Our top smartphones of 2022 include the best models of 2021 (and later 2022) from the most popular brands. These are flagships and gadgets from the middle price segment with the best cost-to-performance ratio.
Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13
- Screen: 6.1″ (2532×1170)
- Cameras: 12 + 12 MP
- Processor: Apple A15 Bionic
- Memory: from 128 GB
The 13th generation iPhone is one of the most anticipated smartphones of 2021. The quality of shooting in it has become better, the bangs are smaller, and the processor is even more powerful. The new iPhone lasts longer without recharging and charges quickly – up to 50% in the first half hour. The model supports two eSIMs, works with 5G and Wi-Fi 6. Options are available with 128, 256 and 512 GB of internal memory.
Samsung Galaxy S21
Samsung Galaxy S21
- Screen: 6.2″ (2400×1080), 120Hz
- Cameras: 64 + 12 + 12 MP
- Battery: 4000 mAh
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 2100
- Memory: from 8/128 GB
Samsung’s top line at the end of 2021 is the Galaxy S21. However, in February, the Korean company should update its flagships and release the Galaxy S22.
We have already tested the Galaxy S21 – we liked the design of the smartphone with many colors, a good screen with support for 120 Hz and high brightness, decent cameras with optical stabilization and a powerful battery. The performance of the model does not raise any questions – the options are based on the flagship Exynos 2100 processor.
On sale there are options with 128 and 256 GB of internal memory, and the prices for the Galaxy S21 have already fallen – you can buy a smartphone from $640. The Galaxy S21+ and Ultra are more expensive, but they have a larger screen.
Honor 50
Honor 50
- Screen: 6.57″ (2340×1080, 120Hz
- Cameras: 108 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP
- Battery: 4300 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G 5G
- Memory: from 6/128 GB
After separating from Huawei, Honor made friends with Google again and released an excellent smartphone under $460 – Honor 50 . It supports Google Play, YouTube, Facebook and other services that were unavailable to the brand due to sanctions.
Given the price of the smartphone, it has excellent characteristics: here is the main camera with a resolution of 108 megapixels and new shooting modes, and super-fast charging, and a screen with an increased refresh rate of 120 Hz. We also note the cool design of the model – we especially liked the version with the Honor monogram pattern on the back.
Xiaomi Mi 11
Xiaomi Mi 11
- Screen: 6.81″ (3200×1440), 120Hz
- 3 cameras: 108 + 13 + 5 MP
- Battery: 4600 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Memory: 8/256 GB
Xiaomi’s latest flagship is already the 11th generation – as always, top for the money. The Mi 11 model costs about $700 and has the best features compared to competitors in its category. The Snapdragon 888 processor will run all the top games, the 108 MP camera with HDR10+ support will be the best assistant in shooting video. In addition, the smartphone charges up to 100% in just 45 minutes, and its screen supports a frequency of 120 Hz.
Realme GT
Realme GT
- Screen: 6.43″ (2400×1080), 120Hz
- Cameras: 64 + 8 + 2 MP
- Battery: 4500 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Memory: from 8/128 GB
The main flagship of the Chinese brand Realme was released in the summer of 2021. The model turned out to be more than successful: at a price of about $460, it runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chipset (like Mi 11), is equipped with an OLED screen with support for 120 Hz, as well as three good cameras with a 64 MP main sensor. Another cool feature is 65W fast charging, which charges the smartphone from 0 to 100% in about 40 minutes.
The only downside is that the Realme GT doesn’t have optical zoom and stabilization – but at this price, it would be strange to get everything at once.
Infinix NOTE 11 NFC
Infinix NOTE 11 NFC
- Screen: 6.7″ (2400×1080)
- Cameras: 50 + 2 + 2 MP
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Processor: MediaTek Helio G88
- Memory: 6/128 GB
Infinix NOTE 11 NFC is the most affordable smartphone with an AMOLED screen, which you can buy for just $200. At this price, the model has excellent characteristics: a large 6.7-inch screen with high resolution and brightness up to 650 nits, a fresh MediaTek Helio G88 processor, a decent 128 GB of memory with expandability.
The model received the same camera as the Infinix HOT 11S , but due to the new firmware, it shoots better in poor lighting conditions. Both the main and selfie cameras use AI algorithms, and the front camera also has a dual flash. The 5000 mAh battery supports 33 W fast charging – the corresponding adapter is included with the smartphone. Note the new design: the smartphone has a matte back that does not collect fingerprints.
The brand also has a NOTE 11 Pro model – but it has an IPS screen, not an AMOLED screen.
Redmi Note 10 Pro
Redmi Note 10 Pro
- Screen: 6.67″ (2400×1080), 120Hz
- Cameras: 108 + 8 + 5 + 2 MP
- Battery: 5020 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G
- Memory: from 6/64 GB
Another star among budget smartphones is the latest Redmi Note 10 Pro. The base model with a memory capacity of 6/64 GB will cost only $280. There are also options with 8/128 GB. The gadget is available in three beautiful colors: blue, bronze (more like peach) and gray onyx.
Redmi Note 10 Pro is one of the most affordable smartphones with a screen that supports 120Hz. Thanks to the gaming processor and the high refresh rate of the display, the gadget is great for gaming. We also note a system of four cameras with a resolution of 108 megapixels – by combining 9 pixels into one frame, they are clear even in poor lighting conditions. In addition, the gadget comes with a fast charger that charges it by about 60% in the first half hour.
One Plus 9 Pro
One Plus 9 Pro
- Screen: 6.7″ (3216×1440), 120Hz
- Cameras: 48 + 50 + 8 + 2 MP
- Battery: 4500 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
- Memory: from 8/128 GB
OnePlus 9 Pro is the current flagship of the brand without any compromises. It received a top-end Snapdragon 888 processor, an impressive amount of memory (12/256 GB in the older version), a 120 Hz LTPO screen and a quad camera created in collaboration with Hasselblad. She knows how to calibrate colors in order to convey them in the most natural way in the photo, regardless of the lighting. Interestingly, the ultra wide-angle sensor here has a higher resolution than the main one – 50 megapixels versus 48 megapixels. This allows you to capture clearer landscapes and photographs of architecture. Also, the smartphone can record video in 8K.
OnePlus uses proprietary Warp Charge 65T fast charging technology, which charges from 1% to 100% in just 29 minutes. Perhaps at the moment this is the fastest indicator of charging speed.
Huawei nova 9
Huawei nova 9
- Screen: 6.57″ (2340×1080), 120Hz
- Cameras: 50 + 8 + 2 + 2 MP
- Battery: 4300 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 778G
- Memory: 8/128 GB
In the ranking of smartphones in 2022, we have included the latest gadget of the company at the moment – nova 9. It also boasts some flagship features: a screen with 120 Hz support and E Ink mode; super-fast charging – up to 50% in the first 15 minutes; the Snapdragon 778G gaming processor, with which you can even play Genshin.
Note that the smartphone does not support Google services and works with its own AppGallery app store.
Samsung Galaxy A72
- Screen: 6.7″ (2400×1080), 90Hz
- Cameras: 64 + 12 + 8 + 5 MP
- Battery: 5000 mAh
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 720G
- Memory: from 6/128 GB
Another non-flagship device that deserves to be in the ranking of the best smartphones of 2022. The Samsung Galaxy A series is a great choice for those who want a device with up-to-date specs without overpaying for fancy features like a top-end processor or 120Hz frequency. Galaxy A72 is equipped with a huge screen with a high resolution and a 90 Hz scan, runs all modern games at medium and maximum settings and takes good photos at 64 megapixels.
The model also has a cool design: a matte body with a camera neatly integrated into it looks original and distinguishes the Galaxy A72 from the mass of other gadgets. Thanks to 25W fast charging, the smartphone replenishes 50% of the battery in half an hour. Unlike the flagships, here the memory is included.
