It started as a small outfit catering to enthusiasts back in 2014, and OnePlus is now a major player that sells over ten million phones a year. Things have changed in the last 18 months as OnePlus became a subsidiary of OPPO, but the manufacturer continues to deliver flagships and value-focused phones that hold their own against the likes of Samsung and Google.
These are the best OnePlus phones in 2022
OnePlus 9 Pro
Still a great value
It may be counterintuitive to include OnePlus's 2021 flagship as its best phone in 2022 instead of the 10 Pro, but the 9 Pro wins out in a few areas. It has the same caliber of hardware, looks better, and you get a wide-angle lens that's among the best on Android. And because it's a year old, it's heavily discounted.
OnePlus Nord N20
Budget beauty
The Nord N20 isn't a OnePlus phone; it's a rebranded Reno 8 Lite that's sold in North America. That said, you get decent internals, all-day battery life, a sleek design that looks good, and a camera that takes good photos in daylight. For what it costs, you are getting a good overall value.
OnePlus 9
All-around champ
The OnePlus 9 continues to be a standout choice in 2022, particularly if you're in the market for value. The phone has a gorgeous design, stellar hardware, great cameras, and all-day battery life backed by fast charging. There isn't much missing here, and for what you pay, it is a phenomenal option.
OnePlus Nord 2
International champ
The OnePlus Nord 2 is a fantastic choice in the mid-range category. The phone offers great hardware in the form of the Dimensity 1200, 90Hz AMOLED screen, reliable cameras with OIS, and 65W fast charging. It's not available in North America, but if you're in one of the 32 countries where it is sold, the Nord 2 is a solid option in 2022.
OnePlus 9RT 5G
Mid-range master
The OnePlus 9RT is only sold in China and India, and it gets a lot right. You get the same caliber of hardware as the OnePlus 9, including a 50MP main camera with OIS, and the design is rather nice. The phone misses out on the software side of things as it's still running Android 11, but it will get three version updates.
OnePlus Nord CE 2 5G
Above-average cameras
The Nord CE 2 5G is nearly identical to the first-gen Nord, but it comes with a Dimensity 900 chipset and a 64MP camera at the back that takes decent photos. The plastic build also doesn't make it feel quite as upmarket, but there is a decent value to be had here. If you're on a tight budget and want clutter-free software, the Nord CE 2 is a good enough option.
Get the OnePlus phone that fits you best
The best OnePlus phone right now is the OnePlus 9 Pro. You get everything you need in an Android flagship, including the Snapdragon 888 chipset with mmWave 5G, outstanding cameras, sublime 120Hz AMOLED panel, and bloat-free software that's a delight to use. There's also 65W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, IP68 dust and water resistance, and stereo sound.
Even though the OnePlus 10 Pro was released a few months ago, you should buy the 9 Pro in 2022 for the 50MP wide-angle lens. There's also the fact that you get to save a decent amount of cash by going with the 2021 offering. In short, it is still among the best Android phones.
If you're looking for a more budget-focused phone, the Nord N20 is a good choice in the U.S. The phone has reliable hardware with 5G connectivity and a decent 64MP camera at the back, and it offers a lot of value.
The Nord 2 offers many of the same features as the OnePlus 9 for a little less money, but at the cost of cameras and build quality. With OnePlus starting to roll out phones faster than ever before, you don't have to wait too long before a new model shows up.
Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor covering Asia at Android Central. He leads the site's coverage of Chinese phone manufacturers, and writes about the semiconductor industry, storage servers, and audio products. Contact him on Twitter at @chunkynerd.
