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in our mindsSamsung is the best phone brand to choose in 2022. It produces excellent phones at a range of price points and has even managed to improve its lackluster track record of software updates.
AppleAndGoogleBoth hot on Samsung's heels - the two tech giants each produce fantastic phone brands with the ubiquitous iPhone and the ever-evolving Google Pixel series. And whileOnePlusAndMotorolaare not the first choice for many, they represent excellent options - both flagship and budget - for those who want to stand out from the typical top 3.
Of course, while individual phone models are important, choosing the right phone brand will help you gain long-term insight into how your phone will be supported for years to come.
Top 5 mobile phone brands in the world
- Samsung- There's a Samsung for everyone, from the budget M series and excellent mid-range A series to the flagship S and Note series. It even makes foldable phones
- Apple- The iPhones are almost unmatched when it comes to hardware quality and the company continues to set standards in design
- Google- Google's growing range of phones includes everything from flagship phones to exceptional and affordable phones
- OnePlus- Continues to offer mid-range flagship features, with high-end functionality, top-notch performance, and impressive hardware
- Motorola- It's not 2006 anymore, but Motorola still knows how to blow the mind of a premium mid-range phone
The smartphone market has never been more competitive, and all of the phone brands above have some awesome (and not-so-awesome) devices to choose from.
In the table below we've rounded up our top picks for the best phones you can buy right now across a range of top phone brands:
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Preis | screen size | screen type OLEDs are generally better, but LCDs are cheaper. | screen resolution The higher the numbers, the better - in general. | operating system | battery size Measured in milliamp hours. The bigger the number, the better. | processor | RAM Measured in gigabytes, more RAM allows phones to handle more tasks at the same time. | waterproofness | buy now | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6.8 inches | 6.1 inches | 6.4 inches | 6.7 inches |
| |||||||
OLED | OLED | OLED | OLED | LCD | |||||||
3088×1440 | 2532×1170 | 2400×1080 | 3216×1440 | 2460×1080 | |||||||
Android 12 | iOS 15 | Android 12 | OxygenOS (based on Android 12) | Android 11 | |||||||
5000 mAh | 3095 mAh | 4614 mAh | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |||||||
Löwenmaul 8 Gen 1 SM8450 | A15 Bionisch | Google-Tensor | Löwenmaul 8 Gen 1 SM8450 | Mediatek Helio G88 | |||||||
8GB or 12GB | 6GB | 8GB | 8GB | 6GB | |||||||
IP68 | IP68 | IPX8 | IP68 | N / A | |||||||
We also look at the best phone brands by budget. Whether you're looking to spend less than $300 or triple that, we'll help you find the perfect phone.
- Best Cell Phones Under $300
- The Best Cell Phones Under $500
- Best phones under $750
- Beste Phone a die 1,000 $
Comparison of phone brands
No brand of phone is perfect, and each has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Samsung phones have great hardware but sometimes struggle when it comes to Android and its own UI. In contrast, Apple has fantastic integration between hardware and its own operating system, but its phones are notoriously expensive.
Let's take a detailed look at each phone brand:
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Arguably the best phone out there right now, the S21 Ultra 5G is trueTower of Strengthwith premium hardware and Samsung's signature more-is-more approach to features.
The S22 Ultra features a huge 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3088×1440 and a 120Hz refresh rate for super-smooth scrolling. The S22 Ultra's screen even has rounded edges to make it feel even smaller in your hand. In addition, the S22 Ultra HDR10+ capable display can reach a very impressive brightness of 1750 nits.
The S22 Ultra is equipped with the latest and super powerful Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. You can also choose between 8GB and 12GB of RAM, and forgo the predecessor's unnecessary 16GB option.
The S22 Ultra sports four rear cameras: a 10-megapixel periscope lens for up to 10x optical zoom, another 10-megapixel telephoto lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a crazy 108-megapixel main lens for remarkable detail. You can also record up to 8K video at an admittedly slow 24fps. However, 4K videos can be recorded at up to 60 fps, and you can record 240 fps slow-motion videos at 1080p. There is a 40Mp selfie camera on the front, which can record videos with a resolution of up to 4K and 60 fps.
The S22 Ultra packs a huge 5,000mAh battery and can support up to 45W fast charging.
Prices start at a cool $1,199.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
specifications
Advertisement:6,8" OLED (3088×1440)
operating system: Android 12
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM:8 or 12GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP68
processor: Löwenmaul 8 Gen 1 SM8450
pricing
-
Preis: 1.199 $
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Samsung Galaxy A53
The Samsung A53 might not grab the headlines like Samsung's other phones, but it's a very impressive phone from the South Korean company.
Prices start at just449,99 $but you get a lot of value for your money. For starters, you get a 6.5-inch AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.
It has four rear cameras, including a 64-megapixel main lens, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and 5-megapixel depth and macro lenses for portrait modes and extreme close-ups, respectively. There's a 32-megapixel lens on the front - both the front and rear cameras let you record 4K video at 30 fps, while the rear lens also lets you record 1080p video at 60 fps.
The A53 is no slouch either, powered by the Samsung Exynos 1280 processor with a choice of 8GB or 12GB RAM. It also comes with a 5000mAh battery with 25W fast charging, which should give you 50% battery life with just half an hour of charging.
Samsung Galaxy A53
specifications
Advertisement:6,5" OLED (2400 x 1080)
operating system: Android 12
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM:6GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP67
processor: Samsung Exynos 1280
pricing
-
$449
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Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold3
If you're in the market for a foldable phone, you can't do much better than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3. It's quite pricey, but it offers a unique experience and is widely credited as one of the first foldable phones to really get it right.
When folded, the device sports a surprisingly respectable 6.2-inch OLED display with an admittedly lackluster 2268×832 resolution. Unfolded, the Z Fold3 sports a whopping 7.6-inch OLED display with the enhanced 2208× resolution 1768. Both offer 12oHz, which is always great for a smooth scrolling experience.
There isNOCrease, but it's certainly less pronounced than on previous models, which was easy to see from space.
Of course, the Galaxy Z Fold3 has some power to do with its brain. It uses Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and a very healthy 12GB of RAM. It also has a large 5000mAh battery and 45W fast charging.
Despite the foldable design, you still get the impressive cameras you've come to expect from Samsung, including another 108-megapixel main sensor on the rear and 10-megapixel periscope and telephoto options, as well as the 12-megapixel ultra-wide lens. There is a single 40Mp selfie camera on the front.
If the Galaxy Z Fold3 sounds like the kind of phone you need, you'll have to shell out upwards of $1,799.
Samsung Galaxy Z-Fold 3
specifications
Advertisement:Unfolded - 7.6 inch OLED (2208 x 1768)
Gefaltet - 6,2" OLED (2268x832)
operating system: Android 11
Battery: 4400 mAh
RAM:12 GB
Waterproof: Protection class IPX8
processor: Löwenmaul 888 5G
pricing
-
1.799 $
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apple-phone
The one you love to hate or actually love. Apple stands out from the crowd because it's the only manufacturer on this list that doesn't use Android. Its phones are outrageously expensive, although that doesn't seem to deter anyone from buying one.
Not sure which iPhone to get? Check out our simple guide,Which iPhone should I buy?
Apple iPhone 13 Pro
The iPhone 13 Pro is the latest version of Apple's beloved device, adding a better chip, camera system and display that should make you want to buy another one.
The iPhone 13 Pro is equipped with Apple's A15 Bionic chip, which has significantly improved the experience on Apple devices. It promises to be the most powerful processor of any phone out there, and with good reason. It's 5G-ready and coupled with 6GB of RAM, the largest of any iPhone ever, for fast performance.
It has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532 × 1170 that supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for excellent images. When it comes to cameras, the 13 Pro has three rear 12-megapixel lenses, made up of a standard wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, and an ultrawide unit. On the front is a 12-megapixel depth sensor lens.
However, the 3095 mAh battery is not the greatest. Apple doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to battery life, so keep that in mind before you pay$999for this device.
iPhone 13 pro
specifications
Advertisement:6,1" OLED (2532×1170)
operating system: iOS 15
Battery: 3095 mAh
RAM:6 GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP68
processor: A15 Bionisch
pricing
-
$999
GalerieClick to expand
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
While the iPhone 13 Pro is an exceptional phone, sometimes you need something bigger, and that's where the iPhone 13 Pro Max comes in handy.
This hefty device sports a 6.7-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532×1170 – which you'll probably recognize, as it's of course identical to the iPhone 12 except for the size. You also get access to the same A15 Bionic processor as iPhone 13 Pro users.
Admittedly, the price can be a little intimidating, especially when you're not getting much more than a larger screen. The iPhone 13 Pro Max still only has the three 12-megapixel rear cameras – an ultra-wide, a telephoto, and a wide-angle.
The iPhone 13 Pro Max will cost you1.099 $Today.
iPhone 13 Promax
specifications
Advertisement:6,7" OLED (2532×1170)
operating system: iOS 15
Battery: 4.352 mAh
RAM:6 GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP68
processor: A15 Bionisch
pricing
-
$1099
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Apple iPhone 13 Mini
The iPhone 13 Mini is by far the smallest new iPhone on the market - with a 5.2-inch AMOLED display.
A nostalgic play that works great for those with small hands, the iPhone 13 Mini is reminiscent of much older devices that were noticeably smaller and more manageable as a handheld device. However, you're missing some key features at this size, as it only offers a dual camera system, 12MP widescreen and ultrawide options, and the 12MP selfie camera on the front.
You still get the A15 chip, though, even when paired with the 2438mAh battery, which is decidedly small by this list's standards.
But hey, by$699For an iPhone, you could do a lot worse.
Verdict - Apple iPhones may be expensive, but they're excellent across the board, with the exception of battery life
iPhone 13 Mini
specifications
Advertisement:5.4" OLED (2340x1080)
operating system: iOS 15
Battery: 2406 mAh
RAM:4GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP68
processor: A15 Bionisch
pricing
-
$699
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google-phone
Google often seems to do its own thing when it comes to its smartphones - it doesn't try to compete with Samsung when it comes to cramming as much hardware into its phones as possible, nor does it try to copy Apple , by offering the most expensive phones on the market.
Instead, Google offers a range of affordable and generally well-designed phones with impressive cameras and an unmatched smooth Android experience.
Conclusion: Good phones with decent functions and sophisticated software
Google-Pixel 6
The Pixel 6 is Google's current (but soon to be phased out) flagship. However, it's not much more expensive than the 5a 5G, coming in at just $599. Granted, that's not a typical flagship price point, but Google seems reluctant to compete toe-to-toe with the big guns, instead focusing on offering better value for money.
The Pixel 6 sports a 6.4-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2400×1080 and a refresh rate of 90Hz. It's the first device to be powered by the Google Tensor chip, which comes with its already stellar software definitely offers an enhanced experience. It also comes in 8GB of RAM.
But again, we come back to the cameras. The Pixel 6 has two rear lenses: a 50MP main lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. You can record 4K video at up to 60 fps or 1080p video at up to 240 fps for really nice slow motion.
Google-Pixel 6
specifications
Advertisement:6,4" OLED (2400×1080)
operating system: Android 12
Battery: 4614 mAh
RAM:8GB
Waterproof: Protection class IPX8
processor: Google-Tensor
pricing
-
$599
GalerieClick to expand
Google Pixel 5a 5G
The Pixel 5a 5G is a very impressive phone that doesn't cost a lot of money.
For only$449You get a 5G-ready phone with the nimble Snapdragon 765G processor and 6GB of RAM. You get two rear-facing cameras: a 12.2MP main lens and a 16MP ultrawide lens. There is a single 8MP punch-hole camera on the front.
The screen is a 6.34-inch OLED with a resolution of 2400×1080. There's not a high refresh rate here -- at just 60Hz -- but for less than $500, that's not too much of an issue.
The main attraction, of course, is Google's software. The camera intelligence is fantastic, with brilliant low-light shots and remarkable post-processing. You also get the fastest Android software updates and a completely flawless experience.
Pixel 5a 5G
specifications
Advertisement:6,34" OLED (2400 x 1080)
operating system: Android 12
Battery: 4680 mAh
RAM:6GB
Waterproof: IPX7
processor: Löwenmaul 765G
pricing
-
$449
GalerieClick to expand
OnePlus 10 Pro
The OnePlus 10 Pro is the perfect flagship for 2022. It features a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3216 × 1440 and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. It's also HDR10+ compatible and capable of a peak brightness of 1,300 achieve nits.
It uses the latest Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset with 5G connectivity and 8GB RAM. You also get a 5000mAh battery and a choice of 65W or 80W (!) fast charging, giving you 100% battery faster than most devices on this list.
They also have four rear cameras, all tuned by Hasselblad, the Swedish camera expert whose cameras captured the images of the Apollo 11 moon landings. You get a 48MP standard wide-angle lens, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens. You can record 8K videos at 30 fps or 4K videos at up to 120 fps. There's also an impressive 32MP selfie snapper.
The OnePlus 9 Pro is expensive though - it will at least set you back$899.
OnePlus 10 Pro
specifications
Advertisement:6,7" OLED (3216×1440)
operating system: OxygenOS (based on Android 12)
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM:8GB
Waterproof: Protection class IP68
processor: Löwenmaul 8 Gen 1 SM8450
pricing
-
$899
GalerieClick to expand
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
OnePlus' Nord series is the new attempt at making impressive and affordable phones. The N20 5G is only $282 in this case.
You get a 6.4-inch 2400×1080 AMOLED display with a 60Hz refresh rate. It uses the Snapdragon 695 5G processor with 6GB of RAM.
Like the other phones on this list, the Nord N20 5G has three rear-facing cameras, including a 64-megapixel main lens and 2-megapixel depth and macro sensors. For selfies, you get a 16Mp camera.
You do lose some build quality, though - the Nord N20 5G has a plastic back and frame, which probably makes it feel cheaper than other phones on this list. But at the price you can't expect much more.
OnePlus Nord N20 5G
specifications
Advertisement:6,4" OLED (2400 x 1080)
operating system: OxygenOS based on Android 11
Battery: 4500 mAh
RAM:6GB
Waterproof: NO
processor: Löwenmaul 695 5G
pricing
-
$282
GalerieClick to expand
Motorola-Phone
You might think of Motorola as a brand relegated to the smartphone graveyard, but you'd be wrong. The brand that gave us the legendary RAZR is still rolling out some incredible mid-range phones that are worth checking out.
Motorola Edge+
The Edge is a solid phone from Motorola. It has a decent set of features and costs just under $900. Thankfully, the screen, which is sharp and boasts a staggering 144Hz refresh rate, has eliminated the sides that curve nearly 90 degrees on either side, which many felt the predecessor was difficult to use and hold .
The Edge+ remains fairly powerful with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SM8450 processor paired with 8GB of RAM.
As for the cameras, the Edge+ has a 50-megapixel main lens on the back, a 50-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. There is a 60 Mp pinhole camera on the front.
If you're looking for an interesting but good-looking phone, Motorola has you covered.
Motorola MotoEdge+
specifications
Advertisement:6,7" OLED (2400 x 1080)
operating system: Android 12
Battery: 4800 mAh
RAM:8GB
Waterproof: IP52
processor: Lion's Mouth 8 Gen 1
pricing
-
$899
GalerieClick to expand
Moto G stylus 5G
The Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G offers a stylus experience at a low price, a difficult combination to find in the smartphone world. For just $299, this phone packs a surprisingly impressive feature set and doesn't have any particularly lacking deal breakers, which is really shocking at this price point.
The 5000mAh battery lasts a long time, although the 10W charging is quite disappointing but is expected for less than $300. You get a huge 6.8-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2460×1080 and the MediaTek Helio G88 processor with 6GB of RAM.
It's worth noting that the Moto G Stylus 5G isn't waterproof and only runs Android 11, leaving you a bit stuck in the past, but again, the price point makes a reasonable compromise.
Aside from all that, you also get three rear-facing cameras: a 48-megapixel main lens, an 8-megapixel ultra-wide-angle lens, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. You also get a 16MP selfie camera.
Motorola Moto G stylus
specifications
Advertisement:6,8" OLED (2460×1080)
operating system: Android 11
Battery: 5000 mAh
RAM:6GB
Waterproof: NO
processor: MediaTek Helio G88
pricing
-
$299
GalerieClick to expand
Motorola Razr 5G
Perhaps the biggest surprise phone of recent years is Motorola's revival of the iconic 2000s flip phone as a new high-tech clamshell phone, and the second-gen option isn't to be scoffed at.
It's not nearly as expensive as its predecessor - prices start at $999. But you're getting arguably the most interesting phone on offer right now.
Its small outer screen is 2.7 inches and gives you a glimpse of the time and any notifications you may have. The larger inner display is 6.2 inches with a resolution of 2142 x 876. It uses the Snapdragon 765G processor with 8GB of RAM.
For cameras, the RAZR gets a wide-angle 48-megapixel lens just below (or above) the smaller outer screen. Above the inner screen, you get a 20-megapixel wide-angle lens for taking selfies. However, due to the foldable screen, you can also use the main camera as a selfie camera without opening the phone. The RAZR also gets a fairly small battery - only 2800 mAh.
The RAZR's specs aren't the most enticing, but honestly, you don't buy the RAZR for the specs, you buy it for the design.
Motorola Razr (2. Generation)
specifications
Advertisement:6,2" OLED (2142 x 876)
operating system: Android 10
Battery: 2800 mAh
RAM:8GB
Waterproof: NO
processor: Löwenmaul 765G
pricing
-
$999
GalerieClick to expand
Phone brands by budget
These are the best phones you can buy, whether you have $300, $500, or over $1,000 to spend!
Best Phones Under $300 (or $20 a Month)
It's safe to say that if you only have $300 to spend on a phone, you won't get an iPhone. However, some brands offer great phones for budget-conscious buyers.
You should consider a Motorola phone - the Moto G Stylus 5G would be perfect - or the OnePlus Nord N20 5G if you really want to save money. Instead of driving down the cost of the features and components, these companies make phones that you can enjoy using every day. Some of the materials may not match those at the top of the market, but somewhere they have to save.
Best Phones Under $500 (or $30 a Month)
While flagship phones now cost twice as much, there are some great phones for under $500.
For this budget, we'd have a hard time looking past the Google Pixel 5a 5G. It's got strong performance, guaranteed software updates, and the best camera of any phone, at any price. If you're not keen on a Google phone, you can check out a Samsung Galaxy A53, the mid-range Samsung device that still packs a punch.
Best Phones Under $750 (or $40 a Month)
The $500-$750 phone market doesn't have the choice you might expect these days as the market polarizes towards increasingly expensive or cheaper phones - but that doesn't mean you won't find good phones.
Even at this price point, you'll struggle to find a better phone than the Pixel 6. However, if you currently have an iPhone and miss those small screen days, the iPhone Mini is always a great option.
Best Phones Around $1,000 (or Over $50 Per Month)
If you are lucky enough to drop a giant on a phone, you have many options. However, not all are as good as others.
Of course, we're really entering iPhone territory now. The iPhone 13 Pro is a great phone, although we don't sell it on the iPhone 13 Pro Max. If there's something you don't like from Apple, we'd go with Samsung. If you need incredible all-round capabilities, get the Samsung S22 Ultra.
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