What Is The Best Review On The Newest Cell Phones

We all covet those little rectangles in our pockets. Smartphones play a massive part in our day-to-day lives, only buying the perfect smartphone can be an arduous task. However, don't fret – we're here to help you purchase the all-time smartphone for y'all.

READ Side by side: Best phone camera

We've painstakingly put every smartphone to the test, with the best coverage in the Great britain, and so we can aid yous make a buying decision. Our best smartphone 2022 roundup is ever kept upward to appointment, then be sure to bank check back often.

All-time smartphone: At a glance

All-time smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best-value smartphone: Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
Best Apple smartphone: iPhone xiii Pro
Best smartphone camera: Google Pixel 6

How to buy the best smartphone for y'all

Finding the right smartphone for your budget can be tricky, peculiarly when there are and so many expensive contracts to sift through. To make things easier, we've rounded up everything you need to know about ownership your perfect smartphone, as well as what you need to know almost picking out a contract.

Should I buy a smartphone on contract or SIM-free?

Generally speaking, buying a telephone unlocked and SIM-free is the best pick, as y'all can use any SIM you lot like and sell the phone when you lot want to upgrade, but you lot exercise have to accept the money upfront. If you tin't stomach the upfront toll, get with a contract, but work out the full price of information technology over the catamenia to make certain you aren't getting ripped off: if you can afford a bit more upfront, you'll most likely save over the contract'south length.

Which smartphone operating arrangement do I demand?

In that location are two smartphone operating systems to decide from in 2022: iOS and Android.

Yous'll merely find iOS on Apple'south ain smartphones. Typically, iOS gets apps starting time and is a wonderfully slick Bone. It isn't as customisable as Android, but there's no doubt that it'south incredibly easy to use.

Android has a much wider accomplish than its Apple analogue and is plant on the majority of smartphones on the market place. In that location are many different versions of Google's operating system available, though. Generally speaking, you'll want a phone running Android 11 or college, as older versions volition now be outdated. Manufacturers ofttimes customise their ain versions of Android, which means that the experience tin differ between handsets.

READ NEXT: Best Android smartphone

What should I expect for in a smartphone display?

As nearly smartphones are controlled entirely with their touchscreens, the size and quality of a handset's display are very important. A larger screen will make everything easier to read and is particularly useful for web browsing, simply a big display makes for a large phone that you may observe harder to carry around.

A screen'due south pixel density, measured in pixels per inch (ppi), volition give you an idea of how articulate and sharp text volition appear on a screen – a smaller number of pixels stretched beyond a huge screen, for example, volition lead to jagged edges. Screen technology tin can besides exist very important, with AMOLED screens and IPS being the two main technologies, each with their own pros and cons.

What most functioning and battery life?

Most smartphones are powered by octa-cadre processors these days. As a general rule, the clock speed of a processor (measured in GHz) shows how fast the phone is and will requite you lot a rough indication of how fluid the operating organization feels, every bit well equally how the phone copes with running apps and games.

READ NEXT: Best phone bombardment life

Alternatively, lengthy battery life is one of the biggest things you need to look for when picking up a new phone. Our battery tests help yous make the right decision nearly the handset that's correct for you, but by and large speaking the bigger the phone's battery chapters (measured in mAh), the longer it volition last on a single accuse.

How much smartphone storage do I need?

Mostly speaking, a minimum of 64GB of onboard storage is fine if in that location's a microSD slot, simply you lot'll before long find the internal storage filling upward rapidly. With more of an emphasis on smartphone cameras in recent years, it's likely that your Instagram snaps volition exist the master culprit in using upwardly your storage so we recommend at to the lowest degree 64GB to get yous started.

How does Good Reviews exam smartphones?

When a handset arrives for review, nosotros exam it using a number of benchmarking methods. Nosotros typically kickoff with CPU and GPU processing, where we utilize the Geekbench 5 and GFXBench applications found in the Google Play Store and Apple App Shop – these provide united states with a prepare of scores which we utilize to compare against similarly priced rivals. A phone's screen is tested using DisplayCAL software and a display colorimeter. This gives united states of america an authentic reading of how skillful the display is at reproducing colours, as well as maximum brightness and contrast.

Next up is battery life. This is where we use our in-house video rundown test, which displays a looped video with flight fashion enabled and the screen set to 170cd/m2 brightness. We simply play the video and tape the timestamp when we offset kicking up the phone after it runs dry. A telephone's cameras are put to the test in a diversity of shooting scenarios, including scenic shots, low-lite and indoor photography as well as rapid video panning in a range of modes.

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The best smartphones to buy in 2022

1. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: The all-time smartphone of 2022

Price: From £i,149 lPurchase now from Amazon

Latest Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra contract deals

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a flagship smartphone of rare stardom. The nearly complete high0end handset the company has produced to date, itmight cost you lot a bit more than other handsets on this list, but the S22 Ultra is the very all-time Android smartphone currently on the market.

Samsung's latest big-screened beauty has received a bit of a facelift this year, with a new Burgundy color and a fancy new camera array. Internal upgrades to Samsung's ain Exynos 2200 processor makes this one of the about powerful smartphones we've ever tested, too. Likewise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra'due south cameras continue to print, with improved zoom images.

Just perchance the biggest new addition this yr is the inclusion of Samsung's Due south Pen stylus. Borrowed from the Note line, this dinky doodler is a great tool, and its something worth spending actress for.

If you're later on the very all-time that Android tin can muster, and then brand no mistake, it doesn't go much better than the Milky way S22 Ultra.

Read our full Samsung Milky way S22 Ultra review for more details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-cadre ii.8GHz Samsung Exynos 2200; Screen: 6.8in, three,088 ten i,440; Camera:108MP, 10MP (10x zoom), 10MP (3x zoom);128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB; Operating arrangement: Android 12

two. Xiaomi Redmi Notation eleven: The all-time upkeep buy

Cost:£199 | Buy now from Amazon

Smartphone flagships are getting better and better, but with these top-notch innovations comes an increased cost. Paying about 4 figures for the latest tiptop-end smartphone only isn't doable for almost consumers, but thankfully Xiaomi'due south Redmi Notation 11 provides a flagship experience at a vastly reduced toll.

Xiaomi's cheapo handset has seriously reset the benchmark of what to await from a smartphone in 2022. Equipped with a surprisingly speedy Snapdragon 680 processor, the Redmi Note xi outperforms phones that price twice the price, and and so some. Its quadruple-camera array is also excellent for the toll, every bit is the large vi.43in FHD+ screen with 90Hz refresh rate.

In fact, the Redmi Notation eleven doesn't really neglect in any area, especially when you consider how footling it costs. If you're in the market for a new telephone in 2022 and don't have a huge corporeality to spend, then the Redmi Note 11 is absolutely where your wallet should be headed.

Read our full Xiaomi Redmi Notation xi review for more details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-cadre ii.4GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 680; Screen: 6.43in, ii,400 x ane,080; Camera: 50MP, 8MP (wide), 2MP (macro) and 2MP (depth); Storage: 128GB, 2556GB; Operating system: Android eleven

3. Google Pixel 6: Pixel perfect

Cost: £599 | Buy at present from Amazon

Latest Google Pixel 6 contract deals

Essentially cheaper than the residue of the flagship-course handsets on this listing, Google's Pixel 6 is yet again a true Android bout de force. Not merely does it vastly undercut rivals in terms of price, but it matches them in terms of operation as well, thanks to Google's new Tensor chipset. A significant speed boost over last twelvemonth'southward model– a 75% increase in our tests– the Pixel 6's dual cameras are also practically flawless, chirapsia out the more expensive Galaxy S21 and iPhone 12 Pro in terms of clarity, detail and color reproduction.

It's also the perfect flag bearer for Android 12. In that location's no better showcase of Google's latest version of its mobile operating organisation, ushering in a radically updated look and feel, courtesy of the new "Material Y'all" design language. If you're a keen lensman, or y'all're simply later the very best that Android can get, so the Pixel six certainly won't disappoint.

Read our full Google Pixel six review for more details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-cadre 2.8GHz Google Tensor; Screen: 6.4in, 2,400 ten i,080; Photographic camera: 50MP, 12MP wide; Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 12

4. OnePlus 10 Pro: The best-value smartphone

Price: £799 l Buy at present from Amazon

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, as impressive as information technology may exist, is still a phone reserved for the plumpest of wallets. Thankfully, as far as getting the best value for coin is concerned, OnePlus has stepped in with the 10 Pro – a formidable flagship that's flood with features at a reduced cost.

In that location's a lot to like here, too. Performance is height-notch courtesy of the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen ane chipset, and bombardment life is rather impressive equally well. The new design is too a bit of an eye-catcher and we were impressed with the OnePlus 10 Pro'due south cameras in testing – specially when information technology came to x-bit colour and RAW+ capture. The only slight downside is the lack of an IP68 protection rating, but that'due south about the only compromise. if you can look by this slight negative, then in that location's no doubt that you're getting an atrocious lot for your money.

Read our full OnePlus ten Pro review for more than details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-cadre 3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon eight Gen 1;Screen: 6.7in, 3,216 ten i,440;Photographic camera: 48MP, 8MP (zoom) 50MP (wide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB;Operating system: Android 12

5. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4: The best folding phone

Price: £999 | Buy now from Amazon

Folding phones might notwithstanding be getting off the footing, but the Milky way Z Flip iv is a non-conventional flagship worth buying. Offering peace of mind features such as IPX8-rated waterproofing, besides as a difficult-wearing "Armor Aluminium" frame, the Flip 4 not but looks the role, but information technology'due south as well a impuissant-proof folding phone also. Qualcomm'due south Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen one powers things, providing a huge processing boost over last year'due south model, and the main brandish's refresh rate is a generous 120Hz, too.

Best of all, however, is that the Flip 4 is still the cheapest folding phone on the marketplace right now. Priced the same as a regular-sized flagship, the Flip 4 is a much more tantalising suggestion. Now's the time to jump aboard the folding bandwagon.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Z Flip four review for more than details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-core 3.19GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus gen ane; Screen: 6.7in, ii,640 ten i,080 (cover: 1.9in, 512 x 260); Camera: 12MP, 12MP (broad); Storage: 128GB, 256GB; Operating system: Android 12

half-dozen. Nokia C21 Plus: The best smartphone for £100

Toll: £100 | Purchase now from Amazon

The Nokia C21 Plus is a perfect example of not judging a phone based solely on how much (or in this case, how little) it costs. For less than £100, the Nokia C21 Plus does everything any other smartphone is capable of doing, and you tin can purchase well-nigh ten of these for the toll of just one iPhone 13. Naturally, there are a handful of drawbacks; operation is a chip on the slow side and it merely charges via Micro-USB only for the nigh role, the Nokia C21 Plus is a solid budget pick for those that don't fancy spending triple figures.

You might exist able to find better low-priced handsets if you're willing to spend but a little fleck more, just if your budget is limited, you tin can't do much better than the Nokia C21 Plus when information technology comes downwards to sheer affordability.

Read our full Nokia C21 Plus review for more details

Primal specs – Processor: Quad-cadre 1.6GHz Unisoc SC9863A; Screen: 6.52in, i,600 x 720; Camera: 13MP, 2MP (depth); Storage: 32GB; Operating organization: Android 11 Go

Buy now from Amazon

7. Apple tree iPhone thirteen Pro: Excessive excellence

Price: £949 | Buy now from Amazon

Latest iPhone 13 Pro contract deals

What's so special about Apple'south latest flagship? Well, aside from its wallet-scaring configuration options, the iPhone 13 Pro represents a handful of subtle tweaks on acme of last year'due south iPhone 12 Pro.

Notwithstanding once more, Apple's A15 Bionic chipset is the fastest around, even surpassing the mighty functioning of Snapdragon 888-equipped flagships. Information technology'southward also the first iPhone with a 120Hz brandish, while the master photographic camera has inherited the sensor-shift stabilisation tech from last twelvemonth'south iPhone 12 Pro Max, with a slightly larger sensor and bigger pixels to boot. It's non the most groundbreaking of updates, merely if y'all're an Apple devotee that happens to be nearing the end of a 24-month contract, and then it doesn't get much better than this.

Read our full iPhone xiii Pro review for more than details

Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 3.22GHz Apple A15 Bionic; Screen: six.1in, 2,532 x ane,170; Camera: 12MP, 12MP (3x zoom), 12MP (wide); Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB; Operating system: Apple iOS 15

viii. OnePlus Nord CE ii 5G: Just superb value

Price: £299 | Purchase now from Amazon

Despite OnePlus continuing to move away from its flagship-killing roots in recent releases, the Taiwanese phone house however releases cut-priced handsets, this time in the form of the OnePlus Nord CE two 5G. Information technology's non as feature-rich as the OnePlus x Pro, but for less than half the toll, the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is astonishing value for money.

In about areas, the OnePlus Nord CE 25G is just every bit good, if not ameliorate in some cases. It has 5G support (which at this cost is still a bit of a marvel), has a lovely 90Hz AMOLED brandish, and its 24-hour bombardment life is bluntly rather exceptional as well. There are a few downsides, of course, such every bit the lack of whatsoever official h2o and dust protection, only the OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G is a capable value phone, with decent operation and a prepare of cameras that deliver crisp, well-exposed photos in almost circumstances.

It does everything and then spectacularly, in fact, that little else comes close at this price. If you can't stretch your banking concern balance, and so the OnePlus Nord CE is a very good value alternative.

Read our full OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G review for more details

Primal specs – Processor: Octa-cadre ii.4GHz MediaTek Dimensity 900; Screen: 6.43in, 2,400 10 ane,080; Camera: 64MP, 8MP (broad) and 2MP (depth); Storage: 128GB; Operating system: Android eleven

Buy now from Amazon

9. Oppo Find X5 Pro: A flagship powerhouse

Price: £1,049 | Buy now from Amazon

If you lot're peckish something off the well-trodden path, and yous've got flagship-sized sums to splurge on, then look no further than the Oppo Detect X5 Pro. Equipped with all the usual flagship trappings, as well as a handful of unique quirks – especially when information technology comes to design – the Oppo Detect X5 Pro is a bit of a argument.

Information technology benefits from Qualcomm's stonkingly fast Snapdragon eight Gen 1 chipset, which in our tests proved to be quite efficient, outperforming its predecessor in the stamina stakes by over six hours. When the phone does (eventually) need to be recharged, you can also make use of the 80W fast charging, which gets the phone up to 50% from zero in just over 10 minutes.

It likewise happens to be the sort of phone that turns heads when y'all pull it out of your pocket. The Find X5 Pro's unibody course factor is truly one-of-a-kind, with a reflective ceramic canvass seamlessly wrapping effectually the rear camera housing. It's quite special, and definitely the sort of thing that might edge it if yous were undecided between this and the Milky way S22 Ultra. And if you needed a bit more convincing, it's likewise £100 cheaper than Samsung'due south top-stop flagship, too.

Read our total Oppo Find X5 Pro review for more details

Key specs – Processor: Octa-core 3GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1; Scree n: half-dozen.7in, 3,216 x 1,440; Camera: 50MP, 13MP (zoom), 50MP (wide) Storage: 256GB, 512GB; Operating organization: Android 12

Buy at present from Amazon

10. iPhone SE 3 (2022): The best-value iPhone

Price: £419 | Buy now from Amazon

Latest iPhone SE 3 contract deals

With the iPhone SE 3 (2022), you're getting a heck of a lot of smartphone for not a lot of much coin. It might look like a fleck of a relic – information technology shares the same blueprint as the 2017 iPhone viii – but the iPhone SE 3 is Apple'due south best-value handset however. Why? Well, it'south all nigh what's within: the iPhone SE three (2022) uses the A15 Bionic chipset, which is the aforementioned processor shared by the pricier iPhone xiii.

That means you go the same levels of performance achieved by those high-priced flagships, at just a fraction of the cost. Besides, the unmarried 12MP photographic camera might seem unassuming at first but actually manages to become toe-to-toe with the iPhone 13 in terms of sheer item capture, especially when it comes to low-light photography.

The only fly in the ointment is that the iPhone SE 3'southward battery life is quite poor by modern standards. Still, if you lot have this amount to spend and y'all'd rather non apply a big-screened handset, and then the iPhone SE 3 (2022) remains a worthy pick. It may be the cheapest iPhone, merely it's still mightily impressive.

Read our full iPhone SE 3 (2022) review for more than details

Key specs – Processor: Hexa-cadre 3.23GHz Apple A13 Bionic; Screen: four.7in, 1,334 10 750; Camera: 12MP; Storage: 64GB, 128GB, 256GB; Operating organization: iOS 15