It can be tricky shopping for a smartphone at the beginning of the year. Most smartphone makers have yet to launch their new phones, so you're probably picking from last year's models or the few that are out. However, the rate of smartphone innovation has flatlined in recent years. So what if upcoming phones will have a marginally faster processor and a bit more memory? You're probably not missing out on much with an older model. Here then are our top 5 Android smartphones to get in early 2022.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
As usual, Samsung is the first major smartphone maker to launch its flagship phones of the year. And it's certainly setting a high bar for Android smartphones with its top-of-the-line Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. This spiritual successor to Samsung's Galaxy Note series come with the S-Pen, a brilliant display, and some of the best hardware you'll find in an Android phone this year.
Google Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6
Google's Pixel phones have returned to the Singapore market after the no-show of the previous Pixel 5 series. The latest Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6 phones, launched late last year, come with Google's first custom-designed chipset, which promises improved performance in machine learning apps. More importantly, they have the best camera hardware in a Pixel phone ever. The Pro model, for example, has a telephoto camera while even the standard Pixel 6 sports a 50MP main camera. It's definitely a marked upgrade over previous Pixel phones.
Huawei P50 Pro
Huawei smartphones like its latest P50 Pro flagship still lack access to Google apps and services due to the US trade ban. But hardware-wise, especially in the camera department, the P50 Pro is definitely a top contender. In fact, I would even consider its quad camera system to be class-leading — its low-light photography is simply amazing. Many apps used by locals, such as banking and government apps, are also available from the Huawei AppGallery store.
Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G
If you're looking for a more affordable but still feature-packed Android smartphone, consider the Oppo Reno7 Pro 5G. For just under S$1,000, you'll get an excellent triple-camera system and an attractive iPhone-like build. The cameras take photos with lots of detail and clarity, while low-light performance is good, too. Coupled with good battery life and a snappy processor, the Oppo offers style and substance without breaking the bank.
Vivo X70 Pro 5G
Photography is probably the biggest factor when it comes to buying a smartphone. That's why you should consider the Vivo X70 Pro 5G, which has partnered with Zeiss for its quad cameras. Its 50MP gimbal camera, in particular, helps greatly in night and action shots, while the periscope camera offers good 5x optical zoom performance. Not to mention that the camera app has several useful photography features, including a good macro mode. Battery life is another plus, and the overall performance is good, despite not having a flagship chip.
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