The best smartphone 2022

By the time 2022 reaches the midway point, the tech gods will have bestowed upon us some genuinely outstanding cellphones. Our definitive list of the top ten phones contains everything you could possibly want, whether you're searching for performance, photographic prowess, or value.

The best phone on this list won't be the best phone for everyone, so look at all ten. The best phone for you is out there; it depends on your priorities, which may include the camera, battery life, design, specifications, pricing, and a variety of other factors.

Of course, Samsung and Apple are included, but if you look beyond them to Android rivals like OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi, you might find the perfect pocket companion. These phones all perform well, but they do it in slightly different ways.

Best smartphone 2022

1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – Best overall phone

The best smartphone 2022

While the S21 Ultra experimented with Note-like features, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is undoubtedly the Note 20 Ultra's full-fledged successor in every way save name. In spite of its high price, it has the best features and performance of any phone now available.

The design is noticeably unique from the other Galaxy S22 models (i.e., extremely "Note-like"), and it comes with an integrated S Pen stylus that extends capabilities beyond most competitors, particularly in terms of productivity.

Despite having hardware that may look familiar, Samsung's improvements make the camera one of the best systems in any phone right now. It has a 108MP main shooter and is supported by an ultrawide, two telephoto, and two telephoto lenses with varying zoom capabilities.

Pros

• Excellent camera
• Phenomenal display
• Stylus support

Cons

• Bulky
• Expensive
• Slower charging

2. iPhone 14 Pro – Best iPhone

The best smartphone 2022

It's a happy surprise that the iPhone 14 Pro is such an improvement over the iPhone 13 considering how little the standard iPhone 14 updates the iPhone 13. Even while some of the changes are superficial, it's difficult to ignore them when the Dynamic Island debuts with such a drastic visual overhaul.

Apple's renowned screen notch has been reduced to a pill-shaped and circular shape below the top bezel, but the empty space has been filled with black pixels. Animations have been used to have notifications and app updates originate from the space, giving a purpose to the cutouts now present for cameras on most phone screens. It is incredibly ingenious and allows you to view the music being played, set timers, and more thanks to this very ingenious feature.

Pros

• Dynamic Island is genuinely great
• First iPhone with always-on display
• Phenomenal cameras
• 120Hz display

Cons

• Battery life same as 13 Pro
• No fast charging
• More expensive in the UK

3. Google Pixel 7 Pro – Best user experience

The best smartphone 2022

Google builds on the significant redesign of the Pixel 6 Pro with the Pixel 7 Pro by enhancing the cameras, display, and battery life. The 7 Pro is the best Pixel to date and a true "kitchen sink" gadget; it's huge, hefty, and the design may not be to everyone's taste, but it delivers an incredible Android experience.

The Pixel 7 Pro is the greatest phone option if you don't like iOS and don't want the S-Pen of the S22 Ultra, plus it's less expensive than the two phones listed above it in this list. With Google's advanced software processing, it produces stunning still images that are among the best and most consistent of any phone, making it one of the most enjoyable point and shoot cameras you can own.

Additionally, there are a ton of innovative Pixel-only features available, including the Magic Eraser, which removes undesired people and objects from images, Live Transcribe, which provides audio transcription for deaf people, as well as a large, brilliant display and nearly 2-day battery life. Samsung and Apple outperform Google on this front. Google guarantees five years of security patches but only three years of Android updates.

But if you prefer playful and customizable phone software, go with the Pixel. The Pixel 7 is a great option if you want a smaller phone, but it does not have the Pro's 5x telephoto lens.

Pros

• Superb display
• Incredible, versatile cameras
• Strong battery life
• Exclusive software features

Cons

• Big and heavy
• Ugly design
• Slow charging

•  4. Oppo Find X5 Pro 
• Superb  cameras

The best smartphone 2022

By every standard, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is a fantastic phone. Oppo backs up its

6.7-inch, 10-bit, 120Hz QHD+ panel, one of the greatest displays on a phone right now, with a 5000mAh battery, 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, and a top-notch camera with 50Mp sensors on both the primary and ultrawide lenses.

The telephoto here has a meager 2x zoom, so you'll have to make do without a periscopic zoom lens, but the results from all three back lenses are fantastic. A flawlessly sloping camera module that is integrated into the phone's ceramic casing further distinguishes the appearance.

With all of the aforementioned, the Find X5 Pro is also tough to top in terms of pure performance.

Pros

• Best-in-class display
• Versatile cameras
• Unique design

Cons

• No periscopic zoom
• Expensive

5. Google Pixel 6a – Best value

The best smartphone 2022

Even though the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro feature larger, better screens and improved cameras, most people should opt for the $649/£399/€459 6a because it offers greater value.

With the asking price, you receive the same Google Tensor chip as the iPhone 6 and 6 Pro, giving you performance on par with flagship models. This A-series Pixel is fast; older models were not.

You only get a screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, slow 18W charging, and a plastic back that readily scratches. Additionally, the main camera is only 12.2 MP, the same as the Pixel 5, as opposed to the 50 MP camera in the Pixel 6.

However, aside from that, this offers a fantastic bargain and comes with three years of Android OS updates.

Pros

• Great performance
• Solid battery life
• Very good camera

Cons

• 60Hz display
• Slow charging
• Back plastic scratches easily