SAMSUNG S22 REVIEW
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For the first half of 2022, Samsung unveiled a new trio of flagship devices, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra being the actual powerhouse. However, this new lineup of phones has something to offer everyone, and the basic Galaxy S22 certainly has its charm thanks to its ability to pack strength and camera prowess into a relatively small chassis.
The new Galaxy S22 is aimed squarely at fans of one-hand phones because it is almost as little as the Galaxy S10e from years past. Even though the S22's screen is now only 6.1", it still appears to have a large size when compared to other smartphones. However, the extra-tall 19.3:9 aspect ratio guarantees that the phone is still slender and comfortable to hold. It is also much larger than an iPhone 13 in terms of size.
Because of the lower battery that comes with the smaller body, we are somewhat concerned about battery life over an extended length of time. The Galaxy S22, however, is a fantastic option for non-power users who don't mind charging every night as is (or plopping the phone down on a wireless charging pad from time to time).
Samsung S22 Design
The Galaxy S22's design is not significantly different from the S21 series; after all, why fix what isn't broken? The S22 has a bolder appearance, a more boxy appearance (though the edges are still slightly rounded), and a wide range of colors. Yes, the Galaxy S22 comes in Green, Pink Gold, Phantom Black, and Phantom White if you're shopping at a store. However, if you purchase through Samsung.com, you have access to 4 unique hues, including the popular Violet as well as Graphite, Cream, and Sky blue.
It's important to note that Samsung used a plastic back on the S21; the S22 has a glass one! The newest Gorilla Glass Victus Plus is used to protect the front and back of the device, while the buttons and mid-frame are both constructed of aluminum.
The uniform bezel around the screen is beautiful to look at; it is just the ideal thickness to prevent ghost touches while yet allowing for a large amount of screen.
The camera bulge looks just like the one on the Galaxy S21 line of phones, but I have a slight issue with it. See, on the Galaxy S21, the metal frame and camera module merged perfectly, giving the device a highly modern appearance that was praised by us pampered techies who were pining for something different. This year, the S22's camera bump still has a distinct shape, but if you look at it from the side, there is a distinct line separating the frame from the module; unfortunately, this means that the "unique seamless look" has been gone.
Dimensions
5.75 x 2.78 x 0.3 inches
146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm
Weight
5.89 oz (168 g)
Galaxy S22 Display Quality
The camera bulge looks just like the one on the Galaxy S21 line of phones, but I have a slight issue with it. See, on the Galaxy S21, the metal frame and camera module merged perfectly, giving the device a highly modern appearance that was praised by us pampered techies who were pining for something different. This year, the S22's camera bump still has a distinct shape, but if you look at it from the side, there is a distinct line separating the frame from the module; unfortunately, this means that the "unique seamless look" has been gone.
The Samsung Dynamic AMOLED's colors are stunning, which is no surprise given how superb Samsung's displays have continuously been for years. Naturally, it also goes up to 120 Hz for that incredibly smooth refresh rate.
The primary new feature for AMOLED screens this year is greater brightness. The S22's maximum brightness of 1,500 nits is higher than the S21's maximum brightness of 1,300 nits and significantly higher than the iPhone 13's maximum brightness of 800 nits. Naturally, whenever you watch a Netflix movie, complete HDR video support is provided (and even some YouTube videos are shot in HDR these days).
Samsung employs an in-screen ultrasonic fingerprint reader for biometrics. According to our observations, it is essentially the same as the one on the prior S21, which is to say that it is accurate and quick enough (even if not the fastest in the industry). Even if face recognition is not quite as safe as Face ID, we are nevertheless happy to have the alternative. It uses the front camera and 2D pictures.
Galaxy S22 Performance and Software
Samsung has decided to remain with the existing method of employing different processors in the US and UK/Europe, despite earlier speculations about a shift.
The Galaxy S22 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor in the US while having a Samsung-made Exynos 2200 processor in the UK and Europe. Exynos chips typically operate a little slower, and last year, we even noticed discrepancies in photography performance between Snapdragon and Exynos variants of the same Galaxy model, which left consumers less than pleased.
You can choose between a 128 GB base model and a 256 GB variant for a slightly higher price when it comes to capacity. Because the Galaxy S22 lacks a microSD card slot, you cannot expand its capacity, so pick your storage space carefully. According to our experience, the majority of users still consider 128 GB to be adequate, especially now that everything is backed up to the cloud. It's quite amazing that Samsung offered a free upgrade to the 256 GB variant to anyone who pre-ordered the Galaxy S22.
Galaxy S22 Camera
With the S20 and S21, Samsung employed an odd gimmick in addition to the customary primary and ultra-wide cameras. These phones featured a 64MP sensor with only 1.1X zoom instead of a "real" telephoto lens, cropping the image to obtain the advertised 3X zoom level. The Galaxy S22, the first model in a while to receive a "real" 3X zoom lens, changes this.