Best Android Phone 2022: iPhone Alternatives Reviewed

The Galaxy S22 Extremely doesn’t really feel like an S22 in any respect – actually that is extra like a covert revival of Samsung’s once-loved Be aware model, with a definite design from its S22 siblings and a built-in slot to retailer the included S-Pen stylus.

The digital camera is among the finest in any telephone, with a 108Mp principal shooter backed up by an ultrawide and two telephoto lenses at completely different zoom ranges – with the zoom efficiency notably improved on earlier fashions.

The expansive 6.8in LTPO AMOLED show delivers each excessive WQHD+ decision and adaptive refresh charge as much as 120Hz, and with S-pen stylus help it comfortably fills the productiveness area of interest of the previous Be aware telephones.

Pixel telephones have at all times been in regards to the digital camera, and the 7 Professional’s digital camera – whereas not fairly our favorite proper now – is completely implausible, with versatility because of the inclusion of an ultrawide and a periscopic telephoto.

The larger edge to the telephone is Google’s software program although. The 7 Professional runs the perfect model of Android round, with the clear simplicity of inventory Android plus all of Google’s glorious Pixel-exclusive upgrades, now powered by the corporate’s second-gen in-house Tensor chip.

You’ll need to put up with sluggish charging (and purchase your personal charger in addition), and settle for the truth that this can be a large telephone with a divisive design – chances are you’ll properly like it, however there are lots on the market who don’t. The common Pixel 7 is somewhat smaller (and cheaper), however lacks that telephoto digital camera and has a barely extra fundamental show.

You might not have heard of Vivo earlier than, however you need to undoubtedly be paying consideration.

The corporate is a big of the Chinese language smartphone market, and is slowly increasing its worldwide attain – which is an effective factor, as a result of it’s been an open secret for the previous couple of years that Vivo most likely makes the perfect cameras in any telephone round.

The X80 Professional is not any exception, with 4 phenomenal rear cameras. The 50Mp principal lens is phenomenal, but it surely’s the 48Mp ultrawide that actually blows away all of the competitors, and the 2 zoom lenses add additional choices. The tech is de facto at its finest in low mild, with hands-down the perfect night time mode obtainable wherever.

It’s an excellent telephone elsewhere too, with a top-class show, quick charging, and glorious battery life. The primary frustration is that the corporate’s Android pores and skin is somewhat awkward, however for those who care in regards to the digital camera and might afford to spend this a lot, it’s laborious to do higher.

Samsung’s first few makes an attempt at foldables had been enjoyable, however generally felt like novelties. With the Galaxy Z Flip 4, the Korean tech big has unequivocally acquired it proper.

Core specs are top-tier all through, with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 in tow, and the 12Mp principal digital camera is as succesful as nearly any round – although chances are you’ll miss having a telephoto lens.

Even battery life is now spectacular, comfortably lasting a full day’s use when its predecessors merely couldn’t. You’ll simply need to be prepared to take an opportunity that the folding display screen will final so long as Samsung says.

If you would like one thing larger, the Z Fold 4 is fairly nice too, however the greater worth, dodgy under-display digital camera, and software program quirks make it much less of a home-run than its smaller sibling.

For those who can’t afford the Pixel 7 Professional or 7, then Google has another choice for you: the decidedly reasonably priced Pixel 6a.

This mid-range telephone packs an analogous flagship Tensor chip to its larger brothers, together with a well-recognized design. However it’s a a lot smaller telephone, and comprised of plastic reasonably than glass.

There are draw back, in fact. The digital camera specs aren’t fairly the identical, although it nonetheless impresses. You’ll additionally get slower charging and solely a 60Hz refresh charge on the show. For those who can reside with these downsides although, this is a superb choice for the worth.

Some telephones are nice for what they do, others are nice for the way little they value doing it.

The Motorola Edge 30 Extremely stands out as a result of it affords the perfect of an Android flagship whereas costing rather a lot lower than a lot of the competitors. The 144Hz OLED show is just about unheard of out of doors gaming telephones, the 125W charging is among the many quickest round, and the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip is blisteringly quick. Oh, and the battery lasts for 2 full days, straightforward.

All that, and it prices simply £749/€899, making it an absolute cut price. You’ll need to reside with IP54 reasonably than IP68 water-resistance, and a digital camera that’s good however not fairly nice, however these really feel like small concessions to make for a telephone nearly as good as this.

The Oppo Discover X5 Professional is an outstanding telephone by any measure. The 6.7in 10-bit 120Hz QHD+ panel is among the finest shows in any telephone proper now and Oppo backs it up with 80W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, a 5000mAh battery, and a top-tier digital camera that boasts 50Mp sensors on each the principle and ultrawide lenses.

You’ll need to reside with out a periscopic zoom lens – the telephoto here’s a measly 2x zoom – however outcomes throughout all three rear lenses are distinctive. The design is exclusive too, because of a seamlessly sloped digital camera module constructed proper into the ceramic of the telephone’s physique.

For pure efficiency, the Discover X5 Professional can also be laborious to beat, with all the above plus a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. You simply need to be prepared to pay the worth, because it doesn’t come low-cost – although the common
Discover X5 is a good choice that prices a lot much less.

The Zenfone 9 is a full-force flagship in a small measurement, and with remarkably few compromises for it.

The 5.9in show makes this one of many smallest telephones in the marketplace, particularly on the Android aspect, and comfortably the smallest with specs this robust.

The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and as much as 16GB of RAM mark this as a severe efficiency telephone, although cooling issues do depart that energy barely throttled. The 8+ Gen 1 can also be partly to thank for the superb battery life nevertheless, which places different compact smartphones to disgrace.

The gimbal-stabilised principal digital camera impresses, particularly at night time, although with a couple of visible glitches and points in vibrant environments it’s clear Asus has some software program tuning to do. Some may additionally miss the range supplied by rivals, particularly the dearth of a telephoto lens right here.

Given the telephone is so good, it’s irritating that Asus is just promising two years of help, so this may solely swimsuit those that know they’re on an everyday improve schedule. The general expertise is great although, with good software program and welcome touches just like the IP68 score and headphone jack.

OnePlus’s first T-branded Nord telephone is a worthy follow-up, powered by MediaTek’s 5G-capable Dimensity 1300 chipset.

The Nord 2T additionally totes a 90Hz AMOLED show, an excellent main 50Mp principal digital camera, and nippy 80W quick charging.

Software program-wise, the corporate’s OxygenOS consumer expertise can also be a significant spotlight – bringing responsive interactivity and a clear interface to the desk that lends itself to the telephone’s highly effective, premium really feel. The one draw back is that the corporate solely guarantees two Android model updates, and a 3rd yr of safety fixes.

Don’t consider the S22 as a poor man’s S22 Extremely – Samsung has used its commonplace flagship mannequin to strike an excellent balancing act of specs and options that comes with few flaws, all squeezed right into a surprisingly compact construct.

Because of this, you get a number of the finest efficiency present in an Android telephone at present, a glass-bodied design, and the newest Android 12 (wearing Samsung’s personal One UI 4.1, at launch) with a dedication to years of software program help.

The battery life is somewhat weak, and a number of the digital camera options will possible profit from firmware fixes over time, however this stays a wonderful instance of an Android flagship.