As you'd expect, there was no shortage of phones released in 2024, with many of the usual suspects topping our list of best phones. But as good as many of those handsets are, we shouldn't let them overshadow some of the best underrated phones that delivered strong features and great value.

My colleagues and I spent a great deal of time testing a ton of phones, and while flagship devices remain a constant staple that drives the industry, there were surprises that came along the way that impressed us — long after they were formally announced. Being the underdog can be tough, but these underrated phones deserve recognition for combining their excellent performances with a robust features set.

I think it’s also worth pointing out that you don’t need to spend a fortune on a phone to get the best performance, as these phones no doubt have proven to me after testing them out extensively.

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Why it’s underrated: Past ‘Fan Edition’ phones were low quality flagship wannabes, but the Galaxy S24 FE proved it belonged in the same breath as the rest of the S24 lineup.

The Samsung Galaxy S24 FE is the most underrated phone in 2024 for a number of reasons. When it was first announced, the specs sheet doesn’t really do justice to what the FE actually offers. For starters, it boasts a higher quality AMOLED display that turned out to be brighter than the one in the Galaxy S24 Plus.