TechLekh Awards – Best Phones of 2024 in Nepal Winners!

Smartphones have become indispensable in our daily lives, fundamentally transforming how we navigate the world. As we progress through 2024, manufacturers continue to redefine what’s possible with mobile technology.

At TechLekh, we believe it’s time to celebrate the best smartphones of 2024—devices that have truly set new benchmarks in technology and design.

By recognizing these exceptional devices, we celebrate current achievements and encourage brands to continue bringing cutting-edge smartphone technology to Nepal, ensuring our consumers have access to the pinnacle of mobile innovation.

For the TechLekh Awards – Best Smartphones of 2024 in Nepal, we’ve picked phones in almost every price bracket from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 3,02,500 and presented them with respective awards in the deserved category.

Our evaluation process examines each smartphone on multiple fronts. We assess raw processing power and real-world performance, inspect build quality and design aesthetics, and thoroughly test innovative features that enhance daily usage. Special attention is paid to the value proposition – how each device’s features and performance justify its price point in Nepal’s competitive market. This extensive approach ensures our selections reflect technical excellence and genuine user value in the Nepali context.

This carefully curated selection of the Best Smartphones of 2024 spotlights the devices that have truly elevated the mobile experience of Nepali consumers. Thus this award is limited to phones officially launched in Nepal in 2024; while some outstanding phones remain unavailable here, only those accessible to Nepali consumers are considered for these awards.

TechLekh Awards – Best Smartphones of 2024 List

TechLekh Awards – Best Smartphones of 2024 Winners

#1. Best Flagship Phone – Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Let’s start with the best flagship phone you can buy for the money. And this title goes to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra priced at Rs. 1,84,999 (12/256GB).

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out as the best flagship of 2024 with its powerful AI features, impressive camera system, best-in-class display with anti-reflective coating, and long-lasting battery life.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the S24 Ultra provides reliable performance and comes with the stylus by default. However, the S24 Ultra doesn’t have the best camera this year!

#2. Best Camera Phone – iPhone 16 Pro Max

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the top choice for the best camera phone, featuring professional-grade imaging capabilities and advanced computational photography that delivers exceptional detail and color accuracy.

iPhone 16 Pro Max has a new 48MP main camera, a new 48MP ultrawide camera, a 12MP 5X telephoto camera, and 12MP selfie camera. It also brings pro features like 4k 120 FPS ProRes and Log capture when connected to a compatible storage device. Currently, the iPhone 16 Pro Max price starts at Rs. 2,25,500 (256GB).

#3. Best Compact Phone – Xiaomi 14

The Xiaomi 14 stands out as one of the best compact flagships available for its price point. It features a flagship-grade camera, competitive performance, and impressive styling—all at an aggressive price tag.

Along with its design, the Xiaomi 14’s 50MP main camera and a 3.2x telephoto camera are the key highlights. Priced at Rs. 99,999 (12/512GB) Xiaomi 14 provides a good flagship experience at a affordable price.

#4. Best Flagship Killer – Honor 200 Pro

The Honor 200 Pro is a standout “flagship killer,” offering premium features like a powerful camera, high-performance processor, and impressive design—all at a more affordable price compared to traditional flagship models.

Honor 200 Pro excels in portrait photos thanks to the collaboration with Parisian Harcourt Studio. Likewise, it brings highly customizable software and iOS like Magic Capsule.

This flagship killer starts at Rs. 84,999 (12/512GB).

#5. Best Midrange Phone – Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G

The Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus stands out as the best midrange phone of 2024, offering flagship-level features such as a high-resolution AMOLED display, a powerful Snapdragon processor, and a versatile camera system, all at a competitive price of Rs. 47,999 (8/256GB).

It doesn’t excel at a single department but things like a 1.5K Curved AMOLED panel, Dimensity 7200 Ultra SoC, IP68 rating, and 200MP main camera make it the overall best midrange phone.

#6. Best Affordable Gaming Phone – Infinix GT 20 Pro

Gaming phones can be expensive but one of the gaming phones that caught our attention is affordable, the Infinix GT 20 Pro.

Powered by the Dimensity 8200 Ultimate, GT 20 Pro supports 120 fps game mode in PUBG Mobile and has top-notch gaming performance in demanding games like Genshin Impact.

Combined with a Cyber Mecha design and LED strip, it has a nice gaming aesthetic. Furthermore, the 144Hz AMOLED panel ensures this gaming phone has a smooth and responsive display.

The GT 20 Pro is priced at Rs. 47,999 (12/256GB) with all the bells and whistles.

#7. Best Value Phone – CMF Phone 1

The best value phone is the one that is balanced in all departments like display, performance, design, and camera. Furthermore, it has to be priced at a reasonable price justifying its performance and specifications. One such stand-out phone of the year is the CMF Phone 1.

For a starting price of Rs. 31,699 (8/128GB), it offers excellent performance with the help of the Dimensity 7300 chipset. The 120Hz AMOLED display feels good and the removable back gives it a unique design.

Although the build quality doesn’t feel premium, the other areas of the phone provide top-notch value for the price.

#8. Best Budget Camera Phone – Samsung A16 5G

For people who want good photos under budget, the Samsung A16 5G was the best option in 2024. However, it has an outdated design and only a 90hz refresh rate.

The A16 5G shines when it comes to photography and videography from the main camera. The 50MP main camera captures good photos with nice colors and a nice dynamic range. Likewise, the 1080p videos are quite good with nice contrast and colors. Stabilization also works well in videos.

#9. Best Bang for Buck Phone – OnePlus Nord N30 SE

OnePlus Nord N30 SE was launched initially for Rs. 26,499 but its price dropped to Rs. 18,999, making it the best bang for buck phone.

For Rs. 18,999, the N30 SE boasts an FHD+ 90Hz IPS display, a Dimensity 6020 chipset, a 50MP main camera, and 33W fast charging. It is the best phone under Rs. 20,000 with good performance, a good camera, and a nice display.

Only a handful of phones can come close to what the N30 SE offers for the price.

#10. Best Entry-Level Phone – Redmi 13C

We consider entry-level phones to be priced under Rs. 15,000 and to be the best among them, the phone has to provide good value. None other than Redmi 13C has managed to achieve that. Even though, Redmi 14C is already available, Redmi 13C captures better photos giving it the edge over the 14C.

Redmi 13C provides an excellent price-to-performance ratio with a good design, decent display, and good cameras.

So these are our picks for the Best Smartphone of 2024 in various categories. What do you think about it? Let us know in the comments!