Popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee recognized Apple’s iPhone 16 series in two significant categories in his much-anticipated 2024 smartphone awards Thursday. No one will be shocked to hear iPhone 16 Pro won for Best Camera in the MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2024. But some might raise an eyebrow to learn iPhone 16 won for Best Small Phone.
And no iPhone took the coveted MKBHD Phone of the Year prize. That went to the “boring” Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which also won Best Big Phone.
MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2024 honor iPhone 16 and 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro, built for Apple Intelligence, comes with advanced cameras and an array of other features.
- Award-winning cameras
- Camera Control button
- Titanium finish
- Great battery life
- Expensive
- Not the most advanced camera sensors
In the MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2024, iPhone 16 Pro won for Best Camera despite other handsets featuring more-advanced sensors. And, more surprisingly, the base iPhone 16 earned the title of Best Small Phone despite not being especially small. But the industry’s definition of what’s small in terms of iPhones and other handsets appears to be evolving.
iPhone 16: ‘Most complete base iPhone ever made’
iPhone 16 getting small-phone recognition seems to mark a turning point in how the industry defines “small” smartphones. With its 6.1-inch display, the iPhone 16 would have been considered quite large just a few years ago. But new smartphone models have steadily grown in size while companies abandoned compact form factors, including Apple’s discontinuation of the iPhone mini line in 2022. iPhone 13 mini stood as the last of its kind. So now iPhone 16 represents one of the more manageable options.
Brownlee set aside particular praise for Apple’s strategy with the base iPhone 16. He noted that it represents “the most complete base iPhone ever made.” The device successfully incorporates several premium features previously reserved for the Pro lineup while maintaining a relatively compact and lightweight design. He even likes it better in some ways, like the matte design on the edges.
That market positioning for the handset makes it an ideal choice for users seeking high performance without the bulk of larger flagship devices. The YouTuber also highlighted that “this was a really good year for not spending $1,500 on an iPhone,” suggesting that the base model offers exceptional value.
iPhone 16 Pro: Great overall photo and video package
Photo: MKBHD
In the camera department, the iPhone 16 Pro claimed the Best Camera award. Brownlee acknowledged that other smartphones, such as the Vivo X200 Pro, feature more technically advanced sensors. He even said he hates that iPhones keep winning the category. And he emphasized that the iPhone 16 Pro’s victory came down to its overall photography and videography package. The device particularly stood out for its professional video-recording capabilities, maintaining Apple’s traditional strength in this area.
While Apple secured these two important categories, Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra dominated the awards overall, earning both Best Big Phone and Phone of the Year. Brownlee praised the S24 Ultra for its comprehensive excellence across all features, from its display and processor to its battery life and cameras. He noted that while the choice might seem “boring” due to its evolutionary rather than revolutionary nature, the S24 Ultra’s consistent high performance across all aspects made it his most frequently used device throughout the year.
Video presentation and list of MKBHD Smartphone Awards 2024 winners:
- Phone of the Year: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best Camera: iPhone 16 Pro
- Best Small Phone: iPhone 16
- Best Big Phone: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Most Improved: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Best Foldable: Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
- Best Design: Hauwei Mate XT
- Best Battery: Red Magic 10 Pro
- Best Value: Nothing Phone 2a
- Bust of the Year: Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
iPhone 16 Pro, built for Apple Intelligence, comes with advanced cameras and an array of other features.
- Award-winning cameras
- Camera Control button
- Titanium finish
- Great battery life
- Expensive
- Not the most advanced camera sensors
