Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Massive-name smartphone manufacturers comparable to Apple, Samsung, and Google all delivered arguably evolutionary upgrades for probably the most half in 2022. Nonetheless, there’s nonetheless lots to love in regards to the Galaxy S22 Extremely, iPhone 14, and Google Pixel 7 sequence.
Though they made have grabbed a lot of the headlines, these weren’t the one smartphones value speaking about in 2022. There have been lots that flew beneath the radar, and listed here are our picks for probably the most underrated telephones of the 12 months.
Asus Zenfone 9
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
Asus looks like a perennial entry on these lists owing to its lack of a service presence and relatively small market share. So it’s no shock to see the Zenfone 9 make the lower this 12 months.
Verdict: Asus Zenfone 9 assessment
The Zenfone 9 picked up the place its predecessor left off, providing acquainted stylings like a compact design, a 5.9-inch 120Hz OLED display screen, IP68 water/mud resistance, and a 3.5mm port. Toss in upgrades just like the Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 4,300mAh battery, and a 50MP principal shooter with micro-gimbal stabilization, and that’s a reasonably spectacular package deal.
There are a couple of areas ripe for enchancment, although. For one, the shortage of a prolonged replace pledge is a disgrace in 2022. There’s additionally no wi-fi charging or telephoto digicam on board right here. Nonetheless, it wasn’t a foul purchase at launch for $700, and it’s one of many few choices on the market if you would like a pocket-friendly flagship cellphone.
Nothing Cellphone 1
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
Nothing got here in with a ton of hype for its first smartphone, nevertheless it appears to have been forgotten by many individuals following its launch. It’s unclear whether or not that’s resulting from mid-rangers from main manufacturers drowning it out, the shortage of a US launch, or a mix of the 2 components. That’s a disgrace as a result of there’s so much to love in regards to the handset.
Verdict: Nothing Cellphone 1 assessment
The Nothing Cellphone 1 is an higher mid-range providing, coming in at a launch worth of €469 or Rs. 33,999. There are first rate options right here for the worth, specifically a standout design (full with the Glyph lighting on the again), a comparatively beefy Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset, a 6.55-inch 120Hz OLED panel, and a 4,500mAh battery with 33W wired and 15W wi-fi top-ups.
In saying so, we criticized the disappointing 50MP ultrawide digicam, barebones software program, and ho-hum endurance. However it’s nonetheless value a glance if you would like a high quality mid-ranger. Simply make certain it’s suitable along with your community if you happen to stay within the US and plan to import it.
Realme GT 2 Professional
Kris Carlon / Android Authority
Realme is well-known for its budget-tier handsets, however the firm has slowly been making strides within the flagship area too. The GT 2 Professional carries the banner this 12 months, but ended up misplaced within the shuffle following its Q1 2022 launch.
Verdict: Realme GT 2 Professional assessment
Realme’s flagship brings anticipated high-end options like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 5,000mAh battery, and 65W wired speeds. However it additionally stands out because of a nifty again cowl made out of bio-polymer, in addition to a 120Hz QHD+ flat OLED panel. The cellphone additionally brings a 50MP principal digicam, 50MP ultrawide shooter (150-degree field-of-view), and the Oppo Discover X3 Professional’s quirky 3MP microscope digicam.
The GT 2 Professional just isn’t an ideal handset although, because it lacks wi-fi charging, an IP score, and a telephoto digicam. In any occasion, it was a strong deal at its €749 launch worth, and it’s a very good deal immediately for as little as €550 on the time of writing. This wasn’t formally launched within the US although, so that you’ll have to import it.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Ryan Haines / Android Authority
Sure, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 is by all accounts the preferred foldable cellphone in 2022. However there’s a world of distinction between being a preferred foldable cellphone and being a preferred smartphone generally, and the Z Flip 4 nonetheless flew beneath the radar by typical smartphone requirements.
Verdict: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 assessment
That’s a disgrace as a result of the Z Flip 4 is the closest Samsung’s Flip sequence has come to a mainstream proposition. The machine is an iterative improve, however tweaks like the three,700mAh battery and quicker wired charging lastly convey it consistent with the bottom Galaxy flagship.
There are nonetheless a couple of downsides to purchasing the Flip 4 although, comparable to the shortage of a telephoto digicam, that restricted exterior show, and the crease on the folding display screen. However the Flip 4 feels extra like a real different to the Galaxy S22 and never only a curiosity.
Sony Xperia 5 IV
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The Sony Xperia 1 IV had loads of eyes on it within the first half of 2022, however that hefty $1,600 price ticket was a bitter capsule to swallow. Thankfully, the Japanese big additionally launched the Xperia 5 IV in 2022.
Verdict: Sony Xperia 5 IV assessment
Sony’s second flagship of the 12 months makes a number of concessions to hit the ~$1,000 worth level. It loses out on the Xperia 1 IV’s 4K show, variable telephoto digicam, and 12GB of RAM. As an alternative, you might have an FHD+ decision, 2.5x telephoto shooter, and 8GB of RAM. You’re additionally caught with the Xperia 1 IV’s disappointing replace pledge (two OS updates, three years of safety patches).
There are nonetheless sufficient upsides to make for an fascinating proposition although. There’s the extra pocket-friendly design, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a 5,000mAh battery, wi-fi charging assist, and IP65/68 score. The triple 12MP rear digicam setup (with 4K/120fps assist throughout the board) ensures a very good stage of flexibility, and also you’re additionally getting Sony’s distinctive Professional digicam apps right here.
Vivo X80 Professional
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
Vivo has slowly been making a reputation for itself because of its smartphone cameras, and the X80 Professional definitely introduced the products on this regard. The corporate launched a comparatively versatile quad rear digicam system (50MP GN1 principal, 48MP ultrawide, 12MP 2x telephoto, and an 8MP 5x periscope lens), together with Zeiss anti-glare coatings.
Verdict: Vivo X80 Professional assessment
The remainder of the cellphone is suitably high-end as properly, that includes a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, 4,700mAh battery with 80W wired or 50W wi-fi charging, IP68 score, and a 6.78-inch QHD+ OLED panel. You’re even getting what’s undoubtedly the very best in-display fingerprint sensor in the marketplace.
Vivo’s 2022 flagship falls quick in a couple of areas although, specifically the quantity of bloatware, the ho-hum long-range zoom, and the excessive worth in Europe (€1,300). Very like another telephones on this record, US customers might want to import the X80 Professional and ensure it’s suitable with their desired community.
This has been our have a look at probably the most underrated smartphones of 2022. Are there any specific smartphones you assume ought to’ve been on the record? Tell us through the feedback under!
What was probably the most underrated cellphone of 2022?
202 votes
Asus Zenfone 9
31%
Nothing Cellphone 1
22%
Realme GT 2 Professional
7%
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
9%
Sony Xperia 5 IV
16%
Vivo X80 Professional
11%
Different (depart a remark)
4%
Feedback
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