Samsung’s newest offerings for its flagship phone promise to break the rules. With the fastest chip ever used in a Galaxy phone, technology that minimizes excessive heating, and upgraded cameras, the phones have the potential to disrupt the market. The phone did manage to set a world record for the “most people unboxing simultaneously” about a week after the Galaxy S22 Ultra debuted. But does it live up to its hype? Let’s take a closer look at the lineup to find out.
What’s New (and What’s Not)
The Galaxy S21 was — and still is — an impressive phone even though Samsung decided to scrub chargers and headphones from the box. That’s still true for the S22 lineup, which also includes three models: S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra. Launch prices for the S22 models are nearly identical to last year’s, with only slight increases for the S22 Ultra 256GB and 512GB models.
This isn’t the same phone, however. The new phones have an upgraded display, enhanced camera capabilities, faster charging, and a better processor. This means you can enjoy a better experience whether you use your phone for streaming videos, playing games, or recording your adventures to share with the world. They do all of this in a smaller package, making it easier to carry your phone on the go.
Size
Although the S22 is the smallest and lightest phone in the current lineup, it’s by no means a compact phone. Weighing in at 167 or 168 grams, the phone is slightly lighter than the iPhone 13. The S22+ is heavier, weighing 195 to 196 grams, and the S22 Ultra weighs 228 or 220 grams. The bigger size gives it room for a larger battery and 45W fast charging.
Design
One of the first details you’ll notice about the S22 models is the Gorilla Glass screen surrounded by an aluminum frame with power and volume buttons on the right side of the case. Each model comes in four different colors. All phones are available in Phantom White, Phantom Black, and Green. The S22 and S22+ also come in Pink Gold, while the S22 Ultra comes in a Burgundy edition. Samsung offers additional colors on its website, including Sky Blue, Graphite, and Violet.
Display
The screen size does vary between the phones, ranging from 6.1 inches for the S22 to 6.8 inches for the S22 Ultra. The S22+ screen measures 6.6 inches. Samsung installed its latest display technology in these phones, featuring a refresh rate up to 120Hz, enabling smooth scrolling.
Camera
In terms of camera power, there’s no comparison between the three models. Both the S22 and S22+ models have the familiar three-camera setup you’ve seen on previous Galaxy phones. The S22 Ultra adds a fourth camera with an improved sensor (108MP vs. the 50MP sensor on the other two models). All phones come with a 12MP ultrawide sensor and 10MP 3X zoom lens. However, the Ultra takes this up a notch with a 10X zoom periscope lens and an excellent low-light option.
Performance
In the United States, the S22 lineup runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Buyers in Europe, including the United Kingdom, get the Exynos 2200 processor. Base models start with 8GB of RAM, but you can purchase additional storage up to 1TB. Since Samsung eliminated the microSD card slot, it may be worth the extra cost.
Battery Life
The battery in the S22 lasts for about 12 and a half hours, while the S22 Ultra performs for about an hour more. For a longer-lasting battery, consider the S22+, which lasts for more than 15 hours.
Accessories
If you loved the Galaxy Note, you’ll appreciate the stylus pen that comes with the S22 Ultra. This useful tool lets you take notes or sketch ideas directly on the screen, and then you can convert what you write into typed text for each storage and sharing. A silo on the side of the phone keeps the pen safe until you want to use it. The S22 and S22+ models do not have a stylus pen.
Cost
You won’t find any surprises here. Prices range from $799 for an S22 with 128GB of storage to $1,599 for an S22 Ultra with 1TB of storage. What you pay depends on the model, carrier, and storage size. For example, an unlocked S22+ with 128GB of storage costs $999, while the same phone with 256GB has a price tag of $1,049. Samsung does run instant rebates and accepts trade-ins, which can lower your final cost.
Bottom Line
The real question is which S22 phone is best for you. Ultimately, the answer to that question depends on what you want from your phone. If you’re budget-conscious and prefer a smaller phone, the S22 may offer the features and price you want. If you want a phone with the power to capture all of your adventures day and night and the capability to take notes, the S22 Ultra may be well worth the additional cost.
