If you have been pondering whether it’s the right time to upgrade your smartphone and think the start of 2022 may be the perfect time to do it, then consider this your guide to making the right choice for you. Here are some of the latest phones to come out from a few of the biggest players in the space.
Samsung: Do You Miss the Flip Phone?
Samsung is bringing the flip phone back in style. The Galaxy Z Flip3 5G ($999 and up) comes in four vibrant colors and a Bespoke Edition that lets you design it with your own color choices. Of course, the real appeal is the flexible 6.7-inch touchscreen that can be folded in half, so the phone can fit in small pockets in its 4.2-inch form. With a 1.9-inch Cover Screen you don’t need to open the phone to check notifications, play music, take photos, and even preview the photos. Or you can open the phone halfway to set it down to take pictures/videos, video chat, and more.
Apple: Upgraded Camera System
The biggest change in the new iPhone 13 Pro ($999 and up) and Pro Max ($1,099 and up) is Apple’s most advanced phone camera system ever. The Ultra Wide, Wide, and Telephoto cameras offer new capabilities including macro photography and up to 2.2x improved low-light performance. Plus, features such as Photographic Styles let you apply your preferred Tone and Warmth settings while keeping things like skies and skin tones their natural colors. Video recording is also much improved with Cinematic mode that includes automatic focus changes which transition between subjects as they enter the frame.
Asus: Compact but Powerful
If you are becoming overwhelmed by the increasing sizes of smartphones, Asus is offering a more compact alternative. The Zenfone 8 ($629.99 and up) has a 5.9-inch display and all-new One-handed Mode that makes it easy and comfortable to control everything with your thumb. You can swipe down from the edge of the screen to reduce the window size to bring all of the controls within reach. The phone is powered by an advanced 5 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G Mobile Platform, which offers 25% faster performance and 35% faster graphics rendering.
Google: A Phone that Knows You
Google reimagined its user experience for the Pixel 6 ($599 and up) and 6 Pro ($899 and up) to be more intuitive, adaptive, and personalized. The phone learns about you and through its “At a Glance” feature shows you the apps and info you most need when you need it, such as the boarding pass for your upcoming flight. You can also translate messages, signs, and videos in real time—without the internet—for 55 languages. And Google promises an all-day battery that can last up to 48 hours with Extreme Battery Saver.
Sony: More Camera Than Phone
For shutterbugs who primarily treat their phones as a camera, Sony has built the device for you. The Xperia PRO-I ($1,800) is developed with the same technology from Sony’s mirrorless Alpha brand cameras and is the first smartphone to include a 1.0-type sensor with phase detection autofocus. This allows for improved low light performance, dynamic range, and dual aperture to easily change the depth of field based on the photographer’s intention. It is also the first phone that can shoot high-quality video in 4K 120fps, which can capture fast-moving scenes and slow-motion video at up to 5x.
