The Best Budget Smartphones of 2022

The budget smartphones of 2022 continued to push the envelope of specifications and features, and brought unprecedented value to this segment. From AMOLED displays sporting 90Hz refresh rates to massive 6000 mAh batteries with 33-watt quick charging-the phones launched this year gave even mid-range phones a run for their money. Every single nominee here has an interesting feature set catering to every type of smartphone user, so it will be especially difficult to choose a winner from this collection of competent contenders.

Moto E22s

Motorola has made its mark in the budget segment with the release of its new smartphone, which boasts a clean, stock Android-like feel thanks to its MeUI operating system. One of the standout features of this device is its 90Hz refresh rate, which is a refreshing addition to the sub 10k segment. In terms of design, the smartphone has a side-mounted fingerprint scanner and a great ergonomic design. This earns our nomination for being a solid option for those looking for a budget smartphone with a smooth, clean user experience.

Infinix Note 12

There’s a significant difference between a phone that is cheap and one that offers great value. The Infinix Note 12 strikes a fine balance between the two by offering great specifications for not a lot of money, thereby making it a strong contender. The brightness of its dazzling 1000-nits FHD+ AMOLED display is only surpassed by the 33-watt fast charger bundled in the box. If that sounds disruptive, the phone also packs in a highly capable Helios G88 SoC.

Realme C33

The Realme C33 is a solid budget option for a daily driver, thanks to its fairly well-optimized UniSoc Tiger 612 processor. In terms of design, it stands out from other phones in its segment with its unique reflective back and flat-edged, modern look. The camera module is clean and sleek, housing a massive 50MP camera with an AI sensor. Budget-friendly phones delivering reliable performance and impressive camera capabilities are hard to come by, which makes the C33 an easy recommendation.

Infinix Hot 20 Play

Yet another Infinix nominee this year, the Hot 20 Play has a massive 6,000 mAh battery with a type-C charging port, and it even supports 18W fast charging. And the display? It’s an impressive 6.82 inches, making it the largest in its segment. It has a modern punch hole cut out for the front camera, as well as an old-school fingerprint scanner on the back. And if that wasn’t enough, it also has a surprisingly responsive face unlock feature. This phone truly has it all!

Realme C30s

This entry-level smartphone from Realme is sure to please battery lovers with its impressive performance. On moderate usage, this device can deliver up to two days of runtime. The design stands out with a modern, flat-edged, boxy aesthetics complemented by a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. The back of the phone boasts a unique, ice-cream candy-like design that is sure to turn heads. While it only has a single rear shooter, it packs in a powerful 50MP camera with an eye-catching, aesthetically pleasing finish. It’s hard to find stylish (and simultaneously capable) phones in this segment, so the Realme C30s is an easy phone to nominate.