TechTrends tests and rates the best smartphones of 2022 as what you deserve is a handset that has it all. Since there is no one perfect phone for everybody, this article aims to review dozens of handsets to help you find the best for yourselves.
Are you considering buying a new phone or upgrading what you already have? Described by many people, the best phones have great cameras, functionality, quality, longevity, and value. This article on the best phone to buy for 2022 has something for everyone, with different needs and use cases. You can expect to see famous brands like Apple and Samsung, but there are also brands you might not be as familiar with. Trust TechTrends and read the full reviews as all these phones will deliver.
Best Smartphones of 2022; Which Smartphone is for You?
Buying a smartphone is a difficult decision that needs many options. To help you decide which phone is suitable for your needs, TechTrends rounded up the picks for the best mobile phones in 2022. As for the operating systems, this list has the best of both iOS and Android. Now, here are our top picks.
iPhone 13 Pro Max
Specifications:
- Display: 7-inch OLED (2778 x 1284)
- CPU: A15 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB ($ 1,099), 256GB ($ 1,199), 512GB, 1TB ($ 1,599) / No
- Rear camera: 12MP main (f/1.5), 12MP ultrawide (f/1.8), 12MP telephoto (f/2.8) with 3x
- Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 5 ounces (240 grams)
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 12:16
The first one on our list of the best smartphones of 2022 is the iPhone 13 Pro Max courtesy of certain upgrades. Among them is a new 6.7-inch ProMotion display that advances to 120Hz for very smooth animations. Furthermore, it has incredible A15 Bionic chip performance as well as the long battery life of more than 12 hours when tested.
When it comes to the camera of the iPhone 13 Pro Max, it is simply the best of its kind. Its best-in-class camera has improved sensors which are great for capturing more light. Moreover, with its new Photographic styles, you can tweak your pics’ look. However, the best feature that makes it the best phone to buy in 2022 is the new macro mode that allows you to shoot a Cinematic mode for video and amazing close-ups. Regarding its charging, there can be more improvements to make it faster. Generally, the iPhone 13 Pro Max is incomparable in its features.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Specifications:
- Display: 8-inch OLED (3200×1400; 1-120Hz)
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Rear camera: 108MP wide (f/2.2), 12MP ultra wide (ƒ/2.2), 10MP telephoto (3x zoom, f/2.4), 10MP telephoto (10x zoom, f/2.4), laser AF sensor
- Front camera:40MP (ƒ/2.2)
- Weight: 1 oz (228 grams)
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:13
The next best phone to buy in 2022 according to TechTrends and many reviews is Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. For power users, this Samsung model is considered the ultimate Android phone. It presents a S pen that is built into the phone like a Galaxy Note. In addition, it delivers smoother performance by giving 70% less latency. Not to mention the 6.8-inch display, which is second to none. It provides users with the best brightness and color saturation in its class. Therefore, it is easy to read while you are outdoors in direct sunlight. Moreover, it is perfect for watching movies.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera improvements offer a big reason as to why you should buy this phone. Furthermore, with its larger main 108MP sensor, there will be more light, meaning brighter pictures when not using Night mode. Compared to iPhone 13 Pro Max, when in Night Mode, Galaxy S22 Ultra has better pics in some scenarios. Including the faster 45W charging and a sleek design, you may have a winner. However, the battery life could have been longer.
iPhone 13
Specifications:
- Display: 1-inch OLED (2532 x 1170)
- CPU: A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB ($799), 256GB, 512GB / No
- Rear cameras: 12MP main (f/1.6), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.4)
- Front camera: 12MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 1 ounces (174 grams)
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 10:33
Another one on the list from the Apple brand is the iPhone 13, which is one of the best smartphones of 2022. The best for the money, it offers a great camera experience considering its compact design. In addition, the video has the Cinematic mode, delivering Hollywood-like focus when shooting, courtesy of its new A15 Bionic processor. And with the main camera getting more light and the ultra-wide camera capturing more of the scene, you will have amazing footage recorded.
Getting deeper into the features of this phone, it has a brighter 6.1-inch display. Another reason as to why this would be a great choice is the battery life improvement, 10.5 hours. It has 1.5 hours more endurance in comparison with the iPhone 12.
Google Pixel 6
Specifications:
- Display: 4-inch OLED (2400×1080)
- CPU: Google Tensor
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No
- Rear camera: 50MP main (f/1.85), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2)
- Front camera: 8MP (f/2.0)
- Weight: 3 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 8:13
For those looking for the ultimate Android experience, the Google Pixel 6 is one of the best smartphones of 2022 to buy. Google has begun utilizing its own Tensor chipset in order to power the phone. Most of the great Android phones use the Snapdragon 888, but Tensor tries to keep up with that.
Now getting to the Google Pixel 6 camera, it has a 50MP main lens. However, the software is the real story. With the help of Tensor, Magic Eraser can be active. It is used for deleting people from your shots’ background. Moreover, Tensor powers another feature called Motion Mode. It aims to make action shots appear more dynamic. If you would rather have a bigger display and a telephoto lens, the Pixel 6 Pro is also available for $300 more. The cost of the Pixel 6 is also among the reasons why it would be a great pick for a premium device.
OnePlus 10 Pro
Specifications:
- Display: 7-inch AMOLED (3216 x 1440)
- CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- RAM: 8GB, 12GB
- Storage / Expandable: 128GB, 256GB / No
- Rear cameras: 48MP (f/1.8) main, 50MP (f/2.2) ultrawide, 8MP (f/2.4) 3.3x telephoto
- Front camera: 32MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 7 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 11:52 (120Hz), 12:39 (60Hz)
The OnePlus 10 Pro is one of the best smartphones of 2022 and a powerful Android handset. It offers a significant display and the greatest camera there has ever been on a OnePlus phone. Moreover, it has been a great couple of years for the Chinese phone maker as the photography power of its phones is sometimes able to keep up with giants like the iPhone 13 Pro Max and the Pixel 6 Pro.
In addition, its cooling systems allow the phone to be a powerful choice when gaming is important in your decision-making. As for the battery life, in its adaptive 120Hz refresh rate mode, this phone passed 12 hours, which is more than the Galaxy S22 Ultra and close to iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Furthermore, it can fully charge within 30 minutes thanks to the 65W charging. And it is all for $899.
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Specifications:
- Release date: August 2020
- Weight: 208g
- Dimensions: 8 x 77.2 x 8.1mm
- OS: Android 10
- Screen size: 9-inch
- Resolution: 1440 x 3088
- CPU: Exynos 990 / Snapdragon 865 Plus
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage: 128GB/256/512GB
- Battery: 4,500mAh
- Rear camera: 108MP/12MP + 12MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 10MP
The next one on this list, cruising in with an incredible camera is the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. It presents an extreme close-up with the 5x optical zoom as well as 50x digital zoom. In addition, the S Pen offers new tricks such as voice note recording and syncing them with written notes. As one of the best smartphones of 2022, this powerful Samsung model has a 6.9-inch display. About its battery, the tests have shown that it can last more than a day with typical use. It will not be a problem for power users either.
iPhone SE 2022
Specifications:
- Display: 7-inch LCD (1344 x 750)
- CPU: A15 Bionic
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage / Expandable: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB / No
- Rear camera: 12MP (f/1.8)
- Front camera: 7MP (f/2.2)
- Weight: 5 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 9:05
The iPhone SE 2022 is the newest budget iPhone at $429 and it offers a lot for that amount of money. This little beast has the same A15 Bionic as iPhone 13, putting the top-line Android phones on their toes. Notwithstanding the price, which is under $500, it offers a lot. However, like the iPhones that came way before, it has the iPhone 8 body. Despite the big bezels, it features a Touch ID home button. Therefore, it may not be highly ranked, with the lack of Night mode.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
Specifications:
- Display: Interior: 7.6-inch OLED (2208 x 1768; 120Hz); Exterior: 6.2 inches (2268 x 832; 120Hz)
- CPU: Snapdragon 888
- RAM: 12GB
- Storage / Expandable: 256GB, 512GB / No
- Rear camera: 12MP wide (f/1.8), 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2), 12MP telephoto (f/2.4)
- Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2), 4MP under-display (f/1.8)
- Weight: 55 ounces
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 7:52 (60Hz), 6:35 (120Hz)
Samsung has long been trying to introduce foldable phones to buyers and the next one on our list of the best smartphones of 2022 has taken a huge step towards that goal. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3’s price of $1,799 may be off-putting but it offers new features like 120Hz refresh rates displays. Moreover, there is an under-display camera on the interior screen and S Pen backup. The latter feature, however, is optional, which means you have to pay extra to acquire it.
Although this phone may not be for everyone, it is still the best foldable phone the brand has released so far.
iPhone 12 Pro / iPhone 12 Pro Max
Specifications:
- Display: 1-inch / 6.7-inch
- Resolution: 1170 x 2532 / 1284 x 2778
- CPU: A14 Bionic
- RAM: 6GB
- Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB
- Battery: Unknown
- Rear camera: 12MP + 12MP + 12MP
- Front camera: 12MP
- Weight: 189g / 228g
- Dimensions: 146.7mm x 71.5mm x 7.4 mm / 160.8mm x 78.1mm x 7.4mm
- OS: iOS 15
The iPhone 12 Pro chooses the best features of the iPhone 12 and elevates it. The iPhone 12 Pro Max goes beyond by presenting longer battery life, a more powerful camera, and a bigger screen. Going further down our list, these phones are among the best smartphones of 2022. Although the notable price hike between the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 might not be worth it, the duo are definitely were the best phones of 2022 until the arrival of the iPhone 13 range.
Moto G Power 2021
Specifications:
- Display: 6-inch LCD (1600×720)
- CPU: Snapdragon 662
- RAM: 3GB, 4GB
- Storage / Expandable: 32GB, 64GB / No
- Rear camera: 48MP main (ƒ/1.7); 2MP macro (ƒ/2.4); 2MP depth (ƒ/2.4)
- Front camera: 8MP (ƒ/2.0)
- Weight: 3 oz
- Battery life (Hrs:Mins): 14:04
If you are looking for a budget, long-lasting phone, buy Motorola’s Moto G Power models. It has one of the best battery lives in comparison with the top phones on the list of the best phones for 2022. However, there is more to this phone than just a good battery. Considering the budget, the cameras are decent. For those who want an even cheaper version, Motorola offers less RAM and storage. The 3GB/32GB model is $199, whereas the 4GB/64GB model’s price tag is $249. The Moto G Power 2022 offers more storage for $199 but the chipset is less powerful. Therefore, the 2021 version is the better choice.
Your Guide for choosing among the Best Smartphones of 2022
When opting to buy a phone, always consider these options: quality and design, ease of use, performance, features, and value. The prices for a decent phone can start from $500 and go above $1,000 in some cases. TechTrends has listed these phones based on their capabilities and qualities, relative to their price. If you are stuck between buying an iPhone or an Android phone, note that the latter offers more choice at price, size, and new designs. The former, on the other hand, offers faster software updates, better apps, games, security, and privacy. We hope you make the best decision with the help of this article.