With the iPhone 16 series expected to debut on September 9 US Time, we expect them to cost a fortune based on the launch prices of the iPhone 15 series. Among your next best alternatives is to just buy a flagship phone from 2023. They will most likely be more affordable and still pack a punch, beating any midrange phone from this year. That being said, we check out some of the old flagships that’s worth buying in 2024

Old Flagships Worth Buying in 2024:

• Galaxy S23 Ultra
• iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max
• OnePlus 11
• Xiaomi 13 Pro
• HONOR Magic5 Pro

Galaxy S23 Ultra

Average Marketplace Price (2nd hand): Php 35,000 (12GB/256GB) / Php 37,000 (12GB/512GB)

Where to buy: Samsung Physical Stores, Official Samsung Lazada and Shopee stores

Aside from the titanium frame and newer internals, the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels more like an iterative upgrade over the Galaxy S23 Ultra. You get all of the Galaxy AI goodies in the Galaxy S23 Ultra thanks to recent software updates, and it is still a solid flagship especially if you’re an avid concertgoers who loves taking photos and fancams of your favorite idol performing on stage.

 

iPhone 14 Pro/Pro Max

Average Marketplace Price (2nd hand): Php 45,000 (14 Pro Max 256GB)

Where to buy: Power Mac Center, Beyond the Box (both Physical and official Lazada/Shopee stores)

While it does not get any of that Apple Intelligence goodness and still uses a Lightning port, the iPhone 14 Pro series is still solid in 2024 even if the iPhone 16 series is launching in a few weeks. There’s no question that they are among the best phones for photos and videos, and the fact that a music video was shot using an iPhone 14 Pro proves that Apple’s iOS device is a very capable filmmaking tool.

 

OnePlus 11

Average Marketplace Price (2nd hand): Php 22,000 (12GB/256GB)

Where to buy: Hard to find a brand new unit, so better find a used one that’s officially sold locally

The OnePlus 12 could have been a great flagship if it wasn’t exhorbitantly expensive in the Philippines. Which brings us to the OnePlus 11 as the next best option. Save for an older telephoto camera, a slightly smaller battery, and no wireless charging, the OnePlus 11 is still a solid option if you’re after flagship-caliber performance–not to mention that both the OnePlus 11 and OnePlus 12 look almost identical on the outside.

 

Xiaomi 13 Pro

Average Marketplace Price (2nd hand):Php 28,000 (12GB/256GB)

Where to buy: Xiaomi physical stores

While it’s unfortunate that we’re not getting the Xiaomi 14 Pro or 14 Ultra in the Philippines, those looking for a Pro Xiaomi flagship can opt for last year’s 13 Pro. It’s barely different from the China-only 14 Pro, so you’re still getting all of those Leica-branded cameras that produces great shots, along with other premium features like fast wireless charging, 8K HDR video recording, and a 120hz WQHD+ AMOLED display.

 

HONOR Magic5 Pro

Average Marketplace Price (2nd hand): Php 35,000 (12GB/512GB)

Where to buy: HONOR Physical stores; otherwise best find a used unit that’s officially sold locally

We know all the rave about the Magic6 Pro and its class-leading cameras, but those who are not willing to spend Php 60k can consider the previous-generation Magic5 Pro. It may not have the powerful periscope telephoto of the Magic6 Pro, but the Magic5 Pro’s telephoto camera does offer a longer optical zoom range at 3.5x. It’s still a capable flagship through and through, and ticks the boxes for everything a 2024 flagship must have.

That rounds up some of the old flagship phones that you can consider in 2024. Which one do you plan to buy?