August 2022
Smartphones: Meta Ranking Report
This report contains an aggregate consensus of Smartphone rankings posted by key online experts, as of August 2022.
Summary
As of 3 Aug 2022, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes the cake as the most critically-acclaimed smartphone with 8 expert endorsements. 3 experts out of 8 recommended it as the '#1 smartphone' this month. It is followed by iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 , with 7 and 7 expert endorsements respectively.
At a glance - August 2022 Ranking
| Rank | Change | Price | Smartphone |
Laptop Mag
|
Tom's Guide
|
TechRadar
|
Consumer Reports
|
Pocket-lint
|
IGN
|
Creative Bloq
|
T3
|
The Verge
|
Digital Trends
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1
|
- | $1080 |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
|
-
|
2
|
1
|
-
|
3
|
6
|
1
|
1
|
5
|
3
|
|
2
|
- | $999 |
iPhone 13 Pro
|
1
|
7
|
3
|
-
|
2
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
1
|
|
3
|
- | $829 |
iPhone 13
|
-
|
3
|
7
|
-
|
5
|
1
|
-
|
7
|
1
|
2
|
|
4
|
- | $1099 |
iPhone 13 Pro Max
|
6
|
1
|
-
|
1
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
|
5
|
- | $860 |
Google Pixel 6 Pro
|
8
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
-
|
4
|
|
6
|
- | $1400 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
|
-
|
12
|
11
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
8
|
-
|
8
|
8
|
|
7
|
- | $558 |
Google Pixel 6
|
2
|
4
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
6
|
|
8
|
+2 | $429 |
iPhone SE
|
5
|
10
|
2
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
|
9
|
-1 | $779 |
OnePlus 10 Pro
|
9
|
8
|
6
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
|
10
|
+1 | $979 |
Oppo Find X5 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
5
|
4
|
-
|
-
|
|
11
|
+2 | Check price |
Xiaomi 12 Pro
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
6
|
-
|
-
|
|
12
|
- | $750 |
Samsung Galaxy S22
|
-
|
11
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
|
13
|
+1 | $900 |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
|
14
|
+1 | $1200 |
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
|
15
|
+1 | $699 |
OnePlus 9 Pro
|
-
|
-
|
9
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
16
|
New * | $449 |
Google Pixel 6a
|
4
|
5
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
17
|
- | $729 |
Apple iPhone 13 Mini
|
-
|
-
|
10
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
4
|
-
|
|
18
|
- | $350 |
Samsung Galaxy A53
|
-
|
6
|
8
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
19
|
- | $829 |
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
|
7
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
7
|
-
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra #1 in August 2022 because:
- 8 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 3 experts ranked Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra as #1.
Tom's Guide
Samsung's best phone
|
Pros
Best-in-class display
Built-in S Pen
Improved cameras with better Night mode
Faster 45W charging
|
Cons
Shorter battery life than S21 Ultra
Very expensive
Less RAM than previous model to start
|
TechRadar
The best phone overall
|
Pros
Incredible cameras and zoom
Excellent little S Pen
|
Cons
No microSD slot
Battery life could be better
|
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
Superb build and display
Camera performance is elite
|
Cons
Battery life slightly lets it down
Charging speeds could be quicker
|
Creative Bloq
The best do-it-all smartphone
|
Pros
Brilliant pen tech
Excellent camera zoom
|
Cons
Big and bulky
|
T3
The best flagship Android phone right now
|
Pros
Seriously powerful hardware
Versatile camera with AI features
S Pen comes in a handy slot
|
Cons
It's pricey
No microSD card slot
S Pen stylus won't be for all
|
Digital Trends
Best Android phone
|
Pros
S Pen is convenient and highly accurate
Versatile camera takes great photos
The latest processor for power
Long software support
Beautiful high refresh rate screen
|
Cons
Not very fast battery charging
Large and heavy
|
We ranked iPhone 13 Pro #2 in August 2022 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 13 Pro as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best smartphone for most people
|
Pros
Bright 120Hz display
Excellent camera performance
Unmatched software support
Outstanding battery life
Untouchable performance
|
Cons
Slow charging
Telephoto needs more reach
Notch needs to go
|
Tom's Guide
A powerhouse flagship with great battery life
|
Pros
Fast A15 Bionic performance
Stellar cameras
Long battery life
|
Cons
Relatively slow charging
No Touch ID
|
TechRadar
The best performing phone around
|
Pros
Great performance
Strong battery life
|
Cons
Limited design changes
Notch still too large
|
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
Finally offers a 120Hz display
Improved battery life
Camera is simply brilliant
|
Cons
No big leaps from iPhone 12 Pro
Heavy users may still challenge the battery
|
Digital Trends
Best overall smartphone
|
Pros
Packs lots of power into the size
Incredible camera and video performance
Very long-lasting battery
Smooth and responsive 120Hz screen
Comes with 1TB storage option
|
Cons
No USB-C
Not all third-party apps are optimized for higher refresh screen
|
Methodology: combine opinions of key experts
Identify Experts
We identify key publishers and experts that consistently review and recommend Smartphones.
Capture Rankings
For each publisher we find a currently recommended "top 10" list of Smartphones, it must be updated in the last 9 months.
Aggregate Rankings
We put all those lists together and aggregate them. The more frequently a product is recommended, the higher it is in our ranking
Experts chosen for August 2022 ranking
Laptop Mag
Tom's Guide
TechRadar
Consumer Reports
Pocket-lint
IGN
Creative Bloq
T3
The Verge
Digital Trends
We ranked iPhone 13 #3 in August 2022 because:
- 7 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 13 as #1.
Tom's Guide
The best phone for the money
|
Pros
Best-in-class cameras
A15 Bionic blows away Android phones
Brighter display
Long battery life
|
Cons
Charging could be faster
No telephoto zoom or 120Hz screen
|
TechRadar
The mid-range alternative for Apple users who don't need pro features
|
Pros
Strong battery life
Powerful internals
|
Cons
Minimal design changes
No 120Hz screen
|
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
Great display and camera
Battery life is improved over iPhone 12
|
Cons
Misses out on some flagship features
|
T3
The best phone for most people
|
Pros
Great screen
Sensible size
Top performance
|
Cons
Lacks Pro Motion
Limited zoom range
|
Digital Trends
Runner-up best iPhone
|
Pros
Fast and responsive performance
Excellent camera and video capabilities
Long-lasting battery life
Supports most premium features
|
Cons
Still no USB-C
No higher refresh rate or telephoto lens
|
We ranked iPhone 13 Pro Max #4 in August 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 2 experts ranked iPhone 13 Pro Max as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best big screen iOS smartphone
|
Pros
Beautiful, premium chassis
Excellent performance
Great battery life
Gorgeous display with 120Hz refresh rate
Stellar cameras
|
Cons
Really expensive no matter the config
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone overall
|
Pros
Best-in-class cameras
120Hz ProMotion display
Superior performance
|
Cons
Charging could be faster
No Touch ID
|
Creative Bloq
The best iPhone ever
|
Pros
Superb camera
Great battery life
|
Cons
Very expensive
Bulky
|
T3
The best flagship Apple phone right now
|
Pros
Pro Motion fast refresh screen is large and luscious
Outstanding for photo and video
Great battery life
|
Cons
It's bulky and heavy
No distinctive special features over the iPhone 13 Pro
|
We ranked Google Pixel 6 Pro #5 in August 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Out of those, 1 expert ranked Google Pixel 6 Pro as #1.
Laptop Mag
Best affordable flagship phone
|
Pros
Excellent software support
Fantastic and versatile camera system
Unique software features
Affordably priced
Bright 120Hz display
|
Cons
Unproven processor
No charger in the box
|
Tom's Guide
A very good flagship value
|
Pros
Incredible cameras
Tensor performs well
Cheaper than other flagships
Attractive new design
|
Cons
Disappointing battery life
|
Pocket-lint
Our Top Pick
|
Pros
Top-tier camera performance
Bold design
|
Cons
Slightly chunky
Not especially fast charging
|
T3
The best phone for a pure Android OS experience
|
Pros
QHD+ display with 120Hz refresh rate
Staggeringly good AI photography features
|
Cons
Still no optical zoom camera
No charger in the box
|
Digital Trends
Runner-up best Android
|
Pros
Incredible camera
Fun camera features and editing tools
Vibrant, colorful screen
Android 12
Long software support
|
Cons
Unreliable in-display fingerprint sensor
Flaky cellular connection in some situations
120Hz screen can jitter
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 #6 in August 2022 because:
- 6 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best phone with a foldable screen
|
Pros
More durable, water resistant design
Dual 120Hz displays
Improved mutitasking
|
Cons
S Pen isn't included
Still pricey
|
TechRadar
The best foldable phone
|
Pros
S Pen support
More durable design
|
Cons
Cameras could be better
No front-screen S pen support
|
Creative Bloq
The best folding smartphone
|
Pros
Powerful
Beautiful design
|
Cons
Very expensive
Cameras could be better
|
Digital Trends
Best foldable smartphone
|
Pros
Improved screen durability and IPX8 waterproofing
Powerful hardware and capabilities
Solid rear cameras
Great for multitasking and productivity
|
Cons
Still expensive
Lackluster battery life
|
We ranked Google Pixel 6 #7 in August 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best phone value available today
|
Pros
Excellent software support
Unique AI software features
Bright 90Hz display
Affordable price
30W fast charging
|
Cons
No telephoto lens
No charger in the box
|
Tom's Guide
The best Android experience for a great price
|
Pros
Tensor chip adds smarts to the phone
Excellent photo-editing features
Android 12 is a welcome update
|
Cons
Battery life can be short over 5G
Lacks telephoto lens and 120Hz display of Pixel 6
|
TechRadar
The best camera phone
|
Pros
New design looks classy
Cameras and software are incredible
Great displays
|
Cons
Middling battery
Pixel 6 price fluctuates by carrier
Pro priced high for extras
|
Digital Trends
Best value
|
Pros
Great camera
Screen is colorful and vibrant
Latest Android 12 software
Years of software updates
|
Cons
Flakey connectivity
Fast charger not included
|
We ranked iPhone SE #8 in August 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best budget iOS smartphone
|
Pros
Performance beast
Portable, compact form factor
Satisfying Touch ID
Decent price
|
Cons
Obsolete design
No Night mode
Middling battery life
|
Tom's Guide
The most affordable iPhone
|
Pros
Fastest performance for the money
Very good photo quality
More durable design
|
Cons
No Night mode for camera
No mmWave 5G support
|
TechRadar
The best budget phone
|
Pros
Powerful for the cost
A 5G iPhone that's still affordable
|
Cons
Starts at only 64GB storage
Screen is cramped
|
Digital Trends
Best small smartphone
|
Pros
Future-proof A15 Bionic chip
Affordable price point
Excellent image processing
Compact form factor
|
Cons
Dated bezels and design
Unexciting LCD panel
|
We ranked OnePlus 10 Pro #9 in August 2022 because:
- 5 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best affordable flagship phone
|
Pros
Versatile triple camera array
Aggressively priced
Outstanding battery life and fast charging
Bright 120Hz display
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
|
Cons
Limited to 128GB of storage
Camera can't quite match top flagships
|
Tom's Guide
A great Samsung alternative
|
Pros
Excellent battery life
Beautiful new design
Best OnePlus cameras to date
Lower price than last year
|
Cons
Telephoto is just 8MP
|
TechRadar
The best OnePlus phone for the most seamless Android experience
|
Pros
Fantastic screen
Undercuts its rivals
|
Cons
Cameras aren’t perfect
Slower charging speed in US
|
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
Fantastic display
Speedy performance
Customisable and bloat-free software
|
Cons
Battery life could be stronger
Not very different to Find X5 Pro
USB-A charging cable is puzzling
|
T3
The best phone for most people
|
Pros
6.7-inch QHD+, 120Hz display
Powerful efficient performance
Seriously fast charging
|
Cons
Other phones have a better battery life
Camera can be a bit inconsistent
|
We ranked Oppo Find X5 Pro #10 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
Durable, beautiful design
Incredible display
Excellent charging speeds
|
Cons
The punch-hole camera is quite stark
The camera software isn't that intuitive
|
Creative Bloq
The best smartphone for an incredible camera
|
Pros
Unique, sleek design
Stunning display
Excellent camera
|
Cons
Expensive
Poor zoom on camera
|
T3
The best Android phone design
|
Pros
6.7-inch 120Hz, QHD+ screen
Long-lasting battery and fast charging
Impressive camera system
|
Cons
No MicroSD card slot or headphone jack
Expensive
|
We ranked Xiaomi 12 Pro #11 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best alternative Android phone
|
Pros
Unmatched charging and battery life
Impressive triple 50MP camera array
Solid software support
Bright adaptive 120Hz display
Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
|
Cons
Occasional stutters in OS
Weak telephoto versus competitors
Generic design
|
Pocket-lint
|
Pros
The screen is unrivalled
Very good camera trio
Slick software experience
|
Cons
Battery life is mixed
Notification issues
Can run warm
|
T3
One of the best screens in an Android phone
|
Pros
Superb screen for entertainment
Strong triple rear cameras
|
Cons
Battery life fairly weak
Some software quirks
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S22 #12 in August 2022 because:
- 3 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The new low-cost Galaxy flagship
|
Pros
Most affordable Galaxy S22 model
Improved zoom and low-light photos
Solid performance
|
Cons
Below-average battery life
Cameras still trail Pixel 6, iPhone 13
|
TechRadar
The best Samsung phone if you don't need the kitted-out S22 Ultra
|
Pros
Small and solidly built
Excellent performance
|
Cons
Not a major update
Camera system pales in comparison to its Ultra cousin
|
T3
The best small-scale Android flagship phone
|
Pros
Stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X display
Loads of new AI-based camera features
Powerful hardware
|
Cons
Not that different to the S21
S22 Plus and S22 Ultra exist
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus #13 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best premium Android phone for most people
|
Pros
Unmatched optical zoom
Gorgeous adaptive QHD+ AMOLED screen
Excellent battery life
S Pen support
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra #14 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- S Pen support
- Impressive optical zoom capability
- Large AMOLED screen
- Extended battery life
- No microSD card support
- Charger not included
- Very expensive
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra was made to impress, and it doesn’t come short on features. It is a beast in terms of size and power. Its massive size is justified by a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display that delivers a great viewing experience, and with a 120Hz refresh rate, it is certainly smooth. Backed by a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and a generous 12GB of RAM, it is responsive and will perform without much effort. The 888 happens to be the most powerful chip that Qualcomm has to offer. Of course, this needs a battery that can last. Thankfully, the 5,000mAh battery will do just that. The S21 Ultra runs on Android 11 and comes with S Pen support. However, the stylus is sold separately.
While all the features above make the S21 Ultra an exceptional smartphone, the camera is what sets it further apart from the flagship offerings of other brands. Its quad-camera system features wide-angle, ultra-wide, and two telephoto cameras that enable a whole range of capabilities for the device. Recording 8K video is effortless, and its 108MP wide-angle camera captures high-quality images that are crisp and clear. The system is capable of 3X, 10X, and 100X (Space Zoom) zoom. Taking pictures at 100X zoom surprisingly produces better images now.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is a premium smartphone that comes with a premium price. It does not include a charger nor an S Pen. However, if those things are not an issue for the user, then it is worth the price tag.
T3
The best last-gen Android flagship on the market
|
Pros
Superb 120Hz, WQHD+, HDR10+ screen
Hyper premium internal hardware
Versatile, feature-packed camera
S Pen digital stylus support
|
Cons
Still pretty pricey
S22 Ultra adds integrated S Pen stylus
|
We ranked OnePlus 9 Pro #15 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
- Greatly improved camera
- Impressive AMOLED display at 120Hz
- Fast charging (wired and wireless)
- Good phone performance
- A bit expensive
The 9 Pro is the latest flagship offering from OnePlus. There are several things to like about this smartphone that are worth mentioning. To start with, it has an impressive 6.7-inch AMOLED display that is convenient to use. The size is just right to handle comfortably, not too big and not too small. The screen responds well, thanks to the higher refresh rate. Achieving full charge status is fast, with wired charging taking about half an hour to fully charge, and wireless charging taking less than an hour. That’s actually impressive. In addition, the 4,500mAh battery can last a full day with normal use, depending on the usage.
The smartphone packs enough muscle with the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 processor and 8GB of memory, providing all the heavy lifting. The phone also features a much-improved camera system with the help of Hasselblad technology. The OnePlus 9 Pro is a good phone overall. The price may be a bit steep for some people, but in exchange, you get a great camera, good performance, a high-quality screen, fast-charging capability, and decent battery life.
TechRadar
Excellent camera, great Android experience
|
Pros
The best OnePlus camera phone
Great power
|
Cons
High price
No microSD support
|
Creative Bloq
The best sub-£1,000 camera phone
|
Pros
Impressive camera
Sharp, smooth screen
|
Cons
Good, not great battery life
Mediocre zoom on camera
|
We ranked Google Pixel 6a #16 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best affordable Android smartphone
|
Pros
Excellent software support
Unique AI software features
Bright and colorful display
Affordable $449 price
Solid performance
|
Cons
Older camera sensors
Lacks wireless and true fast charging
60Hz display
|
Tom's Guide
The best phone under $500
|
Pros
Excellent cameras
Bright display
Tensor-powered features for a low price
|
Cons
Subpar battery life
Noticeably cheap materials
|
We ranked Apple iPhone 13 Mini #17 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
TechRadar
Excellent for those who prefer smaller phones
|
Pros
Gorgeous compact design
Better battery life than iPhone 12 mini
|
Cons
Only 60Hz screen
Higher price than 2020 model
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy A53 #18 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Tom's Guide
The best low-cost phone for Android fans
|
Pros
Good display with 120Hz refresh rate
Excellent software support
Expandable storage up to 1TB
|
Cons
Pointless macro and depth cameras
Ho-hum battery life
|
TechRadar
The best budget Samsung phone
|
Pros
Good cameras for price
Good-looking screen
|
Cons
Slow to charge
Slow to navigate
|
We ranked Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 #19 in August 2022 because:
- 2 independent experts mentioned it in their “best Smartphones” rankings.
Laptop Mag
Best foldable phone you should actually consider buying
|
Pros
Unique and stunning design
Bright, vivid 120Hz display
Excellent camera performance
IPX8 water resistance
Affordably priced
|
Cons
Terrible battery life
Lacks telephoto
|