When you think of the “best smartphones” of the year, it’s easy to picture only expensive flagship phones. However, like every year, in 2022 we’ve had some really standout mid-range offerings that might not live up to the real flagships, but offer enough performance and features at much more affordable prices. Folding phones continued to improve in 2022 thanks to Samsung pioneering the segment in India while charging speeds reached new heights. However, the big focus of all the phones on our list is cameras. We’ve seen smartphones with incredible zoom performance, high-resolution sensors, and next-level video stabilization for content creators. Depending on your budget and requirements, there is something for everyone in our list.
All of these smartphones were reviewed by us and we only selected the best of the best based on the ratings they received and what we felt was unique enough to still stand out today. Here is the list of Gadgets 360 Best Smartphones in India for 2022, in no particular order.
Google Pixel 7
After a few years of neglecting the Indian market, Google finally decided to launch its 2022 flagships in India, and we’re really glad that happened. Between Google Pixel 7 and the Pixel 7 Pro, we think the Pixel 7 is the flagship that most people should keep an eye on because it offers the best of Google’s vision, but at a fairly affordable price. Aside from the 7 Pro’s telephoto camera and higher-resolution display, the Pixel 7 offers pretty much everything its more expensive sibling can do. It has a sleek design with good build quality, a bright display, useful software features, high-quality cameras, and very good battery life. As a Pixel, you can expect updates from Google from day one, which should keep the phone fresh and relevant for at least a couple of years.
iPhone 14 pro
That iPhone 14 pro raises the price bar again in India, making it the most expensive Pro model to date. The big upgrades from Apple this time around are a more powerful SoC, a new-age display notch dubbed Dynamic Island, and a higher-resolution main camera. The latter is possibly the most exciting feature and the improvements are noticeable in still images and recorded video. During not so good Like the Google Pixel 7 Pro for stills, in our experience, the 14 Pro is in a league of its own when it comes to video capture. The rest is business as usual. The iPhone 14 Pro features excellent build quality, very good performance, strong battery life and the promise of long-term software updates. That iPhone 14 pro max is also available with a larger display and battery, but is significantly more expensive.
iPhone 14Plus
While some of us are sad that the iPhone mini is being discontinued, we’re happy that Apple has replaced it with something that has more mass appeal. That iPhone 14Plus resurrects the plus-size model that ended with the iPhone 8plus, and is the perfect choice for those who want a Pro Max-sized iPhone but without the hefty premium price. The iPhone 14 Plus is essentially an iPhone 14 with a larger 6.7-inch display and a bigger battery, and for many people that should be reason enough to get one. Despite its large footprint, it’s even lighter than the iPhone 14 Pro, which is a big bonus.
Samsung Galaxy ZFlip 4
Last year’s Samsung clamshells really raised the bar by introducing an IPX8 water resistance rating, and this year we’ve seen further refinement in design and features. That Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 This year wasn’t a major upgrade from its predecessor, which is why it misses a spot on our list, but this Galaxy Z Flip 4 received some sensible updates that make it the best entry point for foldable devices. The new model has a more refined design, a better outer display and drastically improved battery life. It also features the more power-efficient version of Qualcomm’s flagship SoC, which helps it deliver top-notch performance without any notable heating issues. The cameras are good, the display is excellent and the fact that it folds down to half its size is no longer just a novelty.
Nothing phone 1
Behind all the hype and the flashing LED lights of the Nothing phone 1 lies a very underrated mid-range offering that to this day offers a complete package at an unbeatable price. Considering it’s the startup’s first smartphone, it really nailed the premium fit and finish. For a smartphone that costs around Rs. 30,000 you get a powerful 5G SoC, an IP53 rating and wireless charging. The Phone 1 also has a vibrant 120Hz display, clean software, and a very good main camera. Even if you never use the glyph lights (which we still think is a gimmick), the Phone 1 still offers a premium Android experience that not many can brag about, especially at these prices.
OnePlus 10R (150W)
One would normally expect one of the fastest-charging smartphones to be a flagship, but surprisingly this is a mid-range offering. That OnePlus 10R defies the brand’s typical design philosophy for a more generic design, but if you can put up with that, you’ll find that it’s a good small mid-range smartphone. The 150W or Endurance edition of this phone really steals the show as you can charge the battery ridiculously fast. The smartphone also convinces with a main camera, good battery life and slim software. The standard version of this phone can be charged at 80W, which is still impressively fast. Another phone worth mentioning is this Realme GT Neo 3, the twin brother of the 10R. It’s essentially the same phone, but with a different design and software.
Vivo X80 Pro
If we had to choose the best phone for creating video content that isn’t an iPhone, this is the one we’d have to go for Vivo X80 Pro. Although more expensive than its predecessor, Vivo’s flagship phone for 2022 is the best Android phone for capturing video content thanks to its dedicated imaging chip and gimbal stabilization system. It also has an extremely good night mode for stills in low light, something that could give Google’s Night Sight some bang for the buck. Apart from the cameras, the smartphone looks and feels like a premium flagship. You get a sophisticated design, an excellent display, great performance and very good battery life.
Xiaomi 12 Pro
That Xiaomi 12 Pro represents a more grown-up and mature flagship compared to last year. Rather than focusing on big numbers and gimmicks, the 12 Pro boasts a sophisticated design and premium components that focus on quality over quantity. The Xiaomi 12 Pro has great build quality, a crisp 120Hz display, 120W wired charger, great sounding speakers and a very capable camera. What really makes it better than that Mi11 Ultra from last year is that you can actually buy this smartphone in India.
Asus ROG Phone 6
That Asus ROG Phone 6 remains unchallenged in India as no other company released a dedicated gaming phone this year. The Phone 6 offers better value for money than the ROG Phone 6 Pro and further improves on the specialized gaming features we’ve seen in previous generations. With support for a refresh rate of up to 165Hz and a massive 6,000mAh battery, the ROG Phone 6 really is a beast when it comes to killing pretty much any game you throw at it. Some notable new features include an IPX4 rating for splash resistance, improved cameras and faster charging. You should also invest in accessories as some of these, like the Aeroactive Cooler 6, actually make a big difference in performance.
OnePlus 10 Pro
That OnePlus 10 Pro is a solid, no-nonsense flagship that offers the best OnePlus experience (what’s left of it anyway) and very good cameras. Its design is unlike any previous OnePlus smartphone and that is where the charm lies. It’s slim and stylish, has an excellent display, top-notch performance and very good battery life. It lacks an official IP rating in India, but has all the seals and protections to make it water and dust proof. With the company going through an identity crisis, this may be the last time we see OnePlus trademarks like the “Alert Slider” on a OnePlus flagship phone, which was conspicuously absent from the OnePlus OnePlus 10T 5G that came after.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The union of Samsung’s Galaxy Note and the S series was completed this year with the arrival of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. If we had to pick a single Android phone that we think is close to perfect, it’s hard to find anything better than this. Samsung has included everything but the kitchen sink this time around, including a built-in S Pen stylus, an incredible display, and arguably the best telephoto cameras in any phone. It’s quite expensive compared to other Android flagships on our list, but it’s still cheaper than an iPhone 14 Pro. If you want a phone that excels in pretty much every area, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is an easy choice.
Motorola Edge 30 Pro
This year’s “Flagship Killer” award goes to the Motorola Edge 30 Pro Because apart from a flagship SoC, it also has the typical bells and whistles such as wireless charging and an IP protection class. However, what makes it a slight contender for that title is its price, which was pretty aggressive when it launched in February of this year and is now even better after recent price drops. The Edge 30 Pro offers a clean Android experience, very fast charging, a 144Hz refresh rate and a very good selfie camera. If you don’t want to spend too much money, but still don’t want to do without things like a good telephoto camera or solid gaming performance, you will hardly find a better all-rounder at this price.
