direct-to-consumer and cutting back in areas like IP ratings. Top-selling models include the OnePlus Nord, OnePlus 10 and OnePlus 11 series.
The OnePlus 12 emerges as the flagship model for 2024, boasting the latest Snapdragon chipset and exemplifying cutting-edge technology in the smartphone market
Pros
- Flagship-level performance for hundreds less
- Smooth 120Hz displays with great colors
- Incredibly fast wired and wireless charging
Cons
- Camera hardware lacks compared to rivals
- Limited carrier availability in some regions
- No IP water/dust resistance rating
#9 LG (1% Market Share)
LG was once a top 5 smartphone vendor globally before being surpassed by Chinese brands. However, LG remains competitive globally thanks to its impressive OLED displays, great audio capabilities, and innovations like ultra-wide camera lenses. Flagship models include the LG K, LG Q, LG V and LG G series.
In 2024, the most popular LG smartphone model is the LG K51, which stands out due to its overall performance and value in the smartphone market.
Pros
- Some of the best OLED displays
- Excellent audio quality
- Useful camera and video features
Cons
- Quality control issues in recent years
- Outdated UX skin over Android
- Less competitive pricing
#8 Motorola (2.15% Market Share)
Motorola invented the first mobile phone in 1973 and had a hit with the Razr in the 2000s. After struggling, Motorola has rebounded under Lenovo ownership with a solid lineup of budget to mid-range offerings including the Moto G series.
The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is highlighted as the best Motorola smartphone for 2024, offering high performance, a color-accurate OLED screen with a 144Hz refresh rate, and exceptional battery life, all at a competitive price
Pros
- Competitively priced budget and mid-range options
- Close to stock Android experience
- Solid battery life with fast charging
Cons
- No true flagship-level phones
- Software support could be better
- Most models lack flair in design
#7 Xiaomi (11.9% Market Share)
Since entering the market in 2011, Xiaomi has quickly grown into the 3rd largest smartphone vendor globally with 11.9% market share. The Chinese brand excels at producing feature-packed Android phones at affordable prices. Popular models include the budget Redmi Note series and the mid-range Mi 11 series.
In 2024, the most popular Xiaomi smartphone model is the 13T Pro, offering high-performance gaming experience, long-lasting battery life, and excellent camera performance.
Pros
- Incredible value-for-money
- Impressive quality and performance for the price
- Large selection of affordable to mid-range phones
Cons
- Very limited availability outside Asia
- MIUI interface is cluttered
- Slow Android version updates
#6 Google Pixel (1% Market Share)
Google entered the smartphone arena in 2016 with the Pixel line showcasing the latest Android OS and Google’s advanced AI capabilities. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 7 have been very well-received for their cameras, performance, AI features, and clean Android experience.
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is highlighted as the best Google Pixel on the market for 2024.
Pros
- Clean, stock Android experience
- Cutting-edge mobile photography
- Helpful AI-powered features
Cons
- Only expensive flagship models
- Just a few phone options
- Battery life could be better
#5 Huawei (3.59% Market Share)
Huawei has grown into one of the world’s leading mobile brands in recent years with its advanced proprietary chips, stellar camera systems, and well-built flagships. However, Huawei’s growth outside China has been stunted by US trade restrictions blocking access to Google services. Top models include the P series and Mate series.
The Huawei P60 Pro is recognized as the top Huawei smartphone for 2024, acclaimed for its advanced camera capabilities.
Pros
- Innovative mobile chipsets
- Impressive, versatile camera systems
- Feature-rich flagships with great specs
Cons
- No Google apps or services
- Limited availability outside China
- Perceived ties to Chinese government
#4 OPPO (5% Market Share)
OPPO has rapidly grown its global market share thanks to its premium quality phones with excellent designs, displays, camera tech, and fast charging. OPPO focuses on camera performance and innovation. Top sellers include the Reno and Find (F) series.
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra is the most popular OPPO smartphone model for 2024, featuring a world-first Quad Main Camera with HyperTone Image Engine, advanced computational photography, and pro-grade Hasselblad tuning.
Pros
- Sleek, stylish phone designs
- Blazing fast wired and wireless charging
- Vibrant AMOLED displays with high refresh rates
Cons
- Camera software needs more polish
- Heavy-handed UI skin over Android
- Limited carrier availability in the US
#3 Vivo (5% Market Share)
Vivo joins OPPO with an extensive lineup of well-designed phones featuring great specs, fast charging tech, and reasonable pricing. The brand enjoys immense popularity in India and China. Notable models include the V and X series.
In 2024, Vivo is set to impress with the Vivo V26 Pro 5G, Vivo Y57 5G, Vivo T3x, and Vivo X100 models. Each model boasts high-resolution camera setups and 5G connectivity, with the Vivo X100 featuring a standout quad-camera system including a 200MP sensor.
Pros
- Sleek, lightweight designs and fun color options
- Good value flagships with fast charging
- Innovative extras like gimbal camera systems
Cons
- Overly skinned user interface
- Duplicate apps problem
- Low availability in the West
#2 Samsung (23.69% Market Share)
Samsung continues to lead the smartphone industry by providing an immense range of devices across all price bands. Samsung phones stand out for their gorgeous displays, versatile camera systems, and exciting innovations. Top sellers include the Galaxy S series and foldables like the Z Flip 4.
For Samsung smartphones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is highlighted as the top choice for flagship lovers in 2024. It features Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a new 200MP main camera sensor, and impressive zoom capabilities with its 3x and 10x telephoto lenses. The device also boasts a 6.8-inch 120Hz screen, ideal for using the S Pen.
Pros
- Best-in-class OLED displays with variable refresh rate tech
- Excellent, versatile multi-lens camera systems
- Useful software features like Samsung DeX
Cons
- Flagships are very expensive
- Heavy One UI skin over Android
- Slower with major Android updates
#1 Apple iPhone (29.27% Market Share)
Apple’s iPhone revolutionized the world of smartphones back in 2007. iPhones remain most popular brand globally thanks to Apple’s tight integration of hardware and software, consistent experience across devices, and status as a premium lifestyle product. The latest models are the iPhone 15 series.
For Apple smartphones, the most popular model in 2024 is the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which has been highlighted for its brilliant cameras, gorgeous design, and slick interface.
Pros
- Top-notch build quality and design
- Seamless experience across Apple devices
- Best-in-class performance with A-series chips
Cons
- Very expensive, especially higher storage tiers
- Closed OS lacks customization of Android
- iOS still doesn’t offer always-on display
Key Takeaways on the Top Mobile Phone Brands
- Apple & Samsung retains the top spot globally thanks to their technology leadership and diverse lineup.
- Apple remains a leading premium player with strong customer loyalty and satisfaction.
- Chinese brands like Xiaomi and OPPO deliver incredible value and features for the money.
- Specialized players like OnePlus and Pixel cater to Android enthusiasts.
- Historic brands like Motorola and LG face an uphill battle.
FAQs About the Top Mobile Phone Brands
Q: Which phone brand is the most reliable?
A: Apple, Samsung, and Google Pixel generally earn high marks for reliability and consistent performance over the lifespan of a phone.
Q: Which phone brands are best for budget buyers?
A: Chinese brands like Xiaomi, Realme, and OPPO offer the most phone for the money on a tight budget. Moto G series are also good budget options.
Q: Which brand makes the best camera phones?
A: Apple, Google, Huawei, and Samsung lead the pack currently in smartphone photography and video. Models like iPhone 15 Pro max, Pixel 7 Pro, and S24 Ultra have stellar cameras.
Q: Are there any rising phone brands to look out for?
A: Chinese brand Realme is growing quickly globally thanks to quality budget phones. Asus and Sony also make some compelling mid-range options.
Q. Which is the largest mobile company in the world?
A: Apple is the world’s largest smartphone brand, with annual revenue of $383 billion in 2023 and a market share of 29%.
Q: Which phone brand has the best battery life?
A: Several brands now offer excellent battery life. Top picks are OnePlus and Samsung for all-day endurance under heavy use.
Hopefully this breakdown gives you a better understanding of the smartphone landscape and helps you find the right brand for your needs! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Q. Which is the largest mobile network operator in the world?
A: China Mobile Communications Corporation is the largest terrestrial mobile phone network operator in the world by number of subscriptions, with approximately 974.04 million subscriptions as of September 2022.