Ai (artificial intelligence) has transformed the way we use our mobile phones. They can learn, predict, and assist like never before. You now have the power to do amazing things like translating conversations in real time, or producing photos that are even better than real life!
In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best Ai phones of 2024 and highlight some cool Ai features to look out for. So, if you fancy having the power of Ai in your hand, let’s take a look at what’s behind the rise of Ai in smartphones…
What makes a smartphone Ai-powered?
The thing that makes Ai phones so useful is that they actually learn from you. They use machine learning and Ai to understand your habits, predict what you’ll need, and make your daily tasks a whole lot easier. Whether it’s summarising long messages into bite-sized pieces or recommending the best apps, Ai is all about making your phone smarter and more intuitive.
A lot of recent smartphones come with Ai-optimised hardware, usually called a neural engine or neural processing unit (NPU). These chips are designed to handle fast-moving image data more efficiently, so they’re great for camera features like augmented reality and face recognition. The latest iPhones have this tech, and Qualcomm’s newest Snapdragon chips also include Ai optimisation, which you’ll find in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S24.
Now that we know what makes them tick, let’s check out the best Ai phones out there right now.
The best Ai phone for innovation – Samsung Galaxy S24
The Samsung Galaxy S24 is all about innovation, packed with Ai features designed to make your life easier.
For starters, there’s Circle to Search that lets you find anything on your screen just by circling it - no typing needed! You can also make local calls when you’re abroad with Live Translate, which translates conversations in real-time.
Need a quick news update? Note Assist will summarise articles into easy-to-skim bullet points. Plus, Transcript Assist can transcribe your meetings while you focus on the discussion. If you’re looking for a better way to phrase things, Chat Assist offers suggestions that fit the tone of your message, whether you’re texting a friend or posting on social media.
The best Ai phone for productivity – Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 is an Ai phone that takes productivity to the next level. You don’t even need to open the phone to get things done - FlexWindow lets you access Ai tools straight from the front. For example, you can let ‘Suggested Replies’ take care of things by suggesting responses to recent messages, saving you on typing (and thinking).
FlexMode lets you split the screen into two sections so you can work on two things at once. You can take notes on one screen, while watching a video presentation on the other. And if you’re on a work trip abroad and need to talk business with someone who doesn’t speak your language, the ‘Interpreter’ feature does live translation in real-time.
The Best Ai camera phone – Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 9 is a photographer’s dream, with Ai camera features that make your photos look incredible. Here are a few of the best:
Magic Editor. Lets you transform photos like a pro. You can adjust lighting, change backgrounds, or move subjects around - all with a few taps.
Magic Eraser. Removes unwanted objects (like pesky photobombers) from your pics, or tweak the brightness and colour to make things blend better.
Add Me. Magically combines two photos to add yourself to a group shot. You take the first photo, then swap places with a mate who takes the second snap. The two are then combined into one, so nobody gets left out.
Best Take. Chooses from a number of different shots to produce the best version. For example, if you’re taking a group shot where someone blinks or yawns it won’t ruin your shot. The final version you see will have them looking their best.
The Pixel 9 also features Google Gemini, your very own personal Ai assistant that makes your phone easier to use and helps you get stuff done faster. It also remembers important things, like events or places, which you can easily find later with the Pixel Screenshots Ai app. Here’s more about how to use Google Gemini on your phone.
The best budget or mid-range Ai phone – Google Pixel 8a
Don’t think you need to spend a fortune for an Ai-powered phone experience. The Google Pixel 8a gives you lots of great Ai features at an affordable price. Circle to Search, Best Take, Magic Editor and Magic Eraser are all onboard, ready for you to enjoy. Clear Calling is another handy Ai feature that makes your calls clearer. It does this by reducing background noise and boosting the voice on the other end.
For a phone that packs in tons of Ai features without breaking the bank, the Pixel 8a is a solid pick. Read more about Pixel 8a from a hands-on user.
Real-time voice translation and assistance with Ai
Imagine being in a foreign country, trying to talk to locals, and your phone just translates the conversation instantly. These days, lots of Ai-powered phones make that possible with real-time voice translation. Ai apps or built-in tools can now translate spoken words almost instantly, breaking down language barriers. You’ll notice we’ve mentioned some of them above e.g. Live Translate.
Ai-driven voice recognition is also smarter than ever, understanding different accents, speech patterns, and even slang. Virtual assistants like Google Gemini and Siri feel more natural and conversational, helping with everything from setting reminders to answering your weird trivia questions. Ai is making life easier one voice command at a time!
Ai productivity tools
When it comes to productivity, Ai is a real superpower. From creating complete written documents to automating repetitive tasks for you, Ai helps you work better, smarter and quicker. And it’s going to be even more helpful in the future - these are the kind of the features we wouldn’t be surprised to see landing on a new Ai phone soon:
Taking the stress out of tasks. Imagine Ai that senses when you're nearing a deadline or feeling stressed, and re-schedules tasks to help you out. It could also schedule breaks, or even prepare a to-do list based on your energy levels.
Real-time collaboration coach. Your Ai assistant could become a collaboration expert, analysing ongoing group chats or video calls and making suggestions in real time. It could tell you how to respond to comments as they’re being made, and also handle follow-up tasks like requesting progress reports.
Predictive personal assistant. What if your Ai could anticipate your needs before you ask? For instance, if you're about to hop on a call with a client, your phone could summarise their most probable talking points, and even suggest responses to any arguments that they’re likely to make.
Need more help?
Fancy upgrading to an Ai-powered phone? For more info, read our mobile buying guide and the best phones of 2024.
We’ve got a wide range of SIM free phones at Currys. Or if you’d like to see the best pay monthly deals around, check out the pay monthly offers on Ai phones from our sister company, Carphone Warehouse.
