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While major smartphone brands like Apple, Samsung, and Google took the spotlight in 2022 with their flagship offerings, there were several underrated smartphones that deserve recognition. These devices flew under the radar but offer impressive features and value. In this article, we highlight five of the most underrated smartphones of the year, including the ASUS Zenfone 9, Nothing Phone 1, realme GT 2 Pro, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4, Sony Xperia 5 IV, and vivo X80 Pro.

ASUS Zenfone 9:

The ASUS Zenfone 9 makes the list as an underrated device due to its lack of carrier presence and smaller market share. The smartphone continues the legacy of its predecessor, featuring a compact design, a 5.9-inch 120Hz OLED screen, IP68 water/dust resistance, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It also boasts the powerful Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 SoC, a 4,300mAh battery, and a 50MP main camera with micro-gimbal stabilization. While lacking some features like wireless charging and a telephoto camera, it remains a solid choice for those seeking a pocket-friendly flagship phone.

Nothing Phone 1:

The Nothing Phone 1 generated hype upon its release but seems to have been overlooked by many. Priced at approximately CAD $700, this upper mid-range smartphone offers an eye-catching design with Glyph lighting on the back, a Snapdragon 778G Plus chipset, a 6.55-inch 120Hz OLED panel, and a 4,500mAh battery with fast charging capabilities. However, it falls short in terms of camera performance, software, and endurance. Still, it’s worth considering for those in search of a quality mid-range device.

 

Realme GT 2 Pro:

Known for its budget-friendly handsets, realme made strides in the flagship segment with the GT 2 Pro. This device packs high-end features such as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 5,000mAh battery, and a 120Hz QHD+ flat OLED panel. It also stands out with its unique back cover made from bio-polymer and a 3MP microscope camera. Although lacking wireless charging, an IP rating, and a telephoto camera, the GT 2 Pro offers solid value for its launch price of approximately €749 or CAD $1,100 and remains a good deal in the market

Vivo X80 Pro:

    • Vivo made a name for itself with its impressive smartphone cameras, and the X80 Pro is no exception. This flagship device boasts a flexible quad rear camera system with ZEISS anti-glare coatings, along with high-end features like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 4,700mAh battery with fast charging, an IP68 rating, and a 6.78-inch QHD+ OLED panel. Although it falls short in terms of bloatware, long-range zoom capabilities, and its price point in Europe (approximately €1,300 or CAD $1,900), the vivo X80 Pro delivers excellent performance and an outstanding in-display fingerprint sensor

Conclusion:

While the market was dominated by big-name smartphone brands in 2022, there were several underrated devices that deserve recognition. The ASUS Zenfone 9, Nothing Phone 1, realme GT 2 Pro and vivo X80 Pro offer impressive features and value for their respective price points. If you’re in the market for a smartphone, consider these hidden gems that may have flown under the radar but deliver exceptional performance and unique features.