What is the best smartphone you lot can buy?

Equally 2022 stretches out before united states of america, there's a lot of potential for what the coming months will bring, in terms of top-tier smartphone innovation. Even so, that doesn't finish the electric current crop of smartphones from delivering on features, quality, longevity and value.

With no i perfect phone for everybody, this rundown address different needs and use cases, with the hopes that yous'll find the best phone for you.

Expect to discover usual suspects from the likes of Samsung and Apple but don't be afraid to read our total reviews and other content on devices from brands yous might non be equally familiar with. Trust us, these phones all deliver.

Best smartphone 2022

1

iPhone xiii Pro - Best iPhone

Apple iPhone 13 Pro

  • Pros: 120Hz display | Superb cameras | Summit-tier performance | Improved battery life
  • Cons: Cinematography Style and HDR algorithm need work | Pricey
  • Best Pricesouthward Today:

Unlike 2020 – where the standard iPhone 12 won out against its Pro-branded sibling – 2021'southward iPhone 13 Pro is undoubtedly the one to beat.

At kickoff glance, the thirteen Pro uses a familiar vi.1in Super Retina XDR brandish only Apple tree has finally decided to bring ProMotion to the iPhone; with the console now topping out at a super-smooth 120Hz. The notch is also 20% smaller too.

Equally for the cameras, you can wait bigger sensors and faster apertures that hateful improved low light performance, far more than comparable quality when switching to the phone's ultrawide (which too now offers macro shooting capabilities) and a 3x telephoto snapper, letting y'all shoot further than earlier.

What'south more, the iPhone nevertheless leads when it comes to video capture, gaining some smart new features like Cinematography Mode, granting greater command over how your footage looks in the moment.

Pair that ProMotion tech with the phone's new A15 Bionic chip and a bigger battery, and you tin await some sizeable longevity gains; rendering this a two-twenty-four hour period iPhone on a single charge.

Read our full Apple iPhone 13 Pro review

2

Google Pixel 6 Pro - Best for Android

Google Pixel 6 Pro

  • Pros: 120Hz display | Superb cameras | Slick Os | Greatly improved battery life
  • Cons: Biggest, thickest, heaviest Pixel yet | Awkward fast charging
  • All-time Tolls Today:

Google has shaken things upward for 2021, with the Pixel vi and Pixel 6 Pro debuting the company's new Tensor silicon and a refreshed Android 12 experience, forth with a completely new design and some significantly enhanced cameras.

Despite dropping the 'Pixel XL' naming convention, the 6 Pro is an undeniably sizeable telephone, with a stunning QHD+ curved-edge OLED brandish that – for the starting time fourth dimension in the serial – makes the motility to a college, smoother 120Hz refresh rate (just like the iPhone 13 Pro range).

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 up Unblur. It'south also backed up past both a 12Mp ultrawide and a periscopic 48Mp telephoto camera, with a 4x optical zoom; a far weep from the Pixel range'due south onetime single-sensor arroyo to photography.

Tensor doesn't benchmark well against the competition but in real-world utilise offers more than enough grunt to handle the nearly demanding mobile apps and games, while also boasting a specialised skill set for motorcar learning and AI tasks that rival silicon lags behind in.

A huge 5003mAh battery likewise ensures some of the best battery life on a Pixel e'er, even if fast charging is a bit of a mess.

Read our total Google Pixel six Pro review

iii

iPhone 13 - Best for ease of use

Apple iPhone 13

  • Pros: Vivid performance | Capable cameras | Long battery life | Great value
  • Cons: Still a 60Hz display | No telephoto photographic camera | Dull charging
  • All-time Prices Today:

While it loses out on the xiii Pro's high refresh rate display, the iPhone 13 still boasts cutting-border features like Apple tree'south newest A15 Bionic 5nm flake and the latest camera features, like Cinematic Mode.

The rear camera system now sits at a diagonal, primarily to accommodate the impressive sensor-shift OIS (optical image stabilisation) that was exclusive to 2020's iPhone 12 Pro Max (although there's however no telephoto sensor), while on the forepart – despite the same 60Hz refresh charge per unit as last year – you even so get a stunning 6.1in OLED display, complete with a smaller notch.

iOS xv is an first-class improvement on Apple tree's already well-respected mobile operating system; calculation wellbeing features similar notification summary, that ensure you're non constantly distracted past your device.

Similar the Pro, some of the best bombardment life on an iPhone comes as part of the iPhone xiii experience just fast charging speeds are however well behind the curve.

Read our total Apple iPhone 13 review

four

Samsung Milky way S21 Ultra - Almost versatile

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

  • Pros: Rich camera feel | Great operation | Stunning screen | Good bombardment life
  • Cons: Big and heavy | Expensive
  • Best Prices Today:

After 2020'south disappointing Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung finally earned the 'Ultra' proper name with a follow-up that delivers virtually everything you could desire from an Android flagship; admittedly at a price that only a few can afford, and in a course cistron that will merely exist as well big for some.

In terms of versatility, the camera stands unrivalled, with a 108Mp primary shooter, backed upward by an ultrawide and two telephoto lenses at different optical zoom levels (3x and 10x).

The expansive half-dozen.8in brandish delivers both loftier WQHD+ resolution and an adaptive refresh charge per unit up to 120Hz, making it great for gaming, and with S-pen stylus support, it fills the productivity niche of theGalaxy Annotation 20 Ultratoo.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review

5

Oppo Find X3 Pro - Superb cameras

Oppo Find X3 Pro

  • Pros: Best-in-form display | Outstanding battery life | Great rear cameras
  • Cons: No telephoto camera | Performance throttling
  • Best Pricesouthward Today:

The Find X3 Pro is Oppo's all-singing, all-dancing flagship device and it earns its spot on this nautical chart.

Yes, information technology'due south expensive, there'southward no denying that, but you go a summit-shelf Snapdragon 888 chipset, 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, along with 65W wired and 30W wireless charging.

The main and ultrawide cameras both pack the aforementioned 50Mp sensor, and offer almost exactly the same quality shots, with punchy colours, oodles of detail and corking dynamic range. There'due south 'only' a 2x zoom photographic camera – no periscopic lens hither, sadly – simply you also become a novel new microlens camera, capable of taking super-closeup shots.

The cameras can besides output images in x-fleck colour, and in fact, the telephone supports true 10-bit storage and encryption too, correct through to the x-bit, 120Hz, WQHD+ display; probably the best in whatever phone right now.

This is not just Oppo'due south best phone, only one of the best flagships on the market from whatsoever company.

Read our full Oppo Observe X3 Pro review

6

Realme GT - Best value flagship

Realme GT 5G

  • Pros: Flagship specs; Superb value | Nice 120Hz AMOLED brandish | 65W fast charging
  • Cons: Underwhelming cameras | No water resistance | No wireless charging
  • Best Prices Today:

2020's Realme X50 Pro offered impressive performance for any flagship, allow lone i at the cost point it managed to hitting, and history repeats itself with 2021's Realme GT.

Kickoff off, make sure to pick upwards the yellow vegan leather-backed model, it'south an undeniable head-turner.

In all areas except perhaps camera, the GT is as capable equally phones twice its toll. A Snapdragon 888 runs the testify, paired with up to 12GB of speedy LPDDR5 RAM and accompanied by every bit snappy UFS 3.ane storage (up to 256GB).

A 120Hz Total Hard disk+ AMOLED display sits on the phone's front end, while a 4500mAh bombardment with 65W fast charging proceed the GT going. This matter is all near speed and delivers it at an incredible price.

Read our full Realme GT 5G review

7

Crimson Magic 6S Pro - Best for gaming

Nubia Red Magic 6S Pro

  • Pros: Outstanding performance |165Hz refresh rate display | Great battery life
  • Cons: Clunky user experience | Bulky design | Underwhelming cameras
  • All-time Prices Today:

While only a minor update to the Reddish Magic 6 from earlier in 2021, the 6S Pro pushed the envelope by being ane of the commencement phones to showcase Qualcomm'due south Snapdragon 888+ chipset.

The stunning 165Hz display endures, while also continuing to outpace mainstream rivals – making information technology ideal for gaming – and bombardment life is excellent too, with 66W fast charging (or 120W if you option upwards the Chinese model).

Nubia'southward Android launcher won't be to everyone's tastes, the cameras are just a mild improvement on the 6'due south and this is all the same a big beefy telephone, but the price/functioning balance it strikes and the gaming prowess it facilitates are unrivalled.

Read our full Nubia Red Magic 6S Pro review

eight

Samsung Milky way Z Flip 3 - Best foldable

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G

  • Pros: Elegant folding design | Water resistance | More affordable than always
  • Cons: No telephoto camera | Middling bombardment life | Nevertheless needs to be tougher
  • Best Costsouth Today:

Samsung took its already-groundbreaking Milky way Z Flip foldable, improved every aspect – from design to performance – and then fabricated information technology cheaper too!

The Z Flip 3 is a beautiful expression of the development of foldable smartphone tech and somehow manages to incorporate water resistance into its pattern as well.

Battery life and the dual cameras could be amend but despite flagship-course performance in a groundbreaking blueprint, the Flip 3'southward pricing also proves that foldables can tango in the same space as conventional smartphones without any major sacrifices.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G review

nine

Sony Xperia ane Three - Best for multimedia

Sony Xperia 1 III

  • Pros: Excellent operation | Tiptop-notch audio | Stunning screen | Rich camera experience
  • Cons: Lacklustre battery life | Brandish could be brighter | Expensive
  • All-time Pricesouthward Today:

The Xperia i III offers up more of what we've come up to know and love from Sony'due south flagship phone line: namely a killer camera setup and an eye-popping 4K brandish.

The big upgrade for 2021 is the move to a 120Hz refresh charge per unit, which joins a smattering of cut-border displays technologies, including 4K resolution, an HDR OLED panel and an uncommon 21:9 aspect ratio, that's brilliant for enjoying movies on the go.

The rear camera setup takes a little work to get the most out of information technology but offers unprecedented control, especially with regards to video capture, while the pairing of a Snapdragon 888 fleck and 12GB of RAM delivers some of the best performance for an Android telephone out there.

Battery life and price are the main things holding the 1 3 back from true greatness but for some, information technology'due south the obvious choice.

Read our total Sony Xperia ane III review

10

OnePlus Nord ii - Best mid-ranger

OnePlus Nord 2

  • Pros: Flagship-class processor | Great master photographic camera | Clean software
  • Cons: Thick | Middling value
  • Best Costdue south Today:

Despite its mid-range positioning, the OnePlus Nord ii takes the torch from its predecessor and goes on to serve as one of 2021's best mid-rangers.

What the Nord two really demonstrates is the visitor's power to prioritise the features that users are looking for right now, wrapping them up in an attractive package at a compelling price bespeak.

The Nord 2 misses out on flagship niceties – similar wireless charging and waterproofing – but those are really the but compromises made here.

In that location'southward too the OnePlus Nord CE 5G bachelor, which delivers a stripped-back version of the original Nord for a slightly lower toll.

Read our full OnePlus Nord two review

xi

Xiaomi Poco F3 - Best value mid-ranger

Xiaomi Poco F3

  • Pros: Superb performance | Neat 120Hz display | Solid cameras
  • Cons: Boilerplate battery life | Middling user feel
  • Best Tolls Today:

Xiaomi sub-brand Poco played hardball in 2021, delivering some of the best value-for-money on the smartphone scene by quite some margin.

The Poco F3's primary point of appeal has to be its flagship-grade Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 chipset, paired with an astoundingly low asking price, considering the level of functioning on offer.

The F3 besides offers upwards speedy 33W fast charging and a large super-smooth 120Hz AMOLED Total Hd+ brandish, significant it's also great for media and gaming.

Read our total Xiaomi Poco F3 review

12

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro - Most affordable

Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro

  • Pros: Brilliant performance | 120Hz brandish | Peachy battery life | Value
  • Cons: Average camera | Bulky design | No 5G
  • Best Tolldue south Today:

Building on the success of Tech Advisor'due south 2020 'Upkeep Telephone of the Yr', the Poco X3 Pro sports a pinnacle-tier chip, despite costing a fraction of other phones wielding this level of power.

A Snapdragon 860 SoC delivers outrageous performance, not to mention it boasts a beautiful 120Hz display and admittedly fantastic battery life.

The X3 Pro isn't perfect, of course. The big battery makes it bulky, the cameras could be better and MIUI 12 leaves much to be desired, only they don't stop this phone from being an unmistakably great budget offering.

Read our total Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro review

Your buying guide for the all-time phones in 2022

When choosing a phone you should consider these things: build quality and design, ease of use, features, operation, and value.

Generally speaking, a flagship phone in 2022 volition start at around £700 simply can cost over £i,000 in some cases. On contract, you lot're looking at betwixt £30 and £fifty-per-month on boilerplate only you lot tin can spend a lot more if you want an expensive phone and lots of mobile data.

It's worth noting that while this list highlights the best smartphones available right at present, that doesn't explicitly hateful flagships (even though they do feature heavily here). There are entries that cantankerous over with our mid-range and upkeep phone charts besides, only earnt their identify here, based on the capabilities and quality on offering, relative to their price.

Buying a telephone outright volition usually requite you lot the all-time value, but we appreciate finances in the existent earth don't always adapt such big i-off purchases. If you can, you'll manifestly need a SIM card and plan, too every bit the phone. If you lot don't already have one, check out our best SIM-only deals.

Should you purchase an iPhone or Android phone?

There'due south more than 1 mobile operating system, but really but 2 worth talking about: Android and iOS.

The vast majority of phones today run Android – 12 being the latest publicly-released version. Apple's iOS platform, meanwhile, may have a lower market share but developers almost ever release their apps on iOS first. Every bit a event of this approach, it has ane of the best app stores yous tin can find.

If y'all take an Android phone or an iPhone and want to movement to a telephone running the other Bone (operating system), it's fairly like shooting fish in a barrel to transfer your contacts and other select data from one to the other. What you can't movement are paid-for apps and sure app data (like WhatsApp backups), and so go along this in mind if you're considering a modify of platform - and inquiry any specific concerns you may take about the process.

Why you should purchase an unlocked phone

An unlocked phone is one that is non tied to any particular mobile operator, such every bit Vodafone or EE. Ownership 'unlocked' usually means buying the phone outright without a SIM carte du jour or contract fastened.

The most important point is that an unlocked phone is nearly e'er a better deal than buying a phone on contract - if yous can afford it.

The simply existent exception to this is Apple'southward iPhones - because of their traditional popularity, operators often subsidise the price of buying an iPhone in order to lock you into a lucrative long-term deal.

Generally speaking, if you lot can afford the upfront price of the handset, y'all will pay less over the life of your telephone by ownership unlocked.

More chiefly, you are not locked into a lengthy contract. If you want a new handset at any time, you can buy one without having to upwardly-purchase your way out of said contract or commit to another two years.

Merely exist certain to make certain the phone yous're getting is not locked to a sure network.

The right SIM

One other thing to consider is the size and shape of the SIM required for your phone. Brand sure you lot go a nano-SIM if a nano-SIM is what your phone requires.

For the tape, every telephone in our top ten takes a nano-SIM.

If yous get that wrong it is hands solvable - every network volition gladly send over a different-sized SIM. SIM cards tend to come in all three sizes - yous simply popular out the one you lot need.

But that'southward assuming y'all are getting a new SIM, and if you're looking for a SIM-free phone or unlocked phone you probably already have i.

More of import is to make sure that if y'all want 5G you get a 5G-enabled phone and SIM.

Related: How we test smartphones

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