Samsung’s new high-end smartphones are already available. The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ are part of a triplet that completes the even more ambitious Galaxy S22 Ultra, and although they share some features of its big brother, these proposals are somewhat more demure.
Still, these are two truly remarkable products that stand out for having the new Samsung Exynos 2200 SoC, a GPU from AMD, and a triplet of promising photosensors in a renewed (and more discreet) rear part.
Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ specs sheet
| Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S22+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | AMOLED 6.1 inch Full HD+ (2,340 x 1,080px) LTPO 48-120 Hz1,500 nits | AMOLED 6.6 inch Full HD+ (2,340 x 1,080px) LTPO 48-120 Hz1,750 nits |
| SOC | Samsung Exynos 22008 cores, 4nm lithography | Samsung Exynos 22008 cores, 4nm lithography |
| GPU | AMD RDNA 2 GPU | AMD RDNA 2 GPU |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128 / 256GB | 128 / 256GB |
| Rear Cameras | Main: 50MP f/1.8 Ultra Wide Angle: 12MP f/2.23X telephoto: 10 MP f/2.4 | Main: 50MP f/1.8 Ultra Wide Angle: 12MP f/2.23X telephoto: 10 MP f/2.4 |
| Front Camera | 10MP f/2.2 | 10MP f/2.2 |
| Battery | 3,700mAh 25W fast charge Wireless charging 15W | 4,500mAh 45W fast charge Wireless charging 15W |
| Operating System | Android 12 with OneUI 4.1 | Android 12 with OneUI 4.1 |
| Connectivity | 5G Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.2 NFC | 5G Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Bluetooth 5.2 NFC |
| Dimensions and Weight | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm 168g | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm 196g |
| Others | IP68 water resistance stereo speakers ultrasonic fingerprint reader 2D face unlock Samsung DeX Samsung Pay | IP68 water resistance stereo speakers ultrasonic fingerprint reader 2D face unlock Samsung DeX Samsung Pay |
| Prices | 8/128 GB: $799 | 8/128 GB: $999 |
A design that is committed to continuity
There are hardly any differences in the design of these phones compared to their predecessors: the back has a camera module with the same format, but with only one difference.
It is the color of the camera module. Last year the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ had a different color for that module compared to the rest of the back. Now the color is the same, which makes the module more camouflaged, providing more continuity to those lines.
Otherwise, the chassis is the same as the 2021 models: same metallic sides, same location of buttons or USB-C port, and same front. There is, however, one noteworthy feature: the use of recycled plastic from fishing nets in these casings.
What changes, of course, is the size of these devices, which slightly reduce their diagonals. The Galaxy S22 now has a 6.1-inch screen (it was 6.2 on the S21) and the Galaxy S22+ has a 6.6-inch screen (it was 6.7 on the S21+).
These sizes mark a key section that will undoubtedly be a buying factor for many users: the battery. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has a battery that a priori seems even somewhat fair, but perhaps the new SoC makes that 3,700 mAh more than enough. There is another small disadvantage in this base model: fast charging is only 25W.
In the Galaxy S22+, this section gains quite a few points. The battery reaches 4,500 mAh, and fast charging reaches 45 W, a figure that certainly leaves behind its smaller version. Both, of course, have support for 15 W wireless charging.
The promise of the Exynos 2200 and the AMD GPU
The specifications of the new Galaxy S22 and S22+ are fantastic, but it is true that in some areas the differences with their predecessors are not so notable.
Thus, the same display technology -which was certainly already outstanding- and a memory and storage configuration that is already classic in these high-end phones. Perhaps we could even expect a further twist in the storage, in fact: 128 GB is a decent number, but at these prices maybe it’s time to ask for a base capacity of 256 GB. The RAM will only be in 8 GB.
What is the differentiating element of that hardware is the chip used. This is the debut of the Samsung Exynos 2200 SoC, which will face the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and has eight cores in its CPU and a 4 nm lithography.
On paper this chip looks very good, but even more interesting is the GPU integrated into that SoC, which for the first time is an AMD GPU that is based on the RDNA2 architecture. Considering that this is the same architecture used in the GPUs of the PS5 or the Xbox Series X, things are getting interesting for those who want to squeeze the graphics power of the device.
It will be interesting to see how this SoC performs in both non-gaming and gaming scenarios, but of course, the inclusion of these integrated graphics chips – which even boast support for ray-tracing – could be very interesting.
No concessions in the photographic section
The photographic aspect of the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ is -along with the S Pen – the great element of distinction with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but although here Samsung makes a less ambitious proposal, the choice of sensors is undoubtedly interesting.
Thus, we have above all a promising 50 Megapixels main sensor and f/1.8 aperture, a striking leap compared to the 12 MP sensor of the Galaxy S21. The ultra-wide-angle makes use of a sensor with a resolution of 12 Megapixels.
The telephoto lens, which will be able to offer a zoom of up to 3.5x, is also governed by a 10 Megapixel sensor, also an interesting decision considering that the previous model used a 64 Megapixel sensor with lower zoom capability. It also features 10 megapixels selfie camera.
Pricing and Availability of Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is back starting from $799.99 for the base model, going up to $999.99 for the Plus model. These are the official prices.
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S22 on Amazon
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S22+ on Amazon
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