Another year has passed and with it a host of devices. One of the best parts of our job here at GSMArena is continually experimenting with new technologies. Over the past twelve months, I’ve gotten to spend a lot on quality with the best smartphones out there. Yet the list you are about to read is of phones that have made a lasting impression on me, personally.
That doesn’t mean the phones are last year’s best, nor should it serve as buying advice for anyone in particular. I personally like a phone with a clear purpose and I believe that will be evident in the justification of each phone selected.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
This has been my personal daily driver since its launch in February. I pre-ordered one as soon as pre-orders went out and received it promptly. He’s been my faithful companion for ten months and while I wouldn’t call myself a fan of Samsung, I’ve really gotten used to the Samsung way and One UI over the years. The S22 Ultra was a direct replacement for the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, which itself replaced my beloved Galaxy Note9 once it finally died on me.
Going from phone to phone for reviews, things can get very hectic which is why I like to keep things very simple on the personal front. My app load, while very large and varied, is generally the same from phone to phone, as are my shortcuts, including things like smart home automation within Samsung SmartThings. Heck, I haven’t even changed the wallpaper on three or even four personal phones. The point is, I like consistency and the S22 Ultra delivers on that front.
Basically I see it as a familiar tool that is always in my pocket and always reliable and working as intended so I can get my tasks done quickly and efficiently. While calling a glorious piece of engineering like the S22 Ultra a “tool” might seem demeaning, it’s really the opposite and the highest form of praise in my world. Even since I switched from my previous “tool,” the Note20 Ultra, the S22 Ultra just managed to slot right into place, while also offering better battery life and a better camera experience.
I have nothing but praise to offer for the S22 Ultra. For me it just faded into the background, quietly, reliably and consistently doing his job without a hitch. This is what I wanted, and this is what I got.
Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
Let’s be real here, it’s easy to praise devices like the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s the cream of the crop that Samsung has to offer. In reality, however, few people need or even should spend that much on a phone. Flagships make headlines, but the good mid-range ones get the job done for most people, and in my humble opinion, the Galaxy A33 5G fits that bill perfectly. So much so that this year I bought one for each of my parents.
It’s hard to argue with the value proposition here. Currently retailing for under $300, the A33 5G has IP67 ingress protection, stereo speakers, a 90Hz AMOLED display, a long-lasting 5,000mAh battery, and a powerful camera setup with a 48 OIS-enabled main snapper. MP.
Having my relatives use One UI also makes troubleshooting easier. I’ve found that from my experience, most things seem to work just out of the box with Samsung’s better-than-average custom UX and hardware. My mom recently needed to do some file transfers to a flash drive, and I knew without having to look that she had OTG support. The same goes for my dad, who recently got an Android Auto compatible media unit for his car. I assured him without hesitation that his phone will work fine.
These are the kinds of personal experiences that can make or break a phone for me, and if so, easily land the Galaxy A33 5G in my personal top 5 list.
Asus ZenFone 9
I have personally come to love and admire Asus for its excellent products over the years. Though small in number, the Taiwanese giant’s phone line is exquisite, in my opinion. Every time a new ROG phone walks through the door, I look all over it for a thorough and thorough overhaul and every single time I immediately question whether to adopt it as my daily driver. And that’s not something that happens to me with many phones these days.
So, in a sense, this stop here is for Asus phones in general. However, I decided to especially highlight the Zenfone 9. I really don’t know what caused the compact flagship concept to actually die, but Asus is one of the few left to keep it alive. And in a masterful way with very few actual compromises.
The Zenfone 9 is equipped to the teeth. You get the stereo speakers, IP68 rating, 120Hz panel, HDR10+ AMOLED, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 flagship chipset, and a powerful dual camera setup on the back and autofocus selfies on the front. Basically, the works, in a really compact body.
I have personally recommended the Zenfone 9 on at least three occasions this year. It really is my benchmark for a compact flagship and, for that alone, deserves a spot on the list.
Apple iPhone SE (2022)
You can shell out on the iPhone SE (2022) as much as you like for its older design, but its popularity speaks for itself. I love a phone with a purpose and the iPhone SE is a great example. It offers a relatively cheap entry into the realm of Apple and iOS. Whether it’s for your parents, your kids, or even yourself, there’s no shame in enjoying what the SE brings to the table. And once you get past its retro design, it really packs a lot.
First of all: it’s compact. Like really compact, not in the modern sense. This may be an advantage or a disadvantage for some, but it undoubtedly makes SE unique in the current landscape. Also, in no particular order, crammed inside that tiny IP67-rated body are stereo speakers, a Retina-quality IPS display, a fairly recent Apple A15 bionic chipset, and a surprisingly good 12MP OIS-enabled camera. Honestly, I just wish there was a way to get a bigger battery inside the tiny SE (2022).
Motorola Edge 30 Fusion
Motorola’s Edge 30 range has proven particularly strong. While the Edge 30 Ultra would have been the obvious and easy choice to include on the list, I got to personally experience the Edge 30 Fusion during its review and found it a real joy in person.
Starting with its looks, the Edge 30 Fusion has a certain understated sophistication that I love. It’s also very well built. Its display is gorgeous too, with a smooth 144Hz refresh rate and excellent dynamic adaptation by the software. I also personally appreciate Motorola’s choice of a higher default DPI for the user interface. It’s a small detail, but one that sharpens things a bit in my mind.
I’m also a big believer in using USB Type-C in a standardized way, and with direct Power Delivery support, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion delivers on that. Also, despite its silly branding, “ready for” is a great feature that I might actually use from time to time, just like I use DeX on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
While personally not a big priority for me, I can only praise the camera setup for its quality and versatility. Sure, a telephoto lens would have been appreciated, but that’s not even expected at this price point. Getting autofocus on all cameras, however, is pretty awesome.
Honestly, if, for whatever reason, I had to give up my daily Samsung driver, the Motorola Edge 30 Fusion or Ultra would be first in line as replacement devices.
Honorable Mentions: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, Motorola Razr 2022
I personally like what Samsung is doing with its FE models. In fact, I believe that for most people, an “FE-class” device or something like a “flagship killer” is as premium as it is necessary to make purchasing decisions. A fully fledged flagship is shiny and beautiful and all that, but the prices have gotten ridiculous these days and it’s no secret that you don’t really get double the user experience for double the price.
The Galaxy S21 FE is an excellent premium device. It looks and feels superb, rocking that slightly older but iconic S21 look. It’s also built very well, with an IP68 rating. It has an excellent HDR10 120Hz AMOLED display with outstanding color accuracy, a solid stereo speaker setup, a flagship Snapdragon 888 chipset, and outstanding camera performance. It’s a device I’d be more than happy to use on a daily basis.
My reason for mentioning the Motorola Razr 2022 in the list is a little more niche. Simply put, its hinge mechanism made a lasting impression on me throughout the review. This time it closes the display almost perfectly, with almost no gaps and no tricks to switch the display. Furthermore, the crease in the Razr 2022’s display is very minimal and barely noticeable both visually and to the touch.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot more to like about the Razr 2022, but my appreciation for it is centered around the advancements in foldable display technology it represents.
Slight disappointment: Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
This is sure to be a hot shoot, but hear me out. I’m not going against what is probably Samsung’s most popular phone because I don’t like it. On the contrary, it offers a great overall experience with very few shortcomings and is a great choice for most users looking to buy a Galaxy.
My problem with the A53 5G is that it’s probably not as good as the phone it replaces: the Galaxy A52s 5G. The Galaxy A53 5G has lost a 3.5mm jack and downgraded its chipset from the Snapdragon 778G to the Exynos 1280. It’s clear that Samsung has decided to optimize costs and cut some corners where it will really make a difference – in a phone that ships huge volumes . And that irritates me in the wrong way.
This concludes my 2022 highlights. I hope you found my musings interesting and if you want to discuss any of the points raised, I’ll be lurking in the comments.
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