The Galaxy S series is Samsung’s flagship range of smartphones and in 2022, we welcomed the Samsung Galaxy S22 range. The days of releasing one flagship per year are over, with many manufacturers releasing at least three variations. This year, Samsung has given us the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra. While they’re fairly similar across certain fronts such as build quality and internal components, there are a few key factors that set them apart. With the S22 series, you’ll find the main difference in the display, camera and battery life. If you’re not sure which is the best phone for you, keep reading as we compare the phones and look at what type of user would benefit from which the most.
Build
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series offers a premium build across all three smartphones. The Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra all have an armour aluminium chassis, which is the strongest frame ever used by Samsung. On the back and front, they feature Corning’s toughest Gorilla Glass Victus Plus which is not only scratch resistant, but tested to survive drops onto hard, rough surfaces from up to 2 meters. The main difference is the size and the edges. While the S22 and S22 plus have a flat screen and curved edges; the S22 Ultra has a curved screen with squared off edges.
Compared to previous generations, the Galaxy S22 range have a wider aspect ratio of 19.5:9 on the S22 and S22+, and 19.3:9 on the S22 Ultra. This is an increase from the taller and narrower aspect ratio of 20:9 on the previous generation. This aside, everything else is pretty much on par with each other. All models have an IP68 water and dust resistant rating. This means they can withstand fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 metres for up to 30 minutes and are protected from dust – all without the need for extra cases or covers.
Display
When it comes to the display, all three phones differ slightly. The Galaxy S22 has the smallest display at 6.1-inches, features flat LTPS-based panels at 1080p resolution, 48-120Hz adaptive refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rates in Game Mode, and has 1,300 nits of brightness.
The Galaxy S22+ has a slightly larger display at 6.6-inches and while the rest of the specs remain the same, it has 1,750 nits of brightness.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra has all the best specs. With a massive 6.8-inch QHD+ 1440p AMOLED display, power efficient LTPO, and 1,750 nits of brightness, it’ll be appreciated by power users who like to stay productive or work from their phone. It’s also the only one that pairs with the Galaxy S Pen, allowing you to step your productivity up a level.
Performance
All three Galaxy S22 smartphones share the same internal components, which means performance is pretty much on par with each other. They all feature a Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 4nm octa-core processor – the fastest chip ever on a Galaxy. Whether you’re creating content using the amazing camera system, gaming all night, or simply scrolling through your social media feed, the 4nm processor makes for an incredibly smooth experience.
Camera
The Galaxy S22 series sports an awesome camera system and while all three have a pro-grade kit, if you’re someone who wants the best, there’s a clear winner here. The Galaxy S22 and S22+ feature a triple rear camera and a selfie camera. This includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 50MP main wide-angle camera, a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x Optical Zoom, and a 10MP selfie camera – for most people, this is more than enough to get killer shots and great video.
If you want to go all out, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has the best and most versatile camera system in the line-up. This includes a 12MP ultra-wide camera, a 108MP main wide-angle camera, a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x and 10x Optical Zoom, and a 40MP selfie camera. While this might be more than necessary for some users, it’ll come in handy for those who want photos that will still look clear even blown up at big sizes or for those who like to zoom beyond 3x.
Regardless of which phone you choose, they all share some great features so your photos and videos can look pro-grade across the board. A big pixel sensor, super clear glass, and Super Night Solution amongst other things means better night photography and video. OIS correction angle and up to 8K video recording will also let you get super crisp and smooth shots, while super HDR captures 64x more colour information. Improved portrait mode, pro mode, and auto framing are just some of the other features that add to the camera’s excellence.
Battery Life
One of the areas you’ll find the most notable difference is the battery life. The Galaxy S22 has a 3,700mAh battery which isn’t the greatest, but it’s enough for someone will mostly use it for things like phone calls, messaging, surfing the web, and to capture a couple of memories here and there. And luckily, with 25W fast charging speed, it won’t take too long to get the S22 juiced up again when it’s running low.
If you’re frequently on your phone or a heavy app or social media user, you will likely need more. The Galaxy S22+ has a 4,500mAh battery which is a nice bump up. It’s the ideal option if you’re keen to get the most out of your phone through use of various apps and games and/or if you’ll be snapping pics and videos frequently. 45W wired charging will give your battery a boost really quickly too!
If you’re looking for the best battery life, you’ll find that in the Galaxy S22 Ultra which has a large 5,000mAh battery along with 45W wired charging.
Which Samsung Galaxy S22 Smartphone should you buy?
When it comes to pricing, the Galaxy S22 is the most affordable option, followed by the Galaxy S22+, and then the Galaxy S22 Ultra which tops it off as the most expensive. There’s no point in going all out on the most premium option if you won’t be using the extra features. With that in mind, these are our suggestions:
Samsung Galaxy S22
Best for users who want a reasonably priced flagship that covers all bases. You’re not a frequent user of apps so a huge battery life isn’t too important for you, nor is a large display.
Samsung Galaxy S22+
Best for users who want a slightly larger display but one that isn’t too large for one-handed use. You appreciate a good camera and need a good battery life to keep up with frequent usage throughout the day.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Best for users who simply want the best and/or use their phone for work or productivity. You’ll benefit from an S Pen, a massive display, and an excellent battery life. The S22 Ultra also has the best camera setup so it’s the best choice for those who are largely focused on camera specs when it comes to choosing a new phone.
We hope this article was helpful for choosing the best Galaxy S22 smartphone for you! To check out Samsung’s full range of smartphones, head over to the Samsung brand store.