2022 is almost over however the yr has seen some actually very good smartphones go on sale. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for efficiency, digicam smarts, or worth, our definitive record of the ten greatest telephones has all of it.
The highest cellphone on this rundown received’t be the perfect cellphone for everyone so make sure that to take a look at all ten. One of the best cellphone for you is on the market, relying on what you worth most – digicam, battery life, design, specs, worth, and extra besides come into play.
Samsung and Apple function in fact, however wanting additional afield to Android rivals similar to OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi might imply you discover your ultimate pocket companion. Belief us, these telephones all ship – simply all slightly in a different way, and that’s an excellent factor. Good competitors means higher telephones for everybody!
Greatest smartphone 2022
1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely – Greatest total cellphone
Professionals
- Wonderful digicam
- Phenomenal show
- Stylus assist
Cons
- Cumbersome
- Costly
- Slower charging
Whereas the S21 Extremely dabbled with Word-like options, the Galaxy S22 Extremely is certainly a full-blown successor to 2020’s Word 20 Extremely in the whole lot however identify. It’s costly, however the perfect total cellphone you’ll be able to presently purchase because of unimaginable efficiency and balanced options.
The design is distinctly completely different from the opposite entries within the Galaxy S22 vary (which is to say very ‘Word-like’) and options an built-in S Pen stylus that expands performance past most rivals, particularly when it comes to productiveness.
Regardless of familiar-looking digicam {hardware}, the upgrades made by Samsung render it top-of-the-line methods in any cellphone proper now; with a 108Mp foremost 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 an adaptive refresh fee as much as 120Hz, whereas long-term software program assist that surpasses even Google’s Pixels rounds out a formidable record of execs. For those who can deal with its large measurement, it’s an actual winner, with 5 years of software program assist the perfect in Android land.
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Samsung Galaxy S22 Extremely evaluate
2. iPhone 14 Professional – Greatest iPhone
Professionals
- Dynamic Island is genuinely nice
- First iPhone with always-on show
- Phenomenal cameras
- 120Hz show
Cons
- Battery life identical as 13 Professional
- No quick charging
- Dearer within the UK
The common iPhone 14 is a really minor replace over the iPhone 13, so it’s a pleasing shock that the iPhone 14 Professional is such a leap over its predecessor. Among the change is simply pores and skin deep, however when such a visible overhaul because the Dynamic Island makes its debut, it’s laborious to not discover.
Apple has shrunk its well-known display screen notch right into a tablet and round form beneath the highest bezel however stuffed within the clean house with black pixels, after which used animations to have notifications and updates from apps originate from the house, making a use for the minimize outs now seen for cameras on most cellphone screens. It is vitally intelligent, and means you’ll be able to see what music taking part in, timers, climate and extra always on the prime of the display screen with out having to hop into the app.
The cellphone’s cameras are additionally exceptionally good, with the primary 48Mp sensor on an iPhone permitting for 2x zoom cropping along with the 3x telephoto lens and a succesful ultrawide. Apple has additionally lastly launched an always-on show that merely dims your lock display screen and pleasingly doesn’t have an effect on battery life, in our testing a minimum of. It’s not an enormous improve on the 13 Professional but when your cellphone is three or 4 years previous this iPhone will really feel lightyears into the long run.
Learn our full
iPhone 14 Professional evaluate
3. Google Pixel 7 Professional – Greatest person expertise
Professionals
- Excellent show
- Unbelievable, versatile cameras
- Sturdy battery life
- Unique software program options
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Ugly design
- Gradual charging
The Pixel 7 Professional sees Google iterate on the large reinvention of 6 Professional by bettering battery life, show, and the cameras. The 7 Professional is the perfect Pixel but and an actual ‘kitchen sink’ system – it’s huge and heavy and the design won’t be for you, nevertheless it delivers with an incredible Android expertise.
For those who don’t like iOS and don’t want the S22 Extremely’s S-Pen then the Pixel 7 Professional is the perfect cellphone alternative going, and it’s cheaper than the 2 telephones above it on this record. It takes unimaginable nonetheless pictures which might be among the many greatest and most constant of any cellphone, with Google’s superior software program processing making this one of the vital satisfying level and shoot cameras you’ll be able to hold in your pocket.
There’a additionally tons of intelligent Pixel-only options like Magic Eraser to wash out undesirable individuals and objects from images, Reside Transcribe for these laborious of listening to, and a giant vibrant show and practically 2-day battery life to do all of it on. Google guarantees 5 years of safety updates however solely three years of Android updates – Samsung and Apple beat Google on this entrance.
However the Pixel is the one to choose when you like your cellphone software program customisable and playful. If you need a smaller cellphone, the Pixel 7 can be wonderful however lacks the 5x telephoto lens discovered on the Professional.
Learn our full
Google Pixel 7 Professional evaluate
4. Oppo Discover X5 Professional – Excellent cameras
Professionals
- Greatest-in-class show
- Versatile cameras
- Distinctive design
Cons
- No periscopic zoom
- Costly
MSRP:
Unavailable within the US
The Oppo Discover X5 Professional is an outstanding cellphone by any measure. The 6.7in 10-bit 120Hz QHD+ panel is without doubt one of the greatest shows in any cellphone proper now and Oppo backs it up with 80W wired and 50W wi-fi charging, a 5000mAh battery, and a top-tier digicam that boasts 50Mp sensors on each the principle and ultrawide lenses.
You’ll must 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 digicam module constructed proper into the ceramic of the cellphone’s physique.
When it comes to pure efficiency, the Discover X5 Professional can be laborious to beat, with the entire above, plus a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. You simply must be keen to pay the value, because it doesn’t come low-cost.
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Oppo Discover X5 Professional evaluate
5. Google Pixel 6a – Greatest worth
Professionals
- Nice efficiency
- Strong battery life
- Excellent digicam
Cons
- 60Hz show
- Gradual charging
- Again plastic scratches simply
Though the Pixel 6 and 6 Professional have greater, higher screens and improved cameras, the $449/£399/€459 6a is best worth and the Pixel cellphone most individuals can purchase.
For the asking worth you get the Google Tensor chip, the identical because the 6 and 6 Professional, leading to flagship stage efficiency. Older A-series Pixels have been sluggish – not this one.
You solely get a 60Hz refresh fee display screen, gradual 18W charging, and a plastic again that we discovered scratches fairly simply. There’s additionally solely a 12.2Mp foremost digicam, the identical as on the Pixel 5, slightly than the Pixel 6’s 50Mp shooter.
However other than that that is near the complete Pixel expertise at an outstanding worth, with three years of Android OS updates and 5 years of safety updates.
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Google Pixel 6a evaluate
6. iPhone 14 – Excellent all-rounder
Professionals
- Excellent battery life
- Nice efficiency
- Excellent twin cameras
- High construct high quality
Cons
- 60Hz show
- Gradual charging
- No RAW photograph taking pictures
The iPhone 14 isn’t nearly as good because the iPhone 14 Professional nevertheless it prices much less – even whether it is just about an iPhone 13 with a brand new identify. The one issues of observe it provides to the 13 is a really barely improved foremost digicam and the admittedly impressed stablisation video mode referred to as Motion Mode.
There’s additionally automotive crash detection, which you’ll hopefully by no means have to make use of – the underside line is, don’t improve from an iPhone 13, however in any other case that is the go-to iPhone for most individuals proper now. The battery life is great and it has nice efficiency, whereas the cameras are prime notch regardless of not having a telephoto lens.
As ever with Apple, constructed high quality is the perfect within the enterprise, and iOS is extraordinarily secure software program. You’ll additionally get software program updates for about 5 years, and might get a restore achieved at any Apple Retailer. If you need a bigger display screen and extra battery, you might go for the iPhone 14 Plus, however we desire this smaller mannequin.
Learn our full
iPhone 14 evaluate
7. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Greatest foldable
Professionals
- Excellent efficiency
- Strong battery life
- Folds in half
Cons
- Sturdiness questions
- ‘Gradual’ 25W charging
- No telephoto digicam
Samsung has addressed the Z Flip 3’s problems with dangerous battery life and middling digicam efficiency for the value and made the Z Flip 4 an all-day cellphone with the identical foremost and ultrawide cameras because the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus.
It means that is the perfect foldable cellphone you should buy immediately, at a worth much like flagship slab smartphones. Whereas sturdiness questions stay over the show and the crease in it, we will’t take a look at that – however Samsung says the Flip will final for a minimum of 200,000 open and shut motions, which roughly equates to 5 years of common use.
The improved battery is probably going down the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset with its improved power effectivity, that means you not must cost the Flip midway by the day. 8GB RAM is greater than sufficient, although you would possibly wish to spend slightly extra to get 256GB storage. We additionally love the facet mounted fingerprint sensor.
For all intents and functions, that is an S22 with a greater processor that folds all the way down to half its measurement. It’s compelling, and top-of-the-line telephones full cease.
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Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 evaluate
8. Vivo X80 Professional – Excellent cameras
Professionals
- Actually excellent digicam
- Quick wired and wi-fi charging
- Excellent battery life
Cons
- Awkward digicam design
- No Gorilla Glass
- Irritating software program
MSRP:
Unavailable within the US
Vivo has knocked it out of the park with the X80 Professional, a cellphone whose digicam is really wonderful, rivalling the perfect Apple, Samsung, and Google have to supply.
A Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip powers 4 rear lenses, the principle being a splendidly succesful 50Mp sensor. Each lens advantages from Vivo’s V1+ picture processing chip, and there’s gimbal stabilisation on the telephoto lens to assist readability of zoom pictures. It’s an extremely full function set, and low-light images is excellent. Add to that wonderful video modes with cinema-wide facet ratios and a film-like grain and also you’ve bought a powerhouse digicam in your pocket.
The cellphone is a giant one so that you’ll must be proud of a 6.78in AMOLED. It’s a 120Hz LTPO (with variable refresh fee) and QHD+ decision.
Downsides to the cellphone are the dearth of Gorilla Glass for confirmed scratch and crack safety to the back and front, and the irritating software program. However total that is one other leap ahead for Vivo that it’s best to significantly contemplate if you’d like a premium digicam on the again of your cellphone.
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Vivo X80 Professional evaluate
9. Motorola Edge 30 Extremely – Excellent battery life
Professionals
- 144Hz OLED show
- Greatest-in-class efficiency
- Wonderful worth
- Phenomenal battery & charging
Cons
- Digital camera is nice, however not nice
- Poor IP score
MSRP:
Not out there within the US
Not many Motorola telephones seize our consideration lately, particularly on the high-end, so we have been pleasantly stunned by the Edge 30 Extremely. It’s top-of-the-line telephones of 2022, and a good purchase if you’d like a 144Hz OLED, a spec you usually solely see on garish gaming telephones.
Efficiency is superb because of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, and the cellphone is very nice to carry because of matt satin-like sheen to the rear glass, plus the marginally curved show makes it smooth. Maybe better of all is the dependable two days battery life right here – higher than the opposite telephones on this spherical up.
Add to that 125W tremendous quick wired charging with the charger within the field and the Edge 30 Extremely is a formidable Android alternative. Three years of software program updates is nearly ok, however the digicam does disappoint barely and there’s no full waterproofing. In any other case it is a nice cellphone at an excellent worth.
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Motorola Edge 30 Extremely evaluate
10. OnePlus 10 Professional – Greatest for customisable software program
Professionals
- Tremendous-fast 80W wired charging
- Nice longevity
- High specs
Cons
- Inconsistent cameras
- No IP score
The most recent flagship cellphone from OnePlus is an efficient different to the likes of the S22 or Pixel 6 sequence, particularly when you reside within the US and have few different high-end Android choices
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and speedy 80W wired charging the ten Professional has core specs to match something its rivals provide, and we’re broadly followers of the slick design too – although not everyone seems to be.
And though the Oxygen OS software program has seen an aesthetic overhaul the previous few years, it’s nonetheless one of the vital customisable Android skins on the market, that means you’ll be able to tinker round to actually make this cellphone really feel like your individual.
Regardless of assist from Hasselblad, the digicam system continues to be the cellphone’s main weak spot right here and the principle factor that units it aside from the pricier however similarly-specced Oppo Discover X5 Professional.
The rear triple sensor setup is spectacular, don’t get us improper, however inconsistencies – particularly in publicity – solely serve to remind us that it’s not up there with the perfect of the perfect, and that makes it a contact more durable to advocate; even when the OxygenOS person expertise is great and battery life is among the many better of any flagship presently on the market.
Learn our full
OnePlus 10 Professional evaluate
Your shopping for information for the perfect telephones in 2022
When selecting a cellphone it’s best to contemplate these items: construct high quality and design, ease of use, options, efficiency, and worth.
Usually talking, a flagship cellphone in 2022 will begin at round £700 however can value over £1,000 in some instances. On contract, you’re between £30 and £50-per-month on common however you’ll be able to spend much more if you’d like an costly cellphone and many cell knowledge.
It’s price noting that whereas this record highlights the perfect smartphones out there proper now, that doesn’t explicitly imply flagships (despite the fact that they do function closely right here). There are entries that cross over with our
mid-range and
funds cellphone charts too, however earnt their place right here, primarily based on the capabilities and high quality on provide, relative to their worth.
Shopping for a cellphone outright will often provide the greatest worth, however we recognize funds in the true world don’t all the time accommodate such huge one-off purchases. For those who can, you’ll clearly want a SIM card and plan, in addition to the cellphone. For those who don’t have already got one, try our greatest SIM-only offers.
FAQ
Must you purchase an iPhone or Android cellphone?
There’s a couple of cell working system, however actually solely two price speaking about: Android and iOS.
The overwhelming majority of telephones immediately run Android – 13 being the newest publicly-released model. Apple’s iOS platform, presently on iOS 16, might have a decrease market share however builders nearly all the time launch their apps on iOS first. On account of this strategy, it has top-of-the-line app shops you’ll find.
When you have an Android cellphone or an iPhone and wish to transfer to a cellphone operating the opposite OS (working system), it’s pretty straightforward to switch your contacts and different choose knowledge from one to the opposite. What you’ll be able to’t transfer are paid-for apps and sure app knowledge (like WhatsApp backups), so hold this in thoughts when you’re contemplating a change of platform – and analysis any particular considerations you’ll have concerning the course of.
Why do you have to purchase an unlocked cellphone?
An unlocked cellphone is one that isn’t tied to any specific cell operator, similar to Vodafone or EE. Shopping for ‘unlocked’ often means shopping for the cellphone outright with out a SIM card or contract connected.
An important level is that an unlocked
cellphone is nearly all the time a greater deal than shopping for a cellphone on contract – when you can afford it.
The one actual exception to this is Apple’s iPhones – due to their conventional recognition, operators typically subsidise the price of shopping for an iPhone in an effort to lock you right into a profitable long-term deal.
Usually talking, when you can afford the upfront value of the handset, you’ll pay much less over the lifetime of your cellphone by shopping for unlocked.
Extra importantly, you aren’t locked right into a prolonged contract. If you need a brand new handset at any time, you should buy one with out having to up-purchase your means out of mentioned contract or commit to a different two years.
Simply make sure to make sure the cellphone you’re getting isn’t locked to a sure community.
Which SIM or cell plan do you have to get?
One different factor to think about is the dimensions and form of the SIM required in your cellphone. Ensure you get a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your cellphone requires.
For the document, each cellphone on this record takes a nano-SIM.
For those who get that improper it’s simply solvable; each community will gladly ship over a different-sized SIM. SIM playing cards have a tendency to return in all three sizes, you merely come out the one you want.
However that’s assuming you’re getting a brand new SIM, and when you’re on the lookout for a SIM-free cellphone or unlocked cellphone you in all probability have already got one.
Extra necessary is to be sure that if you’d like 5G you get a 5G-enabled cellphone and SIM.
Associated:
How we take a look at smartphones