MKBHD Smartphone awards 2022
Every year, smartphones become more sophisticated and advanced, with new features and technologies pushing the limits of what’s possible. With so many options on the market, it can be difficult to know which devices are truly the best. That’s why the annual MKBHD smartphone awards are so highly anticipated. Hosted by popular tech reviewer Marques Brownlee, these awards recognize the top smartphones in various categories, from design and display to camera and overall performance. As we head into 2022, all eyes are on which smartphones will take home the coveted MKBHD awards and be crowned the best of the best.
After careful consideration and extensive testing, MKBHD has announced the smartphones that have won awards in various categories. Let’s take a look below at what smartphones won what all awards.
Best big phone: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra:
Runner Up: ASUS ROG Phone 6
Honorable mention: Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 (Not available worldwide)
In the world of smartphones, size matters. With the increasing popularity of big screens, it’s hard to distinguish which ones are worth the price tag. But for the best big phone of the year award, there is one standout device that truly maximizes its size in every way possible. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the clear winner for its exceptional use of space, offering a massive 6.8-inch display with top-notch quality. This phone also comes with a stylus and a 5,000 milliamp hour battery, ensuring long-lasting power for all your needs. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also boasts multiple high-quality cameras on the back, including a pair of telephotos, great speakers, and smooth software, making it a well-rounded device with no hardware flaws. Despite its lack of flashy features, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands out as the category winner, similar to the previous Note series. The runner-up in this category is the ASUS ROG Phone 6, which may lack some of Samsung’s features but offers massive stereo front-facing speakers and a headphone jack, perfect for gamers. Another notable mention is the Xiaomi Mix Fold 2, which offers a folding feature, making it a big phone with a smaller package. Overall, these smartphones deserve their awards for their exceptional performance, features, and usability.
Best Small Phone: Asus Zenphone 9
Runner Up: Oppo Find N2 (Foldable)
For the best small phone category, MKBHD emphasizes that it is a rare category since phones have been getting bigger and bigger. However, the ASUS Zenfone 9 stands out as the clear winner for the best small phone of the year. With a 5.9 inch display, it’s relatively compact but still boasts flagship specs, including the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 and a 1080p OLED display with a higher refresh rate. The software is great, with tons of RAM, making it really fast. Additionally, the camera is surprisingly great for a phone of this size. To top it off, the phone even has a headphone jack, which is a rare feature these days. While the phone did have some minor flaws like the soft touchback discoloring, it surprised MKBHD with its great battery life. The Oppo Find N2 receives an honorable mention as the runner-up in this category, with its passport-sized design and folding display. MKBHD notes that it feels like a preview to what a folding Pixel might look like, making it a really interesting phone to watch out for.
Best Camera: Pixel 6A
Runner Up: Pixel 7
The year 2022 saw a lot of amazing smartphones with incredible camera capabilities. From photo quality to video quality, speed of capture, auto-focus reliability, ease of use, and file formats, there is a lot that goes into making a good camera system. To determine the best camera system across the board, we conducted a blind smartphone camera test on a website that we built. This allowed everyone to vote on their favorite photos in three different categories. We had 16 different phones from the year competing against each other. And the results were surprising.
The overall winner of the test, across all three categories, was the Pixel 6A. This is a remarkable achievement for a phone that is not a flagship model. The Pixel 6A was able to outperform more expensive phones from other manufacturers. The camera system on the Pixel 6A is truly impressive. It is able to take incredible photos in all lighting conditions, whether it is low light or bright daylight. The color accuracy and dynamic range of the photos taken by the Pixel 6A are exceptional.
In addition to the Pixel 6A, the Pixel 7 was also a runner up in the test. This is a testament to the camera capabilities of Google’s smartphones. The Pixel 7 has a great camera system that is able to take stunning photos and videos. The camera system on the Pixel 7 is also very easy to use, making it accessible to everyone.
The results of our blind smartphone camera test highlight the importance of camera systems in smartphones. A good camera system can make a huge difference in the overall user experience. It can be the difference between capturing beautiful memories or missing out on them. Manufacturers should continue to prioritize the camera capabilities of their smartphones, as it is a key feature that consumers value greatly.
In conclusion, the Pixel 6A is the best smartphone camera system of 2022, according to our blind smartphone camera test. Its ability to take stunning photos in all lighting conditions, coupled with its ease of use, make it a standout device in a crowded market. The Pixel 7 also deserves recognition as a runner up in the test, showcasing the camera capabilities of Google’s smartphones.
Best Overall Camera System: iPhone 14 Pro/ Pro Max
MKBHD has announced the winner for the best camera system in 2022. The award goes to the iPhone 14 Pro, making it the longest defending champion of a single category ever, as it has taken down the camera category for the fourth year in a row.
In his announcement video, MKBHD explains that a good camera system includes many factors, such as photo and video quality, speed of capture, auto-focus reliability, ease of use, and file formats. He also mentions that they did something unique this year, a blind smartphone camera test, where people could vote on photos in three different categories. Sixteen different phones competed against each other, but the iPhone 14 Pro came out on top.
MKBHD states that the iPhone 14 Pro’s image quality is solid, but its time to open the camera and snap a photo is extremely quick, and the auto-focus is fast. He gives the iPhone 14 Pro an A minus to a B plus for photos. However, he emphasizes that in the video department, the iPhone 14 Pro is a whole different dimension, and it’s not even close. He has been running an auto-focus YouTube channel for a couple of months and has noticed the difference in the video quality between the iPhone’s camera and other smartphone cameras. The iPhone 14 Pro’s video quality is superior, with excellent audio quality, consistency of color, pro res, and sharpness.
In conclusion, the iPhone 14 Pro wins the award for the best camera system in 2022. Although other phones, such as the vivo X80 Pro+ and X90 Pro+, had impressive sensors and software for low-light conditions, the iPhone 14 Pro’s overall camera system is the best. The iPhone 14 Pro’s fast time to open the camera, quick auto-focus, solid image quality, and superior video quality make it a clear winner in the camera category.
Best Battery: ASUS ROG Phone 6
Runner up: iPhone 14 Plus
Honorable mention: ASUS Zenfone 9
In today’s mobile phone market, battery life is one of the most critical factors that consumers consider before making a purchase. It’s essential to have a device that can last long without requiring frequent charging, and also charge quickly when needed. In this article, we’ll look at the winner and runner-ups for the best battery phone in 2022, as announced by MKBHD.
The winner of the best battery phone for 2022 is the ASUS ROG Phone 6. This phone has a massive 6,000 milliamp-hour battery, which is a significant upgrade from the standard 4,000 to 5,000 milliamp-hour batteries that most smartphones have. In addition, the ROG Phone 6 features 65-watt fast charging, which allows it to go from zero to full in under an hour. The phone also has several battery management features, including the ability to reduce the display refresh rate to 60 hertz to conserve battery life, and pass-through charging. These features make the ROG Phone 6 the king of battery life experience and worry-free battery usage.
The runner-up for the best battery phone in 2022 is the iPhone 14 Plus. Apple has consistently improved the battery life of its phones, and the iPhone 14 Plus is no exception. It features a massive battery that can last all day, and wireless charging for added convenience. The phone also has several battery-saving features, such as background app refresh, which reduces battery drain by limiting the number of apps that refresh in the background.
The ASUS Zenfone 9 deserves an honorable mention in this category. Despite having a smaller 4,300 milliamp-hour battery than the other two phones, it surprised many with its battery life. The Zenfone 9 does not have wireless charging, but it makes up for it with decent charging speed and impressive battery management features.
In conclusion, the ASUS ROG Phone 6 is the clear winner for the best battery phone in 2022, with its massive 6,000 milliamp-hour battery and fast charging. However, the iPhone 14 Plus and ASUS Zenfone 9 also offer excellent battery life and management features that make them worthy runners-up in this category. Regardless of which phone you choose, it’s essential to consider your usage habits and priorities to find the device that best suits your needs.
The Design Award: Nothing Phone (1)
Honorable mention: Xiaomi Mix Fold 2
The design award is one of the most subjective categories in smartphone awards. It’s not just about the build quality or industrial design, but also about stepping outside of the box and doing something different design-wise. With many phones looking almost the same as the previous year, it’s become a challenge to find a phone that stands out. It cannot be given to a phone that played it too safe, made an obvious regression from the year before, has a glaring issue with build or materials, or failed the jerry rig test. The design award for 2022 has been given to the Nothing Phone.
The Nothing Phone won the award because of its unique and innovative transparent design. It has a glyph interface with lights on the back that light up for notifications, as well as a wireless charging indicator on the back. While some might see these features as gimmicks, they do add a little extra fun and functionality to the phone. It’s not often that we see smartphones trying new things, so it’s refreshing to see a company take a risk and try something new.
The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 also received an honorable mention in design. This phone is unique because it’s a folding phone that has the same thickness as a normal phone. Most other folding phones on the market are thicker than a normal phone, making them less pocketable and harder to use. The Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 solves this problem and gives users the benefits of a large screen while remaining pocketable.
In conclusion, the design award is a difficult one to give out, but the Nothing Phone and Xiaomi Mix Fold 2 both deserve recognition for their unique and innovative designs. We look forward to seeing what other smartphones will come up with in the future to stand out from the crowd.
Value Award (Best bang for the buck): Pixel 7
Runner up: Asus Zenfone 9
Honorable mention: Realme 10 Pro Plus
MKBHD has announced his “best value award” for smartphones, and it’s one of the more controversial awards he’s given out. It used to be called the “best budget phone” award, but he renamed it the “best bang for the buck” award, since budget means something different for everyone. He takes into account the launch price, MSRP, and the winner of the award is the Pixel 7, which he says is one of the best $599 phones he has ever seen. The phone provides the whole Google flagship experience, including the tensor chip flagship and the same main sensor and flagship camera as the more expensive version. The 90 hertz OLED flat display is also great. MKBHD thinks the Pixel 7 beats out the ASUS Zenfone 9, which launched at $699, but has a unique combo, including the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a ton of RAM, 120 Hertz display, flat OLED, fingerprint reader on the side, headphone jack, and incredible battery life. The two phones are neck and neck, and he could easily be swayed either way. Additionally, the Realme 10 Pro+ deserves an honorable mention for its sub-$400 price point and great features, including a big 6.7 inch display, cameras on the back, 5,000 milliamp hour battery, and surprisingly good camera performance, beating out thousand dollar phones and coming in second place in votes per dollar in their blind smartphone camera test. Overall, MKBHD thinks the Pixel 7 is the best value smartphone, but there are some other great options out there as well.
Bust of the year: OnePlus 10T
s always, there are a few awards that manufacturers don’t want to win, and one of those is the infamous “Bust of the Year”. This year, the award goes to OnePlus 10T.
The “Bust of the Year” award is given to phones that have fallen short of expectations, and in the case of the OnePlus 10T, there was a significant gap between what was expected and what was delivered. The award was given due to the disappointment from users who were hoping for a significant upgrade to the OnePlus 9T, only to be let down by the device.
OnePlus has been on a slight downward trend for a while now, with its value, reputation, software experience, and cameras all taking a hit. The 10T did nothing to change that perception, with many users disappointed with the device’s features and overall performance. The phone didn’t feature the Hasselblad branding that was added to the previous OnePlus flagship, leaving users to wonder what OnePlus was thinking.
The OnePlus 10T is an example of a phone that played it safe but still ended up being a disappointment. It feels like the identity of OnePlus has been eroded, and the phone didn’t offer anything unique to set it apart from other devices on the market.
On the other hand, the MVP (Most Valuable Phone) award goes to the Google Pixel 7. The phone offers an excellent flagship experience, with the tensor chip, flagship camera, and a great 90Hz OLED flat display. It’s one of the best phones available for $599, and it’s hard to find a phone that does as much as the Pixel 7 at that price point.
The ASUS Zenfone 9 is another phone that deserves an honorable mention. It launched at $699 and has a unique combination of features, including the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, a ton of RAM, 120Hz display, a flat OLED, a fingerprint reader on the side, a headphone jack, and incredible battery life.
Overall, this year’s smartphone awards had some exciting contenders, with excellent cameras, big phones, great battery life, and great value. While there were some disappointments, there were also some great phones that deserve recognition. It’s always interesting to see how smartphone manufacturers will continue to innovate and improve their devices, and we can’t wait to see what next year brings.
MVP: Pixel 7
MVP runner up: Zenfone 9
Honorable mention: Samsung S22 Ultra
For 2022, MKBHD has made his picks for the Most Valuable Phone or MVP. Interestingly, he has not one, but two phones that he considers worthy of the title, plus an honorable mention for a third device.
Taking the top spot is the Google Pixel 7. MKBHD is all praises for this phone, from its great value to its flagship software experience. The incredible cameras and display, plus the decent battery life make it hard to recommend the pricier Pixel 7 Pro. The unique design, which some may criticize, is a plus for MKBHD, as it sets the Pixel apart from the competition. And to top it off, the Pixel’s assistant and smart features are excellent, making it a complete package.
But the Google Pixel 7 is not the only phone that impressed MKBHD. The ASUS Zenfone 9 comes in a close second, with its sleek design and amazing battery life. The Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip delivers top-notch performance, while the fingerprint reader on the side has gestures that make it more than just a biometric feature. The cameras are surprisingly good, making it a contender in the blind smartphone camera test. However, the lack of wireless charging and the higher price tag may be a dealbreaker for some.
For an honorable mention, MKBHD highlights the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. While it may not be the most exciting phone, it ticks all the boxes for a solid flagship device. The big battery, the best display in the business, and one of the best camera suites, and processors make it a reliable choice. It’s not the cheapest phone out there, but it delivers on all fronts, making it a worthy contender.
In conclusion, MKBHD’s MVP Phone Awards for 2022 showcase a variety of devices that excel in different areas. The Google Pixel 7 takes the top spot for its overall excellent package, while the ASUS Zenfone 9 impresses with its design and battery life. And the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra gets an honorable mention for its solid performance and features. These phones prove that there’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to choosing the perfect device, but each one has something to offer for different types of users.
Most Improved award: Pixel 7
Lastly, MKBHD announced the winners of his annual “Most Improved” award for smartphones, and the winner for 2022 is none other than the Pixel 7.
Brownlee praised the Pixel 7 for its significant improvements over its predecessor, the Pixel 6. He noted that the Pixel 7 offers a great value for its price point, with excellent cameras, a great display, flagship software experience, and good battery life.
The Pixel 7’s unique design, which includes a glass visor on the back, may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Brownlee commended Google for trying something different and creating a recognizable brand identity with their smartphones.
According to Brownlee, the Pixel 7’s most impressive improvement over the previous generation is its performance. The Pixel 7 features the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, which delivers excellent speed and responsiveness, making the phone feel incredibly fast and snappy.
Overall, the Pixel 7 impressed Brownlee enough to earn the title of “Most Improved” smartphone for 2022. With its great value, excellent performance, and unique design, the Pixel 7 is definitely a phone worth considering for anyone in the market for a new smartphone.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that the awards announced by MKBHD for smartphones in various categories are based on his personal experience and perspective with these devices. While he is a respected and influential tech reviewer, it’s important to also consider your own needs and preferences when choosing a smartphone. What may work well for MKBHD may not necessarily be the best fit for you. It’s always a good idea to do your own research and try out devices in person before making a decision. That being said, MKBHD’s awards can still serve as a useful starting point for those looking for high-quality smartphones in different categories.
You can watch full video here:
