Best smartphones for older people to buy in 2022
But, they aren't always the most user-friendly. The sheer quantity of options and apps now available on most smartphones means that their interfaces can be crowded and difficult to navigate.
For many of us, mobile phones have become a fundamental part of our daily lives. Beyond helping us keep in touch with family and friends, smartphones aid us to do everything from giving directions in unfamiliar areas to connecting to social media and even monitoring our daily exercise.
To help you find a device that suits your needs, we have put together a list of the best smartphones detailing their pros, cons and key features.
Before that, we have also included advice on what to look out for when it comes to smartphones for older people, including big, high-resolution screens, simple interfaces and any accessibility settings that may be helpful to get the most from your new device.
Here is our pick of the best smartphones for older people to buy in 2022.
For more on the latest smartphones, read our best budget smartphone and best mid-range phone guides. Or take a look at our guide to the best tablet for older people for more user-friendly recommendations.
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Best smartphones for older people at a glance
How to choose the best smartphone for older people
Everyone's priorities will be a little bit different when it comes to choosing a smartphone. Which phone you end up choosing will depend on what you want to use it for, how often you'll be using it and what you're willing to spend.
However, there are some overarching features that are worth being aware of when looking for a smartphone for older people. These include a large display that's sharp and vibrant, a user-friendly interface and a good range of accessibility settings.
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Big screen
There's no denying that smartphones have steadily gotten bigger and bigger over the last decade. While this means that most smartphones have outgrown our pockets, it does mean larger and higher resolution screens.
The hope is to get a nice balance between the two. To get the largest and best quality display possible without the smartphone being so cumbersome, it becomes an inconvenience to carry around with you.
Screen sizes on smartphones can now vary anywhere between 4.7-inches and 6.7-inches.
User-friendly interface
With more and more tech crammed into our smartphones, an easy-to-navigate home-screen and simple interface is essential. If an interface is easy to use, it should only take you a matter of moments to find the apps to make a call, add a new contact or search the internet.
The two main interfaces you're likely to find are iOS (Apple) and Android. Apple's iOS is specifically designed for iPhones. Generally, a well-laid-out interface, key apps for iPhone users, such as those for calls, Safari (Apple's internet browser) and iMessages, are found across the bottom of the screen. However, these can be swapped out if there's an app you feel you use more.
Android is the most commonly-used interface and can be found in phones from brands such as Google, Samsung, Nokia and Oppo. This doesn't mean the home screen will look identical across these brands as each will fiddle to add their own unique look, but the basics will be the same. For example, all Android phones will have Google Play from which you can download new apps.
Accessibility settings
Most modern-day smartphones should now have basic accessibility settings, but exactly what is available will vary from brand to brand. Most will allow you to adjust the size of the font to make reading easier, and have hearing aid support and speech-to-text functions.
There are also specialist brands, such as Doro, that create mobile phones for older people in mind. These tend to have the most comprehensive functions. In the case of the Doro 8050, it comes with extra-large icons for those with visual impairments, hearing aid compatibility, and a 'Response' button that will immediately alert designated 'responders' when pressed.
All these features won't be necessary for everyone, but they do vary between brands, so it is worth considering what, if any, additional settings you may like before making a purchase.
Best smartphones for older people to buy in 2022
Nokia 3.4, £64.69
Best budget option
Key features:
39-inch 1560 x 720 IPS LCD screen
161 x 76 x 8.7 mm
180g
Android 10
13/5/2MP rear cameras
8-megapixel selfie camera
Snapdragon 460 CPU
32GB storage
3GB RAM
4000mAh battery
Pros:
Low cost
Clean software
Cons:
Slow performance
Limited storage
Uninspiring camera quality
Nokia has made a name for itself by making simple yet reliable phones at budget prices, and that's exactly what the Nokia 3.4 is.
Features include a 6.39-inch 720p LCD display, a rear fingerprint sensor and a front punch hole camera that is tucked away in the top left corner of the screen. Plus, it also has a wired headphone jack.
As with any smartphone under £100, there are a few caveats. The main one is that the cameras don't quite offer the 108MP of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, but it's also over £1,100 cheaper.
Read the full Nokia 3.4 review.
Buy the Nokia 3.4 SIM-free:
Nokia 3.4 deals
Google Pixel 4a 5G, £410
Best for simple interface
Key features:
6.2-inch 2340 x 1080 pixel 60Hz OLED screen
128GB storage
Snapdragon 765G CPU
Android 11
12/16MP rear cameras
8MP front camera
3885mAh battery
Pros:
Excellent main camera, day or night
Uncluttered software
Guaranteed quick Android updates
Cons:
OK battery life
Plastic casing
The Google Pixel 4a 5G has one of the easiest interfaces to navigate. The home screen is clutter-free, and apps are alphabetically ordered in the pull-up menu.
Beyond this, the best-selling point of the Google Pixel 4a is the camera. The rear set-up features a 12-megapixel primary camera and a 16-megapixel ultra-wide, which produce sharp imagery even in low light. This is accompanied by an 8MP front camera that is tucked into the top corner of the phone's 6.1-inch display.
Read the full Google Pixel 4a 5G review.
Buy the Google Pixel 4a 5G:
Google Pixel 4a 5G deals
iPhone SE, £349
Best for iPhone fans
Key features:
Glass and aluminium design
4.7-inch retina display
A13 Bionic chip
12MP wide camera
Portrait Mode and depth control on camera
4K video
QuickTake – which means you can start recording by just holding down on the shutter
1,821mAh battery
Touch ID
Water-resistant up to 1 metre for 30 mins
Apple Pay
Pros:
Lightweight
Access the App store to plunder
iOS experience is seamless
Camera results excellent
Cons:
Fairly short battery life
Uses some old screen tech
Portrait mode doesn’t work on pets and objects
Marketed as the 'affordable' iPhone, the iPhone SE is smaller than the likes of the iPhone 12. Featuring a 4.7-inch display, the iPhone SE doesn't quite come with all the bells and whistles of the flagship, but that doesn't mean it should be discounted either.
Powered by the same A13 Bionic chip as in the iPhone 11 Pro, the user experience is still brilliant, and you get access to the same Apple-only apps such as iMessage and FaceTime.
Read the full iPhone SE review.
Buy the iPhone SE SIM-free:
iPhone SE deals
Oppo A54 5G, £199
Best for sharp display
Key features:
Snapdragon 480 CPU
4GB RAM
64GB storage
6.5in 1080p 90Hz screen
162.9 x 74.7 x 8.4 mm
190g
48/8/2/2MP rear cameras
16MP selfie camera
5000mAh battery
Pros:
Low price for a 5G phone
Nice sharp screen
Long battery life
Solid primary camera
Cons:
Plastic build – typical in this class
Weak secondary cameras
Mono speaker
The Oppo A54 5G's battery will easily last a full day of errands and have some charge to spare. This makes the A54 a great option if you'd rather not have to top-up during the day or just have a habit of forgetting to plug in your phone before bed.
The HD screen is a decent 6.5-inches, too. The phone has a total of five cameras, but the main 48MP camera is the one worth talking about: it's extremely quick to respond with no delayed focusing or lag when you press the shutter button.
The design is a little plastic-y, but that is fairly typical of a 5G phone at this price point, and it does mean it's less likely to scratch or wear badly than a glass or metallic finish.
Read the full Oppo A54 5G review.
Buy the Oppo A54 5G SIM-free:
Oppo A54 5G
Moto G50, £199.99
Best budget 5G option
Key features:
6.5-inch
Qualcomm Snapdragon 480 5G CPU
5G mobile internet
Android 11
64GB storage
4GB RAM
5000mAh battery
48/5/2MP rear cameras
13MP front camera
164.9 x 74.9 x 9 mm
192g
Pros:
Low price for 5G
Excellent battery life
Decent, if mono, speaker
Cons:
Low-resolution screen
Basic camera array
It’s not a gaming powerhouse
The Motorola Moto G50 is an affordable smartphone that does the basics well. None of the features are ground-breaking, but it promises reliability and ease.
Featuring a 6.5-inch screen, the phone is plenty big enough to use for video calls or to watch TV on, and you get a basic, clear silicone case included. This is also another smartphone with a battery that easily lasts a full day (and a bit). Our reviewer found that they often had 40% of their battery life still remaining at the end of the day.
Read the full Motorola Moto G50 review.
Buy the Motorola Moto G50 SIM-free:
Motorola Moto G50 deals
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, from £266.98
Best for Samsung fans
Key features:
5G
6.5-inch LCD display
48/8MP rear camera
13MP front camera
4K video
64GB storage
MicroSD card for expandable storage
5000mAh battery
Headphone port
Pros:
3.5mm headphone port
Large display
Big battery
5G ready
Cons:
Maybe a little big
If you already have Samsung devices like the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 or the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus, you might want to consider a Samsung Galaxy phone. It should make getting to grips with it a little easier as you're already used to the software Samsung uses, and there will often be overlap when it comes to layout or design features.
The Samsung Galaxy A32 5G is from the brand's more affordable A-series and features a 6.5-inch LCD display, can shoot 4K video and a huge 5000mAh battery.
Buy the Samsung Galaxy A32 5G SIM-free:
Samsung Galaxy A32 5G deals
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Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro, £259.99
Best for big screen
Key features:
Curved toughened glass back panel
6.67in 120Hz OLED screen
Snapdragon 732G CPU
128GB storage
108MP/8/5/2MP rear cameras
16MP selfie camera
Pros:
Large OLED screen
Classy glass back
Macro camera
Good primary camera
Long battery life
Cons:
No 5G
May be a little large for some
There are three main talking points when it comes to the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro: its massive OLED screen, its quad-camera set-up and its battery that can easily be stretched across two days. All of which is still available for a surprisingly affordable £259.99.
The 6.67-inch display makes it a great device for watching videos or making video calls on, but it does mean the smartphone is a little on the larger side. This won't suit everyone, but there's no doubt the Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro is a brilliant budget smartphone.
Read the full Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro review.
Buy the Xiaomi Readmi Note 10 Pro SIM-free:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro deals
Realme 8 Pro, £279
Best for fast charging
Key features:
Four rear cameras, including a 108MP sensor
Mid-size 6.4-inch OLED screen
4500mAh battery with ultra-fast 50W charging
Has a headphone jack
Pros:
Primary camera takes good photos
Fairly long battery life
Competitively priced
Bright display
Cons:
Plus-size rear slogan won’t suit all tastes
Three of the four rear cameras are weak
Mostly plastic build
Another smartphone with the basics done right. The Realme 8 Pro costs less than £300 and contains some features that are often found in smartphones twice the price. These include a full HD OLED screen and a quad-camera array that features a 108MP rear camera.
Our expert was particularly fond of how bright the 6.4-inch screen was, and that it charged fully from flat in under an hour. The latter is particularly brilliant if you're in a hurry before leaving the house or don't always remember to stick the phone on charge at the end of the day.
The only thing that might not be to everyone's taste? The big 'dare to leap' slogan on the back of the phone.
Read the full Realme 8 Pro review.
Buy the Realme 8 Pro SIM-free at:
Realme 8 Pro deals
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G, £199.99
Best for battery life
Key features:
Future-proofed with 5G connectivity
161.81mm x 75.34mm x 8.92mm
6.5-inch FHD+ LCD display (2400 x 1080)
90Hz screen refresh rate
MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset
5,000 mAh battery
48 MP main camera, 8MP selfie camera
Side fingerprint sensor and face unlock
Bluetooth 5.1
3.5mm headphone jack on top
Pros:
Great value for money
5G connectivity
Smooth 90 Hz display
Long-lasting battery
UI is nice once tidied up
Cons:
Large logo on the back
Too much pre-installed software
Battery takes a long time to charge
Glossy back is a fingerprint magnet
Poco may not be as prominent in the UK market as the likes of Google, Nokia and Samsung, but the M3 Pro 5G has some good features to its name.
Firstly, it's another smartphone with decent battery life. The phone can easily be used all day and still have 50% charge left the following morning. If you're looking for that assurance that the phone won't die on you during the day, the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro is a solid choice.
Secondly, the big 6.5-inch Full HD display is a winner. The Poco M3 Pro also comes with 'reading mode' which adjusts colours to warmer hues while reducing blue light. A good option for the evenings when you may be after more subdued lighting.
Read the full Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G review.
Buy the Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G SIM-free:
Xiaomi Poco M3 Pro 5G deals
Doro 8050, £163
Best for accessibility
Key features:
5.5-inch screen
Android
13MP rear camera
5MP front camera
Dedicated home button
Assistance button to call friends/family quickly
16GB storage
MicroSD card slot
Pros:
Long battery life
Easy to navigate
Built-in screen protection
Cons:
Bulky compared to competitors
Poor camera quality
Doro specialises in making mobile phones for older people who may have additional accessibility needs.
Along with a 'Response' button that alerts designated 'responders' when pressed, the phone also has built-in screen protection so it can survive a few knocks and falls.
The Doro 8050 can last up to 330 hours (or 13 days) when not in active use. This makes it a good option as an emergency device, or if you know that it's not going to get much use beyond the occasional call or trip out.
The screen of the Doro 8050 is a little small at 5.5-inches, and it doesn't have the same camera specs as most of the others on this list, but it is hearing aid compatible, and the interface is one of the simplest and easiest to navigate.
Buy the Doro 8050 SIM-free at:
Doro 8050 deals
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The 7 Best Business Cell Phones of 2022
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To help you pick which cell phone is right for you, we extensively researched the staggeringly broad range of smartphones available today to help you pick the right one for your employees.
A cell phone is a vital part of any professional environment, and choosing the right one can be of immense benefit to everyone, from an office worker to a construction site manager. Cell phones don’t just make calls, they enable a wide ray of mobile communication such as Email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and so much more. Regardless of your line of work, in this day and age cell phones are almost certainly a tool you will use daily, if not constantly.
Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Courtesy of Samsung Buy on Amazon Buy on Samsung Buy on Best Buy For productivity, no phone offers more than the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Its built-in S-Pen stylus is what sets it apart, and it’s a tool that can be used for everything from taking quick notes in meetings to sketching and precise navigation of apps and web browsers. The Note 20 Ultra also features all the specs and high-end design you expect from a flagship smartphone. It packs in 12GB of RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ processor, and up to 512GB of storage for a user experience that’s ready for even the most demanding applications. Its 6.9” Infinity-O AMOLED display offers a remarkable 3800 x 1440 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate for both incredible detail and snappy navigation. Additionally, storage is expandable up to a terabyte via microSD. For its main cameras, the Note 20 Ultra includes some fantastic optics with a 12 MP 5x telephoto camera, a 108 MP wide-angle camera, and a 12 MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, there’s an enhanced digital zoom feature that gives you up to 50x zoom, though at reduced quality. Throw in an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for quick and easy unlocking, and it’s plain to see why the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the top pick for a professional smartphone.
Best Budget: Google Pixel 4a Courtesy of Best Buy Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy The problem with flagship cell phones is that they cost an arm and a leg. For people who can’t afford sky-high prices, but who don’t want a phone that cuts too many corners, the Pixel 4a is an attractive option. It features a bright and beautiful 5.8-inch Full HD+ OLED screen that renders deep blacks and rich colors. The 12 MP camera may not match up to the versatility of multi-camera smartphones, but Pixel cameras are known for their remarkable quality. Inside you get a competent Qualcomm Snapdragon 730G processor and Adreno 618 graphics chip, along with 6 GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. Though not top of the line, for the price these are highly competitive specifications, and you also get the advantage of using Android on Google’s own hardware, meaning that you can expect this phone to receive Android updates sooner and for longer than with other Android manufacturers. The Google Pixel 4a
Best Samsung: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra Courtesy of Best Buy Buy on Samsung Buy on Best Buy While it lacks the built-in S-Pen stylus (though it is compatible with the S-Pen if you have one), the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a more up-to-date device that’s an enticing alternative to Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. A key difference between these two phones is the screens because the S21 Ultra does away with the curved edges for a more traditional, yet even more excellent 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with WQHD resolution. Another big difference is cameras, in that the S21 Ultra features a 10MP 3x telephoto camera and a 10MP 10x telephoto camera in addition to the 108MP wide camera and 12MP ultra-wide-angle camera. A further upgrade is a 40MP front-facing camera, which means you’ll be able to take amazing high-resolution selfie shots. Inside, you’ll find the latest Snapdragon 888 processor, up to 512GB of storage, and up to 16GB of RAM. Unfortunately, however, the S21 ultra doesn’t include a microSD card slot, so you can’t upgrade the storage capacity past the 512GB of onboard storage, but in most ways, this is the best cell phone Samsung has. Related: The Best Office Phones
Best Apple: iPhone 12 Pro Max Courtesy of Apple Buy on Best Buy If you’re a fan of iOS, then the iPhone 12 Pro Max should definitely be on your radar. This is a large, powerful, and feature-rich iPhone, and it easily goes toe-to-toe with any Android phone. It features an awesome 6.5 inch OLED display with Dolby Vision support, and a versatile array of cameras, including a wide-angle camera, ultra-wide camera, and a 2x telephoto zoom camera. Of particular interest is its main camera, due to its larger than normal image sensor which provides a higher level of quality than a typical smartphone camera. Under the hood, the 12 Pro Max is powered by 6GB of RAM, an Apple A14 Bionic processor, and up to 512GB of storage. It’s also IP68 dust and water-resistant to keep it safe from the elements, and overall the Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max is one of the best cell phones you can buy.
Best Google: Google Pixel 5 Courtesy of Best Buy Buy on Amazon Buy on Best Buy Google’s flagship phone is both relatively affordable and eminently capable. Its 6-inch Full HD+ OLED display is bright and vivid with deep blacks, and it’s powered by 8GB of RAM and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor. You only have the option for 128 GB of onboard storage, but Google includes unlimited cloud storage for photos at high quality. Speaking of photos, though on paper the Pixel 5 doesn’t have as impressive an array of cameras as other flagship phones, it does include a 12.2 MP standard wide-angle camera, and a 16 MP ultra-wide camera. What makes these cameras great, though, is Google’s photography software that enables, for example, a particularly great night mode for low light photography. The Google Pixel 5 is both the best phone from Google and one of the best value cell phones you can buy. Related: The Best Charging Stations
Best for Professional Photographers: Sony Xperia Pro Courtesy of BH & Photo Buy on B&H Photo Video Buy on You may well be shocked at the price tag of this cell phone, but the pro photographers at which it’s aimed will see the value in this portable powerhouse. The Sony Xperia Pro is specifically designed to help professional photographers and videographers with a variety of tasks. For one, it’s engineered to connect to a separate, high-end camera so that you can live stream high-resolution content via its 5G connection and includes a network visualizer to help you set up at the best location for broadcasting. Additionally, you can use the Xperia pro via a Micro-HDMI connection as a live monitor for a camera, a purpose for which its 6.5-inch 4k HDR OLED screen is perfectly suited, thanks to the display’s excellent color-calibrated accuracy. Of course, the cameras inside the Xperia Pro are very capable on their own. They’re all 12MP, and offer 16mm, 24mm, and 70mm focal range equivalents, and can shoot 4k HDR footage at up to 120fps or full-resolution raw still image burst shooting at up to 20fps. All this is backed up by a high degree of durability, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, 12GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage, as well as a host of other professional photography and videography features.
The best smartphones you can buy right now
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Choosing your next smartphone can be challenging. With so many brands offering similar features at similar prices, it can be hard to understand what device actually has the things you want. If you’ve already determined you only want an iPhone, your decision-making process is slightly easier. (And even then, Apple’s lineup offers more options than ever.) Those also considering Android will have even more options to choose from, and likely more questions. Do you want a camera that can zoom into subjects that are extremely far away, or do you want intuitive AI that can screen your incoming calls for you? Here at Engadget, we test smartphones all year round and can help you make sense of what’s available and what to look out for. And, of course, we’ve included our favorite phones to help you whittle down your shortlist.
Engadget's picks
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Android or iOS?
Each OS has its pros and cons. Apple’s tight-knit ecosystem makes it super easy to share data between iPhones, iPads and Macs or seamlessly hand-off phone calls or music from one device to another. At the same time, you’re effectively locked in, as services like Apple Messages aren’t available on other platforms.
As for Android, there’s a much wider range of handsets from companies like Google, Samsung, Sony and more. However, Android phones don’t enjoy that same length of software support and often have lower trade-in values. In short, there’s no wrong answer. However, you will want to consider how your phone will fit in with the rest of your devices. So unless you’re really fed up with one OS and willing to learn another, it probably doesn’t make a lot of sense to switch from iOS to Android (or vice versa) – especially if everyone else in your household is using the same platform.
Cameras
Since people’s phones often pull double duty as their primary camera, figuring out what kind of photo tools you want is key. Nowadays, practically every phone can take a great picture in bright light. But if you want a long optical zoom, you’ll probably have to upgrade to a more expensive device.
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
Mid-range phones often only have two rear cameras (a primary wide-angle lens and a secondary ultra-wide camera) and can sometimes struggle in low-light situations. Each phone maker also has various features that might be a better fit for your style, with Apple offering four different color presets on the latest iPhones, while Google’s Pixel 6 comes with neat tools like dedicated long exposure and action pan modes.
Will you get 5G or Wi-Fi 6?
The good news is that in 2022, most phones have at least 802.11ac Wi-Fi and support for one or more types of 5G connectivity. However, if you want the fastest wireless speeds you can get, it’s going to cost you a bit more. For example, on certain networks, mmWave 5G offers up to gigabit download speeds, less latency and better bandwidth. But mmWave 5G also requires more sophisticated (and pricier) modems, which means support for it is often missing from budget and mid-range handsets like the iPhone SE and Pixel 6a.
On the bright side, mmWave 5G isn’t as widely available as other versions of 5G, so depending on where you live and what network you’re on, you may not be missing out on much if you buy a phone that doesn’t support it. It’s a similar situation for Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6e, which are available on a number of high-end devices, but harder to find on less expensive handsets. Wi-Fi 6 also requires you have to have a compatible router, so unless you know you need it or have a specific use case in mind, the lack of support for mmWave 5G or Wi-Fi 6E shouldn’t be a dealbreaker when looking for a new phone.
Other features to consider
Because not everyone agrees on what makes an ideal phone, you should think about any other specs that might be extra important for you. Mobile gamers will almost certainly appreciate the 120Hz refresh rates you get on phones like the Galaxy S22 or the iPhone 14 Pro. Alternatively, if long battery life is important, you’ll probably want to go with a larger iPhone or an Android phone with a battery that’s between 4,000 and 5,000 mAh in size. Meanwhile, if you find yourself juggling a lot of devices, it can be really nice to have a phone that supports reverse wireless charging, which on Samsung phones even lets you recharge the company’s Galaxy Watches.
Best iOS smartphone: iPhone 14 Pro
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
The iPhone 14 Pro features the biggest changes to Apple's flagship line in years. With the new Dynamic Island, the company is finally (sort of) ditching the notch and in its place sits a pill-shaped cutout to house the front cameras for Face ID. In addition to being smaller than before, the island also features software tweak that makes notifications, media playback and ongoing activities look more cohesive.
But it's not just the Dynamic Island that makes the iPhone 14 Pro feel like a notable upgrade. The new Always On Display manages to help you stay on top of your notifications without overly draining battery, while the upcoming Emergency SOS via Satellite lets you explore further with some peace of mind. Those who aren't ready to give up physical SIM cards may be reluctant to go for this year's phones, since they don't have onboard slots and are fully eSIM. But thankfully Apple's setup and conversion process makes switching over painless. With excellent performance, capable cameras and respectable battery life, the iPhone 14 Pro is the best Apple handset money can buy. – Cherlynn Low, Deputy Editor
Best Android smartphone: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
As Samsung’s latest flagship phone and the spiritual successor to the Galaxy Note line, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has every feature power users and more mainstream shoppers could ever need. Its 10x optical zoom camera offers the longest reach you can get on a phone today, while its huge 6.8-inch 120Hz OLED screen makes everything look smooth and colorful. It also has IP68 dust and water resistance, not to mention durable Gorilla Glass Victus+ panels in front and back. And of course, there’s the built-in S-Pen, whose latency has dropped to just 2.8 milliseconds for 2022. This makes drawing, sketching and anything else you do with its stylus feel incredibly responsive. And, thanks to expanded support, Samsung’s Galaxy S will get at least four years of Android updates, which is longer than what Google has pledged for the Pixel 6. – Sam Rutherford, Senior Reporter
Best midrange Android smartphone: Google Pixel 6a
Sam Rutherford / Engadget
If all you want is a simple, affordable and easy-to-use phone without any unnecessary bells and whistles, the Pixel 6a is the perfect choice. Starting at $449, the 6a features a colorful 6.1-inch OLED display, while Google’s excellent photo processing produces pics that match what you get from phones that cost twice as much. It particularly excels with nighttime photography thanks in part to Night Sight, a feature that brightens up dim environments and brings out more detail overall.
Google upgraded the Pixel 6a's design to look more like its flagship phones, plus you also get handy IP67 dust and water resistance, too. There's also an under-display fingerprint reader for another layer of security. As far as specs go, you're getting Google's Tensor chipset, 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which all translates into excellent performance. And, unlike a lot of other midrange phones, the Pixel 6a enjoys strong software support, with Google promising regular software updates for the next five years. – S.R.
Best midrange iPhone: iPhone SE (2022)
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
With an A15 Bionic chip and iOS 15, the latest iPhone SE is possibly the most powerful phone you can find for under $450. Sure, it has a dated design, but some folks might actually appreciate the retro look. The best thing about the iPhone SE is its home button: It’s the only new iPhone to have Touch ID. And though it only has a single rear camera, the SE still takes solid pictures. If you can get over the small, low-res screen, the iPhone SE will serve you well. It’s also really the only sub-$500 option for iOS diehards.
If you’re open to considering Android and want to spend less than $400, consider something from Samsung’s Galaxy A-series or the OnePlus Nord N20. Those looking to spend even less can check out the Moto G Power – just be prepared to compromise on features like display and cameras at lower prices. – C.L.
Best camera on a smartphone: Pixel 6 Pro
David Imel for Engadget
It’s hard for me to leave the house without the Pixel 6 Pro. As long as there’s a chance I might want to take photos, I make sure I’ve brought Google’s latest flagship. The Pixel 6 Pro’s triple rear camera system is versatile enough to capture anything from the largest group shots or wide landscapes to faraway animals (like that time I thought I spotted a whale when staring at a distant blob from Acadia National Park). Google’s Night Sight still outperforms the competition when taking pictures in low light, too, and its computational photography delivers clear, vivid photos.
Of course, Samsung and Apple’s flagships are closing the gap, and these days there is little difference between the photos they deliver. Some people might even prefer the warmer tint on Galaxy devices. But special features like Google’s Magic Eraser and Motion effects make the Pixel 6 Pro the most fun to shoot with. Plus, I love the additional tools you get on Pixels, like Call Screening, Material You theming and Live Captions, among others. The Pixel 6 Pro has some small flaws, including a quirky in-display fingerprint sensor and some early software bugs. But if you’re willing to put up with those issues, in exchange you’ll get the best camera experience around. – C.L.
Best foldable for multitasking: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Sam Rutherford/Engadget
For people who want a big, powerful phone that adapts to their needs, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 4 is in a class of its own. On this year’s model, Samsung has refined the Fold’s dimensions, adding a sleeker hinge and a slightly wider cover screen that makes it easier to type and use one-handed. Inside, the phone’s 7.6-inch flexible main display is brighter too (upwards of 1000 nits), and thanks to a redesigned taskbar that lives along the bottom of the screen, multitasking and launching app pairs is easier than ever. Other improvements include a 3x zoom lens in back and a new 50MP main sensor. And while the 4MP under-display-cam hidden beneath its main display isn’t good for much more than video calls, its new sub-pixel matrix helps camouflage its existence even better.
Unfortunately, the Z Fold 4 is still sorta bulky, and at $1,800, it’s definitely not cheap. But if you’ve dreamed about a phone that can transform into a tablet at a moment's notice while also delivering multitasking features unmatched by any other phone, this thing is the ultimate choice for mobile productivity. — S.R.
Best foldable for selfies: Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4
Cherlynn Low / Engadget
While the Z Flip 4 doesn’t offer the same kind of screen space as its bigger and more expensive sibling, it’s way more compact and thanks to its size and hinge, it’s great at propping itself up on a table for shooting selfies. On top of that, Samsung has also increased the size of its exterior screen so that it’s easier to frame up pics without opening the phone. And with the addition of a new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, this year’s model offers significantly better battery life than before. Meanwhile, for gadget lovers that also appreciate a bit of style, the Bespoke Edition of the Z Flip 4 lets you customize the color of the phone's exterior panels, so you can make sure your foldable doesn’t look like anyone else’s. — S.R.
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