The Samsung Galaxy S22
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET
If you are contemplating buying the Galaxy S22, you need to know Samsung’s newest telephone sports activities a refreshed design and improved digicam that is significantly better at taking pictures at the hours of darkness. (The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s digicam can compete with the iPhone 13 and Pixel 6 Pro.) But is that sufficient to justify an improve?
The reply will depend on which telephone you could have. Most individuals will probably be nice with hanging onto their Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 for some time longer. But when you have a Galaxy S10 or earlier, you may see a extra dramatic distinction in digicam high quality and basic efficiency when upgrading. The more moderen your telephone is, the longer you may get entry to the newest model of Android and new Samsung software program options.
If you are contemplating upgrading, take into account that Samsung additionally has extra reasonably priced choices just like the Galaxy S21 FE and newly introduced Galaxy A53 5G. But in the event you’re already eyeballing the Galaxy S22 and are questioning whether or not now’s the proper time to improve, take a look at the comparisons beneath. And do not forget to think about recycling or buying and selling in your previous smartphone in the event you’re not giving it to a buddy or member of the family. Not solely is it much less wasteful, however many carriers and retailers will supply a heavy low cost for exchanging your previous telephone.
Read extra: Galaxy S22 Ultra: Go for the Upgrade, or Stick With Your Older Samsung?
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21
The Samsung Galaxy S21
Sarah Tew/CNET
The greatest distinction between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 is of their cameras. Samsung upgraded the S22 and S22 Plus with a 50-megapixel sensor and higher low gentle images. Although the brand new digicam is a noticeable step up from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel sensor — as you may see in my opinions of each new telephones — it isn’t sufficient to justify an improve simply but. That’s very true since most of the S22’s different adjustments are incremental.
There are additionally another variations to remember except for the digicam, a few of which are not essentially an enchancment. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, for instance. Samsung’s new telephones even have barely tinier screens than their predecessors, which is usually a professional or a con relying in your preferences. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display screen in comparison with the S21’s 6.2-inch show, whereas the S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch display screen as an alternative of the S21 Plus’ 6.7-inch show. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus even have a contemporary design manufactured from metallic and glass that appears extra elegant than the Galaxy S21’s look, though which may not matter a lot in the event you plan to make use of a case.
As is often the case with new telephones, the Galaxy S22 household runs on a more moderen processor than the Galaxy S21. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powers the variations you may discover within the US, whereas Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chip will be present in different choose markets. Performance is comparable between the 2, so do not count on to see main adjustments. Instead, the Galaxy S22’s new chip is most noticeable within the digicam, because it’s a part of the rationale these new telephones can take higher low-light pictures. The Galaxy S22 Plus additionally has 45-watt quick charging whereas the Galaxy S21 household solely helps 25-watt quick charging, however you may have to purchase the adapter individually.
The backside line: If you could have the Galaxy S21, you needn’t improve but. The digicam is healthier, however most of the S22’s different adjustments are minor. Unless you really need a greater digicam and might basically get the Galaxy S22 at no cost by way of a trade-in deal, you are higher off ready. The Galaxy S21 must also help software program updates for the foreseeable future because it’s eligible for 4 years of updates.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S20
The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
Angela Lang/CNET
The Galaxy S20 has rather a lot in widespread with the Galaxy S21, which implies you may most likely grasp onto it for a short while longer. Again, the most important advantages you may get by upgrading are the improved 50-megapixel major digicam, revamped design and newer processor. But of these three traits, it is the digicam that is going to really feel like the most important distinction.
The Galaxy S20’s digicam is similar to the Galaxy S21’s. Both telephones have a 12-megapixel major digicam, 12-megapixel extremely vast digicam and 64-megapixel telephoto lens. As such, the identical recommendation above typically applies in the event you personal the Galaxy S20. You’ll discover a lift usually picture high quality (coloration, distinction, element and low gentle efficiency), however general digicam performance is similar.
The Galaxy S20 additionally has some advantages that would make it price hanging onto if it is nonetheless in good situation. Like the Galaxy S21, the common S20 and S20 Plus have barely bigger screens than the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. But maybe extra importantly, the Galaxy S20 lineup has a microSD card slot that helps as much as 1TB of expandable storage, in contrast to the Galaxy S22 household. The normal Galaxy S22 additionally has a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 (the Plus fashions have the identical battery capability).
The backside line: The Galaxy S20 continues to be comparatively new and has most of the similar options and performance because the Galaxy S22, so that you needn’t improve but. The digicam is as soon as once more the most important change, however that alone is not sufficient for most individuals to improve. That stated, the Galaxy S20 is nearing the top of its software program help cycle because it launched in 2020 and is eligible for 3 generations of Android OS upgrades. It’ll get safety updates for 4 years following its launch, however you would possibly wish to contemplate upgrading subsequent 12 months to proceed getting the newest Android options.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S10
The Samsung Galaxy S10
Angela Lang/CNET
The Galaxy S10 is greater than three years previous, which places it in an ungainly place. It nonetheless has trendy options like a multi-lens digicam and a borderless display screen, but it surely’s additionally sufficiently old to make upgrading a smart choice. While you may admire the Galaxy S22’s improved digicam, smoother display screen and contemporary design, the true cause to improve is to future-proof your gadget. The normal Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus do not help 5G (to not be confused with the Galaxy S10 5G, which is a separate telephone). And these telephones probably will not get new software program options within the close to future.
Given the three-year hole between the Galaxy S10’s launch and the Galaxy S22’s debut, there are a good quantity of variations between the 2 gadgets. Aside from operating on a processor that is now about three years previous, the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus are lacking the Galaxy S22’s digicam enhancements. Not solely does the Galaxy S10’s major lens have a 12-megapixel sensor in comparison with the S22’s 50-megapixels, however its digicam can solely zoom in 10 occasions digitally and two occasions optically. The Galaxy S22, however, has a 30x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom. And after all, you will not get the Galaxy S22’s improved nighttime images on an older telephone just like the S10 because it runs on an ageing processor. There’s additionally no help for 8K video recording on the Galaxy S10.
The Galaxy S22 and S10 each have a 6.1-inch display screen, however the S22’s dimensions are bodily smaller since its display screen takes up a bigger portion of the telephone’s entrance. Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Plus from the Galaxy S10 Plus will get you a bigger 6.6-inch show in comparison with the S10 Plus’ 6.4-inch show. But the S22 Plus’s dimensions are similar to the S10 Plus’, so you will not have to fret about adjusting to a bigger measurement telephone. While show high quality is analogous, the Galaxy S10 lineup would not help the flexibility to extend its refresh price as much as 120Hz for smoother scrolling just like the Galaxy S22.
Both telephones even have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, though that is smart contemplating Samsung’s older telephones have less complicated options which may not eat as a lot energy.
But there may be one profit they’ve that the S22 lineup lacks: expandable storage. The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus every have a microSD card slot that helps as much as 512GB of additional house, whereas the Galaxy S22 lineup should depend on its built-in storage. The Galaxy S10 additionally has a headphone jack in contrast to Samsung’s newer telephones.
The backside line: If your finances permits, it is price upgrading from the Galaxy S10 to the Galaxy S22. The digicam, efficiency and battery life enhancements are prone to really feel important for the reason that S10 is now three years previous. But most significantly, the Galaxy S10 is reaching the top of Samsung’s promise to help three generations of Android because it launched with Android 9. While it ought to nonetheless obtain security-related updates by way of 2023 in response to Samsung’s four-year pledge, you would possibly end up lacking out on new Android options quickly sufficient. That mixed with a scarcity of 5G and the opposite digicam enhancements you’d get with the S22 make a powerful case for upgrading.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S9
The Samsung Galaxy S9
Galaxy S9 house owners have rather a lot to achieve from upgrading. The four-year-old telephone lacks trendy options like a multilens digicam (though the Plus mannequin has two rear cameras), 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. But as is the case with the Galaxy S10, one of many greatest causes to improve is to make sure your telephone retains getting new Android options for years to return.
One of the primary variations you would possibly discover when upgrading from the S9 to the S22 is the latter’s bigger display screen. Samsung’s common Galaxy S9 solely has a 5.8-inch display screen, whereas the Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display screen. The case is similar for the Galaxy S9 Plus, which has a 6.2-inch show in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Plus’ 6.6-inch display screen. Neither of Samsung’s older telephones help increased refresh charges for smoother scrolling both.
Samsung has made a number of progress in its digicam know-how over the past 4 years, too. The normal Galaxy S9 solely has one 12-megapixel digicam, whereas the Plus mannequin has each a 12-megapixel normal digicam and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, however, every have three lenses for capturing vast, zoomed-in and ultrawide-angle pictures. The Galaxy S9 can solely zoom as much as 8x digitally, whereas the Galaxy S22 can zoom as much as 3x optically and 30x digitally.
In different phrases, the digicam adjustments transcend incremental updates. The Galaxy S22 has a extra versatile digicam with taking pictures modes that you just cannot get on the Galaxy S9 because of the S22’s further lenses. That’s together with the upgrades Samsung made to enhance general picture high quality with the Galaxy S22, like its 50-megapixel sensor that captures richer element and distinction and its skill to take higher pictures at the hours of darkness.
Other perks you may get with the Galaxy S22 embody twice the storage on the base stage, an in-screen fingerprint scanner as an alternative of the S9’s rear-mounted sensor and a a lot newer and quicker processor. Since Samsung’s three-year software program replace coverage would not cowl the Galaxy S9, you may even be lacking out on the newest Android options. (The Galaxy S9 continues to be eligible for quarterly safety updates in response to Samsung’s web site). But take into account that you may need to say goodbye to expandable storage and the headphone jack when upgrading.
The backside line: If you could have the Galaxy S9, it is time to improve. The Galaxy S9 is 4 years previous, which implies it is most likely beginning to really feel gradual in the event you bought it at launch, and it will not help new variations of Android. It’s additionally lacking a number of options which have turn into normal, even on in the present day’s cheaper telephones, like an ultrawide digicam lens, 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S8
The Samsung Galaxy S8
Sarah Tew/CNET
The Galaxy S8 has rather a lot in widespread with the Galaxy S9, so the identical basic recommendation applies. By upgrading to the Galaxy S22, you may get 5G help, a significantly better digicam with three lenses as an alternative of 1, a bigger display screen with a better refresh price and different advantages that make it nicely definitely worth the improve. And as soon as once more, software program help is without doubt one of the greatest causes to think about buying Samsung’s new telephone.
The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus’ screens are noticeably bigger than the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus. Older telephones just like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 even have Samsung’s earlier design, which locations the digicam above the show. Samsung moved to a hole-punch-like cutout for the digicam with the Galaxy S10 technology and later, making it potential for Samsung to increase the dimensions of the display screen with out making the gadget bigger.
You may count on an enormous enhance in digicam efficiency and high quality, contemplating the Galaxy S8 solely has a single 12-megapixel rear digicam. That means you may get devoted lenses for capturing ultrawide-angle pictures and higher zoomed-in pictures by transferring as much as the Galaxy S22. Other than including extra flexibility when it comes to taking pictures modes, the Galaxy S22 has a brand new 50-megapixel sensor that ought to ship drastically higher element, coloration, distinction and low-light efficiency in comparison with the Galaxy S8.
You’ll additionally get twice the Galaxy S8’s storage capability on the base stage with the Galaxy S22, a a lot newer processor and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. But that every one comes at the price of the headphone jack and expandable storage, which for most individuals will probably be a worthwhile trade-off.
Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 additionally ensures that you’re going to get the newest model of Android and Samsung’s personal software program options for years to return.
The backside line: The Galaxy S8 is now 5 years previous, which means it is time for an improve. Not solely will upgrading to the Galaxy S22 deliver core updates like 5G connectivity and compatibility with the newest Android software program, however you may get meaningfully quicker efficiency and a significantly better digicam.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Older Samsung Phones
Galaxy S22
Galaxy S21
Galaxy S20
Galaxy S10
Galaxy S9
Galaxy S8
Display measurement, decision
6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x; FHD+ (1,080×2,340); 120Hz
6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2,400×1,080 pixels
6.2-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; (3,200 x 1440)
6.1-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 3,040×1,440-pixels
5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440 pixels
5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440
Pixel density
425 pixels per inch
421 ppi
563 ppi
550 ppi
570 ppi
570 ppi
Dimensions (Millimeters)
70.6 x 146 x 7.6 mm
71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm
151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm
149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm
147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm
148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)
167g (168g for mmWave mannequin)
6.03 oz.; 171g
5.75 oz.; 163g
5.53 oz.; 157g
5.75 oz.; 163g
5.47 oz.; 155g
Mobile software program (at launch)
Android 12
Android 11
Android 10
Android 9
Android 8
Android 7
Camera
50MP (vast), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (telephoto)
64MP (telephoto), 12MP (vast), 12MP (ultrawide)
12MP (vast), 64MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultrawide)
12MP (vast), 16MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
12MP
12MP
Front-facing digicam
10-megapixel
10-megapixel
10-megapixel
10-megapixel
8-megapixel
8-megapixel
Video seize
8K
8K
8K
4K
4K
4K
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 gen 1
Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
Qualcomm Snapdragon 865
Qualcomm Snapdragon 855
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM/Storage
8GB RAM + 128GB 8GB RAM + 256GB
8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 256GB
12GB RAM + 128GB
8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 512GB
4GB RAM + 64GB
4GB RAM + 64GB
Expandable storage
None
None
Up to 1TB
Up to 512GB
Up to 512GB
Up to 512GB
Battery/Charger
3,700 mAh
4,000 mAh
4,000 mAh
3,400 mAh
3,000 mAh
3,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor
In-display
In-screen
In-screen
In-screen
Back
Back
Connector
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
USB-C
Headphone jack
No
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Special options
5G (mmw/Sub6), 120Hz show, IP68 ranking, 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare
IP68 ranking, 5G (mmw/Sub6), 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare, 120Hz show
5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh price; Wireless PowerShare; water-resistant (IP68)
Wireless PowerShare; hole-punch display screen notch; water-resistant (IP68); Fast Wireless Charging 2.0
Dual-aperture digicam, waterproof (IP68); tremendous slo-mo video; wi-fi charging; iris scanning
Dual-aperture digicam, waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; iris scanning
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