Enhancements from Last Year

Last year's S21 lineup introduced notable downgrades as Samsung aimed to lower the price by $200. However, the S22 series maintains those price points while delivering substantial enhancements.

For instance, the standard S22 has a more compact design featuring a slightly smaller 6.1" display. Though this might initially appear as a drawback, the display now boasts a variable refresh rate ranging from 10 to 120Hz and an impressive peak brightness of 1300 nits. This smaller display not only enhances usability but also increases pixel density.

Moreover, the S22 now has a glass back and a revamped camera system, which includes a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. A significant change in this configuration is that the main lens is now the higher-resolution camera, allowing for 8K video capture with a broader field of view.

A minor downgrade shared with the S22+ is the battery capacity, which has been reduced from last year's 4000mAh to 3700mAh. However, with a smaller display that conserves energy and the more efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, this change may not be noticeable.

Turning our attention to the S22+, it shares most of the same enhancements as the standard model, including a 6.6" display, the new camera system, and a reduced battery capacity of 4500mAh. Additionally, it supports 45W fast charging, Wi-Fi 6E, and Ultra-Wideband technology.

In contrast, the S22 Ultra represents a significant leap from both its predecessor and its smaller siblings. The most striking feature is its integrated S-Pen, which enhances functionality and reduces latency to just 2.8 milliseconds.

This impressive performance is facilitated by the S22 Ultra's 6.8" QHD display with LTPO 2.0 technology, allowing refresh rates from 1Hz to 120Hz. Furthermore, the display can achieve a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it one of the brightest screens available on any smartphone. Samsung has retained the 5000mAh battery from the S21 Ultra, essential for a device that demands considerable power.

Despite the inclusion of the S-Pen, enhanced image processing, a brighter display, and 45W charging, Samsung has kept the price of the S22 Ultra at $1200. To achieve this, they have opted for 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage in base models, while models with larger storage options (256GB to 1TB) come with 12GB of RAM.

On the software side, Samsung has made significant strides, promising four years of major OS updates, ensuring that all S22 devices will remain supported until Android 16 is released. Additionally, the Android 12-based One UI 4.0 offers an exceptionally smooth user experience.

Without a doubt, these devices, particularly the S22 Ultra, represent substantial improvements over their predecessors.

Assessing the Competition

While enhancements are commendable, they must also hold up against competitors. Fortunately for Samsung, the S22 lineup is among the best value smartphones available. In 2022, Samsung's main rivals are likely to be Apple and Google.

Google's Pixel 6 series arguably offers more value, with prices starting at $600 for the Pixel 6 and $900 for the 6 Pro, appealing to those who prefer a stock Android experience. However, recent software bugs have plagued these devices, leading to issues like app crashes and biometric failures.

Although the Pixel 6 runs on Google's custom Tensor chip, it has not distinguished itself in performance or efficiency. The Samsung S21 FE, starting at $700, provides numerous advantages over the base Pixel 6, including a 120Hz refresh rate and a triple camera setup, all while delivering a refined software experience.

When comparing to Apple, Samsung has a competitive answer for virtually every product. The S21 FE competes with the iPhone 13 Mini, while the S22 and S22+ go head-to-head with the iPhone 13 and 13 Pro, respectively. The S22 Ultra clearly aims to rival the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

In terms of the standard iPhone 13 and 13 Mini, Samsung holds the advantage. Although the S21 FE features a plastic back, it includes three cameras, a 120Hz display, and up to 8GB of RAM, alongside slimmer bezels. The S22, with its glass back, variable refresh rate technology, and redesigned camera system, offers more value compared to the iPhone 13 at the same price.

The S22+ also matches the iPhone 13 Pro's 120Hz refresh rate and triple camera setup but excels with a larger, brighter screen and faster 45W charging. While these differences may not be crucial for everyone, the standard S22 competes favorably with the iPhone 13 Pro, despite starting at just $800.

In the case of the S22 Ultra, although the iPhone enjoys a price advantage, the S22 Ultra offers a larger, brighter, and higher-resolution display, an integrated stylus, up to 12GB of RAM, and a versatile camera system. Furthermore, Samsung appears to be adopting a more measured approach to its smartphone designs, focusing on refining and enhancing previous generations rather than completely reinventing them.

For instance, by reusing the S21 Ultra's camera, Samsung ensures reliability and sharp image quality while incorporating the S-Pen without raising costs, thereby enhancing the overall experience of owning an "Ultra" model.

It’s also possible that Samsung is moderating its traditional S-series offerings, especially with the rise of mainstream foldable devices, aiming to attract a broader consumer base.

It seems like a win-win for everyone.

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