Samsung Galaxy S22 review
The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup features the compact vanilla model, which offers a premium design experience in a smaller package. The phone's build is similar to last year's S21, but with some notable improvements, such as a glass back and aluminum frame. The 6.1-inch AMOLED display boasts a 1080p resolution, HDR 10+ support, and a fast 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the Galaxy S22 is powered by an Exynos 2200 chipset, which delivers flagship-grade performance, surpassing last year's model and even some of this year's plus and ultra variants. The camera system, shared with the S22+, features a 50MP main sensor, 10MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultrawide camera. The cameras produce excellent images, with good detail and dynamic range in various lighting conditions. Portrait shots taken with the main or telephoto lenses are particularly impressive, while the ultrawide camera's photos are solid for its class. Low-light performance is also commendable, especially when using night mode. Video recording capabilities are equally impressive, with 4K footage from the main camera showcasing good detail and dynamic range, and 8K video available for the first time in an S22 device. Zoomed 4K videos taken with the telephoto lens are particularly excellent, while ultrawide footage has a narrower dynamic range but still impressive details. In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S22 offers a solid compact Android flagship experience, with no major breakthroughs or innovations compared to last year's model. However, its premium design, high-end performance, and excellent camera capabilities make it a worthwhile recommendation for those seeking a cutting-edge device in this form factor.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the smallest flagship in the lineup this year, but it doesn't skimp on build quality or design. Instead, it's a masterclass in consistency, taking the best of last year's model and refining it for 2022. The first thing you'll notice about the S22 is its premium look and feel. The frame is made of armor aluminum, giving it a sturdy and robust construction that feels like it can withstand everyday wear and tear. The back panel, made of Gorilla Glass Victus+, adds a layer of protection against scratches and drops. One of the standout features of the S22's design is its size. At 6.1 inches, the screen is compact and easy to hold in one hand, making it perfect for those who prefer a smaller device without sacrificing any performance. The bezels are minimal, and the overall shape of the phone is sleek and streamlined. The attention to detail is impressive, with a smooth finish that's pleasing to the touch. The power button and volume rockers are placed conveniently on the right-hand side, making it easy to adjust settings or turn the screen off without having to navigate through menus. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22's build quality and design are top-notch. It's a phone that feels like it was built to last, with a premium look and feel that's hard to resist. While it may not be the most innovative device on the market, its solid construction and compact size make it an excellent choice for those who want a reliable Android flagship.
Battery Life
One area where the Galaxy S22 falls short is battery life. With a smaller 3700mAh battery capacity compared to last year's model, it's unfortunate that Samsung didn't prioritize improving this aspect. As a result, battery life on the Galaxy S22 is unimpressive. In our proprietary tests, the phone scored an endurance rating of 85 hours, which is significantly lower than what we've come to expect from flagship devices. This means you'll likely need to charge your phone daily, even with moderate use. Charging speed is decent, thanks to Samsung's 25W adapter, but it doesn't make up for the battery life shortfall. Going from zero to around 60% in half an hour is a good start, but it's not enough to justify the subpar battery life. While the Galaxy S22 excels in other areas, such as design, display, and camera performance, its battery life is a major letdown. Given the increasing demand for devices that can last all day, Samsung should have prioritized this aspect more. Overall, the Galaxy S22's battery life is a disappointment, especially considering the advancements made in this area by other manufacturers. If you're someone who relies heavily on their phone's battery life, you may want to consider an alternative option.
Display
The Samsung Galaxy S22 features a compact design that's both premium-looking and easy to wield in one hand. One of the standout aspects of this device is its display. The flat 6.1-inch AMOLED screen boasts a 1080p resolution, making it a great canvas for your visual content. One of the notable improvements on the S22 is the fast 120Hz refresh rate. This not only smooths out movements and animations on screen but also saves energy by adapting its speed based on your activity. While it can't dial down as low as the S22 Ultra, we still observed it going as low as 24 Hz in certain scenarios. The display's color accuracy is another strong point, with support for HDR10+ and great contrast levels that bring out the best in your content. Viewing angles are also impressive, ensuring that colors remain vivid even when viewed from the side. In terms of brightness, the S22's screen performs well under various lighting conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. However, we did notice a slight decrease in visibility when used in extremely bright environments. One aspect where the S22's display slightly falls short is in its color gamut. While it still offers excellent color accuracy, some users might find that certain colors appear slightly muted compared to other high-end devices on the market. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22's display is a highlight of this device, offering a great balance of performance, color accuracy, and energy efficiency. While not perfect, it's an excellent choice for those seeking a compact yet feature-rich Android flagship experience.
Camera
The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S22 is one of its standout features. The main camera boasts a 50-megapixel sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), which delivers excellent all-around quality. Photos taken in bright conditions are particularly impressive, with plenty of detail and well-balanced colors that have just enough pop. However, there are some issues with the camera system on the Galaxy S22. One major concern is visible softness in darker areas, which can be a problem when trying to capture images in low-light conditions. Additionally, there's some noticeable over-sharpening, which may be an attempt to compensate for the softness. Despite these drawbacks, the main camera still delivers solid results, particularly when using the "detail enhancer" mode. This feature allows users to take photos at 50-megapixels, maintaining consistency in other aspects of image quality. The telephoto camera is another strong point on the Galaxy S22, capable of producing excellent three-time zoom photos that are slightly upscaled from 10 megapixels. These images have impressive sharpness and detail, low noise, and colors that match those of the main camera. However, portraits taken with the telephoto lens can be noticeably softer than those captured by the main camera. Macro shots are also lacking on the Galaxy S22, but the telephoto lens is surprisingly capable in this department. The main camera struggles to capture good macro images, while the telephoto lens manages to produce decent results. Low-light performance is another area where the Galaxy S22's cameras shine. The main camera delivers an excellent level of detail and great dynamic range, with noise kept relatively low. Night mode helps balance exposure, but can also introduce some extra sharpening that gives the scene a more processed look. The ultrawide camera produces solid results, although it struggles in low-light conditions. Enabling night mode on this camera can help recover details and textures in the shadows, as well as reduce noise.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a compact flagship phone that offers a premium design, high refresh rate OLED display, stereo speakers, and impressive camera capabilities. While it may not bring any revolutionary innovations to the table, its features and performance make it a solid choice for those seeking a reliable Android smartphone. In terms of price, the Galaxy S22 falls squarely in the middle tier of Samsung's flagship lineup, between the base model and the plus variant. With prices starting at around $799, it offers a more affordable entry point than the higher-end models while still delivering many of the same features. So, is the Galaxy S22 good value for money? On one hand, its compact size and premium design make it an attractive option for those who want a phone that's easy to carry and looks great. The high refresh rate OLED display is also a highlight, offering excellent viewing experiences for videos and gaming. On the other hand, the Galaxy S22's camera capabilities, while impressive in their own right, may not be as cutting-edge as some of its competitors. Additionally, the phone's performance is largely on par with last year's model, which may lead to some wondering whether the incremental upgrades are worth the price tag. Ultimately, the value proposition of the Galaxy S22 comes down to individual priorities and budget constraints. If you're in the market for a compact Android flagship that delivers solid performance and camera capabilities without breaking the bank, the Galaxy S22 is certainly worth considering. However, if you're seeking the absolute latest and greatest features or have specific requirements that only the plus variant can fulfill, you may want to look elsewhere.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is powered by one of two high-end four nanometer chipsets: the Snapdragon 888 or the Exynos 2200. In our testing, the Exynos variant delivered flagship-grade performance that outshone last year's model and even matched some of the benchmark scores of its larger siblings, the S22 Plus and Ultra. The phone's performance is characterized by fast app loading times, seamless multitasking, and effortless gaming. We were impressed with the camera app's ability to quickly launch and switch between modes without any noticeable lag. However, during our stress test, we did notice some thermal throttling, but it occurred gradually and didn't impact everyday usage. One area where the Galaxy S22 excels is in its benchmark scores. The phone consistently delivered top-notch performance in various tests, including Geekbench and AnTuTu. Its fast storage and RAM also helped to keep apps running smoothly, even with multiple tasks open simultaneously. In terms of real-world performance, the Galaxy S22 felt snappy and responsive throughout our testing period. We didn't experience any noticeable lag or delays when switching between apps or scrolling through menus. While there's no significant innovation in terms of performance compared to last year's model, the Galaxy S22 still manages to deliver an excellent user experience. The Exynos chipset provides a good balance of power and efficiency, making it well-suited for everyday tasks, gaming, and even some demanding workloads. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is a powerhouse performer that will satisfy even the most demanding users. Its performance, combined with its impressive camera capabilities, premium design, and long-lasting battery life, make it an excellent choice for those seeking a top-notch Android smartphone.
Pros
1. A compact and premium looking design
2. Bright high refresh rate OLED display
3. Stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support
4. High-end chipset (Exynos 2200) for flagship-grade performance
5. Great cameras with solid all-around quality, excellent portraits, and good video recording capabilities
6. Plenty of software support with Samsung's One UI 4.1 based on Android 12
Cons
1. Smaller battery capacity (3,700mAh) compared to the previous model
2. No significant breakthroughs or innovations in design or features
3. Low light performance of the ultrawide camera could be improved
4. Night mode can result in a more processed look on the main camera's photos
5. The front-facing camera doesn't match the colors of the other cameras