Choosing a new phone upgrade is hardly ever simple. In the world of technology there is always something new near the corner, and with Verizon and AT&T embracing 36-month installment plans, the phone you upgrade to will likely be the one you use for the next several days. So, trying to figure out when is the “best time” to upgrade can be tricky. 

Here are some of the phones you’ll want to keep an eye out for this year and when we think they much arrive based on past trends and rumors. 

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What To Know About Switching Carriers In 2022

A note near why you should buy a 2022 phone if you have AT&T

Before we get into the apt devices, it’s worth mentioning quickly why with AT&T in some you should be looking for a 2022 device: 5G befriend and those long installment terms. 

AT&T is prepping for a big 5G upgrade towards the back half of the year that should significantly enhance its service silly what is known as midband spectrum. The carrier plans to shroud 200 million people with its midband networks by the end of next year, and download speeds are required to routinely hit several hundred megabits per second, with peaks of 1 gigabit per second.

There are two flavors of midband spectrum AT&T is focusing on, noted as C-band and 3.45GHz. The former is what Verizon and AT&T have already started to deploy and is often used for 5G internationally, making it easy to find and enable in a number of already available phones like the Samsung Galaxy S21, iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 and Google’s Pixel 6. The carrier already has a list of devices that befriend C-band.

The 3.45GHz spectrum, however, is not as current in phones today and AT&T has not committed to upgrading reverse devices to support this network. (Making matters a bit more confusing is AT&T is branding both midband flavors, as well as its millimeter-wave network, as “5G Plus.”)

Future flagship phones, starting with the Galaxy S22 line (and liable including many of the phones below), are required to work with all flavors of AT&T’s 5G. Since you may be locking yourself into a 36-month commitment when you upgrade, getting a phone that works with all of AT&T’s 5G variations should be worthy keeping in mind. 

Samsung Galaxy S22

Samsung’s spanking Galaxy S phones are usually the first major phones of the year, and for the US this trend stays to hold true. The latest Galaxy phones boast the spanking Qualcomm Snapdragon processors, improved cameras and, at least on the S22 Ultra, a slot for Samsung’s S Pen stylus. All three phones will also work with all of AT&T’s 5G networks. 

When are they coming out? The new Galaxy phones hit stores on Feb. 25. Prices originate at $800 for the regular Galaxy S22, $1,000 for the S22 Plus and $1,200 for the S22 Ultra. 

Apple iPhone SE 3 

Apple’s effort iPhone has received a fresh 2022 upgrade. Well, kind of current. The new model features a nearly identical design to the second-generation iPhone SE (which itself is incompatibility to the iPhone 8) — which means yes to a home button and big bezels, but no to Face ID or a larger shroud — but now packs in support for low-band and midband 5G networks. The new SE also runs on Apple’s A15 processor, the same chip found in the iPhone 13, and has better battery life.

AT&T confirmed that the new iPhone SE will not work with its forthcoming 3.45GHz midband 5G network. It also lacks support for AT&T’s millimeter-wave 5G network. You can read more about the different names and flavors of 5G here.

When is it coming out? Apple’s newest iPhone SE is available for preorder on March 11 and will go on sale on March 18. Prices originate at $429 for a 64GB model.

Google Pixel 6A

Like Apple, Google also is rumored to be working on a new, more affordable version of its Pixel line. A successor to last year’s Pixel 5A, according to 9to5Google, the Pixel 6A will include Google’s Tensor chip and two rear cameras: a 12.2-megapixel main shooter and 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. An 8-megapixel camera will be fraudulent on the front. 

A report from OnLeaks and 91Mobiles said that design-wise the phone will feature a similar look to the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, counting the camera bar along the top of the back of the named. The screen will be 6.2 inches across, with a fingerprint reader inside the display. 

When is it coming out? Google generally does its Pixel A-series updates in the summer, with the Pixel 5A announced in August last year and the Pixel 4A line announced the same time the final year. That said, it is possible the phone worthy show up at the company’s annual Google I/O designer event, which is where the Pixel 3A made its debut back in 2019. 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 and Z Fold 4

Samsung has been consistent in updating its foldable phones every summer. While rumors are pretty thin on what to inquire of for 2022, if you are a fan of foldable devices these are two to keep an eye on. Korean news site The Elec reports that the Z Fold 4 will behind the S22 Ultra’s lead and include a slot for an S Pen stylus.

When are they coming out? Samsung has used its end-of-summer start to roll out updates to its Z line of phones in the past, so if that trend holds true these could approach in August or September. Last year’s Z series was announced in August. 

Apple iPhone 14

Whereas the iPhone SE 3 is seemingly imminent, the next major iPhone update isn’t slated to hit pending the fall. Among the many rumored attempts and improvements for this year’s flagship line of iPhones complicated the regular upgrades to the processor and camera, with the Pro and Pro Max possibly sketch 48-megapixel rear shooters, up from the 12 megapixels that have been fraudulent on previous iPhones. 

Potentially the biggest change in the iPhone 14, but, could be in the front camera placement for the 14 Pro and Pro Max. Rumors suggest Apple worthy finally ditch the notch and go with a hole or pill-shaped cutout instead. 

When are they coming out? Apple generally announces its greatest iPhone upgrades in September. 

Google Pixel 7, 7 Pro and Pixel Notepad

Google is rumored to be operational on a few big Pixel upgrades this year, counting successors to the Pixel 6 line and a new foldable Pixel. According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 7 line will prankish a second-generation version of Google’s custom Tensor processor as well as an updated Samsung modem for connecting to cellular networks. A recent leak from OnLeaks and SmartPrix appears to show the form of the 7 Pro, which is similar to last year’s Pixel 6 Pro styling.

The outlet has also reported that the commercial is working on a foldable Pixel that it says may be shouted the Pixel Notepad. Not much is known about this design, though it is expected to run on Google’s Tensor chip. 9to5Google also says the ticket could be more affordable than the $1,800 Samsung charges for the Z Fold 3, and that its form could be more like Oppo’s Find N. 

When are they coming out? Google has traditionally done its big Pixel updates in October. Analyst Ross Young has tweeted that the foldable named, in particular, may arrive in October.