Top best OnePlus phones to buy in 2022

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Welcome to our rundown list of the top best OnePlus phones you can buy right now.

Have you ever wondered if there’s something bigger than Apple and Samsung in the smartphone market? Most people when it comes to picking a smartphone they’re faced with just two options; an iPhone (for iOS) or a Samsung (for Android).

However, the best OnePlus phones are a testament that there’re other choices beyond the Apple-Samsung duopoly when it comes to picking a new smartphone. In less than ten years, OnePlus has grown from a little-known start-up to a phone maker with fierce competition that can release devices capable of challenging the best phones out there.

OnePlus achieves this by stocking as many premium features into its phones as possible, whilst still offering devices that cost less than their competition from Apple and Samsung. A few years ago, the price of OnePlus phones has crept up, so OnePlus adjusted, introducing the even less expensive Nord lineup, which still manages to pack a few top features into budget handsets.

With a lot of models out there from OnePlus, it will not be an easy task to select which one is the best OnePlus phone for you. Therefore, we have taken our time to make proper research and reviews on the top best OnePlus phones for you to buy right now. Whether it’s one of the new releases or a flagship from last year, there’s a OnePlus phone suitable for you.

What are the best OnePlus phones to buy in 2022?

OnePlus 9 Pro; overall best OnePlus Phone

1. OnePlus 9 Pro; overall best OnePlus Phone

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU:  Snapdragon 888
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 11
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Display: 6.7-inch 1440 x 3216
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Beautiful displayNo microSD slot
Very fast chargingMight be still pricey
Outstanding camera
Great processor with great power

The OnePlus 9 Pro is the best phone we’ve seen from OnePlus yet and one that improves on the main weakness of previous OnePlus phones – their cameras.

Big thanks to a new Hasselblad partnership and a new ‘freeform’ ultra-wide lens, designed to reduce the disruption at the edge of images, the OnePlus 9 Pro is arguably the best OnePlus camera phone.

But a super new camera isn’t all there is to offer. There’s also it’s the top-tier pairing of a Snapdragon 888 CPU and up to 12GB of RAM, for great amounts of power, and its 6.7-inch 1440 x 3216 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+, ensuring the display is one of the best you’ll find on a phone.

With a stunningly premium design too, plus water resistance, and a respectable 4,500mAh battery with 65W wired fast charging and 50W wireless charging, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a phone with no obvious omissions or setbacks, yet one that still costs less than the top rivals from Samsung and Apple, although you might still find it a little bit pricy.

You can get the best OnePlus 9 Pro deal here

OnePlus 8 Pro: runner up best OnePlus phone

2. OnePlus 8 Pro: runner up best OnePlus phone

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 865
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 10
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 48MP + 8MP + 5MP
  • Display:  6.78-inch 1440 x 3168
  • Battery: 4,510mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
120Hz refresh rateMight be pricey
Good camera
Great battery life

Before the OnePlus 9 Pro launch, the OnePlus 8 Pro was the overall best OnePlus phone out there, and it’s still a great contender now. Its stand-out point from previous OnePlus phones is a 120Hz refresh rate, and that refresh rate comes with an all-around superb screen.

The OnePlus 8 Pro also boasts high-end power, 5G, wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, water resistance, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, a quad-lens camera, and just about every other high-end feature you’d expect from a flagship.

As a result of all this, it’s also quite expensive and was almost as pricey as rivals at launch, but there’s no denying that you’ll get plenty of phone for your money.

Check out the OnePlus 8 Pro price

3. OnePlus 9

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU:  Snapdragon 888
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 11
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 50MP + 2MP
  • Display: 6.55-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Good cameraNo telephoto camera
Great power
Excellent battery
A good save for the 9 Pro

The OnePlus 9 has a lot of features in common with the OnePlus 9 Pro, such as its Hasselblad camera partnership and freeform ultra-wide lens (designed to correct the distortion suffered by ultra-wide images). It lacks the Pro’s telephoto camera though, else the photography performance is similar – and a lot better than previous OnePlus phones.

You also get as much power here as on the 9 Pro (or as on most 2022 flagship phones), thanks to a Snapdragon 888 chipset and up to 12GB of RAM. Plus the same 4,500mAh battery capacity, with just as fast 65W charging – though the wireless charging is slower here, at just 15W.

The 6.55 inches AMOLED screen is not quite as sharp at 1080 x 2400, but it still has a 120Hz refresh rate, and to reduce costs, the phone comes with a plastic frame rather than a metal frame.

But these savings are passed on to the buyer, as the OnePlus 9, though not cheap, is great value for your money, and should be the perfect fit for anyone who doesn’t need the features of the OnePlus 9 Pro.

Get the best OnePlus 9 deal here

4. OnePlus Nord 2: best budget OnePlus phone

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: MediaTek MT6893 Dimensity 1200 5G
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 11
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 32MP
  • Rear camera: 50MP + 8MP + 2MP
  • Display:  6.43-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Fast chargingNot available everywhere
Solid performanceOnly 90Hz refresh rate
Great camera

The OnePlus Nord 2 is not available globally and it lacks a certain amount of charm with its design, but it does pack a punch where it’s necessary.

With a 6.43-inch 1080 x 2400 AMOLED display and a 90Hz refresh rate, it’s smoother than some phones in its price range while also feeling just the right size to fit in your hand. 

Alongside that is a dependable 50MP wide camera that’s capable of delivering some beautiful images, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera too. There’s also a suitable strong performance as well from the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI CPU that should put you in good stead for a while to come. Best of all is its 5G support and 65W fast charging that impresses more. 

It’s no doubt a good buy for its price range. You can find the Nord 2 here.

5. OnePlus 8T

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 865
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 11
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 16MP + 5MP + 2MP
  • Display:  6.55-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Lasting batteryNo wireless charging
Beautiful displayNo telephoto camera
Fast charging
Great power

Although the OnePlus 8T is newer than the OnePlus 8 Pro, it doesn’t quite reach the 8 Pro’s heights, but with a lower price it doesn’t have to, and while it’s rather familiar, it’s also very superb.

Highlights include a great 6.55-inch 1080 x 2400 AMOLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, a long-lasting 4,500mAh battery capacity with super-speedy 65W charging, and plenty of power from its Snapdragon 865 processor with up to 12GB of RAM.

The OnePlus 8T also comes with a quad-lens camera, 5G, and strong software. There’s no telephoto camera or wireless charging, but in most other ways this is, without doubt, a flagship phone.

OnePlus 8T is available for a $250 discount.

6. OnePlus Nord CE

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 750G 5G
  • RAM: 6-12GB
  • OS: Android 11
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 64MP+8MP+2MP
  • Display: 6.43-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery: 4,500mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Strong batteryAverage camera
Fast charging
Decent performance

The Nord CE might not be available in the US but for everyone else, this phone is worth mentioning. A comfortable and lightweight device in your hand, the phone comes with a classy looking 6.43-inch AMOLED display and a 90Hz refresh rate. It looks and feels great for streaming your favorite movies or simply browsing at speed.

While it might not be the fastest OnePlus out there or offer the best camera performance for the price, if you look past that, you’ll be delighted to see a speedy charging time and a suitably well-performing battery. For those that don’t care about photography, you’ll be happy with the camera that’s here.

7. OnePlus Nord N10 5G

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 690
  • RAM: 6-12GB
  • OS: Android 10
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 64MP + 8MP + 2MP + 2MP
  • Display: 6.49-inch LCD (2400×1080)
  • Battery: 4,300mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Great battery lifeDim display
Fast charging
Great power

With the Nord N200 newer than the N10, one would expect the Nord N10 does not feature on our top best OnePlus phones buying guide. But even though the latter phone may be newer, the N10 boasts a more powerful processor, more storage, and faster charging and it’s only $50 more than the N200 as well.

Although you’ll have to make some like a dim display and a stingy policy on Android software updates compromises to get a sub-$300 5G phone. But few other phones in this price range offer a fast refreshing display (90Hz), fast 30W charging, and long battery life. The Nord N10 5 G’s battery lasts almost 12 hours, making it one of the best battery phones. It’s a pretty good value even for a year-old phone.

OnePlus 8: still a capable OnePlus phone

8. OnePlus 8: still a capable OnePlus phone

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 865
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 10
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 16MP + 2MP
  • Display: 6.55-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery:  4,300mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Beautiful designNo telephoto camera
Great cameraNo wireless charging
Good battery life

In 2020, OnePlus released three flagship phones, and two of them are still selling high. One of the trios is the OnePlus 8, especially with OnePlus reducing its price by $250 now that there are newer models available.

The OnePlus 8 does not however, pack all of the Pro’s tricks – it misses out on a telephoto lens and wireless charging – but the necessary features are all here: a Snapdragon 865 chipset, 8GB or 12GB of RAM, a 6.55-inch FHD+ AMOLED display, and a 4,300mAh battery that can be fully charged in just over an hour using the Warp Charge 30T charger that comes with the phone.

The biggest thing you’ll compromise by opting for the OnePlus 8 over the latest OnePlus 9 series is the camera improvements introduced in this year’s models. Otherwise, the OnePlus 8 offers plenty of features, including a display with a 90Hz refresh rate, a powerful Snapdragon 865 CPU, and a long-lasting battery. Even though you won’t be getting the 65W wired charging introduced with the OnePlus 8T, the 30W charging is not bad at all.

9. OnePlus 7T

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 855 Plus
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 10
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 16MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 16MP + 12MP
  • Display: 6.55-inch AMOLED (2400×1080)
  • Battery: 3,800mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Powerful processorLess software support
AffordableNo 5G
Fast charging

Although it’s almost two years old, the OnePlus 7T remains available on the phone maker’s online store, where you can get it for the bargain price of $399. That’s not too much to pay for a phone that boasts what can still be considered some premium features, even if you’re missing out on the camera improvements found in more recent OnePlus models.

The OnePlus 7T offers 30W charging. Though macro lenses are not common yet, the macro camera on the OnePlus 7T does a good job. And though Qualcomm has come out with faster processors since the phone’s debut in 2019, the Snapdragon 855 Plus is still a capable chipset.

The main reason to consider the OnePlus 7T at this point is to get a premium phone for less than $400. The fast-charging, solid performance and superior build of the OnePlus 7T deliver on that front.

10. OnePlus Nord

KEY SPECIFICATIONS

  • CPU: Snapdragon 765G
  • RAM: 8-12GB
  • OS: Android 10
  • Storage: 128-256GB
  • Front camera: 32MP + 8MP
  • Rear camera: 48MP + 8MP + 5MP + 2MP
  • Display: 6.44-inch 1080 x 2400
  • Battery: 4,115mAh
REASONS TO BUYREASONS NOT TO BUY
Powerful processorNo IP rating
Cool cameraNo fast charging
Affordable

The OnePlus Nord has proven to be a reliable smartphone in the mid-range market. The £379 Nord is very well priced considering the specs and undercuts the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro without too much compromise.

Its Snapdragon 765G processor is great for all but the top end of mobile gamers, the cameras are pretty cool, the 90Hz display is lovely and the design while not anything special, appeals more in the blue color option.

It’s a shame it’s not available in the US but for the UK, Europe and India this is all the OnePlus phones many people will go for at a price that drastically undercuts similar phones. The lack of IP rating and wireless charging will put some people off though, plus the frame is made of plastic.