If you're after a top-end 5G phone that's a bit different to your friends' iPhones and Galaxy phones then it's a solid option to consider. The S22 Ultra offers no less than five cameras, a huge, bright 6.8-inch OLED with up to 120Hz refresh rate, and, oh yeah, a built-in stylus too. The Pixel 6 is a lot of phone for $599. Its ultrawide camera is able to take stunning macro photos, thanks to its new close focus capability. Patrick Holland has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. 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. 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. If you can, youll obviously need a SIM card and plan, as well as the phone. The Galaxy Flip 3 has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of RAM as any other flagship phone released in 2021. While the screen and overall performance are excellent, the S22 Plus comes up a little short on battery life. Picking the right phone is mostly a matter of preference. 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. The camera system also relies on a new 50Mp main sensor, which delivers astounding dynamic range and showcases smart new features, like Magic Eraser and rock-solid Face Unblur. Just be sure to make certain the phone youre getting is not locked to a certain network. 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. Add to that excellent video modes with cinema-wide aspect ratios and a film-like grain and youve got a powerhouse camera in your pocket. Samsung'sGalaxy Z Flip 3folds like a clamshell phone and has a stunning design. You can even shoot and edit videos directly in ProRes on the iPhone 13 Pro (as long as you have a 256GB or higher storage model). It comes with a high price, but those of you looking for one of the best Android phones around should have this on your short list. Google shook things up for 2021, with the The iPhone 13 Mini is one of very few small phones on the market with top-tier features and specs; you dont have to compromise in performance, build quality, or cameras with this one. Fast 45W wired charging makes this a quick job, though. 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. Or, if you want to get the best smartphone on a budget, you can find something really good for under $500 or even less. The main camera has sensor stabilization, which helps when youre walking around. 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. For this model, Apple has pledged longer battery life, improved cameras and better durability than the Apple iPhone 12. Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro debuting the companys own Tensor silicon and a refreshed Android 12 experience out the box, along with a completely new design and some significantly enhanced cameras. 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. 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. 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. Performance is, not surprisingly, excellent; youll rarely see the phone stutter or hesitate, even while running graphics-intensive games. (Microsofts dual-screen Surface Duo 2 is a distant second to the Fold 3, in this early two-device race. 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. 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. mid-range and 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. The new smartphone adds a third rear camera with 3x optical zoom (up from 2x on the iPhone 12), a stainless steel body and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling. Choose free delivery or pick up in store. Tensor allows the new Pixel to lean into Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to learn some new tricks. CNET's Patrick Holland says it could be "the first foldable phone you'll consider buying.". Thankfully, the options we do have are very good, making this recommendation a close call with the Google Pixel 6. Note 20 Ultra in everything but name. It has a relatively tiny 5.9-inch display, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a dual camera system (64-megapixel main camera with OIS and a 12-megapixel ultrawide). For small-phone Android fans, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the perfect fit. It even lets you record videos in Cinematic mode, which helps you smoothly switch focus between subjects by changing the depth of field. The S22 Ultra is pricey, but youd be hard pressed to find another slab-style smartphone that can do everything its capable of doing. 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. The 6.1-inch iPhone 13 Mini is easy to use with one hand and even fits into tight jean pockets. OnePlus Nord 2T to join the CE 2 Lite & Nord Buds in Europe. Despite familiar-looking camera hardware, the upgrades made by Samsung render it one of the best systems in any phone right now; with a 108Mp main shooter backed up by an ultrawide and two telephoto lenses at different zoom levels with the zoom performance particularly improved on previous models. If you spend your days not far from a charger, this is a superb phone. The Ultra moniker in Samsungs Galaxy lineup no longer means youre just getting the biggest phone; now, it means youre getting the biggest phone and everything but the kitchen sink. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. This time around, you dont have to buy the biggest and most expensive model to get the best camera system you get the same experience with either of the Pro models. It is not a cheap phone, but definitely a more affordable flagship pick than the Pro siblings. Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. Its really designed for a lighter user who isnt glued to the phone all day. To help you figure out the best of the best, we rounded up our picks for the best phone to buy in 2022. For those looking for the best Android camera system available, we recommend getting the $899 Google Pixel 6 Pro, especially if a telephoto lens is a must. For the most part, the camera system is great too, not quite best-in-class but good. Starting at $799 with activation or $829 unlocked, the iPhone 13 features a new A15 Bionic chip, an OLED display, 128GB of internal storage, and compatibility with all 5G networks. Older A-series Pixels were sluggish not this one. Theyll also generally get more years of software updates than cheaper phones: three years is a bare minimum here, and five is common. Unlike the $1,400 Motorola Razr (2020), the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 hits at just the right price and style point for it to mainstream the idea of a flip phone. That means its high season for phone deals, so you might be able to snag one of the outgoing models for a nice price if youre lucky. 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 Fold 3 is Samsungs third-generation folding phone. But if you're a photographer or videographer looking for professional-level camera phone features, you can't go wrong. The design is distinctly different from the other entries in the Galaxy S22 range (which is to say very Note-like) and features an integrated S Pen stylus that expands functionality beyond most rivals, especially in terms of productivity. If you know the stylus life is for you, and youd use a 10x zoom regularly, rather than a handful of times as a curiosity, then look no further than the S22 Ultra. Good competition means better phones for everyone! Unlike the Pixel 6 Pro, the 6 doesnt have a telephoto camera. At a whopping price of $2,500, the Sony Xperia Pro isn't for everyone. You can use the Magic Eraser to remove photo-bombers from your photos, take. An unlocked phone is one that is not tied to any particular mobile operator, such as When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. The Pixel 6 has a 4,614mAh battery (should last two days for light users), supports Qi wireless charging, and has some protection from rain storms (IP68). 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. For those recommendations, you can check out our guide to budget smartphones. 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 new chip helps the iPhone 13 run more efficiently, which lasts well into the evening without needing a top up. check out our guide to budget smartphones, Apple iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max, Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro cameras in a comparison video, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (128GB, unlocked), durability of its foldable screen and hinge, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 (256GB, unlocked). What do you miss by not going Pro? Apples iOS platform, meanwhile, may have a lower market share but developers almost always release their apps on iOS first. There are a wealth of great phones to choose from this year. Vodafone or If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. If great battery life is important to you, then look at the Google Pixel 6, which does much better in that department. The phone is a big one so youll have to be happy with a 6.78in AMOLED. Inside its sizable rear camera bar are dual cameras, 50-megapixel wide and 12-megapixel ultrawide cameras, along with a laser detection autofocus sensor for low-light and depth. The Galaxy S22 Plus features the latest Snapdragon chipset, an excellent 6.6-inch display, three rear cameras including a 3x telephoto, and a great support policy promising up to four generations of Android OS upgrades. Or, you can just scribble notes to your hearts content. (No, you wont be able to reuse your iPhone 12 case for the 13.) It has a 5.4-inch display, 128GB of storage, a smaller battery, and the same A15 Bionic chip as other iPhone 13s. The latest flagship phone from OnePlus is a good alternative to the likes of the S22 or Pixel 6 series, especially if you live in the US and have few other high-end Android options. When choosing a phone you should consider these things: build quality and design, ease of use, features, performance, and value. Its worth noting that while this list highlights the best smartphones available right now, that doesnt explicitly mean flagships (even though they do feature heavily here). Sometimes all at once. 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. It needs a few improvements -- most notably to the camera, which is good, but not great -- but this flagship offers a great overall experience. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. Shop your favorite products and well find the best deal with a single click. 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. The standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. 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. If youre willing to put up with those compromises for an experience thats unlike anything else, though, the Fold 3 delivers. All of the devices featured here have great cameras, nice screens, good battery life, and are fast enough to keep up with your day to day. If you dont already have one, check out our That said, its glossy body is super slippery, so youll need to budget for a third-party case (forget the Google ones, they arent worth the money). 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. In fact, the 13 looks almost identical to the 12 but is just a bit thicker and heavier, with substantially bigger camera bumps and lenses that swapped places. 2022 is nearly halfway done and the tech gods have blessed us with some truly superb smartphones. The Google Pixel 6 is the new base model of Googles latest flagship. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a beast with an impressive camera system. Its ultrawide camera, on the other hand, has only been minorly updated for better low-light performance. browsing the web to watching video to playing games more enjoyable and immersive. Theres more than one mobile operating system, but really only two worth talking about: Android and iOS. Tensor doesnt benchmark well against the competition but in real-world use offers more than enough grunt to handle the most demanding mobile apps and games, while also boasting a specialised skill set for machine learning and AI tasks that rival silicon lags behind in. 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. The iPhone 13 Pro is the best phone Apple produces and it received a stellar score in our review. Despite dropping the Pixel XL naming convention, the 6 Pro is an undeniably sizeable phone, with a stunning QHD+ curved-edge OLED display that for the first time in the series makes the move to a higher, smoother 120Hz refresh rate (just like the iPhone 13 Pro range). It's 5G-enabled, for one, it runs the latest iOS 15 software and it packs the same A15 Bionic processor found in Apple's top phones. 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. 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. 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 the asking price you get the Google Tensor chip, the same as the 6 and 6 Pro, resulting in flagship level performance. 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. That inside screen makes everything from reading books to. The cameras are largely the same as the S21 Ultras, plus a couple of software-based improvements. The Oppo Find X5 Pro is a phenomenal phone by any measure. If youve been waiting patiently for the foldable phone to mature before dropping some serious coin for one, this might be the year to get the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. 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.