Are you looking for a new smartphone? Competition is fierce in this increasingly crowded niche, with several high-quality devices that are loaded with performance and the latest technology. Besides familiar options from trusted brands, such as Apple and Samsung, plenty of up-and-coming phones are worth a look, especially if you don't want to pay a premium price. Here are the best new smartphones of 2022.
1. iPhone 13 Pro ? Starting at $999 (128GB)
The iPhone 13 Pro hits the sweet spot between performance and value, making it one of this year's best smartphones. It's not as expensive as the iPhone 13 Pro Max, which starts at $1,099, yet shares many of the same features. If you don't mind the slightly smaller screen ? 6.1 vs. 6.7 inches ? you can save money without sacrificing performance.
Both iPhone models have Super Retina XDR displays with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz. That means smoother viewing, especially when gaming, taking photos, watching videos, and streaming content. The XDR displays have high brightness and premium contrast compared to the base iPhone 13 and other smartphones without this technology.
The entire iPhone 13 series runs on the A15 Bionic chip and a six-core central processing unit (CPU). It makes tasks faster and more seamless, whether you're gaming, opening an app, browsing the web, or streaming content. This chip is also highly efficient and sips power to ensure the battery lasts longer throughout the day. The iPhone 13 Pro delivers up to 22 hours of video playback, while the Pro Max offers up to 28 hours.
Storage options range from 128GB to 1TB on the Pro and Pro Max models. That's plenty of room for up to hundreds of photos, videos, and files. However, that extra storage space bumps up the Pro's price tag to $1,499 for 1TB and $1,299 for 512GB.
2. Google Pixel 6 Pro ? Starts at $899 (128GB)
Is a stunning display at the top of your list? The Google Pixel 6 Pro has QHD+ technology, which has more pixels than the FHD+ screens on many similarly priced smartphones. From better resolution to sharper images, the difference can be noticeable. This is especially true for phones with larger displays, such as the 6.7-inch display on the Pixel 6 Pro, as you'll want more pixels to maintain clarity. Combined with a 120Hz refresh rate, games and videos look better with smoother actions and reduced motion blur.
From group shots to selfies to natural scenery, the 50MP camera delivers sharper pictures in many different settings. A laser-detect auto-focus sensor keeps the focus on the subject so you can focus on taking the shot. Optical image stabilization (OIS) detects movement and automatically adjusts on wide and telephoto shots.
The Pixel 6 series doesn't completely reinvent the wheel in terms of performance, but it has a significantly refreshed design and several new features compared to the previous version. One example is the Android 12 operating system which includes an always-on display that changes colors depending on whether you have notifications. The Material You design also offers a fresh and vibrant look over its predecessors.
If you're torn between the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the iPhone 13 Pro, there are a few differences to consider besides price. The iPhone 13 Pro has a brighter screen and beat the Pixel 6 Pro in a single-core GeekBench test.
3. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra ? Starts at $1199 (128GB)
Tied with the Motorola moto g Stylus 5G for the largest screen on this list, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a 6.8-inch Edge Quad HD+ display. The big difference between the two is that the S22 Ultra has QHD+ technology, compared to the FHD+ display on the Stylus 5G.
This could at least partially explain the huge price difference, as everything you view on the S22 Ultra will look crisper and clearer. If you spend a lot of time gaming, reading, or looking at the screen, you may also notice less eye strain with the QHD+ display.
Featuring a brightness of 1750 nits and a 120Hz refresh rate, the Ultra's screen is also easier to see in bright sunlight and scrolls smoothly without a lag when you're watching content. It's the only phone in the S22 series with a QHD screen, as the S22 and S22+ have Flat FHD+ displays.
Powering this phone is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which is comparable to the iPhone 13's A15 Bionic chip in terms of CPU and gaming performance. However, the iPhone 13 may have the edge when it comes to battery life. The good news is that the S22 Ultra has 45W super-fast charging, and a few minutes on the charger can give it plenty of juice to get through the day.
If you're into selfies, the 40MP Selfie Camera will make you look good from any angle, even in low-light conditions. There's up to 1TB of storage space to save your favorite photos and videos. To edit photos, take notes, or draw on the go, it's also the only Galaxy that's compatible with the S Pen.
4. Motorola moto g Stylus 5G ? Starts at $349 (512GB)
Offering several premium features at a reasonable price, the Stylus 5G from Motorola proves that you don't have to empty your wallet to get a fast and reliable phone that's loaded with features. If you often work or read on the go, the built-in Stylus lets you edit photos easily, write naturally, and navigate settings precisely. Then there's Live Message, which lets you animate your illustrations and instantly share them.
If you love taking selfies, the upscale 50MP camera system delivers clear photos even in low-light settings. It's easy to see fine details on the 6.8-inch screen, which is one of the biggest on a smartphone in 2022. Whether you're editing photos or streaming content, the 120Hz refresh rate offers fluid viewing without a lag.
All these features require plenty of juice, and the 5000mAh battery delivers. It lasts up to two days and rapidly recharges with the Motorola TurboPower charger.
For only $349, you'll get a massive 512GB of storage. Unlike most other smartphones, however, there are no additional storage options. The FHD+ display may also be disappointing if you're looking for maximum clarity and color contrast. Those features are enhanced on QHD+ displays, which the Stylus 5G doesn't have. If you want to save money and don't need a better screen, this phone is worth a close look.
5. OnePlus 10 Pro 5G ? Starts at $899 (128GB)
Sitting in the shadows of the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy 22 series is the OnePlus 10 Pro 5G. It's a sleeper but is a worthy alternative to some of the premium smartphones, especially if you're into gaming. A HyperBoost gaming engine unlocks next-level gaming while a GPA Frame Stabilizer delivers smooth frame rates. Enhanced by Dolby Atmos speakers, it's ready for hours of intense gaming.
Gaming aside, there's also a sharp 6.7-inch QHD+ display with exacting color accuracy. Equipped with a 120Hz refresh rate, you can play games, watch movies, and stream content without a noticeable lag. A 48MP main camera gives photos a high-quality appearance, even when zooming in.
Smartphone processors can impact everything from power consumption to overall performance. This phone runs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which slightly edges the A15 Bionic ? found in the iPhone 13 series ? when it comes to gaming performance. However, the A15 is better for battery life and CPU performance. Rounding out this phone's list of features is the OxygenOS 12 operating system, which is based on the same Android 12 found in the Google Pixel 6 Pro.
