The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the latest in the flagship phone series. It is definitely among the most popular Android phones of the year and judging from experiences from previous iterations, it will most likely earn a place as one of the best phones too.
The Galaxy S22 launches at the same price as the Galaxy S21 which puts it right up against the iPhone 13. There are other phones in the S22 series, the Galaxy S22 Plus adds a bigger and brighter display while the S22 Ultra focuses on the camera and takes up some features once common with the Note series.
This Samsung Galaxy S22 review gives additional information on the price, availability, specifications, and features of the Samsung Galaxy S22 and also compares it side by side with the other phones in the series, the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra.
Table of Contents
Features of the Samsung Galaxy S22
Camera
- 10-megapixel front camera for selfies
- Three rear cameras
- 8K video up to 24fps
The three cameras on the back of the Galaxy 22 are visibly different from last year, as the main sensor is a new 50-megapixel unit with OIS, Dual Pixel focusing, and an f/1.8 lens.
A 12-megapixel ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120-degree field of view) and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera capable of 3x optical zoom are also present.
Screen and Design
- Smooth and bright display
- Nice and pocketable size
- The updated design feels a lot better and nicer than the outgoing model
The Samsung Galaxy S22 features an upgrade in materials from the Galaxy S21, with an aluminum band around the middle and a glass back made from Gorilla Glass Victus Plus. This increases durability and strength, although I would recommend getting the best Galaxy S22 cases to protect your phone because dropping any kind of glass onto hard surfaces can lead to damage.
The new materials used in the S22’s design make it feel like a more sophisticated phone than the plastic Galaxy S21 FE, and albeit different in materials from last year’s Galaxy S flagship, the design is the same, with the same contour cut look for the rear camera array where three lenses stacked vertically on the back of the phone are in a bump that blends into the side of the device. The difference here is that the camera array here is the same color as the rest of the phone’s back, unlike the S21’s camera array which was a different color from the rest of the phone’s back.
As for the colors, the same choices are available for the Galaxy S22 Plus – Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, Pink, and Gold. When you order directly from Samsung you can also choose among graphite, sky blue, cream, and violet options.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 houses a 6.1-inch display, although smaller than the 6.2-inch panel on the S21, the phone feels very compact. It is much easier to use with one hand and can conveniently slip into a pocket.
Display
The display brightness is improved across the board in the S22 lineup. Although the Galaxy S22 Plus and S22 Ultra get the better end of the deal with a peak brightness of 1,750 nits, the Galaxy S22 stands at a 1,300-nit peak brightness
Practically, what this means is that you won’t struggle to see the Galaxy S22 screen in bright sunlight, although you may have to raise it to peak brightness to see every detail. Samsung’s Vision Booster tech not only adjusts the brightness when you do this, but it also ensures that the colors and contrast are not washed out to allow a more visible screen. You can check out photos you are taking on a bright, sunny day without the colors being compromised.
Colors are also very clear on the Galaxy S22’s AMOLED panel. When in Natural mode, the Galaxy S22’s display shows off 110% of the sRGB color spectrum same as the iPhone 13’s output. By opting for Vivid mode you can get even more colors on the screen of the S22.
Watching videos on the Galaxy S22’s screen will certainly leave you impressed. Showing vivid details on shadowy displays and shifting tones of various videos thanks to its top-quality handling of inky blanks and stylized lighting.
The refresh rate on the Galaxy S22 is also better than on phones in the same price range like the $799 iPhone 13 and $599 Pixel 6. Samsung has gone with a 120Hz refresh rate, which offers smoother scrolling when compared to phones like the iPhone 13, which is fixed at 60Hz. The S22 can also scale down to 48Hz when the action on-screen is static to help preserve battery life.
Performance and Battery Life
- 5G across the board
- Galaxy S22 has slightly smaller batteries than the Galaxy S21
- Chipset varies by region
Different chipsets will power the Galaxy22 depending on the region.
For buyers in the US, they will get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip from Qualcomm, while buyers in the UK will get the Exynos 2200
Along with the chipset, there is an 8GB RAM and either 128GB or 256GB internal storage. There is no slot for a Micro SD. The Galaxy S22 supports 5G, NFC, and Wi-Fi 6, it however lacks Wi-Fi 6E and UWB, which are features restricted to the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra.
Ultra-Wide Band is innovative tech that allows you to unlock certain cars and hotel rooms using your phone and makes it easier to find with Samsung’s Smart Tag.
For the battery, in terms of size, the S22 comes in a smaller 3700mAh cell than the 4000mAh cell in the Galaxy S21. Samsung however says with the 4nm chipset being more efficient and with the display able to drop to 10Hz, the battery should last the whole day. No charger is included, although Samsung has said that with 25w chargers, the Galaxy 22 will fast charge. A drained Galaxy S22 can rake up a 60% charge after 30 minutes, while the S22 Plus is already at 70% as it supports 45w chargers and with a bigger battery to fill. That, however, is still faster than the iPhone, which can get to a 51% charge in that same time.
There is clearly a lot more focus on making the S22 range more eco-conscious. From shrinking down the box size even more and removing all the plastics and using recycled fishing nets in certain parts of the device.
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Specifications of the Samsung Galaxy 22 GALAXY S22 SPECS
- Size: 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches
- Weight: 5.9 ounces
- Screen size: 6.1-inch AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
- CPU: Exynos 2200 (UK); Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US)
- Refresh rate: 48Hz – 120Hz (adaptive)
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB, 256GB
- Rear cameras: 10MP telephoto (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom; 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2); 50MP wide (f/1.8)
- Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2)
- Battery size: 3.700 mAh
- Colors: Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, Pink Gold
- Starting price: $799
Which Samsung Galaxy S22 series is the Best
Below are some of the standout features of the S22 and compared side by side with the extra features on the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra.
| PHONE | GALAXY S22 | GALAXY S22 PLUS(SAMSUNG) | GALAXY S22 ULTRA(SAMSUNG) |
| UK RRP | £769 | £949 | £1149 |
| USA RRP | $799.99 | $999.99 | $1199.99 |
| EU RRP | €859 | €1059 | €1259 |
| CA RRP | – | – | – |
| AUD RRP | – | – | – |
| MANUFACTURER | Samsung | Samsung | Samsung |
| SCREEN SIZE | 6.1 inches | 6.6 inches | 6.8 inches |
| STORAGE CAPACITY | 128GB | 128GB | 128GB |
| REAR CAMERA | 50-megapixel wide-angle, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel telephoto | 50-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide, 10-megapixel telephoto | 108-megapixels |
| FRONT CAMERA | 10-megapixels | 10-megapixels | 40-megapixels |
| VIDEO RECORDING | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| IP RATING | Ip68 | Ip68 | Ip68 |
| BATTERY | 3700 mah | 4500 mah | 5000 mah |
| WIRELESS CHARGING | – | Yes | Yes |
| FAST CHARGING | – | Yes | Yes |
| SIZE (DIMENSIONS) | 70.6 x 7.6 x 146 mm | 75.8 x 7.6 x 157.4 mm | 77.9 x 8.9 x 163.3 mm |
| WEIGHT | 168 g | 196 g | 229 g |
| ASIN | – | – | – |
| OPERATING SYSTEM | Android 12, one UI 4.1 | Android 12, one UI 4.1 | Android 12, one UI 4.1 |
| RELEASE DATE | 2021 | 2022 | 2022 |
| RESOLUTION | – | 1080 x 2340 | 1440 x 3080 |
| HDR | – | Yes | Yes |
| REFRESH RATE | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| PORTS | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| CHIPSET | – | Snapdragon 8 gen 1 / exynos 2200 | Exynos 2200 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | 8GB |
| COLOURS | – | Phantom black, white, pink gold, green, graphite, sky blue, violet, cream | Burgundy, green, black, white |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Review
The Samsung Galaxy S22 feels exactly the way it should. It is well-priced, good-looking, and delivers what people want at a price that trails that of the iPhone 13.
Among many things, the improved materials used in the S22 over the Galaxy S21 make a lot of difference in how it feels to hold. The performance is top-notch and the OLED screen is great. Samsung’s interpretation of Android 12 is feature-rich and very easy to use.
Although there are some reservations about the battery size and even with the efficient chip and screen, getting through the day without some heavy sacrifices may be difficult. The camera also has to be very impressive to match up to the Pixel 6 and iPhone 13 counterparts.
Software and Special Features of Samsung Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 launches with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 interface for Android 12. If you fancy previous iterations of Samsung’s One UI, this edition will be just fine for you, especially as customization and privacy features have been added by Samsung. Managing permissions is more streamlined and you can easily see which apps are requesting permissions. Samsung and Google bring the live sharing feature to Google Duo in the Galaxy 22 that allows you to view photos and take notes with people on a video call.
The summary here is that Samsung has increased software support starting with the Galaxy S22. Samsung now promises four years of Android software updates coupled with five years of security support, which brings the Galaxy 22 on par with Apple’s level of lengthy support compared to other android phones.
Another feature to note is the fingerprint sensor in the Galaxy 22, which is situated right under the display as it is in previous Samsung models. The sensor is easy to locate and very responsive and there are no frequent misreads like in the Pixel 6. And there are no fingerprint readers at all on iPhones of recent vintage, so Samsung has the edge in this area.
Pros of the Samsung Galaxy S22
- Improved zoom and low-light photos
- Solid Performance
- The most affordable Galaxy S22 model
- Bright, colorful display
Cons of the Galaxy 22
- Below-average battery life
- Cameras still trail Pixel 6, iPhone 13
Pricing and availability of Samsung S22
You will find the Galaxy 22 on sale on every major wireless carrier and retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy sell the phone too. You can also buy directly from the product’s official website at Samsung.com where the Samsung Galaxy S22 is available in four colors.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 starts at $799 for a base model with 128GB of internal storage. You can scale up to the 256GB model for another $50. On the official website, there are very good deals to help you lower that price tag, you may have to sign up for an unlimited data plan and trade in a current phone to reap substantial savings.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Review – Conclusion
It would be a big mistake to overlook the Samsung Galaxy 22. True, it is an entry-level phone in Samsung’s new lineup and lacks the premium features and larger screen in the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S22 Plus respectively, but it will be more profitable to focus on what the S22 has.
Think about the value it delivers and the many features it offers. In this model, you get the same chipset (Snapdragon 8) that powers the S22 Plus and Ultra. You also enjoy the same impressive camera setup and bright display as the S22 Plus and this comes in a package that is less than 800$ which is about $200 cheaper than the next model in Samsung’s lineup.
For those who want every premium feature packed into a phone, the Galaxy S22 may not be the model of choice for them, but the Galaxy S22 shows a phone packed with enough high-end features to boast as one of the best Samsung phones considering the price too. Get your Galaxy S22 now and enjoy these cool new features.
