Samsung'sGalaxy Z Flip 3folds like a clamshell phone and has a stunning design. Each link is to an unlocked phone, and the phones should run on most of the big four US wireless carriers, unless otherwise specified. Vivo has knocked it out of the park with the X80 Pro, a phone whose camera is truly excellent, rivalling the best Apple, Samsung, and Google have to offer. Because its storage is not expandable, and depending on how youll be using the phone, you might want to bite the bullet and upgrade to the next tier. For $999, this 4.2-inch pocketable device can transform into a 6.7-inch 1080p OLED display that is bright and has a fast 120Hz refresh rate. This smartphone remains one of our favorite foldable phones. The main camera is on par with the best iPhones. Apple's 2022 iPhone SE may not have the incredible multiple cameras of the top-end iPhone 13 Pro, but the iPhone SE has a lot to offer if you're looking for a great experience without spending flagship levels of cash. It can do all the modes that matter in terms of 4K and slow-mo and handles them all super well. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing and fast-paced world of phones. Whats different with the iPhone 13s new A15 Bionic chip is that it should still feel fast in years to come, but its difficult to measure significant speed improvements with iPhones. At a whopping price of $2,500, the Sony Xperia Pro isn't for everyone. The top phone on this rundown wont be the ideal phone for everybody so make sure to check out all ten. Though its much smaller in size than the other iPhones released this year, the Minis 5.4-inch screen is still big enough for text messaging, email, web browsing, apps, video, and games, and if youre coming from an iPhone 6 / 7 / 8, it will feel quite spacious. As a result of this approach, it has one of the best app stores you can find. Every lens benefits from Vivos V1+ image processing chip, and theres gimbal stabilisation on the telephoto lens to aid clarity of zoom shots. More important is to make sure that if you want 5G you get a 5G-enabled phone and SIM. Both the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max share the same top-of-the-line camera system this year, and they are our pick as the iPhone for photos and videos. For this model, Apple has pledged longer battery life, improved cameras and better durability than the Apple iPhone 12. 2022 is nearly halfway done and the tech gods have blessed us with some truly superb smartphones. The best phone for you is out there, depending on what you value most camera, battery life, design, specs, price, and more to boot come into play. Unlike the Pixel 6 Pro, the 6 doesnt have a telephoto camera. The rear triple sensor setup is impressive, dont get us wrong, but inconsistencies especially in exposure only serve to remind us that its not up there with the best of the best, and that makes it a touch harder to recommend; even if the OxygenOS user experience is superb and battery life is among the best of any flagship currently out there. Older A-series Pixels were sluggish not this one. CNET's Patrick Holland says it could be "the first foldable phone you'll consider buying.". With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. You dont get the 10x telephoto or the built-in S Pen of the Ultra, but you do get a more spacious screen compared to the 6.1-inch standard S22. Its also backed up by both a 12Mp ultrawide and a periscopic 48Mp telephoto camera, with a 4x optical zoom; a far cry from the Pixel ranges old single-sensor approach to photography. Samsungs Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a foldable phone with a non-foldable price tag. The Fold 3 is twice as thick when closed compared to normal phones, all its cameras are sub-par, and its 4,400mAh battery is a bit small to power so many screens. The vast majority of phones today run Android But the bottom line is that the solid camera system the S21 Ultra offered is still just as good here, including a 10x telephoto thats about the best youll find on any smartphone, anywhere. The Pixel 6 is a lot of phone for $599. Its priced at $999 unlocked, but is sometimes offered for less with activation. As for the cameras, you can expect bigger sensors and faster apertures that mean improved low light performance, far more comparable quality when switching to the phones ultrawide (which also now offers macro shooting capabilities) and a 3x telephoto snapper, letting you shoot further than before. Phones like theiPhone 13 Pro, the Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultraoffer everything you could want in 2022; incredible performance, amazing camera skills and much more. It is not a cheap phone, but definitely a more affordable flagship pick than the Pro siblings. The 13 Pro has a physically larger camera sensor compared to prior models that allows its main 12-megapixel camera to gather more light and produce better-quality images, especially in dark or challenging lighting conditions. If great battery life is important to you, then look at the Google Pixel 6, which does much better in that department. Just know that it doesnt work on AT&Ts 5G network (just LTE), and its cameras arent quite as good as Samsungs. The main camera has sensor stabilization, which helps when youre walking around. iOS 15 is an excellent improvement on Apples already well-respected mobile operating system out of the box; adding wellbeing features like notification summary, that ensure youre not constantly distracted by your device. Youll have to live without a periscopic zoom lens the telephoto here is a measly 2x zoom but results across all three rear lenses are exceptional. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a beast with an impressive camera system. The Xperia Pro is essentially four products in one: a phone, a camera monitor, a speedy photo file transfer device, and a 5G machine suitable for broadcasting and livestreaming. Due to the Z Flip 3s form factor, it can double as a mobile tripod for the cameras, which makes for some fun new ways to take photos. Google shook things up for 2021, with the It has a 6.1-inch screen, 128GB of internal storage (up to 1TB), and is powered by the new A15 Bionic processor. Lead Editor, CNET Advice, Europe; Lead Photographer, Europe. As a result, performance is lightning-fast. Its a comfortable middle ground thats the right configuration of features and size for most people. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip powers four rear lenses, the main being a wonderfully capable 50Mp sensor. It sports a sleek, understated design, theres a beautiful display paired with a quad-speaker setup and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip delivers impressive performance. Otherwise, it has the same overall design, a brighter 6.1-inch OLED display, the same 12-megapixel selfie camera, the same MagSafe wireless charging, the same water and dust resistance (IP68), and the same support for both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G networks. Otherwise, the Mini is the same phone as the iPhone 13: it has the same design, processor, cameras, 5G support, and build quality as the larger model. There are a wealth of great phones to choose from this year. For small-phone Android fans, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the perfect fit. If you want a new handset at any time, you can buy one without having to up-purchase your way out of said contract or commit to another two years. Its minimalist, understated design has a little more mainstream appeal than the Pixel 6, which isnt actually much bigger but looks and feels bulkier. The standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. Out of the four iPhone 13 variants that Apple launched in 2021, the $829 iPhone 13 (unlocked) hits the sweet spot between price, pocketability, and features. Or, you can just scribble notes to your hearts content. If youre willing to put up with those compromises for an experience thats unlike anything else, though, the Fold 3 delivers. A huge 5003mAh battery also ensures some of the best battery life on a Pixel ever, even if fast charging is a bit of a mess. Its more or less the successor to the stylus-centric Note series, but more than that, it feels like the endgame of slab-style smartphone development. The rear camera system now sits at a diagonal, primarily to accommodate the impressive sensor-shift OIS (optical image stabilisation) that was exclusive to 2020s iPhone 12 Pro Max (although theres still no telephoto sensor), while on the front despite the same 60Hz refresh rate as the previous model you still get a stunning 6.1in OLED display, complete with a smaller notch. Its a 120Hz LTPO (with variable refresh rate) and QHD+ resolution. Downsides to the phone are the lack of Gorilla Glass for proven scratch and crack protection to the front and back, and the frustrating software. The Galaxy Flip 3 has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of RAM as any other flagship phone released in 2021. Its hard to say how durable this foldable screen will be, but at least you can be among the first to find out. iPhone 12 won out against its Pro-branded sibling 2021s iPhone 13 Pro is undoubtedly the one to beat. The iPhone 13 Mini has all the features and cameras of its bigger siblings, just in a smaller package. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. Theres even more good news: Hot Flagship Fall is just around the corner, and many of the models featured here are soon to be replaced with the next generation. For the most part, the camera system is great too, not quite best-in-class but good. While not perfect, the Pixel 6 is an all-around good phone for $599. In fact, our pick for the best overall phone is the $829 Apple iPhone 13, and Googles Pixel 6 included here is priced more like a midrange device than all-out flagship. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. See our ethics statement. It has a new processor, a bigger battery, 128GB of internal storage, and uses the same large camera sensor as the acclaimed iPhone 12 Pro Max, but you wouldnt know it from its compact size. The three rear cameras standard wide, ultrawide, and telephoto combine with Apples image processing to produce stunning images, particularly in low light. (Microsofts dual-screen Surface Duo 2 is a distant second to the Fold 3, in this early two-device race. The included S Pen stylus pops out of a dedicated silo on the bottom of the phone, and Samsung says its been improved with lower latency than previous years S Pens. Sometimes all at once. All rights reserved. Get trade-in credit for your new device. While battery life isn't as long as the iPhone 13, this petite Apple iPhone doesn't sacrifice on camera capabilities or processing power. Battery life and the dual cameras could be better but despite flagship-class performance in a groundbreaking design, the Flip 3s pricing also proves that foldables can tango in the same space as conventional smartphones, without any major sacrifices. The 6.7in 10-bit 120Hz QHD+ panel is one of the best displays in any phone right now and Oppo backs it up with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, a 5000mAh battery, and a top-tier camera that boasts 50Mp sensors on both the main and ultrawide lenses. significantly improved. In terms of pure performance, the Find X5 Pro is also hard to beat, with all of the above, plus a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 256GB storage and 12GB RAM. What you cant move are paid-for apps and certain app data (like WhatsApp backups), so keep this in mind if youre considering a change of platform and research any specific concerns you may have about the process. Related: it costs a steep $1200. One important downside to a smaller phone: the iPhone 13 Mini has a smaller battery that probably wont last a power user through a whole day without a charge. The S22 Ultra is pricey, but youd be hard pressed to find another slab-style smartphone that can do everything its capable of doing. The most important point is that an unlocked While the Pixel 6 Pros video capabilities are still behind the iPhone, it can more than hold its own on stills, and its telephoto camera is even better than the iPhone 13 Pros. Starting at $699, this is the cheapest model in Apple's iPhone 13 lineup. A third rear camera with 3x optical zoom and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling. When choosing a phone you should consider these things: build quality and design, ease of use, features, performance, and value. Theres more than one mobile operating system, but really only two worth talking about: Android and iOS. Pair that ProMotion tech with the phones powerful A15 Bionic chip and a bigger battery, and you can expect some sizeable longevity gains; rendering this a two-day iPhone on a single charge. The OnePlus 10 Pro earned a good score in our review thanks to its slick design, its powerful performance and its price tag, which undercuts its main rivals. Weighing a hefty 8.46 ounces, it has a gigantic 6.7-inch OLED screen, the new A15Bionic chip, and a battery that can handle all the 4K videos you throw at it. But its also small enough that most adults, even those with small hands, will be able to comfortably reach all of the screen with their thumb. Its too bad its dual cameras did not get an upgrade from the previous iteration. phone is almost always a better deal than buying a phone on contract if you can afford it. The iPhone 13 Pro is the best phone Apple produces and it received a stellar score in our review. In addition, the 3x optical. Its a little bigger than the 13 Mini with a 5.9-inch screen, and it doesnt work on Verizon, but its otherwise a very similar proposition: great build quality, top-notch processor, and high-end features like a 120Hz screen all tucked into a pocket-friendly device. To help you figure out the best of the best, we rounded up our picks for the best phone to buy in 2022. And when you consider the fact the Pixel 6 is a good $200 less than its rivals, its simply the most value-packed flagship phone for Android fans in recent history. If you dont already have one, check out our Buying a phone outright will usually give you the best value, but we appreciate finances in the real world dont always accommodate such big one-off purchases. But the biggest compromise is its cost: the Fold 3 is roughly twice as expensive as other high-end phones. The S22 Plus features a big, bright 6.6-inch screen with 120Hz refresh rate, 2022s Android flagship chipset of choice, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, and three high-quality rear cameras. Henry is Tech Advisors Phones Editor, ensuring he and the team covers and reviews every smartphone worth knowing about for readers and viewers all over the world. When youre done using it, just fold it back up and stick it in your pocket just like any other phone. That larger sensor and the fact that its using sensor-based stabilization make for stable and beautiful videos, even in low light. Free engraving only at Apple on your new AirPods, AirTag, Apple Pencil or iPad. We update this list regularly. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and speedy 80W wired charging the 10 Pro has core specs to match anything its rivals offer, and were broadly fans of the slick design too though not everyone is. On contract, youre looking at between 30 and 50-per-month on average but you can spend a lot more if you want an expensive phone and lots of mobile data. Samsungs software is still our least favorite part of a Samsung phone, which is more cluttered and contains more duplicate apps than wed prefer. Good competition means better phones for everyone! If you have an Android phone or an iPhone and want to move to a phone running the other OS (operating system), its fairly easy to transfer your contacts and other select data from one to the other. The Z Flip 3 is a beautiful expression of the evolution of foldable smartphone tech and somehow manages to incorporate water resistance into its design as well. You just have to be willing to pay the price, as it doesnt come cheap. That flexibility is unmatched by any other phone you can buy right now, but it doesnt come without a significant list of compromises. Which of Apple's 8 iPhones Is Right for You. Generally speaking, if you can afford the upfront cost of the handset, you will pay less over the life of your phone by buying unlocked. If you get that wrong it is easily solvable; every network will gladly send over a different-sized SIM. Its an incredibly full feature set, and low-light photography is outstanding. Generally speaking, a flagship phone in 2022 will start at around 700 but can cost over 1,000 in some cases. Samsung and Apple feature of course, but looking further afield to Android competitors such as OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi could mean you find your ideal pocket partner. Theres really only one reason to buy an iPhone 13 Mini, but its an important one: if you want a phone thats easier to use in one hand or put into a small pocket. best SIM-only deals. Theres also only a 12.2Mp main camera, the same as on the Pixel 5, rather than the Pixel 6s 50Mp shooter. For the asking price you get the Google Tensor chip, the same as the 6 and 6 Pro, resulting in flagship level performance. It even lets you record videos in Cinematic mode, which helps you smoothly switch focus between subjects by changing the depth of field. But overall this is another leap forward for Vivo that you should seriously consider if you want a premium camera on the back of your phone. The Pixel 6 has 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, and runs the latest Android 12 software with Googles new Material You theming. Like the Pro, some of the best battery life on an iPhone comes as part of the iPhone 13 experience but fast charging speeds are still well behind the curve. The absolutely premium phones, like the Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, now cost well over $1,000, or about the price of a good laptop. One good reason to spend this much on a phone is to go as long as possible before you have to buy a new one. With so many power-hungry features piled on the S22 Ultras battery life is a bit lackluster. If you spend your days not far from a charger, this is a superb phone. But aside from that this is close to the full Pixel experience at a superb price, with three years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates. Whats more, the iPhone still leads when it comes to video capture, gaining some smart new features like Cinematography Mode, granting greater control over how your footage looks in the moment. But if you're a photographer or videographer looking for professional-level camera phone features, you can't go wrong. Those of us in the US have plenty of phones to choose from in the budget end of the market, but high-end Android phones are looking scarce lately. The unique, water-resistant device comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 120Hz display as well as 5G support. It may be one of a few truly high-end Android phones offered in the US right now, but dont let that fool you into thinking its a winner only by default; it also happens to be a very good device. The 4,500mAh cell will last lighter users a full day, but moderate and heavy users who stream a decent amount of video will likely find themselves running the battery down into the single digits by the end of the day. Theyll also generally get more years of software updates than cheaper phones: three years is a bare minimum here, and five is common. But thats assuming you are getting a new SIM, and if youre looking for a SIM-free phone or unlocked phone you probably already have one.