Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+: Still Worth It in a Crowded Premium Market?
Samsung’s Galaxy S series has long been the go-to recommendation for premium Android users. But the landscape has changed. With strong competition from Chinese brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, and even up-and-comers like iQoo, Samsung faces a more challenging environment than ever. These competitors offer compelling flagship features and specs at potentially better prices, forcing consumers to re-evaluate the value proposition of the Galaxy S series. So, where do the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ stand? Do these more conventional flagship models still make sense when faced with such strong alternatives?
Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ are available in India in two variants each, all offering 8GB of RAM. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Galaxy S22:
- 128GB: ₹72,999
- 256GB: ₹76,999
- Galaxy S22+:
- 128GB: ₹84,999
- 256GB: ₹88,999
Both phones are available in Phantom White, Phantom Black, and Green.
Design: A Sharper Look
The Galaxy S22 and S22+ break away from the rounded aesthetic of their predecessors, adopting a sharper look with flatter sides and flattened glass screens on both the front and rear. The phones feature polished aluminum frames, and the Galaxy S22+ in particular boasts a matte glass back panel for a more premium feel. While this finish adds to the elegance, it can also make the larger phone quite slippery.
Other design highlights include:
- Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection for both front and back panels.
- IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
- Narrow bezels and hole-punch displays for an immersive viewing experience.
- 6.1-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED display on the S22, and a larger 6.6-inch Full-HD+ Super AMOLED display on the S22+, both with a 120Hz refresh rate.
While the Galaxy S22’s smaller size makes it comfortable for one-handed use, the S22+ might feel slightly unwieldy due to its larger size.
Performance and Software: On Par With the Competition
Under the hood, both the Galaxy S22 and S22+ are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, marking a departure from Samsung’s own Exynos chipsets in the Indian market. This shift ensures top-tier performance and efficiency.
On the software front, Samsung’s One UI 4.1, based on Android 12, delivers a refined and customisable experience. Some key features of One UI 4.1 include:
- Enhanced theming options, allowing users to match the system’s color palette to their chosen wallpaper.
- Four years of Android OS upgrades, a reassuring commitment to long-term support.
- Minimal bloatware, with only Microsoft’s Office suite, OneDrive, LinkedIn, and Outlook preinstalled alongside Samsung’s own suite of apps.
However, the lack of a ‘Conversations’ widget, a useful feature for pinning important chats to the home screen, might be seen as an omission.
Benchmarks confirm the expected performance prowess:
- AnTuTu:
- Galaxy S22: 8,12,284 points
- Galaxy S22+: 8,37,822 points
- Geekbench:
- Galaxy S22 (single-core): 1,177 points, (multi-core): 3,197 points
- Galaxy S22+ (single-core): 1,212 points, (multi-core): 3,248 points
These scores firmly place the Galaxy S22 and S22+ among the top-performing Android smartphones.
Battery Life: A Solid Day and Beyond
While battery capacity has shrunk slightly compared to their predecessors, both phones deliver respectable battery life. The Galaxy S22’s 3,700mAh battery easily lasts a full day with moderate usage, while the 4,500mAh battery in the S22+ can stretch to a day and a half of mixed usage.
Here’s how they performed in our HD video loop test:
- Galaxy S22: 14 hours and 10 minutes
- Galaxy S22+: 16 hours and 16 minutes
While neither phone comes bundled with a charger, the Galaxy S22 supports 25W fast charging, while the S22+ supports 45W fast charging.
Both phones also offer 15W wireless charging and Wireless PowerShare for reverse wireless charging.
Camera Capabilities: A Familiar Performance
The Galaxy S22 and S22+ share the same impressive camera setup, featuring:
- 50MP primary camera with PDAF and OIS.
- 10MP telephoto camera with 3X optical zoom and OIS.
- 12MP ultrawide camera with a 120 degree field of view.
- 10MP front-facing camera with PDAF for selfies.
Daylight photos captured by the primary cameras are generally sharp with excellent dynamic range. However, some barrel distortion around the edges of images is noticeable. The ultra-wide cameras perform well, though detail lacks compared to the primary camera. Telephoto shots offer clarity and are ideal for close-ups. Selfies deliver sharp images with good depth and dynamic range, and the Portrait mode excels at edge detection.
In low light, photos taken with the primary cameras showcase good detail but lack dynamic range in shadows. While noise is generally controlled, it remains noticeable in some images. Switching to Night mode brings out more detail, improves dynamic range, and suppresses noise further.
Videos shot in daylight boast impressive dynamic range and stabilization, whether at 1080p or 4K resolution. Though the 8K recording capability suffers from minor flickering and choppy visuals. Low-light videos are remarkable, showcasing good dynamic range and well-controlled noise, with stabilization that remains impressive.
The Verdict: A Strong Case for the Galaxy S22, But the S22+ Faces Tougher Competition
The Galaxy S22 remains a compelling choice for users seeking a compact flagship experience. Its smaller size, impressive performance, and high-quality cameras make it one of the best compact Android flagships available.
The Galaxy S22+, on the other hand, finds itself in a more competitive landscape. Its larger screen and battery are welcome additions, but the price tag might feel steep considering the plethora of alternatives offering equally compelling features at potentially better prices. For existing Samsung users seeking a larger upgrade from older models like the Galaxy S10+, the S22+ may be a reasonable option.
If budget is a concern or you’re seeking more value for your money, consider these alternatives:
- Vivo X70 Pro+: This phone offers impressive cameras with powerful zoom capabilities, a QHD+ display, and excellent performance at a significantly lower price point. While it lacks the latest Snapdragon chipset, it’s still a strong contender.
- iQoo 9 Pro: A compelling flagship, the iQoo 9 Pro boasts top-tier performance, a stunning display, and fast charging capabilities, all at a lower price than the Galaxy S22+. While lacking an official IP rating, it presents a compelling alternative.
With the upcoming release of the OnePlus 10 Pro, it might be wise to consider waiting to see what it offers. Potential buyers should carefully weigh their priorities and weigh the pros and cons of each option before making a final decision.
In essence, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ are still solid flagships, but they face a more demanding environment than ever. Deciding whether they’re worth the investment ultimately boils down to your individual needs, priorities, and budget.
