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When it comes to choosing between Android and iPhone, it can be a difficult decision. Many people in the US and around the world flock to Apple’s hottest gadgets, but the iPhone isn’t suitable for everyone, and unless you’re locked into Apple’s ecosystem, you’re probably eyeing a few Android phones too. Android and iOS have their respective benefits and drawbacks—certainly too many differences to list here—but at the same time, both are mature, fully-featured operating systems that will help make your mobile life easier than ever. One of the most significant benefits of Android is the power of choice. If you’re looking for a platform with a bit more choice in your hardware or software, you will want to give Android a long, hard look. We’ve seen dozens of Android phones released over the years, but of course, not every phone is created equal. When looking for a phone, you want to look at the five pillars of smartphones, courtesy of YouTube’s own Marques Brownlee (or MKBHD): performance, display, battery life, camera, and build quality. This year, more and more devices are hitting four of these five pillars all of the time, making it that much more challenging to walk into your local carrier store and choose a phone that’s right with you. Verizon is one of the leading carriers in the United States, and they have a great lineup of devices every year. With their support for unlocked models, you might even be able to pick up a phone from Amazon on the cheap. It’s important to pay attention to which phones do and don’t work on the Verizon network before you buy them, but once you have a solid idea, you’ll find that there’s a great Android phone no matter your budget. With all this said, let’s look at some of the best devices on Verizon in 2022.
There’s no denying that Samsung is Apple’s biggest competitor, and their premium models actually put up a good fight. As of 2022, their high-end offer is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s available in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, and Green. You can expect to pay around $1,200 for the 128GB model, but you can spend an extra $100 for the 256GB and $200 for the 512GB model. The device has a 6.8-inch Infinity-O Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and what’s unique about the phone is that it comes with an integrated stylus you can use to press buttons, write notes, draw, etc. Unlocking the device is also quick and easy because it has a fingerprint reader underneath the display. You will love watching videos or scrolling through social media on the display because of its HDR10+ support and 1,750-nit peak brightness. Mobile games have gotten extremely popular over the years, and this phone can handle all the motion your fast-paced games have because of its 120Hz refresh rate. You don’t have to worry about lag when you regularly switch between apps because the phone is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. You get 8GB RAM with the 128GB variant, while the other two models come with 12GB RAM. Smartphones have become tools for people to create content for their Instagram or TikTok accounts, and what’s fantastic about the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is its advanced camera system. It has a 108MP wide camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 10MP telephoto camera, a 10MP periscope telephoto camera, and of course, a 40MP front camera for taking the cutest selfies. Most smartphones can only shoot 4K video, but this phone takes things a step further because it can capture 8K video at 24 fps. As expected, this premium device is already 5G-ready, and its Wi-Fi 6E promises fast and reliable network speeds. The phone supports Bluetooth 5.2, so you won’t have trouble connecting any external accessory. In terms of battery life, you get a decent performance from its 5,000 mAh battery, averaging around 12 hours per charge when streaming HD videos over Wi-Fi. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra supports up to 45W fast charging, but you will need to purchase a power adapter separately.
Vibrant 6.8-inch display with 120Hz refresh rateHDR10+1,750-nit peak brightnessPowerful processorExcellent cameras5G-readyWi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2Decent battery performanceComes with Samsung's S Pen
PriceyLacks a headphone jack Doesn't come with power adapter for charging 
If you don’t need the integrated S Pen and highly advanced cameras of the Samsung Galaxy Ultra, you might want to opt for the S22+ instead. It’s another member of the premium S22 lineup, and it has similar specs to its more expensive relative. The S22+ has a 6.6-inch Infinity-O FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HDR10+ support, 1,750-nit peak brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. There aren’t many differences when it comes to its CPU performance because it has the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor as the Ultra. Customers can choose between a 128GB or 256GB model, and both of these models feature 8GB of RAM. There’s no denying that the Ultra has the most advanced camera system in the entire Samsung lineup, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t be impressed with what the S22+ has to offer. It comes with a 50MP wide camera, a 10MP telephoto camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP selfie camera. The device can record 8K videos at 24 fps with its rear cameras, but its front-facing camera can only record 4K videos at 60 fps. You also get a decent audio experience from it because of its stereo speakers that were tuned by AKG. The smartphone promises excellent internet speeds because of its Wi-Fi 6e support, and its Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity ensures you won’t have trouble connecting to speakers, earphones, etc. The S22+’s 4,500 mAh battery is smaller than the Ultra’s 5,000 mAh battery, but its 10.5-hour battery life is still enough to get through an entire work day. You can also achieve fast charging speeds with the phone due to its support for a 45W charger, but a 45W adapter is not yet included with the phone. Color options available for the device are Pink Gold, Phantom White, Green, and Phantom Black.
Fantastic display with 120Hz refresh rateExcellent Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processorImpressive camerasShoot 8K video at 24 fpsWi-Fi 6e support and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivityDecent battery life
Limited RAM and storage45W fast charger not included
Google is another rising star in the Android smartphone market, and their Pixel 6 Pro has got to be their top-of-the-line smartphone as of today. You can purchase the device from Verizon with no plan, and you can expect to spend $899.99 for the 128GB model and $999.99 for the 256GB variant. Whether browsing social media or watching a Youtube video, you will love looking at its 6.7-inch QHD+ OLED display. It’s also an excellent device for mobile gamers because of its 120Hz refresh rate. You can expect decent brightness, contrast, and color from the device because of its >1,000,000:1 contrast ratio and HDR support. All the apps you download on the device will run smoothly because of its Google Tensor processor, and its 12GB RAM ensures that you can multitask all you want without any lag. The device is also equipped with a Titan M2 security coprocessor that guarantees your safety from any data breaches. Google always loaded their smartphones with fantastic cameras, and the Pixel 6 Pro has the best camera system on any Google smartphone to date. You get a 50MP wide camera, a 48MP telephoto camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and an 11.1MP front camera. The device can record high-quality 4K footage with a maximum frame rate of 60 fps. Those who are into mobile photography will benefit from the various camera features like Motion Mode, Portrait Mode, Magic Eraser, Night Sight, etc. The device comes with stereo speakers for listening to music on loudspeaker, but you don’t get a 3.5mm headphone jack to plug your earphones directly. You will need a pair of earphones that support Bluetooth connectivity or a pair that uses a USB Type-C connection. The device keeps up to the specs of modern smartphones because it supports 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6/6E. You will also get to unlock the phone quickly and easily because of its fingerprint reader hidden underneath the display. The Google Pixel 6 Pro’s battery performance is at par with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra because it has a 5,003 mAh battery. A single charge gives you around 9 hours of watching videos on Youtube of 13 hours of web browsing. Unfortunately, it can only support up to 30W fast charging, and you’ll still need to buy the adapter separately. Users can also charge their phones wirelessly using a compatible Qi wireless charging pad.
Google Tensor processor delivers excellent performanceFantastic cameras12GB RAM6.7-inch QHD+ OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate5G-ready, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6/6EDecent battery life
Limited storage optionsCharging speed could be betterNo earphone jackPower adapter sold separately
Samsung is undoubtedly ahead of the game because they have created powerful foldable smartphones. The Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is an outstanding device for those who prefer larger screens that make you feel like you have a mini tablet. The device comes with a 7.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+. You can expect it to look vibrant even in bright environments because of its 1,200-nit peak brightness. It also comes with a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display that will benefit you when you fold the device. The phone is snappy and responsive because of its Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G processor, and it’s pretty impressive that it comes with 12GB of RAM. Regarding storage, Verizon only has the 256GB ($1,799.99) and 512GB ($1,899) version available. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G doesn’t have the most high-tech camera system, but it’s still enough for taking high-quality photos for your Instagram. The device has a wide, telephoto, and ultra-wide camera, all of which is 12MP. You should expect much with its selfie camera because it’s only 4MP, but at least you get a 10MP cover camera. The highest resolution for videos you can take with the phone is 4K at 60 fps. Users can confidently bring the phone on outdoor trips with them because of its durable armour aluminum frame and IPX8 water resistance. Similar to the S22 lineup, the device comes with stereo speakers tuned by AKG, and it supports Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth 5.2. The phone doesn’t have a fingerprint scanner under the display because it was side-mounted instead. Its battery life isn’t the best because it will only last for 6.5 hours when using the 120Hz refresh rate. You have the option to turn it down to 60Hz and bump the number up to 8 hours. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G also doesn’t charge that fast because it only supports 25W fast charging. Customers will receive a USB Type-C to C cable, but you’ll still have to get your own power adapter.
Foldable design7.6-inch main display and 6.2-inch cover display120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+Processor and 12GB RAM provides a snappy performance5G connectivity
So-so camerasLimited storageUnderwhelming battery life
For flip phone fanatics who think the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G is too big, you would be better off with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G. It’s basically a smartphone you can fold into a compact size that can conveniently fit inside your pocket. It features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HDR10+, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,200-nit peak brightness. Similar to the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, you also get a cover display, but it’s only 1.9 inches. The device is powered by a Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 5G, and it comes with 8GB RAM. Verizon only has the 128GB model of the phone, but you can always purchase it from places like Amazon or Best Buy. You just need to make sure that it’s factory unlocked, so it will work with a Verizon sim card. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 5G has a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 12MP wide camera, and a 10MP wide selfie camera, which is pretty decent, but not the best on the market. You can capture 4K footage at 60fps with the rear camera, while its front camera is limited to a frame rate of 30 fps. The device has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and it’s compatible with Samsung Pay. As expected, the phone supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 and comes with stereo speakers tuned by AKG. The 3,300 mAh battery of the phone is pretty disappointing, and using it on the 120Hz refresh rate limits your usage to around 5 hours and 43 minutes per charge. Your battery life slightly improves to 6 hours when on 60Hz. It’s way behind its competitors when it comes to charging speed because it can only handle up to 15W fast charging.
Foldable and compact design6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with HDR10+, a 120Hz refresh rate, and 1,200-nit peak brightness1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display5G-readyDecent CPU performance
Disappointing battery lifeLimited RAM and storageCould see a crease on the displayNo telephoto cameraOnly up to 15W fast charging
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