Your Next Smartphone - The Flagship Phones

When looking to purchase a new smartphone, most people are tempted by the latest and greatest devices on the market. In today’s blog, we’re going to introduce you to just that, the best smartphones you can get and use today.

Google Pixel 6 Pro

Google spent the past two calendar years without a “flagship” offering. Their top-of-the-line phone from 2020-21 was a more budget-friendly offering, but this year they have rolled out their first flagship phone in two years with the Google Pixel 6 Pro. 

Running on Google’s new Tensor chip, the Pixel 6 Pro features a 6.7-inch LTPO display, 12 GB of RAM, and up to 512 GB of onboard storage. It runs a stock version of Android 12, Google’s most recent mobile OS. The idea is, by investing in processing technology, that it will allow the software giant to optimize this and future devices’ performance. 

For years, Google has offered some of the highest-quality cameras and software optimization. The Pixel 6 Pro continues this with its three-camera setup. It features a 50 MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 48 MP telephoto lens with OIS, and a fixed 12 MP ultra wide-angle lens. It also claims a 5,003 mAh battery with 84 hours of battery life, an under-display fingerprint sensor, and 23W fast-charging. 

Available in Cloudy White, Sorta Sunny, and Stormy Black for $899, you can get the Pixel 6 Pro directly from Google or via many of the leading cellular carriers. 

Google Pixel 6 Pro
Body: Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Display: 6.71-inch LTPO AMOLED; 1,440 x 3,120 (~512 ppi); 120 Hz
OS: Android 12
Chipset: Google Tensor
Memory: 12 GB RAM; 128, 256, 512 GB of onboard storage
Expandable Memory: None
Cameras: Rear - 50 MP 25mm; 48MP 104mm telephoto with 4x optical zoom; 12 MP 17mm. Front - 11.1 MP 20mm 
Sounds: Stereo speakers, no headphone jack
Battery (battery endurance rating): 5,003 mAh (84 hours)
Security: In-display fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: IP68 water and dust resistant
Other versions: Google Pixel 6

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max

Another year, another iPhone. Apple has sustained (and thrived) as many of the world’s biggest technology companies enter (and usually leave) the smartphone space. This year’s best iPhone, the iPhone 13 Pro Max sports a stainless steel frame and Gorilla Glass on the front and back. The device features a 6.7-inch Super Reina XDR OLED display, and is powered by Apple’s proprietary 15 Bionic chipset. It has a comparatively lower 6 GB of RAM than many of the other premium devices, but Apple’s ability to get best-in-class performance from lower specifications has been their calling card for a long time. 

The 13 Pro Max also features three rear-facing cameras, including a 12 MP wide-angle lens with sensor-shift technology, a 12 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and traditional OIS, and a 12 MP ultra wide-angle lens. With a 4,352 mAh battery the iPhone 13 Pro Max has an impressive 121 endurance rating. It also features 27W fast charging.

For security, the iPhone 13 Pro Max features Apple Face ID security software and is rated IP68 certified. It is available in Graphite, Gold, SIlver, and Sierra Blue for $1,099 from the Apple store and most wireless carriers.

iPhone 13 Pro Max
Body: Stainless Steel frame, Gorilla Glass front and back
Display: 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED; 1,284 x 2,778 (~458 ppi); 120 Hz
OS: iOS 15.2
Chipset: A15 Bionic
Memory: 6 GB RAM; 128, 256, 512 GB, 1 TB of onboard storage
Expandable Memory: None
Cameras: Rear - 12 MP 26 mm; 12 MP 77mm telephoto with 3x optical zoom; 12 MP 13mm; Front - 12 MP 23 mm
Sounds: Stereo speakers, no headphone jack
Battery (battery endurance rating): 4,352 mAh (121 hours)
Security: Face ID
Miscellaneous: IP68 water dust resistant
Other versions: iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 mini

Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra

The Galaxy s21 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1,440 x 3,200 resolution housed in an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back. It also runs the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip with 12 or 16 GB of RAM, depending on your chosen model. It runs the operating system Android 11 with Samsung’s One UI 3.1, but it is immediately upgradable to Samsung’s One UI 4.0 and Android 12.

This device also features four different cameras: a 108 MP wide-angle lens with OIS, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom with OIS, another 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. The front-facing camera has an impressive 40 MP. In regards to security, there is an in-display fingerprint scanner. Furthermore, users will not be wanting for battery life with a 5,000 mAh battery and up to 114 hours of life plus 25W fast charging. The device has additional features such as IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as s-pen capabilities. 

Available in Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Titanium, Phantom Navy, and Phantom Brown, the Galaxy s21 Ultra starts at $1,199.99 and can be purchased from Samsung or at one of the major carriers. 

Samsung Galaxy s21 Ultra 5G
Body:  Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus front and back
Display: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 1,440 x 3,200 (~515 ppi); 120 Hz
OS: Android 11; One UI 3.1
Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Memory: 12 or 16 GB of RAM; 256 or 512 GB of storage
Expandable Memory: No
Cameras: Rear - 108 MP 24mm; 10 MP 240mm periscope telephoto; 10 MP 72mm telephoto; 12 MP 13mm; Front - 40 MP 26mm
Sounds: Stereo speakers
Battery (battery endurance rating): 5,000 mAh (114 hours)
Security: In-display fingerprint sensor
Miscellaneous: IP68 water and dust resistant; s-pen compatible
Other versions: Samsung Galaxy s21, Samsung Galaxy s21+, Samsung Galaxy FE

These top-shelf smartphones are far from the only options available. Some other device manufacturers have created some very impressive phones for 2022. Two phones you can look at include: the OnePlus 9 Pro and Sony’s Xperia PRO-I.

Check back next week when we take a look at some devices that provide a lot of bang for the buck.