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2022 was a tough year for the smartphone industry as a whole. Yes, we saw plenty of new launches, but while the average selling price (ASP) went up in India, the market has started declining. Blame it on macro factors, rising inflation or lack of innovation, the fact is that smartphone sales are down. It doesn’t help that the smartphone itself has not evolved drastically this year. Instead, most companies have gone with the tried-and-tested formula and focused on improving some core features. But it is also fair to say that these days smartphones offer a certain standard in the performance and camera departments. Of course, that makes our jobs as reviewers tougher, especially when it comes to picking ones that stood out this year. Here are our picks for 2022 based on what we reviewed.
Ultra-Premium smartphones (Rs 60,000 and above)
This is one of the toughest categories in smartphones. That’s because most people love to hate these phones, given the price and everyone wants to own one. Admit it, the ‘ultra-premium’ phone is still something most of us aspire towards. Here’s our list of the best ‘ultra-premium phones’ from 2022.
Apple stays on top, as the iPhone 14 Pro Max is still the device to beat. It remains the reliable choice for users who want to splurge on their phone and want a device that delivers. More importantly, it has an excellent camera, with a low-light performance that has improved significantly as we saw in our testing. Plus, that Dynamic Island notch was something no one saw coming, and don’t be surprised if you see it on other Android phones next year.
The Galaxy lineup has evolved drastically, with Samsung now focusing on foldable phones in the top slot. And while the Galaxy Z Fold 4 will appeal to those who want something with a bigger display, the Z Flip4 remains one of the most stylish form factors that money can buy for you. In our view, this device packs everything you want, a good camera and performance. And it will set you apart from the crowd.
Special mention: Vivo X80 Pro, Pixel 7 Pro
Two years ago, Vivo’s phones perhaps would not have found a mention in the flagship category. But the company has drastically upped the game on the camera front, and that’s why it is on this list. It really pushed the boundaries of a flagship camera and is close to beating both Apple and Google in some scenarios. The cinematic mode in video recording is also an area where the Vivo X80 Pro excelled
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Finally, we saw the official Pixel series return to India, and yes, the Pixel 7 Pro impressed us with the camera. Pixel 7 Pro might not have the most powerful specifications on paper, but if you want an Android phone with a camera that beats the competition hollow, then the Pixel does that job easily.
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Premium smartphones (Rs 40,000 – Rs 60,000)
Sure, smartphone prices have gone up, but you don’t have to pay Rs 80,000 plus to get the best specifications. Companies like OnePlus, iQoo, Realme, and Xiaomi offered plenty of options in this category, often with the best specifications.
Winner: iQoo 9T, OnePlus 10T
The budget flagship approach has been really popular in the past few years, but it seems like the iQOO 9T got the formula just right. Priced at just under Rs 50,000, the phone packed the fastest processor available with other top-notch specs and a sturdy build.
OnePlus took an interesting approach this year, as it introduced the OnePlus 10T with some deviations from what one typically expected. The OnePlus 10T offered the best specifications, a big battery, excellent camera, but the brand dropped the alert slider and Hasselblad branding. This also meant the OnePlus 10T was available at a lower cost than the Pro.
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Top Our list of the best smartphones of 2022
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