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More of a facelift than a total redesign, the latest S22 and S22+ Samsung smartphones gain a number of small upgrades to bring them into a new league both technically and sustainably. New features to look out for include a new dynamic camera system with intelligent image processing, and ever so slightly smaller form factor, and a new Armor Aluminum construction for greater durability that was first debuted in Fold 3. Let’s take a closer look.
Physical Changes
| Samsung S22 and S22+ – Dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Size | 70.6 x 146.0 x 7.6mm (S22), 75.8 x 157.4 x 7.6mm (S22+) |
| Weight | 168g (S22), 196g (S22+) |
While the aforementioned S22 Ultra receives the ground-breaking integration of the S-Pen into the flagship model, the humble S22 and S22+ receives little in the way of physical transformation. If the style looks familiar, that’s probably because it is. While we’re yet to get our hands on a device, they appear nearly identical to the previous generation, albeit with a few new finishes, including the brand strongest aluminium frame to date and new Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and rear. There’s a new finish on the rear of the device and a slightly different Contour-Cut profile around the edges. In terms of colours, the S22 and S22+ will be available in a choice of four;
- Phantom Black
- Phantom White
- Green
- Pink Gold
Display Changes
Display changes are minimal for this generation of Ultra, with a new 1750nit peak brightness being the main headliner. Vision booster will help manage this as you move throughout different environments and lighting conditions. The same 6.8-inch AMOLED display returns with up to a 120Hz refresh rate.
| Samsung S22 and S22+ – Display | |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.1-inch FHD+ (S22), 6.6-inch FHD+ (S22+) |
| Refresh rate | Super Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (10~120Hz) |
| Peak brightness | 1300nits (S22), 1750 nits (S22+) |
| Sampling rate | 240hz touch sampling rate |
Hardware Changes
As is the case with the S22 Ultra, the S22 range is more of a facelift than a ground-up redesign. The same 4nm processor carries over from the Ultra, meaning power is available at any point throughout even the busiest workdays thanks to advanced AI and ML processing power. Connectivity is kept mostly the same with Wi-Fi 6E (you’ll need a 6E capable router) available on the larger S22+ model, as is 45w super-fast charging. Storage sizes carry over from the previous generation as does the IP68 water-resistant rating.
Just like the previous generation, the smaller S22 misses out on some of the upgrades its larger brother S22+ receives. This extends to the battery situation where the smaller device misses out on 45w fast charging, receiving a smaller battery size overall. The logical decision is to choose either of the large devices unless screen size is of primary concern.
Samsung announced all models in the S22 lineup will be supported for up to four generations of Android operating system upgrades. Just like we mentioned in the S22 Ultra article, if you read between the lines here, we believe this signals the scaling-back of big hardware upgrades and changes for at least the next four years.
| Samsung S22 and S22+ – Battery and Hardware | |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 12 |
| Ram | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB 128GB |
| Battery | 3700mAh (S22), 4500mAh (S22+) |
| Charging | 25w (S22), 45w Wired (S22+) 15W Wireless (Max) Wireless Powershare |
| Network and connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E (S22+), Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v5.2 |
| Water resistance | IP68 |
Camera Changes
The camera unit itself has received the biggest and most notable change this year. Samsung is focusing on a simpler user experience, and as such, is offering a new Nightography feature that takes advantage of a new larger sensor (larger than S21 and S21+). The sensor allows the camera to take in more light, meaning crisper, brighter images with deeper and richer colours.
Both S22 and S22+ gain access to a new Auto Framing mode that detects and tracks up to 10 people and adjusts the focus accordingly. The advanced VDIS technology reduces vibrations when trying to grab a quick snap on the move. The new Portrait Mode we spoke about in the S22 Ultra overview trickles down into these models, meaning subjects will look better than ever with even the smallest details appearing crisp and clear thanks to a sophisticated AI algorithm. This mode is set to work magic on your pets!
| Samsung S22 and S22+ – Camera | |
|---|---|
| Ultra-wide | 12MP, F2.2, FOV 120° |
| Wide | 50MP, Dual Pixel AF, OIS, F1.8, FOV 85° |
| Telephoto 1 | 10MP, 3x Optical Zoom, OIS, F2.4, FOV 36° |
| Telephoto 2 | nill. |
| Front camera | 10MP, F2.2, FOV 80° |
When Is the Samsung S22 and S22+ Releasing in Australia?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ will release in Australia starting March 4, 2022, available across most major carriers with Unlocked by Samsung devices available on the Samsung website.
How Much Does the S22 and S22 Plus Cost?
The pricing for the S22 and S22+ start at $1249 and increases as follows;
- Galaxy S22 8GB + 128GB: $1249 AUD
- Galaxy S22 8GB +256GB: $1349 AUD
- Galaxy S22+ 8GB + 128GB: $1549 AUD
- Galaxy S22+ 8GB + 256GB: $1649 AUD
We always recommend picking up Samsung Care+, a dedicated product support service covering accidental damages, repairs and more. Check out the link below for more information.
Hands-On with the Samsung Galaxy S20+ Smartphone
