Which is the best smartphone of 2022? Tough question, indeed. There have been so many great launches by brands such as OnePlus, Samsung, iQOO, Vivo, Apple, and more. Don’t fret, the Indian Gadget Awards 2022 bring 18 of the biggest tech creators in India as jury members, to vote across 28 award categories with over 150 nominations. In the end, only the best will remain standing. On that note, let’s see who won the Indian Gadget Award for the Phone of the Year 2022.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
The nominees for the best phone of the year in 2022 are as follows:
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Galaxy S22 Ultra needs no introduction. South Korean giant Samsung’s flagship for 2022, this smartphone is packed with premium features to the brim. The biggest physical feature addition this year is the S Pen, which, until the last variant, was limited to the Galaxy Note series. In this smartphone, you get a superb combination of camera capabilities from the Galaxy S series and productivity features taken from the Galaxy Note. There is obviously a superb 6.8-inch 120Hz display with quad-HD+ resolution, a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, a 5,000mAh battery, and IP68 water and dust resistance rating. All in all, it has everything a Samsung smartphone user could ask for.
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google continued its foray into the flagship smartphone market with its Pixel 7 Pro. Available at a price point comparable to premium phones from Apple and Samsung, the Pixel 7 Pro has everything you want from a flagship smartphone and then some more. There is a 6.7-inch Quad-HD display, 12GB of RAM, 50MP triple rear cameras, IP68 rating, and Android 13 out of the box. It sports the same minimal design language as its predecessor while bringing a better build quality to the fold. For Android purists, and general Android enthusiasts, this is probably one of the best phones to come out in 2022.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
Continuing its naming scheme from the last edition, Apple unveiled the iPhone 14 Pro Max as its most premium smartphone in 2022. And, premium it is! Some of the smartphone’s highlighted features include a new 48MP triple rear camera setup, a display with 2,000 nits of peak brightness, and a more immersive Dynamic Island design. Indeed, the upgraded A16 Bionic processor, with its 4nm process and 5-core GPU, is the most advanced chipset seen on any smartphone yet.
Vivo X80 Pro
Vivo has upped the game in 2022 with its premium offering, X80 Pro. Starting off with the camera, Vivo’s prowess reflects in the quad camera setup at the back, which features 50MP and 48MP sensors. There is support for IP68 water and dust proofing, making this sleek smartphone a rugged option as well. In terms of specifications, you get top-of-the-line Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 12GB RAM, and 256GB storage. If Vivo is your brand of choice, there is nothing the X80 Pro doesn’t offer in terms of flagship features.
Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G
The 12 Pro from Xiaomi is possibly the brand’s most ambitious smartphone yet. Ambitious in the sense that it combines features like a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, 50MP triple camera setup, WQHD+ 120Hz display, and 120W fast charging into a gorgeous-looking chassis that can make heads turn. Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and a glass and metal design make it a stylish yet tough smartphone for Android lovers. One of the major areas where Xiaomi has improved its camera performance as the phone now offers top-notch low-light photography and smooth video recording.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
What if you wished for a 200MP camera on a smartphone and someone actually made it into a reality? Well, that’s what Motorola did with its Edge 30 Ultra, making it the world’s first phone with a sensor of that high resolution at the rear. The wonderful camera on this smartphone also brings flagship capabilities of 8K video, 4K HDR10+ recording, Ultra Pixel technology, and Optimal Image Stabilisation. Of course, a premium smartphone has to have flagship specifications; the Edge 30 Ultra comes with a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, 12GB RAM, a 144Hz display, and a 60MP selfie camera.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
Samsung has been consistent in upgrading its Galaxy Z Fold series to showcase the best in smartphone innovation. The Galaxy Z Fold4 in 2022 is no less a representation of that idea. Much like older models, there are two displays – a 7.6-inch primary screen and a 6.2-inch secondary screen on the outside. As for cameras, you get plenty – 50MP triple cameras at the back and 10MP dual cameras for selfies. At 263 grams, this Fold is quite sleek for a phone with its unique form factor.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
Talking about unique form factors, the Galaxy Z Flip4 is no different. Samsung also upgraded its flip smartphone series in 2022, and the Galaxy Z Flip4 comes with some of the best features and design elements. After four generations and countless man-hours of innovation, the fourth-gen flip phone is great for those looking to try a foldable form factor as well as practical for the general smartphone user. Compact when folded and an entertainment powerhouse when flipped open, the Galaxy Z Flip4 has been tested for more than 200,000 folds. Plus, the presence of Gorilla Glass Victus and IPx8 water resistance makes it a worrisome phone to own.
OnePlus 10 Pro 5G
The 10 Pro 5G from OnePlus is a big upgrade from its predecessor, the 9 Pro. There is a bigger 5,000mAh battery with 80W fast charging support, a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, and a QHD+ 120Hz display with higher power efficiency to save those precious battery minutes. OnePlus brings the HyperBoost gaming engine for those who love to use their smartphones for smooth and stable mobile gaming. The new haptic motor also adds to this experience.
iQOO 9 Pro
With a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and up to 12GB RAM, the iQOO 9 Pro quite justifies its tagline, “Monster Inside”. 50W wireless charging support is a major highlight of this smartphone, as it allows you to conveniently charge it up without having to worry about charging speeds. The special edition iQOO 9 Pro Dark Cruise edition features Aramid Fiber Material, which has the right amount of glamour paired with durability and sleekness.
Realme GT 2 Pro
A smartphone with a paper-like rear design. yes, the Realme GT 2 Pro has a rear panel made of ISCC-certified biopolymer, which gives it a design differentiating it from the several flagship smartphones on the market. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, 12GB of RAM, 50MP triple rear cameras, and 32MP selfie camera are the cherry on top for this relatively affordable premium smartphone. Realme has focused on sustainability with the GT 2 Pro, as it claims this is the world’s first TCO 9.0-certified smartphone. It has compliance with over 40 sustainability indicators.
So, you see, no smartphone manufacturer has left any stone unturned when it comes to providing the best in phone design, display quality, internal specifications, and camera performance in their flagship smartphones. Our jury members have already started their stringent review process, and the results should be out in a few days. Please check later to know who the winner is.
