We looked at a wide range of Android phones in early 2022. Whether you wanted an unlocked flagship, a budget-friendly daily driver, or a cutting-edge foldable, there were compelling options across every price tier. Here are eleven standouts from that season.
Flagship & Unlocked Picks
The unlocked Android market in early 2022 offered strong choices for buyers who wanted freedom from carrier contracts. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro stood out for their noticeably improved cameras — a collaboration with Hasselblad brought more natural color tuning and a refined shooting experience. Other unlocked contenders delivered fast displays, solid battery life, and clean software.
OnePlus 9
Smooth 120 Hz display, Hasselblad-tuned triple camera, and Warp Charge 65T for rapid top-ups. A well-rounded flagship at a competitive price.
OnePlus 9 Pro
Quad-curved LTPO display, 50 MP ultrawide camera, and 50W wireless charging. The premium step-up with top-tier imaging.
Budget & Cheap Android Phones
Affordable Android phones in 2022 proved you didn't need to spend flagship money for a capable device. Models from Samsung's A-series, Motorola, and OnePlus's Nord line offered large screens, multi-day battery life, and dependable performance — often under $300 unlocked.
Foldable Android Phones
Foldables continued to mature in 2022. Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip lines led the category, while other manufacturers teased new form factors at MWC 2022. These devices combined tablet-sized screens with pocketable designs — still a premium niche, but increasingly practical.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3
7.6-inch foldable AMOLED, S Pen support, and under-display camera. A productivity powerhouse in a folding body.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
Compact clamshell design with a 6.7-inch folding screen and a handy cover display for notifications.
What to Look For
When shopping for an Android phone in 2022, key factors included processor speed, camera quality, update commitment, and battery endurance. Unlocked models gave the most flexibility, while carrier deals sometimes offered steep discounts on flagships. Foldables remained the exciting — if expensive — frontier.