Modern smartphones have come a long way, and manufacturers are busy innovating to add even more features to already impressive devices. Not long ago, flagship phones were the go-to devices if you wanted a device with a better user experience.

Fast forward to 2022, and most of the bleeding edge specs of yesteryear's flagship phones are now mainstream. In other words, cheap phones have gotten better, which might prompt you to ask, do you really need a flagship phone from now on? And, you'll be right, this is a common predicament.

A Close Look at the Flagship Smartphone Market

At the start of the last decade, flagship-grade smartphones had what we no longer consider bleeding-edge specs. All the essential features that we've come to overlook were only available for the top dollar. And that has been the case not just for smartphones but also for any other technology gadgets.

If, for example, you wanted a device with at least 32GB of internal storage, an HD screen, 4GB or more of memory, you had to dig deep into your pockets.

Case in point; Samsung's Galaxy Note 5 debuted in 2015 and was one of the best smartphones on the market at the time aimed at phone enthusiasts. It had a 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display panel, 4GB of memory, a 3000mAh battery, and three storage options, 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB.

galaxy unpacked 2022 s22 smartphones
Image Credit: Samsung

By the end of the decade, most of those bleeding-edge specs had trickled down to the mid-range and, in some cases, entry-level phones. Consequently, it's not surprising that you may find yourself in a dilemma, whether to buy an old flagship or a new budget phone. Because there isn't much of a difference.

But since flagship phones are the most profitable, companies have developed more features to make their top-notch devices alluring. What makes flagship phones stand out is an LTPO QHD AMOLED display, build quality, longevity, extended software support, and wireless charging support.

You also get a few other bells and whistles like more memory and storage, USB-C 3.2 charging port, faster-charging speeds, and an under-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor. Here are the different smartphone price points where we compare the budget and what you should expect.

Pros of Buying Flagship Phones

While flagship phones are overkill to many, there are some pros to buying them. Here are some advantages of flagship smartphones.

1. Impressive Build Quality

One of the significant factors that makes flagship phones worth it is the build quality. Flagships are the most robust phones on the market. Rugged phones are certainly tougher, but they're niche smartphones.

Samsung's high-end Galaxy S22 Ultra has an aluminum frame, while Apple's iPhone 13 Pro Max uses a stainless steel frame, and they both have a Gorillas glass on the front and back. In addition to that, both devices have water and dust resistance which assures you that your phone can survive a drop in the water.

2. Extended Software Support

Smartphone makers support high-end phones for a more extended period. For example, Google will update the Pixel 6 series for four years, and Samsung will update the Galaxy S22 series with four major Android versions.

iPhone 13 Pro on dark background

On the other hand, Apple is known to update its devices for five to six years. More extended support also means you can use your device for several years with peace of mind. If you want such software support, then in most cases, you'll have to spend more.

3. Versatile Camera Systems

Unlike mid-range phones, which only take good images under good lighting conditions, flagship smartphones rarely disappoint even while shooting in the dark. Of course, don't expect DSLR-esque pictures, but they are way better under poor lighting conditions than cheaper smartphones.

4. Excellent Display Quality

Lastly, another critical reason when buying premium is the fantastic display quality. One of the best features of the Galaxy S22 Ultra and any other high-end smartphone is the display quality. And this is not just about the high refresh rates.

All around, premium phones have the best displays you can find on a smartphone. Whether it's in terms of resolution, pixel density, peak brightness levels, better contrast ratios, you name it, they have it. This ensures that you can view your display comfortably while out in the sun.

Most midrange and, arguably, all entry-level phones cut corners regarding display quality. Granted, they may offer a high refresh rate AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution, but they compromise on other areas that add the premium oomph to make the display flagship-level. And one of the areas that suffer the most is daylight visibility under the sun.

Cons of Buying Flagship Phones

While being ahead of the masses may sound exciting enough to spend top dollar for a smartphone, it's not worth the hassle for many. One of the obvious reasons not to buy a flagship phone is the premium price tag. It has become a norm that premium smartphones cost above the $1000 mark, or at the very best, somewhere near that price.

The second most practical reason is that these phones usually provide less value for your money. Paying $200+ extra for a 120Hz display is certainly not worth it to many. The mid-range segment of the market is where the real value is, as has always been the case. Above that, the law of diminishing returns kicks in.

Hands on Galaxy S22 Ultra
Image Credit: Samsung

A QHD (1440p) panel, for instance, is better, but there isn't much of a noticeable difference relative to an FHD+ (1080p) display to the average consumer. The same case applies to refresh rates. There's a notable difference in smoothness while you scroll when jumping from the standard 60Hz to 90Hz and 120Hz.

But take it a notch higher to 144Hz, or even the mind-boggling 165Hz, and there's not much of a difference from 120Hz due to diminishing returns.

Flagship phones are jam-packed with many features that you won't find anywhere else. But, truth be told, there are some overhyped flagship phone features that you don't need on a smartphone, or at least not yet. And most of them are touted as major selling points for flagship phones.

Besides, flagships have made some controversial moves in the recent past. For instance, it's hard to find one with a headphone jack, a microSD card slot, or even a charging brick.

Are Flagship Phones Worth It?

In general, flagship phones are overkill. In 2022 and beyond, flagship phones only have a few extra nice-to-haves and lots of additional features that you'll barely use after months or even years after your splurge. Mid-range phones are good enough, and there's little reason to go beyond that since you hardly get an improvement in the overall user experience.

But, like anything else, it always depends. Different people have different needs. It, therefore, always boils down to personal needs, and how you use your device. You may find flagship phones worth the extra cash for their bleeding-edge specs, while others may prefer to save some money on their purchase.