These flagship smartphones, which are high-end smartphones, dominate reviews and advertisements. However, these smartphones are usually priced at $1,000 or higher. While there are many more affordable options in the $600 to $600 range, we also see Apple, Samsung, Google and Google providing firmware updates for years. Older flagships and other high-end smartphones are still good options.

Smartphones of today are made with high-quality components and have stable features. They also offer the ability to get software updates for many years. The flagship smartphone you have longed for in the past year can now be yours at a lower price.

These are great smartphones that you should consider, even if you don’t care about the new shiny phones at the start of 2022. These phones aren’t ranked in any way, but they all have great capabilities and are well worth your consideration.

OnePlus 8T

It’s affordable, vibrant, and powerful.

OnePlus launched a T series phone in late 2020. We wondered if there was a need for a T series, given that both OnePlus phones are already very capable. The OnePlus 8T was a solid phone that offered high-end specs and is now available for only $499.

You can choose from Aquamarine Green or Lunar Silver. The phone has 12GB RAM and 256GB internal storage. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor powers the phone with super-fast charging and a 65W Warp Charging system. The display also features a fluid 120Hz refresh rate. If you’re looking for mid-range phones under $500, I recommend the OnePlus 8T as a flagship from the past.

Pros:

• Affordable
• Charge quickly

Cons:

• No headphone jack
• Wireless charging is not supported

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Galaxy Note’s last version is still very expensive.

The new Samsung Galaxy S22 U enterprise phone is undoubtedly the best available. Although it’s not technically a Note, it has all the same features as a Galaxy Note. The Galaxy Note20 Ultra is still worth looking at if you are looking for the last true note. It is no longer sold by Samsung directly, but Amazon and other retailers still sell it.

Even 18 months after its release, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is still very expensive. The specs of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra rival the S22 Ultra, which features a large AMOLED screen with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, extensive S Pen Support, and a highly capable rear camera setup. The S22 Ultra features the most recent Qualcomm processor and other software enhancements.

Pros:

• S Pen capabilities
• Support for 5G

Cons:

• An older model is more expensive
• Very large

Samsung Galaxy S21 series

There are three sizes available to suit your needs.

In January 2021, the Samsung Galaxy S21 series was officially announced. There are multiple models available. Some of them are smaller than others, and some have support for S Pen. The S Pen is not available in a silo, but you can still enjoy many features on the Galaxy Note if you are comfortable carrying the stylus around.

There are three versions of the Galaxy S21: the S21 Plus, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra. There are differences in the camera models, display size and battery capacity. Samsung sells the S21 series from $799.99 to $1.199.99.

The Contour Cut camera array was a great design element. However, the camera performance was exceptional, especially in telephoto.

Pros:

• Amazing camera
• There are many sizes available

Cons:

• S Pen is not available in a silo
• Ultra is expensive