How to choose an Android smartphone in 2022

The mobile device market has undergone significant changes in 2022, creating new standards of performance and functionality. Selection Android smartphone has ceased to be a simple search for the device with the best characteristics on paper, but has become a complex process of ecosystem analysis and long-term support. The buyer today is faced with a huge assortment of models, where the price difference can reach tens of thousands of rubles, and the visual differences are becoming less and less obvious.

It is necessary to understand that the flagship solutions of past years are now competing with new mid-segment devices, blurring the boundaries between categories. Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and Dimensity 9000 set a new bar for power consumption and heat dissipation, which directly affects the stability of the gadget in everyday tasks. Ignoring these technical nuances when purchasing can lead to disappointment after just a few months of active use.

You need to determine your priorities: is the cleanliness of the interface, the frequency of security updates important to you, or is the quality of photography at night a priority? The answers to these questions will form the basis for making an informed decision. Let's look at the key aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing a device in the current market realities.

Processor and performance: Battle of chipsets

The heart of any modern smartphone is the processor, and in 2022 the choice is mainly between solutions from Qualcomm and MediaTek. The top chipset Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 demonstrated outstanding power in benchmarks, but many users were deterred by reports of overheating in heavy usage scenarios. The alternative was the version Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, released later on a thinner technical process, which solved most of the problems with thermal control.

On the other hand, MediaTek made a real breakthrough with the line Dimensity 9000 i 8100. These chips not only caught up with the competitor in performance, but also often surpassed it in energy efficiency. For gamers, it is critically important to pay attention to the graphics accelerator: Adreno in Qualcomm chips it is traditionally better optimized by game developers, while Mali-G710 in MediaTek solutions it requires more thorough testing of specific titles.

You should not chase maximum numbers in AnTuTu tests if you do not plan to run console emulators or heavy 3D shooters on ultra settings. For everyday tasks, such as social networks, navigation and watching videos, level processors Snapdragon 778G or Dimensity 1200are quite sufficient. They ensure smooth operation of the interface and do not drain the battery in a couple of hours.

⚠️ Attention: When buying a smartphone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor (without the Plus prefix), be sure to check the reviews about the cooling system of a particular model. Some manufacturers have skimped on the vapor chamber, which leads to throttling (lower frequencies) under load.

Display: Refresh rate and matrix type

The screen is an element with which you interact constantly, so its quality directly affects the perception of the device. In 2022, the technology that provides deep blacks and high contrast has become the de facto standard. However, even among OLED matrices there are differences: more expensive panels from Samsung Display consume less energy at high brightness compared to their budget counterparts. Image refresh rate has become a key comfort parameter. If previously 60 Hz were considered the norm, now the presence of AMOLED, which provides deep blacks and high contrast. However, even among OLED matrices there are differences: more expensive panels E4 And E5 from Samsung Display consume less power at high brightness compared to budget counterparts.

Image refresh rate has become a key comfort parameter. If previously 60 Hz were considered the norm, now the presence 90 Hz or 120 Hz is mandatory for smooth animations and scrolling of tapes. It is important to check whether the display supports an adaptive refresh rate (LTPO), which automatically reduces the Hertz to 1 Hz when displaying a static picture, significantly saving battery power.

Screen brightness is another parameter that is often not paid attention to in the store, but which critical on the street. Peak brightness of 1000 nits or higher allows you to comfortably read information in direct sunlight. Less bright screens (up to 500-600 nits) can turn into a mirror on a sunny day, making using a smartphone difficult.

Camera: beyond Megapixels

Manufacturer marketing often focuses on the number of megapixels, but in 2022, sensor size and optical stabilization have become much more important. The 1/1.3-inch format matrix installed in flagships like Xiaomi 12S Ultra or Vivo X80 Procollects significantly more light than any 108-megapixel sensor in the budget segment. This ensures natural background blur and the absence of digital noise in night shots.

The presence of optical stabilization (OIS) is a mandatory requirement for the main camera module in 2022. Without OIS, video footage will be jerky, and low-light photos will be blurry due to hand shake. It is also worth paying attention to the quality of the telephoto lens: periscope modules with 5x zoom allow you to take detailed pictures of distant objects without losing quality, unlike a digital crop.

Software image processing plays a decisive role. Algorithms Google Pixel prove that even with a single camera module it is possible to obtain professional-grade images through computational photography. At the same time, some Chinese brands are prone to excessive post-processing, making colors unnaturally saturated, which may not appeal to purists.

Camera type	Recommended specifications	What you need
Basic	Sensor > 1/1.5", OIS, f/1.8	Everyday shooting, night
Ultra-wide angle	Autofocus, sensor > 12 MP	Landscapes, architecture, macro photography
Telephoto lens	Optical zoom 3x-5x, OIS	Portraits, distant objects
Front	Autofocus, 4K video	Selfies, video calls

Why is 200 MP not always better than 50 MP?

Sensors with a resolution of 200 MP (like Samsung ISOCELL HP1) use pixel binning technology, combining 16 pixels into one to produce a high-quality 12.5 MP In normal mode, they often shoot worse than native 50 megapixel sensors with a larger physical area of the photosensitive element.

Autonomy and charging speed

The battery capacity in 2022 has stabilized at 4500–5000 mAh for most models. However, the actual operating time depends not only. from capacity, but also from software optimization. Flagship processors can be power hungry, while mid-range chips, such as Snapdragon 778G, are famous for their energy efficiency and can last one and a half to two days on a single charge.

Charging speed has become a new battleground for Chinese brands such as Realme, Oppo And Xiaomihave introduced charging technologies with a power of 120 W and even 200 W, allowing you to replenish the battery in 15-20 minutes. At the same time, companies Samsung and Google remain conservative, offering charging of 25-45 W. takes about an hour.

It is important to consider the presence of wireless charging and reverse charging if you plan to use your smartphone in conjunction with headphones or a watch. However, it is worth remembering that wireless charging is less efficient and heats up the device more, which can negatively affect the longevity of the battery during daily use.

⚠️ Attention: Ultra-fast charging (120 W+) requires the use of an original unit. power supply and cable. When using third-party accessories, the power will be limited to standard protocols (usually 18-25 W), and fast charging will not occur.

Operating system and support for updates

The choice of shell and version of Android determines how long the smartphone will remain relevant and safe. In 2022, Google with Pixel 6 and Pixel 7, as well as Samsung with the series Galaxy S22, have set a new standard by promising 4-5 years of Android updates and 5 years of security patches. This makes their devices an investment for the long term. Chinese manufacturers such as MIUI shell and Realme UI often offer more. rich functionality out of the box, but may lag behind in terms of support. Users of such devices should be prepared for the fact that in 2-3 years they may stop receiving major system updates, remaining only on security patches.

Chinese manufacturers such as Xiaomi (MIUI shell) and Realme (Realme UI), often offer richer functionality out of the box, but may lag behind in terms of support. Users of such devices should be prepared for the fact that in 2-3 years they may stop receiving major system updates, remaining only on security patches.

The cleanliness of the interface also plays a role on Google Pixel or smartphones. Motorola works easier and does not contain pre-installed adware (bloatware), which is often found in budget segment firmware from other brands. The presence of unnecessary software not only takes up space, but can also slow down the system in the background.

Memory and storage types

Amount of random access memory (RAM) in 2022 year has become a critical parameter for multitasking. The minimum comfortable volume is considered 8 GB, while 6 GB can already lead to applications being unloaded from memory during active use. Flagship models are often equipped with 12 GB or even 16 GB of RAM, which provides a headroom of performance for years to come.

The type of built-in memory also affects operating speed. The standard UFS 3.1 provides high speed writing and reading, which speeds up installation of applications, loading levels in games and working with heavy files. In budget models, you still find the outdated standard eMMC 5.1 or UFS 2.2, which work noticeably slower.

The issue of supporting microSD memory cards is becoming less and less relevant for flagships, as many manufacturers have abandoned slots in favor of non-removable memory. If storing a large volume of media files is important to you, you should consider mid-segment models where this function is still preserved, or immediately choose a version with 256 GB or 512 GB of internal memory.

Is it worth overpaying for the version with 512 GB of memory?

This makes sense if you shoot a lot of videos in 4K, install heavy games or do not use cloud storages. For an ordinary user who stores photos in Google Photos and streams music, 128-256 GB will be enough.

Does memory affect the speed of the phone after a year?

Yes, UFS drives can lose write speed over time when completely full. By leaving 15-20% of the memory free, you extend the life of the drive and maintain high system speed.

What is virtual RAM?

This is a technology that uses part of the built-in memory (ROM) as an addition to random access memory (RAM). It helps keep more applications in the background, but works slower than real RAM and does not replace it completely.

Final recommendations and comparison of segments

When choosing a smartphone in 2022, it is important to clearly understand what you are paying for. Flagships offer the best cameras, body materials (glass and metal) and standard water protection. The middle segment compromises on materials (plastic) and zoom cameras, but retains high performance and high-quality screens. The budget segment in 2022 finally received AMOLED screens and fast charging, but often saves on processors and video stabilization. IP68. The middle segment compromises on materials (plastic) and zoom cameras, but retains high performance and high-quality screens. The budget segment in 2022 finally received AMOLED screens and fast charging, but often skimps on processors and video stabilization.

Do not forget to check support for 5G networks if you plan to use the smartphone for a long time, even if they are not yet developed in your region. It is also worth paying attention to the presence of NFC for contactless payment and stereo speakers for comfortable content consumption. Little things that are often ignored at the purchasing stage become critical in daily use.

⚠️ Attention: Specifications and prices on the market may vary depending on the region and exchange rates. Before purchasing a specific model, check the current specifications on the manufacturer’s official website or in authorized stores, since different batches may use different components (for example, screens or memory modules).