Best New Phones Coming to the UK in 2022

We’re expecting big things from smartphones this year, and there are plenty of new models to get excited about.

The Samsung Galaxy S22, OnePlus 10 Pro, Oppo Find X5, and Xiaomi 12 series are all already on sale, and there’s even a new phone from Apple in the iPhone SE. That’s not even mentioning the new slate of foldables from Huawei, Honor, and Oppo, though those haven’t actually hit UK stores so far.

Plenty of these phones are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, though this has competition from the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 though, which for the first time has matched its rival on specs; how many big brands will make the jump away from Snapdragon for their biggest 2022 releases?

We also finally know that Carl Pei’s start-up Nothing is officially working on an Android phone, due to debut this summer. Before long we’ll be back around in time for the iPhone 14 and Pixel 7, not to mention software upgrades like Android 13 and iOS 16.

Read on to ensure your next smartphone purchase is not immediately followed by regret, tying you into an unnecessarily lengthy contract. (Remember that there is a chance you could upgrade your contract early.)

Pro tip: As these new phones edge closer, the outgoing models will fall in price and you’ll be able to scoop up some great deals. If you’re not bothered about having the very latest tech, check out our take on the best phones you can buy today.

Best new phones coming out in 2022

Samsung Galaxy A33 – 22 April

The Galaxy A33 is a cheap and cheerful Samsung phone that actually looks pretty great, and it’s on sale from 22 April.

At £329 it’s a little cheaper than the A53, offering only a 90Hz display and some small camera downgrades. But you’ll still get stereo speakers, IP67 water-resistance, and a powerful chipset for an excellent price – plus three years of Android version updates.

Get the best Galaxy A33 deals here

Sadly the UK and Europe never got the Vivo X70 series, which only launched widely in Asia, but we’re hoping that the company was just holding its shot for the upcoming X80 line.

Going by the previous generations we can probably expect three main phones: an X80, X80 Pro, and X80 Pro+.

Early leaks point to the MediaTek Dimensity 9000 in at least one of them, paired with a 120Hz Full HD+ display, and a 50Mp gimbal-stabilised main camera.

Get the latest on the Vivo X80.

Xiaomi has confirmed that the Poco F4 GT will debut in China on 26 April – though we’re still waiting to find out when the phone might launch elsewhere, or whether there will be other members of the F4 series.

We’re expecting the F4 GT to feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, 120W charging, and 4700mAh battery when it arrives, but other phones in the series will likely include lower specs.

Read the latest rumours about the Poco F4 series.

Red Magic 7 Pro – 27 April

Nubia has launched the Red Magic 7 in the UK already, but the Pro will follow on 27 April, with pre-orders launching a little earlier on 22 April.

This pair of gaming phones both feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, together with Nubia’s own Red Core 1 chip, which helps manage some gamer-specific features.

6.8in AMOLED screens feature on both too, with high refresh rates and touch sampling rates, and the Pro even features an under-display camera.

Read more about the Red Magic 7 series.

OnePlus Ace/10R – 28 April 2022

OnePlus has plenty of phones on the way this year, but the latest comes with a pair of names. The OnePlus Ace launched in China on 21 April, is expected to launch again in India on 28 April as the OnePlus 10R. If it does ever launch in the UK and Europe, who knows what it’ll be called.

In any case, the names are the only bit that’s new here, as the Ace/10R is essentially the same as the Realme GT Neo 3, with a Dimensity 8100 chipset, 6.7in 120Hz AMOLED screen, and record-setting 150W wired fast charging.

Read the latest OnePlus Ace news and OnePlus 10R news

OnePlus Nord CE 2 Lite – 28 April

And here’s yet another upcoming OnePlus device, confirmed to launch in India alongside the 10R on 28 April, though we don’t know if or when it will hit the UK.

The Nord CE 2 Lite is expected to be a budget model, but will offer a 64Mp triple camera and a big 5000mAh battery with 33W charging.

Read more about the Nord CE 2 Lite

Google is expected to repeat its usual patterns and release a cheaper ‘a’ branded version of its Pixel 6 flagship some time this year – most likely on 11 May at Google I/O.

Last year’s 5a never launched outside of the US and Japan, but the chip shortage was partly to blame, so we’re expecting a wider release this time round.

Expect the design to follow the lead set by the Pixel 6 but in a smaller size – already revealed in the render here, based on leaks. The camera is likely to stick with the hardware used in the Pixel 5a however, though should still impress for the price.

Get the latest on the Pixel 6a

Honor unveiled the Magic 4 and Magic 4 Pro at MWC 2022, with a UK launch now set for 12 May.

The two phones are big and powerful, with 6.81in displays, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips, and high-resolution triple camera setups. The 4 Pro is even more exciting thanks to 100W wireless charging – the fastest you’ll find in any phone.

Read more about the Honor Magic 4

Vivo has launched the V23 and V23 Pro in European countries including Germany and Spain, and we’re hopeful that could include the UK some time in the second quarter of the year.

The two phones share the same eye-catching gold design, which subtly shifts to turquoise as it moves through the light, but have very different builds: the V23 has iPhone-esque straight sides, while the curved Pro is a more traditional Android phone.

Both use MediaTek chipsets, 90Hz displays, and triple rear cameras – along with dual selfie shooters, giving you both a high-resolution 50Mp main selfie camera and an 8Mp ultrawide.

Get the full Vivo V23 specs, and the latest rumours about the next-gen Vivo V24 too.

Xiaomi Black Shark 5 – Q2 2022

Xiaomi has unveiled the Black Shark 5 series in China, and we’re hoping the high-end gaming phones will debut in the UK and elsewhere in the next few months.

There are three phones this year: the Black Shark 5, 5 RS, and 5 Pro. All three phones pack 6.67in AMOLED displays with 144Hz refresh rates, along with 5G and triple rear cameras.

Those specific camera specs do vary between the phones, though the bigger changes are to the chipsets, which range from a Snapdragon 870 in the 5 up to a flagship 8 Gen 1 in the 5 Pro.

Read more about the Black Shark 5 series

Vivo X Note & X Fold – Q2 2022

Vivo has revealed its first foldable, the Vivo X Fold, which launched alongside the more typical flagship X Note in April – and we’re hoping may reach the UK later this year.

Specs are top-tier for both, with quad cameras, leather finishes, 2K AMOLED displays, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chips, and fast wired and wireless charging all present.

The X Fold and X Note are probably unlikely to launch in the UK, but we live in hope.

Read more about the Vivo X Fold and Vivo X Note

Oppo doesn’t always launch its Reno phones in the UK, but based on leaks we think the Reno 8 might just make it.

That’s because from what leakers say, the appears to be the long-lost OnePlus 10, which never launched. Its design is almost identical to the recent OnePlus 10 Pro – especially in the distinctive camera module – and spec rumours point to a phone right in line with what OnePlus flagships usually offer.

Since OnePlus phones normally get that UK release, maybe the Oppo Reno 8 will too.

Read more about the Oppo Reno 8

Xiaomi Poco X4 Pro – Q2 2022

Xiaomi has unveiled the Pro variant in the Poco X4 series, with a Poco X4 NFC and GT expected to turn up at some point too.

At the phone’s unveiling, we were told that the X4 Pro 5G would be made available starting 2 March, with a release date in India slated for 28 March. However, as of 1 April, the phone wasn’t available to buy from Flipkart, as we’d been led to believe it would. This means an early Q2 release is now the most likely scenario.

The Pro packs a 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 695 chip, and 108Mp main camera, all with an eye-catching design upgrade from the rather chunky X3 Pro.

Read the latest on the Poco X4 series or our Poco X4 Pro review

OnePlus has teased a phone coming in Q2 this year with 150W wired charging – and we think that’s the Nord 3.

The next OnePlus mid-ranger is tipped to include that upgraded charging spec – capable of a full charge in just 15 minutes – alongside a new Dimensity 8100 chipset and a larger, 6.7in 120Hz display.

The camera spec isn’t expected to change as much though, with the same 50Mp IMX766 main camera as the Nord 2, joined by an 8Mp ultrawide and 2Mp macro.

Read more about the Nord 3

The X50 is the rumoured name for the next Nokia flagship, which we’re expecting to see some time this spring or summer.

Solid specs are thin on the ground, but point to a device at the lower end of the flagship range, with a Snapdragon 7-series chipset – though some think a Pro model with an 8-series chip may also be coming.

Read more about the Nokia X50

Sony Xperia 1 IV, 5 IV & 10 IV – Q2 2022

Last year Sony unveiled its trio of high-end phones together in the spring, so we’re expecting to see the Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 5 IV, and Xperia 10 IV also arrive together soon.

The 1 IV will be the company’s main flagship, likely with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and upgraded camera system. The 5 IV will likely deliver similar specs in a smaller size, while the 10 IV should be a powerful mid-ranger at a more affordable price point.

Read more of the latest on the Sony Xperia 1 IV, Xperia 5 IV, and Xperia 10 IV.

Google Pixel Foldable – Summer 2022

This is a bit of a wild card – but leaked internal documents and bits of code suggest that Google may be working on a Pixel-branded foldable device. We thought it might launch in late 2021, but it now looks more likely to appear in May 2022 along with the public launch of Android 12L at Google I/O.

Beyond the device’s existence there haven’t been many leaks with details of what sort of foldable device it will be, or what specs it will have, but we know a lot of people will be curious about a Google-branded folding phone with that Pixel camera.

Read more about the Pixel foldable

Nothing Phone (1) – Summer 2022

OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei’s new company, Nothing, has only released one pair of headphones so far – but the company has finally confirmed that a phone is coming this summer.

We know that it will be called the Nothing Phone (1), and that it will run new software called Nothing OS – though this will just be a software layer on top of Android.

We don’t know what specs to expect, but teasers suggest wireless charging, and the company has hinted that while affordable, the Phone (1) is intended to rival flagships.

Read more about the Nothing Phone (1)

Asus ROG Phone 6 – Q2 2022

Asus doesn’t launch every ROG Phone in the UK – and sometimes they just come late, like the recent ROG Phone 5s and 5s Pro – but we have good odds of getting the ROG Phone 6 in summer 2022.

After all, we did get the ROG Phone 5 right on schedule, and this is likely to be a more meaningful follow-up to that phone.

We’re not sure exactly what to expect – though the 360Hz touch sampling rate from the 5s series seems like a safe bet. Otherwise expect tweaks to the design, the next-gen Snapdragon flagship chipset, and likely more novelties like the rear OLED display found on the 5 Pro.

Read more about the ROG Phone 6.

OnePlus Nord 2T – Q2 2022

OnePlus hasn’t yet announced the Nord 2T, but rumours point to a launch some time in April or May.

As the name suggests, this is likely to be a tweaked version of the excellent Nord 2, with a possible upgrade to the MediaTek Dimensity 1300 chip and 80W charging, though most other specs will probably stay the same.

Read more about the Nord 2T

Realme GT Neo 3 – Q2 2022

Realme has already revealed the GT Neo 3 in China, but we’re hoping it will reach the UK some time in Q2 2022.

The phone is powered by the Dimensity 8100 chip and there are actually two versions: one will feature Realme’s new 150W wired charging, which is fast enough to top the phone up to 50% in a mere five minutes, while the other includes mere 80W charging but with a slightly larger battery to make up for it.

You can grab it in a regular black finish, but we much prefer the two racing stripe designs inspired by Le Mans ’66.

Read more about the GT Neo 3.

OnePlus 10 Ultra – Q3 2022

We don’t know that OnePlus is making a 10 Ultra, but it’s beginning to look likely.

The company has never put out an Ultra phone before, but multiple leakers have reported on one in the works, which will apparently boast the company’s first periscopic zoom lens.

Parent company Oppo has also promised 150W fast charging in an upcoming OnePlus device – will the Ultra be the one?

Read more about the OnePlus 10 Ultra

We don’t know when to expect it, but Motorola is almost certainly going to release an updated Razr foldable in 2022.

The success of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 almost guarantees that Motorola will release a new take on its own iconic clamshell foldable.

This will be the third foldable Razr (the original was followed by a 5G version) and we’re hoping to see a streamlined design and upgraded specs that make it a true flagship competitor to Samsung’s offering.

Read more about the 2022 Moto Razr.

Now that Huawei has released the P50 Pro worldwide, fans have started anticipating the Mate 50.

While these would normally have launched in autumn 2021, we’re now expecting to see Mate 50 phones some time in 2022. Expect a Chinese launch first, with Europe and the rest of Asia to follow a few months later – maybe.

Not much is known about the specs, but expect a 4G Snapdragon chipset, with top-tier display and camera chops to make up for slower signal speeds.

Read more about the Huawei Mate 50.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 – August 2022

Samsung hasn’t confirmed that it’s working on another Z Flip, but it seems a safe bet that one is in the works and will launch around August this year.

Rumours point to a similar size device, though Samsung is apparently working on making it lighter, while improving the hinge and upgrading the IPX8 water-resistance even further.

Get the latest updates on what to expect from the Galaxy Z Flip 4.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 – August 2022

The Z Flip 4 is almost certain to bring with it the larger Z Fold 4, also likely to launch in August.

We don’t know much about what to expect, but improvements to the under-display camera are almost certain – and rumour has it that the same camera may also appear on the phone’s outer display this time around.

Tweaks to the hinge and water-proofing have also been predicted, along with the usual spec and camera boosts.

Find out more about the Galaxy Z Fold 4.

iPhone 14 – September 2022

The iPhone 14 may still be a while away, but we have our first leaks of what to expect from the next Apple flagship.

Renders based on leaks sourced by Jon Prosser reveal the alleged end of the controversial notch – supposedly replaced by a punch-hole camera, with the rest of the Face ID tech hidden under the display itself.

Round volume buttons return, while the camera lenses are now flush against the body – achieved in part by making the phone itself thicker.

It’s too far off to know if this is what the iPhone 14 will look like for certain, but it’s already enough to get us excited.

Get the latest iPhone 14 news

October is Pixel season, so that’s when we’re expecting Google to unveil the Pixel 7.

After last year’s design overhaul we’re not expecting anything quite so radical this time around, but patent applications suggest this could be the year we see the company adopt an under-display selfie camera, along with the second-generation of its Tensor chip.

Check out all the Pixel 7 rumours so far.

Samsung Galaxy S22 FE – Q4 2022

After the Galaxy S22 series should come the S22 FE, a cheaper ‘fan edition’ follow-up with slightly remixed specs.

The S20 FE launched in October, but the S21 FE slipped back to January, though we think Samsung will get the schedule back on track and launch the S22 FE this autumn.

We don’t know what specs to expect, but going by previous FE models it will likely be between the S22 and S22+ in size, with similar display specs and core performance but with slightly reduced camera performance.

Read the latest Galaxy S22 FE rumours

The Osom OV1 is the debut phone from new start-up Osom, set to debut in Q4 2022 – meaning October, November, or December.

Osom is a company founded by a few former employees of Essential, which itself only managed a phone or two before disappearing. Still, the OV1 looks encouraging, with premium stainless steel design and a focus on privacy – right down to a USB-C charging cable with a switch to shut off data transfer when using public charging ports.

Read more about the Osom OV1.

Rumour has it that OnePlus is working on its debut foldable phone, and we may see it arrive some time this year.

The phone is apparently based closely on the Oppo Find N – the two companies now share R&D, so that’s no real surprise – which means we can expect something like a 7.1in folding display, Snapdragon 888 chip, and triple rear camera including an ultrawide and telephoto.

None of this is certain yet, but read our round-up of the OnePlus foldable rumours for the latest gossip.

Foldable iPhone – 2022/2023

A folding iPhone has been rumoured ever since the first foldable display tech existed pretty much, but thanks to leaks and rumours we have pretty good reason to believe Apple is at least working on a foldable iPhone – even if it’s probably years away.

Apple is rarely the first to market with new tech, though given that Samsung has already released several iterations of its folding tech there’s a risk Apple will look backwards if it doesn’t follow suit until 2023 – though if it can perfect the tech in that time it may well be worth the wait.

Check out all the foldable iPhone rumours so far.

Tags:

Note: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site, at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence. Learn more.