The Most Exciting New Phones We're Hoping to See in 2022
Apple's iPhone 14, Google's Pixel 7 and Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 4 are three of the phones potentially on tap for later this year.
We've already seen several new phones from Apple, Samsung, Google and OnePlus debut this year, but some of 2022's most anticipated releases are expected to arrive closer to the fall. Apple is rumored to announce a giant version of its standard, non-Pro iPhone this year, while Google's Pixel 7 will introduce a new generation of its in-house Tensor chip. Samsung reportedly has new foldables on the way, too.
Here's a look at the phones we're most excited to see in 2022 based on rumors and reports that have surfaced so far. We've also included a section at the bottom for phones that were previously on this list but have since been announced, such as Samsung's Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 14 Pro
The iPhone 14 Pro will likely have the standard updates you'd expect from a next-generation iPhone, such as a new Apple processor and maybe some design tweaks. But it's the new camera that seems to be the most exciting potential update. If the rumors are to be believed, the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max could have a 48-megapixel main camera. That's according to two reports from well-known Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, as 9to5Mac and MacRumors reported.
Apple has improved the iPhone Pro's camera in many ways over the years, adding a third ultrawide camera lens in 2019 with the iPhone 11 Pro and improving the telephoto camera's zoom range in 2020 with the iPhone 12 Pro Max. But the resolution has remained at 12 megapixels for years, even as far back as the iPhone 7.
Resolution isn't everything. There's a lot more that goes into producing a great photo. Factors such as the size of the sensor and the camera's aperture, which is the opening that allows it to take in light, both play a big role in determining image quality. Other internal upgrades, like the improvements Apple's new chips bring to image processing algorithms and machine learning, also affect camera performance. But a major jump like this would still suggest that significant camera upgrades are in store for Apple's next pro-grade iPhone.
We're expecting the iPhone 14 Pro to debut in September, in line with Apple's usual launch cycle. The phone is also expected to get a new hole-punch shaped cutout for the front camera to replace the notch, according to Kuo.
Apple iPhone 14 Max
The biggest upgrades we're expecting to see from next year's flagship iPhone come down to the camera, design and screen size. But it's the reported iPhone 14 Max that I'm most excited about, which is said to be a supersize version of Apple's standard next-gen iPhone.
Apple will ditch the iPhone Mini and instead add another 6.7-inch iPhone to the mix next year, according to Nikkei Asian Review. That means the iPhone 14 lineup may consist of two 6.1-inch models (the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro), and two 6.7-inch versions (the iPhone 14 Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max).
Apple's iPhone 14 Max will seemingly be aimed at those who want a larger screen but don't necessarily care about the other upgrades that come with Apple's Pro line, like a triple-lens camera and lidar sensor. It could be a great choice for iPhone fans who've been waiting for a gigantic display but don't want to splurge on the $1,099 iPhone 13 Pro Max.
We'll probably have to wait until the fall to learn more about Apple's future plans for the iPhone.
Google Pixel 7
Google's Pixel phone is getting a big upgrade this fall. The company teased the Pixel 7 during Google I/O in May, revealing that it will have a second-generation Tensor processor, a glass design with a new aluminum camera bar and a triple-lens camera on the Pro model. That's basically all Google has told us for now, but the company promised to share more details later in the year.
The Pixel 6 was the first phone to come with Google's own Tensor chip, signaling a turning point for the Pixel series. The chip brought improvements to tasks that rely on machine learning, like translation, image processing and speech recognition. Although the Pixel 7 likely won't be as dramatic of an update as the Pixel 6, I'm looking forward to seeing what the next generation of Google's Tensor chip has in store.
Google Pixel Fold (or Pixel Notepad)
Google hasn't said a word about any plans to launch a foldable Pixel phone, but rumors have been picking up steam lately. The most recent leak comes from 9to5Google, which reports that Google's first flexible phone could be called the Pixel Notepad. But perhaps more interestingly, the report also suggests this so-called Pixel Notepad could be cheaper than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3, which costs $1,800. That's a big deal, because high prices have been one of the biggest setbacks of today's foldable phones.
In terms of design, Google's foldable phone will likely be similar in shape to Oppo's Find N rather than to Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold 3. That's according to animations that 9to5Google found in Android 12L, Google's Android software designed for larger-screened devices like tablets.
But the camera could be a step down from the Pixel 6's, as 9to5Google reports that Google's foldable may have the same camera sensors as the Pixel 5. The publication reportedly found references to the Pixel Fold's camera sensor in the Android package kit files (which are used to distribute and install Android apps) for Google's camera app.
If Google's foldable does end up having a lesser camera than the Pixel 6, it's possible that Google may have made this compromise to achieve a competitive price and keep the device slim. Other files associated with Google's camera app also include code that references a potential 2022 launch date, according to 9to5Google, suggesting that the search giant may indeed announce its first foldable this year.
Foldable phones are still expensive and come with many limitations. But Google's current approach to smartphones has made me hopeful that it'll bring something useful (or at least interesting) to this space. Take the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, for example, both of which include exclusive features that make use of Google Assistant. These include Wait Times, which displays projected wait times before calling a toll-free number, and Direct My Call, a tool for transcribing automated menus when dialing toll-free businesses. Both of those additions prove Google is thinking about ways to improve the core functionality of smartphones. I'm hoping it will take a similar strategy toward foldable devices, especially now that Google has started making its own phone chips.
2022-06-13 06:59:33
