Samsung Galaxy S22+
MSRP $999.00
“The S22+ is a good cellphone that provides average upgrades to display screen dimension, battery capability, and connectivity over the cheaper S22.”
Professionals
- Giant, sturdy, and delightful display screen
- Glorious digicam system
- Highly effective {hardware}
- IP68 climate resistance
Cons
- Value is a bit steep
- Doesn’t do a lot to set itself aside
Editor’s be aware: The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S23 Ultra are actually official, so chances are you’ll wish to maintain off …
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is actually the odd cellphone out of the Galaxy household. The bottom-level S22 is a sexy possibility when you’re trying to save a bit of money, whereas the high-end extremely has all of the bells and whistles for the massive spenders. The S22+ sits awkwardly between the 2, struggling to retain a robust id all its personal. However, the S22+ is a fully-featured Samsung Galaxy cellphone with a powerful spec sheet to show it, and it’s price testing.
Design
The S22+ is the overgrown twin of the S22. Until you examine them side-by-side, the additional 0.5-inches of display screen house isn’t going to be very noticeable, and visually there’s nothing else to differentiate the S22+. It’s a handsome cellphone, with rounded edges that make it snug to carry. It’s accessible in all kinds of colours, together with Phantom Black, Phantom White, Inexperienced, Burgundy, and when you purchase it from Samsung’s on-line retailer you can even get it in Graphite, Sky Blue, or Pink.
The cellphone options the facility and quantity button structure shared by all fashionable Samsung telephones, in addition to the distinctive digicam bump that’s been current for the reason that days of the S21. As with that cellphone, although it could barely unbalance the S22+ when mendacity on a flat floor, such protruding digicam bumps have by no means bothered me.
The S22+ options an under-screen fingerprint scanner and is rated as IP68 proof against water and mud. Such resiliency is crucial in units that go in every single place with us and should survive all the weather we ourselves are uncovered to every day. Additionally, the usage of Gorilla Glass Victus+ has made the display screen remarkably robust. In contrast to the earlier technology of Galaxy telephones, neither the S22+ nor my S22 Extremely has suffered from the micro scratches that appeared to build up so simply on the S21 sequence.
Show
The 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED show of the S22+ is attractive, with deep blacks and wealthy colours, and is HDR 10+ licensed. Its FHD+ resolution isn’t spectacular on a spec sheet, however I didn’t discover any lack of sharpness due to it. The 120hz refresh rate makes for clean navigation. The display screen is flat, with out the curved edges typically featured in Samsung telephones, and has a skinny black bezel.
Software program and efficiency
The S22+ carried out constantly nicely all through my time utilizing it. Its 8GB of RAM permits for loads of multitasking, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor dealt with each cell software I threw at it. Dota Underlords carried out flawlessly, even with the graphics settings maxed out.
The audio high quality of the audio system and microphones is superb, and I used to be in a position to simply perceive and be understood when making cellphone calls. The audio system have first rate quantity and had been in a position to output an honest rendition of 2Cellos cowl of Thunderstruck.
I’ve been an enormous fan of Samsung’s Android interface over time, and Android 12 on the S22+ isn’t any exception.
I’ve been an enormous fan of Samsung’s Android interface over time, and Android 12 on the S22+ isn’t any exception. It’s intuitive to navigate and is aided by a extremely responsive touchscreen. Samsung has a variety of proprietary software program, each pre-installed and accessible by means of Samsung’s Galaxy storefront. Usually I’d be skeptical of pack-in software program, however I truly use Samsung’s software program such because the Samsung notes, Expert RAW, and Galaxy Wearable every day.
Connectivity
I examined the S22+ on USCellular utilizing the identical sim card as I exploit in my S22 Extremely. The S22+ achieved comparable outcomes to the S22 Extremely utilizing Ookla internet speed tests, and the S22+ generally carried out as I’d anticipate. The S22+ helps Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, each of which supplied glorious efficiency.
Of specific be aware is the truth that the S22+ helps ultra-wideband, which is a functionality that it shares with the S22 Extremely, however which is missing from the bottom S22. Such networks don’t exist in my space and aren’t extensively accessible, nevertheless it’s good to have when you reside someplace the place ultra-wideband is offered.
The S22+ is meant to profit from higher reception generally resulting from its upgraded antenna, however in my assessments, it provided no noticeable enchancment over different telephones, not less than in my space. In the event you reside in a dense city space your expertise will most likely be totally different, however for smaller cities and rural areas, you’re probably nonetheless caught with the identical spotty service irrespective of which cellphone you employ.
Digicam
The S22+ options the identical digicam as the bottom degree S22, which isn’t any dangerous factor. The important thing characteristic right here is that, somewhat than the disappointing digital zoom of the S21 sequence of Galaxy smartphones, the S22+ digicam options an optical 3x zoom digicam. This makes a world of distinction when you lean closely on telephoto lenses as I do. Along with the 10MP f/2.4 telephoto digicam, the S22+ features a 50MP f/1.8 primary digicam and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide digicam. All however the ultra-wide digicam characteristic optical picture stabilization. The punch-hole selfie digicam is 10MP with an F/2.2 aperture.
I used to be very proud of the outcomes from all 4 cameras.
I used to be very proud of the outcomes from all 4 cameras. They ship the high-quality outcomes I’ve come to anticipate from Samsung’s telephones. The S22+ delivers sharp, richly coloured pictures proper out of the digicam, and you’ve got the choice of downloading Samsung’s Professional RAW app when you’d somewhat course of the picture your self in Lightroom Mobile or different modifying software program.
In the event you’ve used a Samsung Galaxy cellphone inside the previous couple of years, the interface must be very acquainted to you. Swiping by means of the assorted accessible settings and modes is quick and fluid, and there are actually loads of modes accessible from tremendous sluggish movement to portrait and timelapse.
The S22+ can shoot video at as much as 8K at 24fps, and 4K at as much as 60fps. I can affirm that this cellphone is simply pretty much as good at capturing video as it’s nonetheless pictures, and I’d be completely completely happy utilizing footage from it alongside that captured utilizing my pro-grade digicam gear in my YouTube movies.
Battery
One of many key benefits of the S22+ is that it options a big 4,500mAh battery and quick 45W charging. It additionally helps 15W wi-fi charging, and 4.5W reverse wi-fi charging. In real-world use that interprets to a cellphone that may simply make it by means of the day without having a refill partway by means of.
Value and availability
The S22+ is offered now and can set you again $1,000 at MSRP for the 128GB mannequin, which is about $100 greater than it actually must be. It makes different Samsung Galaxy telephones seem like a superb deal by comparability.
Our Take
There’s little question that the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is a good cellphone, and its solely actual flaw is its value relative to the competitors. Whereas that looks like a small grievance, it’s an actual drawback for the S22+. Put merely, the S22+ is in a really crowded house, and it’s discovering it onerous to actually differentiate itself not solely from its competitors but additionally from its siblings. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is a good cellphone and the value is about proper, however if you wish to save 20%, you’ll be able to go dwelling with the S22. If you would like a whole lot of further performance (together with the “Be aware expertise” as Samsung calls it) the S22 Extremely is simply a few hundred extra. Even the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip is on the identical value level and it folds in half however is in any other case a really comparable product.
This can be a nice cellphone and it checks a pleasant field for Samsung within the product variety division. You gained’t be disillusioned with it. Nevertheless it nonetheless looks like Samsung must do one thing a bit totally different to name this an actual worth for the cash.
Is there a greater various?
Whereas technically superior to the bottom degree S22, I’m doubtful of the benefit of spending an additional $200 on the S22+. That $200 solely will get you a barely bigger display screen and battery, in addition to help for ultra-wideband, which is barely helpful to have when you reside in an space with good ultra-wideband protection. In the meantime, the S22 Ultra is such an infinite leap over the S22+, and it’s solely $200 costlier than the S22+.
In the event you’re not set on a Samsung gadget, the iPhone 13 Pro is similar value because the S22+, and the Google Pixel 6 is $100 cheaper. The S22+ is a greater purchase than the equally priced Motorola Edge+ primarily because of the higher digicam and water resistance of the S22+.
How lengthy will it final?
Samsung has dedicated to offering updates to S22 sequence telephones for not less than 4 years, so the cellphone ought to stay related till 2026. Given its IP68 waterproofing and my private expertise with Samsung smartphones, I believe this can be a fairly secure estimate for the lifespan of the S22+.
Do you have to purchase it?
For Samsung followers, positively. The S22+ is a wonderful cellphone, and when you spend a grand on it you gained’t be disillusioned. Nonetheless, there are various different choices accessible to you that can can help you avoid wasting cash and nonetheless have an ideal expertise. The smartphone market across the thousand greenback value level is extraordinarily aggressive, and even an virtually flawless gadget has a tough time standing out.
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