Apple's iPhone 14, Google's Pixel 7 and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 are three of the phones potentially on tap for later this year.
Apple and Samsung have already announced new phones, but we're still expecting many more new devices in 2022.
We've already seen several new phones from Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus debut this year, but some of 2022's most anticipated releases are expected to arrive closer to the fall. Apple is rumored to announce a giant version of its standard, non-Pro iPhone this year, while Google's Pixel 7 will introduce a new generation of its in-house Tensor chip. Samsung reportedly has new foldables on the way, too.
Here's a look at the phones we're most excited to see in 2022 based on rumors and reports that have surfaced so far. We've also included a section at the bottom for phones that were previously on this list but have since been announced, such as Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro will likely have the standard updates you'd expect from a next-generation iPhone, such as a new Apple processor and maybe some design tweaks. But it's the new camera that seems to be the most exciting potential update. If the rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max could have a 48-megapixel main camera. That's according to two reports from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as 9to5Mac and MacRumors reported.
Apple has improved the iPhone Pro's camera in many ways over the years, adding a third ultrawide camera lens in 2019 with the iPhone 11 Pro and improving the telephoto camera's zoom range in 2020 with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. But the resolution has remained at 12 megapixels for years, even as far back as the iPhone 7.
Resolution isn't everything. There's a lot more that goes into producing a great photo. Factors such as the size of the sensor and the camera's aperture, which is the opening that allows it to take in light, both play a big role in determining image quality. Other internal upgrades, like the improvements Apple's new chips bring to image processing algorithms and machine learning, also affect camera performance. But a major jump like this would still suggest that significant camera upgrades are in store for Apple's next pro-grade iPhone.
We're expecting the iPhone 14 Pro to debut in September, in line with Apple's usual launch cycle. The phone is also expected to get a new hole-punch shaped cutout for the front camera to replace the notch, according to Kuo.
Apple iPhone 14 Max
The biggest upgrades we're expecting to see from next year's flagship iPhone come down to the camera, design and screen size. But it's the reported iPhone 14 Max that I'm most excited about, which is said to be a supersize version of Apple's standard next-gen iPhone.
Apple will ditch the iPhone Mini and instead add another 6.7-inch iPhone to the mix next year, according to Nikkei Asian Review. That means the iPhone 14 lineup may consist of two 6.1-inch models (the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro), and two 6.7-inch versions (the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max).
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Apple's iPhone 14 Max will seemingly be aimed at those who want a larger screen but don't necessarily care about the other upgrades that come with Apple's Pro line, like a triple-lens camera and lidar sensor. It could be a great choice for iPhone fans who've been waiting for a gigantic display but don't want to splurge on the $1,099 iPhone 13 Pro Max.
We'll probably have to wait until the fall to learn more about Apple's future plans for the iPhone.
Google Pixel 7
Google's Pixel phone is getting a big upgrade this fall. The company teased the Pixel 7 during Google I/O in May, revealing that it will have a second-generation Tensor processor, a glass design with a new aluminum camera bar and a triple-lens camera on the Pro model. That's basically all Google has told us for now, but the company promised to share more details later in the year.
The Pixel 6 was the first phone to come with Google's own Tensor chip, signaling a turning point for the Pixel series. The chip brought improvements to tasks that rely on machine learning, like translation, image processing and speech recognition. Although the Pixel 7 likely won't be as dramatic of an update as the Pixel 6, I'm looking forward to seeing what the next generation of Google's Tensor chip has in store.
Google Pixel Fold (or Pixel Notepad)
Google hasn't said a word about any plans to launch a foldable Pixel phone, but rumors have been picking up steam lately. The most recent leak comes from 9to5Google, which reports that Google's first flexible phone could be called the Pixel Notepad. But perhaps more interestingly, the report also suggests this so-called Pixel Notepad could be cheaper than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3, which costs $1,800. That's a big deal, because high prices have been one of the biggest setbacks of today's foldable phones.
In terms of design, Google's foldable phone will likely be similar in shape to Oppo's Find N rather than to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3. That's according to animations that 9to5Google found in Android 12L, Google's Android software designed for larger-screened devices like tablets.
But the camera could be a step down from the Pixel 6's, as 9to5Google reports that Google's foldable may have the same camera sensors as the Pixel 5. The publication reportedly found references to the Pixel Fold's camera sensor in the Android package kit files (which are used to distribute and install Android apps) for Google's camera app.
If Google's foldable does end up having a lesser camera than the Pixel 6, it's possible that Google may have made this compromise to achieve a competitive price and keep the device slim. Other files associated with Google's camera app also include code that references a potential 2022 launch date, according to 9to5Google, suggesting that the search giant may indeed announce its first foldable this year.
Foldable phones are still expensive and come with many limitations. But Google's current approach to smartphones has made me hopeful that it'll bring something useful (or at least interesting) to this space. Take the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, for example, both of which include exclusive features that make use of Google Assistant. These include Wait Times, which displays projected wait times before calling a toll-free number, and Direct My Call, a tool for transcribing automated menus when dialing toll-free businesses. Both of those additions prove Google is thinking about ways to improve the core functionality of smartphones. I'm hoping it will take a similar strategy toward foldable devices, especially now that Google has started making its own phone chips.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4
Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the most polished foldable phone I've used, and it's close to being the first foldable phone I'd recommend. But it's still much more expensive than the average phone, and the Z Fold 3's unconventional design still makes it feel awkward to use as a regular phone.
Given the progress Samsung has made in foldable phones so far, I'm excited to see how it addresses these shortcomings moving forward. We haven't heard much about Samsung's future plans when it comes to foldable phones. But since Samsung is already on its third generation of the Z Fold since launching the original in 2019, I wouldn't be surprised to see another version launch this year.
Samsung also said it sold four times as many units of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 than it did of its previous foldable phones throughout 2020. That alone suggests demand for the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 has been solid at the very least, giving Samsung reason to push full steam ahead.
If Samsung does launch another Galaxy Z Fold this year, we can probably expect to see the usual slate of updates, such as a newer processor and slightly improved design. But I'd also like to see longer battery life, a lower price, more software features that put the Z Fold's larger screen to better use and an updated design that makes the device less cumbersome when folded. It would also be great to see Samsung include the S-Pen stylus with future versions of the Fold rather than selling it separately.
Phones we were excited about that have launched in 2022
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
Apple announced the third-gen iPhone SE during a March product launch event, its first of the year. As the rumors had predicted, the 2022 iPhone SE has 5G support and the same A15 Bionic processor found in the iPhone 13. Apple also says it's improved the phone's battery life and camera quality, although it has a single 12-megapixel lens similar to its predecessor. The company also slightly increased the price to $429 compared to the 2020 version which started at $400.
The second-gen iPhone SE stood out for its balance of great performance, affordability and portability. Apple has maintained that strategy with the latest model, as my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review.
Google Pixel 6A
Google's Pixel 6 is already a great value at $600. But the $449 Pixel 6A, which Google announced during its I/O conference in May, is inheriting some of the Pixel 6's best features for a lower price.
The Pixel 6A, which launches in July, runs on Google's Tensor processor and largely maintains the Pixel 6's look and feel. It has a 6.1-inch screen and a 12-megapixel camera system with ultrawide and standard lenses. Google's cheaper new phone also maintains some of the search giant's signature photography features, like Night Sight, Real Tone and Magic Eraser. It supports 5G and will get three years of Android software updates and five years of security updates.
Google isn't new to the budget smartphone space. But I'm excited to see what its new Tensor chip could bring to a phone at this price. It feels like Google has finally found the right balance of affordability and premium features with the Pixel 6, and it looks like this approach has trickled down to the Pixel 6A.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Fans of Samsung's Galaxy Note lineup have something new to be excited about. With an included stylus that you can store inside the phone, a fresh design with more pronounced corners and a quadruple-lens camera, The $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is essentially Samsung's Galaxy Note successor.
It has a spacious 6.8-inch screen just like Samsung's previous Galaxy S21 Ultra, making it ideal for those who do a lot of reading, watching movies or taking notes on their mobile device. Samsung has also improved the way all three of its Galaxy S22 phones take photos in the dark. But at $1,200, it's one of the most expensive phones that Samsung sells. The battery life could also be better, especially for such an expensive phone. But we still recommend it for those who want the one of the best cameras and biggest screens available on a phone.
Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Samsung's $700 Galaxy S21 FE, which launched in January, is basically a diet version of the Galaxy S21. It has the same processor as the Galaxy S21 along with a larger screen and battery, but comes with a less sharp telephoto lens. There's also a 32-megapixel selfie camera on the front, which takes more detailed images than the Galaxy S22's 10-megapixel front camera.
Samsung launched the device just before introducing the Galaxy S22 lineup in February, which made for awkward timing. If you're trying to decide between the two, the Galaxy S21 FE is the better choice if you want a larger screen and don't mind sacrificing camera quality to save $100. But the Galaxy S22 has a newer processor, much improved camera that can also take better photos in the dark and a more elegant design.
OnePlus 10 Pro
The OnePlus 10 Pro debuted in January, although it won't launch in markets outside of China until March. While we haven't tested it yet, the device seems promising based on the details we've learned about its camera, charging speed and other specifications. The OnePlus 10 Pro runs on Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, has a 6.7-inch OLED screen that can boost its refresh rate up to 120Hz and supports 80-watt wired charging that should be noticeably faster than the competition. The phone also comes with a triple-lens main camera with a 48-megapixel main camera, 8-megapixel telephoto camera and 50-megapixel main camera. We'll have to wait until we try it ourselves to know if it lives up to the hype.
Looking for more advice about the phone you currently have? Check out our guide to the Galaxy S21's best features, the iOS 15 settings you should change on your iPhone and how to get the most out of your Pixel 6.
