The "1-Minute" Review
Verdict
Samsung had high hopes of bringing in as much excitement for the S22 as was had for the S21. However, it seems they didn’t go far enough away from the original to justify upgrading. Still, if your phone is a few generations old, the S22 offers one of the best Android experiences available.What's good
- Fantastic display
- Convenient size
- Good build quality
- Decent camera
What's bad
- Limited battery life
- Slow charging
- Questionable upgrade from the S21
With the unprecedented success of its predecessor, the Samsung Galaxy S22 hoped to recapture the hype. Here’s what reviewers are saying about this highly anticipated release.
Design
Reviewers stated that if you’ve seen the Samsung Galaxy S21, you have already seen the Galaxy S22, which seems to be accurate.
Everything is in the same fundamental position as the S21.
While scraping for any differences in the design, reviewers stated that the only notable change was the lack of two-tone color on the phone's body. Samsung instead went for a flat color for the entire device.
Display
The screen on the Samsung Galaxy S22 is marginally smaller than the S21 at 6.1-inches. However, that doesn’t mean it’s any less impressive.
Using adaptive display technology, the phone automatically adjusts the screen's temperature, contrast, and brightness based on what’s you’re viewing and the ambient light where you’re located.
Performance
Samsung boasted that the performance of the new chipset would be 40% more impressive than the S21. Unfortunately, reviewers said they had difficulty discerning an actual difference between the two phones in practical use.
It is still snappy and responsive, just not the upgrade Samsung said for many reviewers.
Software & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S22 runs Android 12 and One UI over the top. The phone will come with your choice of 128GB or 256GB of storage but no MicroSD storage expansion.
Cameras
While the camera bump may look the same, there are a few differences between these lenses compared to the S21.
There are plenty of options, including a new, more concise type of zoom. The pictures are clearer and more vibrant, particularly when using portrait mode.
Although there were improvements to the phone's low light and night shot abilities, reviewers said it wasn’t much improvement and wouldn’t be a sole reason to upgrade from other recent Samsung phone models.
Battery Life
In terms of battery life, the Samsung Galaxy S22 has a smaller battery than the original S21, which let some reviewers down.
During testing, it only lasted 9 hours with dynamic refresh rate enabled.
Charging is also slower, with the faster charge settings being available only to the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and the S22 Ultra.
Audio
Reviewers didn’t offer anything good or bad about audio quality, but that’s not unusual given almost everyone uses a Bluetooth headset of some sort now. It does not have a headphone jack, though.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum chassis
- 6.1-inch AMOLED FHD+ display
- Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- 8GB of RAM
- Android 12
- 128/256GB of storage
- 50+MP camera
- 3700mAh battery
Bottom Line
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is not a huge step up from the S21, but it’s an excellent phone. It’s bright, vivid, snappy, and powerful.
Some bells and whistles are missing, having been given to the premium models. However, for someone looking for a phone that’s on the smaller side and doing regular tasks with ease and power, the S22 might be for you.
Tech Radar says, “The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a hair smaller than its predecessor, and the cameras are slightly tweaked, but the changes begin and end there. It's a fine phone, especially for people who like small-body compact mobiles, but it's hard to get excited about the device.”
The Verge states, “There are some welcome improvements to the camera capabilities, the latest Qualcomm chipset, and… that’s kind of it. They’re nice upgrades but nothing that should compel an S21 owner to trade in their current phone.”
What the Critics Are Saying...
- Fergus Halliday, WhistleOutSamsung’s most affordable and pocket-friendly flagship fails to make the most of its own form-factor. Even if it includes all the usual premium perks and features, the Galaxy S22 can’t help but feel like a small fry in a big phone’s world.
- Luke Filipowicz, Android PoliceIf subpar battery life doesn't scare you, it's a no-brainer purchase. As it stands, the Galaxy S23 doesn't offer many additional benefits over the S22 aside from a boost in screen-on time. With the S22 still being supported for a couple more years and phones already so expensive, why not save a litt...
- Varun Krishnan, Tech AdvisorThe Galaxy S22 5G is a dream handset for small phone enthusiasts. Highlights include a premium compact design, excellent camera performance, 120Hz display, IP68 rating and Samsung’s One UI skin.
- DxOMarkThe S22 (Snapdragon) screen is very bright, making it easy and comfortable to read in the sunlight, even though the colors are a bit oversaturated in this condition. Still, the Galaxy S22 (Snapdragon) is good for streaming movies because of it good brightness and contrast, as well as for web browsin...
- Nadeem Sarwar, Digital TrendsThe headline says it all — the Galaxy S22 is boringly good. It comes equipped with all the fundamental traits of a pure Android flagship. For its price, the Galaxy S22 offers reliable cameras with a neat set of cool features, a fast processor, excellent build quality and in-hand feel, and an unparal...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Samsung Galaxy S22 prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Samsung's suggested retail price is $799.99. You can compare Galaxy S22 prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S22 user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy S22 with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy S22 has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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