Apple iPhone 13 Pro

The iPhone 13 Pro is the best phone Apple produces and it received a stellar score in our review. The new smartphone adds a third rear camera with 3x optical zoom (up from 2x on the iPhone 12), a stainless steel body and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling.

 

Read our Apple iPhone 13 Pro review.

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

As Samsung's elite flagship phone for 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra features a brilliant 6.8-inch AMOLED display with an ultrasmooth 120Hz refresh rate that also supports Samsung's S-Pen stylus, an awesome rear camera with incredible zoom skills and 5G connectivity for super speedy data. It's powered by the top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon chip for amazing performance. This is the best in mobile technology that Samsung has to offer, and it's the Android phone to go for if you're keen to put cutting-edge mobile phone tech in your pocket.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra review.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with the best iPhones. And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price.

Read our Google Pixel 6 Pro review.

Apple iPhone 13

The standard iPhone 13 is a reliable choice for most people, sporting a 6.1-inch screen and two excellent rear cameras. For this model, Apple has pledged longer battery life, improved cameras and better durability than the Apple iPhone 12. What do you miss by not going Pro? A third rear camera with 3x optical zoom and a ProMotion screen with refresh rates up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling. It is not a cheap phone, but definitely a more affordable flagship pick than the Pro siblings.

Read our Apple iPhone 13 review.

Are you planning to buy a new phone or upgrade your phone? Not all smartphones are created equal. People prefer different smartphone functionality based on their needs. From the iPhone 13 Pro to the Pixel 6 Pro, this list contains the best of both iOS and Android operating systems. 

The sheer amount of solid smartphone competition gives you great options to choose at whatever price suits your budget, regardless of whether your biggest concern is an AMOLED display, high-speed data or a cracking camera. Opting for a more affordable phone doesn't mean compromising on usability, with even budget handsets offering big, vibrant displays and multiple main and rear cameras. We're even starting to see 5G connectivity on much lower-end phones. 

To help you figure out the best of the best, we rounded up our picks for the best phone to buy in 2022. Every phone on this list has been thoroughly reviewed and tested, from its battery life to camera performance. Each link is to an unlocked phone, and the phones should run on most of the big four US wireless carriers, unless otherwise specified. We update this list regularly. 

For more info, read our guide to help find the best phone for your needs and take a look at our tips on how to buy a new Apple iPhone or Android phone.