For more info, read our guide to help find the best phone for your needs and take a look at our tips on how to buy a new Apple iPhone or Android phone. Its just smaller and has a smaller price tag, at about $100 less. As a result of this approach, it has one of the best app stores you can find. 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 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. EE. Get trade-in credit for your new device. Its expensive, sure, but its also more durable than previous models and comes with a 120Hz display and support for the once-exclusive S Pen. (No, you wont be able to reuse your iPhone 12 case for the 13.) Patrick Holland has an eye for photography and a passion for everything mobile. Each link is to an unlocked phone, and the phones should run on most of the big four US wireless carriers, unless otherwise specified. 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. 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. At a whopping price of $2,500, the Sony Xperia Pro isn't for everyone. Lead Editor, CNET Advice, Europe; Lead Photographer, Europe. The expansive 6.8in LTPO AMOLED display delivers both high WQHD+ resolution and an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, while long-term software support that surpasses even Googles Pixels rounds out an impressive list of pros. 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. The only real exception to thisis Apples iPhones because of their traditional popularity, operators often subsidise the cost of buying an iPhone in order to lock you into a lucrative long-term deal. 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. If you're someone who prefers smaller, pocket-friendly devices, this is the phone for you. Trust us, these phones all deliver just all a little differently, and thats a great thing. The sheer amount of smartphone competition means you get great options at whatever price suits your budget, regardless of whether your biggest concern is an AMOLED display, high-speed 5G data or a cracking camera. photos that better reflect real skin tones, as well as use Google Assistant to handle automated calls for you. One other thing to consider is the size and shape of the SIM required for your phone. What do you miss by not going Pro? The screen is a pleasure to use, the camera system is versatile and dependable, and Samsungs policy of providing up to four generations of OS upgrades is one of the best among Android phones. A third rear camera with 3x optical zoom and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling. Fast 45W wired charging makes this a quick job, though. 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. 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. 2022 is nearly halfway done and the tech gods have blessed us with some truly superb smartphones. 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. Although the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have bigger, better screens and improved cameras, the $449/399/459 is better value and the Pixel phone most people should buy. More importantly, you are not locked into a lengthy contract. 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. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate, an "aluminum armor" body, and a flexible build that makes it super convenient to take photos and record video. Good competition means better phones for everyone! The Xiaomi 12 Pro has an awful lot going for it, but thats coupled with a pair of major flaws. 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. 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. Generally speaking, a flagship phone in 2022 will start at around 700 but can cost over 1,000 in some cases. 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. It has a 5.4-inch display, 128GB of storage, a smaller battery, and the same A15 Bionic chip as other iPhone 13s. Find the one that suits you best, and youll be rewarded with many years of use before its time to start phone shopping again. With so many power-hungry features piled on the S22 Ultras battery life is a bit lackluster. That flexibility is unmatched by any other phone you can buy right now, but it doesnt come without a significant list of compromises. Its specialty features are somewhat niche, if powerful, which is why its not our overall pick for the best mainstream Android phone. Its main weakness is a slow under-screen fingerprint scanner, and the phone lacks a face unlock option. Copyright 2022 IDG Communications, Inc. Cinematography Mode and HDR algorithm need work. While the S21 Ultra dabbled with Note-like features, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is unquestionably a full-blown successor to 2020s Its hard to say how durable this foldable screen will be, but at least you can be among the first to find out. If great battery life is important to you, then look at the Google Pixel 6, which does much better in that department. iPhone 12 won out against its Pro-branded sibling 2021s iPhone 13 Pro is undoubtedly the one to beat. On top of all that, it comes in six colors (including pink), one more than you can choose from in the Pro models. More important is to make sure that if you want 5G you get a 5G-enabled phone and SIM. For the asking price you get the Google Tensor chip, the same as the 6 and 6 Pro, resulting in flagship level performance. Related: it costs a steep $1200. 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. Google shook things up for 2021, with the 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. As a result, performance is lightning-fast. 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. 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. When youre done using it, just fold it back up and stick it in your pocket just like any other phone. best SIM-only deals. 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. 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. The iPhone 13 Pro Max is a beast with an impressive camera system. Or, you can just scribble notes to your hearts content. Still, we think that the Galaxy S22 Plus is the best device for most people. 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. 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. 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. If you can, youll obviously need a SIM card and plan, as well as the phone. Just be sure to make certain the phone youre getting is not locked to a certain network. 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. It has a 6.1-inch screen, 128GB of internal storage (up to 1TB), and is powered by the new A15 Bionic processor. 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. While it loses out on the 13 Pros high refresh rate display, the iPhone 13 still boasts cutting-edge features like Apples newest 5nm A15 Bionic chip and the latest camera features, like Cinematic Mode. Buying a new phone can be a chore, but weve done the work for you. 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. For the record, every phone in this list takes a nano-SIM. The iPhone 13 Pro shares the same camera system as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, but in a more compact body. 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. The main camera has sensor stabilization, which helps when youre walking around. Theyll also generally get more years of software updates than cheaper phones: three years is a bare minimum here, and five is common. While battery life isn't as long as the iPhone 13, this petite Apple iPhone doesn't sacrifice on camera capabilities or processing power. SIM cards tend to come in all three sizes, you simply pop out the one you need. 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. While the screen and overall performance are excellent, the S22 Plus comes up a little short on battery life. The new chip helps the iPhone 13 run more efficiently, which lasts well into the evening without needing a top up. The screen can also be used as a split screen for multitasking. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip powers four rear lenses, the main being a wonderfully capable 50Mp sensor. Opting for a moreaffordable phonedoesn't mean compromising on usability, with even budget handsets like theGoogle Pixel 5Aoffering big, vibrant displays and quality cameras. Unlike 2020 where the standard For this model, Apple has pledged longer battery life, improved cameras and better durability than the Apple iPhone 12. 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. Make sure you get a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your phone requires. Video quality is also great. 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). The Pixel 6 is a lot of phone for $599. 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). But if you're a photographer or videographer looking for professional-level camera phone features, you can't go wrong. For most people, the iPhone 13 is an easy choice: it offers similar performance, design, camera features, and (sometimes) better battery life than other iPhone 13 models, for less money. He is a colorful raconteur who will guide you through the ever-changing and fast-paced world of phones. 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. If you dont already have one, check out our (Microsofts dual-screen Surface Duo 2 is a distant second to the Fold 3, in this early two-device race. Its main premise is this: it is sized like a skinny smartphone that fits in your pocket, but it unfolds to reveal a tablet-sized 7.6-inch display on the inside. Its a 120Hz LTPO (with variable refresh rate) and QHD+ resolution. Its minimalist, understated design has a little more mainstream appeal than the Pixel 6, which isnt actually much bigger but looks and feels bulkier. When closed, you can use the 1.9-inch outer second screen, which displays handy widgets like app notifications and audio player controls without making you open the phone. It can do all the modes that matter in terms of 4K and slow-mo and handles them all super well. At the heart of the Pixel 6 is Tensor, Googles first proprietary mobile processor that is on par with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip inside other Android flagships. ), The Fold 3 is Samsungs third-generation folding phone. 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. Its too bad its dual cameras did not get an upgrade from the previous iteration. 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 Galaxy Flip 3 has the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of RAM as any other flagship phone released in 2021. Picking the right phone is mostly a matter of preference. If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. The Google Pixel 6 is the new base model of Googles latest 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. 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. High performance flagship with a lower price, how to buy a new Apple iPhone or Android phone, the first foldable phone you'll consider buying. Its a bit frustrating to have to keep an eye on your battery usage on a $999 phone. It also has an extra 6.2-inch screen on the cover with 2268 x 832 resolution, so you can use it for quick tasks when you dont have enough time or space to unfold the main screen. We update this list regularly. budget phone charts too, but earnt their place here, based on the capabilities and quality on offer, relative to their price. Older A-series Pixels were sluggish not this one. At first glance, the 13 Pro uses a familiar 6.1in Super Retina XDR display but Apple has finally decided to bring ProMotion to the iPhone; with the panel now topping out at a super-smooth 120Hz. If youre willing to put up with those compromises for an experience thats unlike anything else, though, the Fold 3 delivers. 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. This doesn't affect our editorial independence. 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. Just know that it doesnt work on AT&Ts 5G network (just LTE), and its cameras arent quite as good as Samsungs. Note 20 Ultra in everything but name. 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. 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. 12 being the latest publicly-released version. 2022 CNET, a Red Ventures company. 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. 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. If you prefer Android, the Asus Zenfone 8 is a good alternative. The vast majority of phones today run Android The design is unique too, thanks to a seamlessly sloped camera module built right into the ceramic of the phones body. Prices for flagship phones are higher than ever, and its unlikely that theyll ever come back down. In addition, the 3x optical. Its a comfortable middle ground thats the right configuration of features and size for most people. 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. 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. But if youre looking for a phone that can do just about anything, this is the right choice. This Pixel phone is a solid option capable of tackling all of your everyday essentials, and with its 5G speeds, you won't be left waiting for your Netflix shows to buffer when you're waiting for the bus. 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. There are a wealth of great phones to choose from this year. 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. 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 standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. 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 three rear cameras standard wide, ultrawide, and telephoto combine with Apples image processing to produce stunning images, particularly in low light. If youre looking for an alternative thats a little sleeker, the OnePlus 10 Pro is a good option. phone is almost always a better deal than buying a phone on contract if you can afford it. Samsungs software is still our least favorite part of a Samsung phone, which is more cluttered and contains more duplicate apps than wed prefer. 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. 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. Apples iOS platform, meanwhile, may have a lower market share but developers almost always release their apps on iOS first. Samsungs Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a foldable phone with a non-foldable price tag. You only get a 60Hz refresh rate screen, slow 18W charging, and a plastic back that we found scratches quite easily. The choice is yours. But, as the ceiling gets higher, devices in the more reasonable $600 to $800 range have gotten even more capable. Whether you want Apple's iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy, a Google Pixel, OnePlus or another phone, these are the top options you can buy. It is not a cheap phone, but definitely a more affordable flagship pick than the Pro siblings. You just have to be willing to pay the price, as it doesnt come cheap. 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. Its ultrawide camera, on the other hand, has only been minorly updated for better low-light performance. Choose free delivery or pick up in store. Vodafone or For the most part, the camera system is great too, not quite best-in-class but good. 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. 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. It even lets you record videos in Cinematic mode, which helps you smoothly switch focus between subjects by changing the depth of field. It will last a day of moderate use with a little in the tank, but power users may need to keep an eye on battery percentage and top off the 5,000mAh cell toward the end of the day. It needs a few improvements -- most notably to the camera, which is good, but not great -- but this flagship offers a great overall experience. 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. For small-phone Android fans, the Asus Zenfone 8 is the perfect fit. significantly improved. 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. When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. The notch is also 20% smaller too. Samsung's latest flagship superphone, the Galaxy S22 Ultrahas an impressive lineup of specs, including a quadruple rear camera, a big, vibrant display and the S Pen stylus you might remember from the Galaxy Note series. Tensor allows the new Pixel to lean into Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence to learn some new tricks. 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. 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. 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. 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. With a starting price of $599, Google's Pixel 6 is the best Android phone you can get for the money. 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). In terms of design, power, features and performance, the Pixel 6 is a big step up from its predecessor, the Pixel 5. An unlocked phone is one that is not tied to any particular mobile operator, such as 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. If you get that wrong it is easily solvable; every network will gladly send over a different-sized SIM.