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Looking back on 2021, we saw some great new smartphones hitting the market. The iPhone 13 Pro Max, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, Google Pixel 6, and the Xiaomi Mi 11 to name just a small selection. If you’ve been an avid reader of the tech news pages like we have, you’ll see that 2022 could be even better. But not everyone has the time for such musings. That’s why we’ve put together this Gadget Cover guide to the best new smartphones for 2022.

Some of these we’ve already had a good look at, such as Samsung’s new Galaxy S22 Ultra. While others, such as the new iPhone 14 Pro, promise much but we’ve yet to get beyond mere internet rumours. But rest assured, 2022 is going to be a bumper year with plenty of innovative devices alongside those flagships.

And better yet, many of the most eagerly awaited members of this 2022 list are expected to be available sometime in the next few months. But if you’re not going to be in the market for a new phone until later in the year, then don’t despair. There’s still plenty worth holding out for.

While we can’t promise that every phone will be exactly what you’re looking for, they should at the very least be interesting, unusual, or innovative. Read our ultimate guide to buying a mobile phone and get up to date on all you need to know. From the top brands and best networks to the best place to find iPhone insurance and other protection for your investment, this guide has it all!

However, with many of 2022’s top phones costing top dollar and being so sought-after, theft, loss, breakdown or damage can be a real risk. So, make sure you’ve got the right cover for your phone before you take it out of the box. The team at Gadget Cover have policies to suit any of these fabulous devices. From iPhone insurance, protection for accessories and so much more, take a look at what we have to offer today.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Applauded by reviewers at Tom’s Guide as the best Android phone you can buy right now, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is big and pricey but an excellent all-rounder. There’s a lot to say about this remarkable phone but let’s start with the smooth ultra-high resolution, 6.8-inch screen. It offers a truly immersive experience, brilliant colours and a 1 to 120Hz refresh rate. And being 5G enabled means it’s perfect for online gaming without the fear of lag.

Next up is the incredible camera array which features a 40MP selfie camera, plus 12MP ultra-wide, 108MP wide, and 10MP telephoto lenses. It provides epic stills and video, even at night. Plus you’ll have no problem getting close to the action with a simply superb 3x/10x optical and 100x digitally-enhanced space zoom capability.

And last, but not least, multi-taskers will love the thin and light Bluetooth S Pen that’s been perfectly embedded in the phone’s minimalist design. Ultra-responsive and precise, it lets you sign documents, sketch ideas, take notes, and so much more.

Taken all together, Samsung has created a super-versatile device that’s perfect for business people, note takers and scribblers, gamers and big-screen media addicts alike.

The negatives? All that power means battery life could be an issue, although with super-fast charging you shouldn’t be hanging around for long. Prices range from £1,149 for the 128GB option right up to £1,499 for the 1TB option. And when you’re choosing the storage option to go for, be aware that none of the S22 phones come with a microSD card slot for upgrading your storage space.     

We aren’t just all about great value iPhone insurance here at Gadget Cover. We can also offer mobile phone insurance for these big beauties, too.

OnePlus 10 Pro

Already available to consumers in China, UK tech lovers will have to wait just a little bit longer to get their hands on the latest offering from OnePlus. But what we know so far is that it has a premium glass-backed finish and comes in stunning Volcano Black and Forest Green (and potentially white).

There’s a curved 6.7-inch AMOLED display offering 3216 x 1440 pixels and 525ppi. And dynamic refresh rates from 1 to 120Hz. While the phone hasn’t been put through its paces yet, with a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset on board it’s bound to offer blistering performance. There are also options for 8GB or 12 GB RAM and internal storage up to 512GB.

In terms of battery power, we’re looking at a 5,000mAh battery alongside 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. And finally, we’ve got those wonderful Hasselblad cameras to look forward to. The OnePlus 10 Pro has an attractive triple-lens rear camera array, with a 48MP main, a 50MP ultra-wide, and an 8MP telephoto with 3.3x optical zoom.

First impressions from reviewers seem to be good, but it remains to be seen how well all of this will come together in practice.

Be aware, if you’re thinking of holding out for a lower priced standard OnePlus 10 to be released then it looks like you’re going to be disappointed. Unlike previous launches, OnePlus has now confirmed that the flagship 10 series will just consist of one phone – the OnePlus 10 Pro.

Xiaomi 12 range

Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has already unveiled the Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro and 12X in China. With some reviewers suggesting that when they come to the UK in the spring they will be some of the best phones of 2022. The 12 Pro offers a 6.73-inch AMOLED display offering 3200 x 1440 pixels and a 120Hz refresh rate.

In terms of cameras the Pro gets a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 2x optical zoom, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 32MP selfie snapper, too. Power-wise the Pro has a 4,600mAh battery, 50W wireless charging and a super-speedy 120W wired charging. Finally, both the 12 and 12 Pro get Qualcomm’s super-powered Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM.

But if rumours are to be believed then the 12 range is unlikely to stop there. There's also been talk of a Xiaomi 12 Ultra, 12 Lite, 12 Mini, 12X Pro and even a 12 Ultra Enhanced as well!

Unfortunately, this is still all the stuff of fevered rumour-mongering so far, but we are most excited by the prospect of the 12 Ultra. With some sources pointing to a ridiculously large rear camera bump with potential space for up to seven lenses! That would be on top of specs that promise to be at least as high-end as the rest of the range.

Fingers crossed for a release date towards the end of 2022, but don’t expect the 12 Ultra to come cheap. As the top-end of the Xiaomi 12 stable you should probably start saving now if you want to be in with a hope of buying it.

Huawei P50 Pro

A rather late Christmas present for tech lovers in the UK, but the Huawei P50 Pro is finally available here. As the flagship model in the P50 range, the P50 Pro is a premium build phone boasting a 6.6-inch display with a 2700 x 1228 resolution and 450ppi. The OLED screen has a 120Hz refresh rate and is great for watching movies and videos.

Inside, the P50 Pro is powered by a Snapdragon 888 chipset, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage.

There’s an ‘interesting’ looking quad-lens Leica camera set up on the back housed in an enormous double camera bump. Here you’ll find a 50MP main camera, a 64MP telephoto (with 3.5x optical and 200x digital zoom), a 13MP ultra-wide, and a 40MP monochrome camera.

It also has a 4,360mAh battery with 66W wired charging and 50W wireless charging. If you’re hoping to use 5G then think again. The P50 Pro doesn’t offer this. While that might not be a big issue at the moment, if you’re looking to future-proof your phone then it could be a real problem. If 5G is a must for you, then take a look at our list of the best new 5G phones on the market.

While we’re on the subject of Huawei, if you’re partial to foldables, the recently released clamshell-style Huawei P50 Pocket might also be worth your consideration. We have to say, the Premium Edition produced in collaboration with haute couture designer Iris Van Herpen is so stunning, you’re unlikely to see another one on your daily commute.

iPhone SE 3

Something that Apple enthusiasts always look forward to at this time of year is the announcement of a ‘Spring Event’ by the tech giant. Well, this year is no different with Apple already sending out colourful invites to a ‘Peek Performance’ at a virtual event in March. While it might not garner the world-wide media attention of the annual iPhone launch in the autumn, product launches at this time of year are still eagerly awaited.

We usually see new consumer-grade iPads, MacBooks, Airs and even a surprise or two. This year we’re hoping to see the launch of a worthy successor to the iPhone SE (2020). But what will the latest budget-friendly addition to the iPhone family offer? It seems most likely that we’ll see the arrival of 5G and the speedy A15 Bionic chipset. A complete redesign doesn’t seem on the cards so it’ll probably look a lot like the current model.

While we might not see earth-shattering improvements overall, to be fair a new compact, relatively affordable iPhone with flagship power and 5G is still worth getting excited about.

If you love your Apple accessories then the guys over at TechRadar have been suggesting some pretty exciting announcements that might be made at the launch event. These include new AirPods Pro 2, a new Apple TV device and something even more tantalising!

When Apple’s head of global marketing Greg Joswiak tweeted a video announcement for the event, TechRadar got very excited indeed. They’ve spent a long time watching the 15-second video and believe they’ve discovered important tell-tale clues pointing to the arrival of Apple Glasses. We do hope it’s true!

Whether or not Apple Glasses really do appear, it’s always important to have cover for your iPhone accessories. iPhone insurance arranged through Gadget Cover means we’ll replace any accessories (up to £150) if they are lost, stolen or damaged at the same time as your gadget. A handy benefit indeed.

Sony Xperia 1 IV

Sometimes it’s all too easy to get distracted by the chatter from the likes of Samsung, Huawei and Apple when considering your next smartphone purchase. We understand why, but it really doesn’t help to have tunnel vision when it comes to such big decisions.

Last summer, Sony launched the Xperia 1 III. Seen as the best phone Sony had come up with in quite a while, it was a What Hi-Fi? Awards 2021 winner and won many plaudits. The success of the Xperia 1 III has left many commentators excited for the arrival of its successor – the Sony Xperia 1 IV.

Due to be unveiled at some point in the first half of 2022, we haven't got too much firm information to go on yet. However, The Verge has seen leaked renders suggesting the phone will have a similar design to its predecessor. And for those who are a bit obsessed with the subject, yes it looks like the phone will still have a headphone jack!

Leaked specs suggest it’ll feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, a choice of 12GB or 16GB  RAM, 256GB or 512GB storage, a 5,000mAh battery, 45W charging, and camera improvements. Which, when you look at the competition, has to be expected if Sony wants to justify the (no doubt) high price tag.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Folding phones have been big news for a few years now. And every time a new one comes out, we get super-excited to see just how far the ground-breaking technology has come. As you can imagine, Samsung is right up there with the best when it comes to folding phone innovations.

But whatever it comes out with next had better be good. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 and the Galaxy Z Fold3 both featured in our list of best new phones for Christmas 2021, and it’s easy to see why. 

So, the anticipation is great for the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4, expected to launch in August or September of this year. Indeed, we’re hoping it could be the best foldable phone not just from Samsung but from any company so far.

Unfortunately, rumours are thin on the ground when it comes to the Fold4. Current industry whispers suggest it might be lighter, offer improved dust and water-resistance, have a built-in S Pen, and an improved under-display camera.

On the negative side, it sounds like the battery might be the same size as the Fold3 – a problem in folding phones when you have so much screen real estate to power!

iPhone 14 range

There are few things more highly anticipated in the world of smartphones than the arrival of a new clutch of iPhones, and 2022 is no exception. Even this early in the year there are already plenty of rumours flying around about what might or might not be included in the iPhone 14 range.

And all that hype may well be justified this year, as industry pundits seem to be unanimous in their belief that at least the iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max will receive a complete redesign. We could finally see the notch disappear to be replaced by a hole-punch camera instead.

We've also heard there might be a new model in the form of the iPhone 14 Max - a standard iPhone 14 but with a big 6.68-inch, 2778 x 1284 flexible OLED screen.

Reliable sources also suggest big camera upgrades, with a new 48MP main sensor for the Pro models, and all four iPhones to support 8K video recording.

We expect to hear plenty more tantalising leaks in the coming months as we get closer and closer to the rumoured September launch date.

But whether or not these rumours are proved to be true or not on launch day, if you do buy the latest iPhone 14 don’t forget to invest in some iPhone insurance while you’re at it. Contacting the team at Gadget Cover now about iPhone insurance will make everything as straightforward as possible.

Google Pixel 7

Despite the Google Pixel 6 only launching a few months ago, we’re already coming across rumours about its successor the Pixel 7. Expected to launch some time in the autumn of 2022, while we don't know too many details as yet there’s still enough to get us excited.

Anyone expecting another complete redesign like the Pixel 6 range is going to be disappointed. But the Pixel 6 was so good that even if the Pixel 7 is just a more polished version of that, it’s sure to find plenty of fans. What Hi-Fi? has some high-quality leaked renders suggesting that the rear camera bar will stay. But this time it will meld directly onto the phone’s body. But other than that they look very similar indeed.

Inside, it’s rumoured that the Pixel 7 will have a new, more powerful Google Tensor chipset, a larger battery, and a 512GB storage option.

Other phones to add to your 2022 wish list

Here are a few more smartphones that tech aficionados are looking forward to in 2022, but these are far from a certainty. Let’s keep our fingers crossed!

Google Pixel Fold

Samsung is currently cornering the market on folding phones, but if Google manages to release the Pixel Fold then it could be worth getting excited about. In view of the interest in foldables at the moment it’s hoped that this could arrive sooner rather than later.

The rumour mill currently says the Pixel Fold will have a 7.6-inch foldable OLED screen and the same Tensor chipset as the Pixel 6 range. But that’s to be taken with a healthy pinch of salt for now.

If you’re in the market for a foldable that’s already on the market then better take a look at our Gadget Cover list of best new folding phones.

Nokia 10

A new top-end phone from Nokia? It’s been three years since the Nokia 9 Pureview so surely one should be with us soon. Could 2022 be the year it happens? Will it be worth the wait?

Current rumours point to an in-screen selfie camera, a sapphire glass display, a five lens camera, a huge 200MP main sensor, a whopping 6,000mAh battery, and a high-end Snapdragon chipset. If it ever arrives, it could be a real contender!

Arrange iPhone insurance and so much more with Gadget Cover

For all these tantalising details many of you will still be looking towards the Apple family for your next smartphone purchase. That’s why the team at Gadget Cover are always searching for high-quality iPhone insurance policies suitable for you and your budget.

We offer policies to protect against accidental damage, liquid damage, theft, breakdown and unauthorised usage as standard. And we can also cover you against loss, for an extra charge.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a quote for iPhone insurance from Gadget Cover today.

Policy benefits, features and discounts offered may very between insurance schemes or cover selected and are subject to underwriting criteria. Information contained within this article is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.