Samsung Galaxy S22 Specs vs. Plus (+) vs. Ultra Series Phones
Tech enthusiasts adore Samsung's Galaxy smartphones. With each new release, fans flock to online retailers to snag their preorders before they go out of stock. It should come as no surprise, then, that the tech giant has followed the success of the Samsung Galaxy S21 smartphone with the predictably named S22 line.
As expected, the new Galaxy S22 is already flying off virtual shelves. Once again, Samsung has made three different versions of the S22 available, giving Galaxy fans plenty of options at multiple price ranges.
Interested in snagging a Samsung S22? Keep reading to learn all about the Galaxy S22 series — and to discover what makes each a great alternative to Apple's iconic iPhone 13.
Specs
All three versions of the Galaxy S22 are powered by Qualcomm's latest mobile phone CPU. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 aims to improve performance in games and applications while also giving the cameras in the S22 lineup a boost.
The artificial intelligence advancements with this new chip boost image quality, thanks to the CPU's ability to improve colors and certain bokeh effects. The S22 Ultra even utilizes Samsung's S Pen technology, complete with built-in storage.
Performance
Early benchmarks have put the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 through the wringer, but the results have been impressive. PC Magazine cites the Galaxy S22 as the most powerful Android phone on the market. Graphics performance is excellent, with the S22 averaging nearly 60 frames per second in the 3DMark Wild Life benchmark.
Look
Samsung's Galaxy phones have always been visually impressive. This continues with the S22 lineup. Featuring barely-there bezels that make images almost literally jump off the screen, these phones are a treat to observe.
Another perk? Unique color options stand out from the typical white or black phone users. A variety of different online-exclusive colors (such as pink gold) are available, as is a striking light green design that is oddly calming.
Display
Each version of the Galaxy S22 comes equipped with a beautiful dynamic AMOLED screen. The base S22 model sports a 6.1-inch display, with the Plus version going up in size to 6.6 inches. An incredible-looking 6.8-inch curved edge display is only available on the top-of-the-line S22 Ultra edition.
Regardless of which display you select, you can count on a 120Hz refresh rate. With the bigger screens comes a larger battery capacity: 3,700mAh, 4,500mAh, and 5,000mAh batteries are included with each respective phone. Wireless charging makes powering these devices a cinch.
Storage & RAM
Every version of the Galaxy S22 is available with 8GB RAM. Those in need of more will want to opt for the 12GB version of the S22 Ultra. Various storage amounts are also available, depending on the model. The base S22 and the S22 Plus come with 128GB standard, although a 256GB edition is available as well.
The S22 Ultra gets a 256GB and 512GB edition for those who are serious about storing copious amounts of high-quality photos and videos on their devices. Unfortunately, there is no option for expanding the storage on any of the Galaxy S22 phones, so shoppers should think carefully before making purchasing decisions.
Camera
There's no shortage of lenses crammed into the new lineup of Galaxy S22 phones. For the S22 and S22 Plus, the rear camera array consists of a 50MP wide main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
Serious photography fans will salivate over the camera setup in the S22 Ultra. Not only does it score the lenses mentioned above, but also an insane 108MP wide lens as well as a 10MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom. Five cameras on the back of one phone looks a bit silly, but Galaxy fans will take it if it means even better photos. And last but not least, the selfie camera on the Ultra is 40MP, while the S22 and S22 Plus get a 10MP version.
Price
While there's a lot to love about these new phones, they certainly don't come cheap. Here's how much each version of the Galaxy S22 will cost at retail:
- Samsung Galaxy S22 128GB/256GB - $799 /$849
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 128GB/256GB - $999/$1049
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 128GB/256GB/512GB - $1199/$1299/$1399
Release
The latest trend in consumer electronics? Unveil a device just a few weeks before releasing it to the world. Samsung has used this strategy in the past — and it's worked wonders for marketing the devices and ultimately selling millions of units. The Galaxy S22 lineup was revealed at Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event in early February, with an on-sale date of February 25th being announced.
Preorder
There are plenty of ways for consumers to get their hands on a new Samsung Galaxy S22 phone. Online retailers such as Best Buy, Amazon, and are taking pre-orders, as is the official Samsung website. The phones are also available through major cell phone carriers, with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all fighting for customers with their own S22 pre-order offers.
Future of Smartphones With the Samsung Galaxy S22
Fans of Samsung's previous Galaxy smartphones will no doubt be extremely happy with the latest and greatest S22 models. Strong Android 12 competition from Google and OnePlus have only served to raise the stakes in the smartphone game. And it appears as though this new generation of Galaxy phones is able to stand up to the competition.
The base S22 is a great phone for those not looking to spend four figures on a new device. Consumers with a little more cash to throw around should definitely consider the S22 Ultra — a compelling phone that's sure to feel future-proof for the next several years.