Although 2022 is about to come to an end, the year saw the release of some truly exceptional smartphones. Our definitive list of the ten best phones has everything you need, whether you're looking for performance, camera quality, or value. Check out all ten phones because the best phone on this list won't be right for everyone. The camera, battery life, design, specifications, price, and other factors all play a role in determining the best phone for you. Of course, Samsung and Apple are there, but if you look at Android rivals like OnePlus, Google, Oppo, and Xiaomi, you might find your ideal pocket companion. Trust us when we say that these phones all perform, albeit in slightly different ways, which is a good thing. Everyone gets better phones when there is competition!

Best smartphone 2022

1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra – Best overall phone

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is unquestionably a full-blown successor to the Note 20 Ultra from 2020, despite the fact that the S21 Ultra featured a few features similar to those on the Note. Despite its high price, it is the best phone overall due to its outstanding performance and well-balanced features.

The design stands out from the other Galaxy S22 models, which are very "Note-like," and it has an integrated S Pen stylus that gives it more functionality than most of its competitors, especially in terms of productivity.

Despite its similar-looking camera hardware, Samsung's upgrades make it one of the best phone systems currently available; with the main camera with 108 Megapixels and a wide-angle and two telephoto lenses with varying levels of zoom, the zoom performance being particularly improved over previous models.

The broad 6.8in LTPO AMOLED show conveys both a high WQHD+ goal and a versatile revive rate up to 120Hz, while long haul programming support that outperforms even Google's Pixels balances an amazing rundown of experts. It's a real winner if you can handle its enormous size, and its five years of software support are the best in Android land.

2. iPhone 14 Pro – Best iPhone

It comes as a pleasant surprise that the iPhone 14 Pro is such a step up from its predecessor because the regular iPhone 14 is only a very minor update over the iPhone 13. Even though some of the changes are superficial, it's hard not to notice them when a major visual overhaul like Dynamic Island debuts. Apple has transformed its well-known screen notch below the top bezel into a pill and a circular shape, but it has also filled in the empty space with black pixels. It has also used animations to have notifications and updates from apps come from space, using the cutouts that are now used for cameras on most phones. You can see what music is playing, the time, the weather, and more all the time at the top of the screen without having to open the app. The iPhone's first 48Mp sensor allows for 2x zoom cropping, a 3x telephoto lens, and a capable ultrawide. The phone's cameras are also exceptionally good. In addition, Apple has finally released an always-on display that, at least in our testing, dims your lock screen without affecting battery life. It is not a significant improvement over the 13 Pro, but if you have a phone that is three or four years old, this iPhone will appear light years ahead of its time.

3. Oppo Find X5 Pro – Superb cameras

By any standard, the Oppo Find X5 Pro is an outstanding smartphone. Oppo backs its 6.7-inch 10-bit 120Hz QHD+ display with 80W wired and 50W wireless charging, a 5000mAh battery, and a top-tier camera with 50Mp sensors on both the main and ultrawide lenses, making it one of the best displays currently available on a smartphone. You'll need to live without a periscopic long-range focal point - the fax here is a measly 2x zoom - yet results across every one of the three back focal points is remarkable. The phone's design is also unique due to the camera module's seamless slope, which is embedded in the ceramic of the phone's body. With all of the aforementioned features, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 256GB of storage, and 12GB of RAM, the Find X5 Pro is also hard to beat when it comes to pure performance. Because it's not cheap, you just have to be willing to pay the price.

4.  Google Pixel 7 Pro – Best user experience

By enhancing the display, battery life, and cameras of the Pixel 7 Pro, Google continues its major reimagining of the 6 Pro. The 7 Pro is the best Pixel to date and a true "kitchen sink" device: it's big and heavy, and you might not like the design, but it delivers an outstanding Android experience.

The Pixel 7 Pro is the best phone option if you don't like iOS and don't need the S-Pen on the S22 Ultra. It's also cheaper than the two phones above it on this list. With Google's superior software processing, this is one of the most satisfying point-and-shoot cameras you can keep in your pocket. It takes amazing still photos that are among the best and most consistent of any phone.

In addition, there are a plethora of clever Pixel-exclusive features, such as Live Transcribe for deaf and hard-of-hearing users and Magic Eraser, which can remove unwanted people and objects from photos. Samsung and Apple outpace Google in this regard, with Google promising five years of security updates and only three years of Android updates.

However, if you prefer your smartphone software to be playful and customizable, the Pixel is the device for you. In the event that you need a more modest telephone, the Pixel 7 is likewise brilliant yet comes up short on a 5x zooming focal point seen as on the Expert.

5. iPhone 14 – Superb all-rounder

The iPhone 14 isn't comparable to the iPhone 14 Genius yet it costs less - regardless of whether it is essentially an iPhone 13 with another name. The only notable additions to the 13 are the admittedly impressive stabilization video mode known as Action Mode and a marginally improved main camera.

The bottom line is that you shouldn't upgrade from an iPhone 13, but this is currently the go-to iPhone for most people. There is also car crash detection, which you hopefully won't need. Despite not having a telephoto lens, the cameras are of the highest quality and the battery life is excellent.

iOS is software that is extremely stable, as is always the case with Apple. The built quality is the best in the business. Additionally, you can get a repair done at any Apple Store and receive software updates for approximately five years. The iPhone 14 Plus has a larger screen and more battery life, but we prefer the smaller model.

6. Google Pixel 6a – Best value

Even though the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro have bigger screens, better cameras, and are more expensive, the Pixel 6a, which costs $449, is the phone that most people should buy. You get the same flagship-level performance as the 6 and 6 Pro for the asking price thanks to the Google Tensor chip. This Pixel is faster than the previous Pixels in the A-series. The screen only has a 60Hz refresh rate, charging is sluggish at 18W, and the plastic back easily scratches. Additionally, instead of the Pixel 6's 50Mp camera, there is only a 12.2Mp main camera. With three years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates, this is close to the Pixel experience at a great price.

7. Vivo X80 Pro – Outstanding cameras

With the X80 Pro, a phone with a camera that rivals the best that Apple, Samsung, and Google have to offer, Vivo has nailed it. Four rear lenses are powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, the primary of which is a superbly capable 50Mp sensor. The Vivo V1+ image processing chip is present in every lens, and the telephoto lens features gimbal stabilization to improve zoom shots' clarity. It has a very extensive feature set, and the low-light photography is excellent. You have a powerful camera in your pocket when you add excellent video modes with cinema-wide aspect ratios and grain that looks like film. You will need to be content with a 6.78-inch AMOLED because the phone is large. It has a resolution of QHD+ and a 120Hz LTPO with a variable refresh rate. The phone's shortcomings include the irritating software and the absence of Gorilla Glass, a proven scratch and crack the protection on the front and back. However, if you want a premium camera on your phone's back, this is yet another Vivo innovation you should seriously consider.

8. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – Best foldable

Samsung has made the Z Flip 4 an all-day phone with the same main and ultrawide cameras as the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, addressing the Z Flip 3's poor battery life and average camera performance for the price. This indicates that, at a cost comparable to flagship slab smartphones, this is the best foldable phone available today. We are unable to test the Flip's durability; however, Samsung claims that it will last for at least 200,000 open and close motions, or roughly five years of typical use. Durability concerns regarding the display and its crease remain. Because of the improved energy efficiency of the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, which is responsible for the improved battery, you will no longer need to charge the Flip halfway through the day. Although 256GB of storage may require a little more money, 8GB of RAM is sufficient. We also like the fingerprint sensor that is mounted on the side. This is, to all intents and purposes, an improved S22 that folds down to half its size and has a faster processor. One of the best phones overall, it's compelling.

9. OnePlus 10 Pro – Best for customizable software

The most recent flagship phone from OnePlus is a good alternative to devices like the S22 and Pixel 6 series, especially if you live in the United States and don't have many other high-end Android options. With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and fast 80W wired charging, the 10 Pro has core specs that are comparable to those of its rivals. We also like the sleek design, though not everyone does. Even though Oxygen OS software has undergone a redesign in recent years, it is still one of the most customizable Android skins available, allowing you to really personalize this phone. Even with Hasselblad's help, the phone's camera system is still its biggest flaw and what sets it apart from the more expensive but similar-specced Oppo Find X5 Pro. While the rear triple sensor setup is impressive, inconsistencies, particularly in exposure, only serve to remind us that it is not among the best, making it a little more difficult to recommend; despite the fact that OxygenOS provides an excellent user experience and ranks among the best flagship battery life currently available.

10. Motorola Edge 30 Ultra – Outstanding battery life

We were pleasantly surprised by the Edge 30 Ultra because there aren't many Motorola phones these days that catch our attention, especially at the high end. If you want a 144Hz OLED, which is typically only found in flashy gaming phones, this is one of the best phones of 2022 and a reasonable purchase.

The phone's performance is outstanding thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset. Additionally, the slightly curved display and matt satin-like sheen on the rear glass makes it very comfortable to hold. The dependable two-day battery life, which is superior to that of the other phones on this list, maybe the best feature of all.

The Edge 30 Ultra is a formidable Android option when you consider that it supports 125W of super-fast wired charging with the included charger. Software updates for three years are about right, but the camera is a little disappointing and does not fully waterproof. Aside from that, this is an excellent phone at a great price.

Your buying guide for the best phones in 2022

While picking a telephone you ought to think about these things: design and build quality, usability, features, performance, and value

A flagship phone in 2022 will typically start around £700, but in some cases, it may cost more than £1,000. On average, a contract will cost you between £30 and £ 50 per month, but if you want a pricey phone and a lot of mobile data, you can spend a lot more.

Despite the fact that flagship phones are prominently featured on this list, it is important to note that this list does not specifically highlight the best smartphones currently available.

You will typically get the best deal if you buy a phone outright, but we understand that real-world finances may not always allow for such significant one-time purchases. In addition to the phone, you will undoubtedly require a SIM card and plan if at all possible.