The Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra hit the market
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The Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra hit the market
Now that the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event has kicked off, we know that their flagship S series phones have been updated and are on their way.
And, like most other years, we will be seeing three models of the S22 at launch, the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Plenty of the upgrades cut across all three devices, so here's an overview in this comparison table before discussing each model below.
| Galaxy S22 | Galaxy S22+ | Galaxy S22 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display Size | 6.1-inch FHD+ |
6.6-inch FHD+ |
6.8-inch Edge QHD+ |
| Display Features |
|
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| Processor | Advanced 4nm Processor Singapore: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
||
| Memory / Storage |
|
|
|
| Camera | Rear: 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera 50 MP Wide Camera 10MP Telephoto Camera Front: 10MP
|
Rear: 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera 50 MP Wide Camera 10MP Telephoto Camera Front: 10MP |
Rear: 12MP Ultra-Wide Camera 108 MP Wide Camera 10MP Telephoto Camera 10MP Telephoto Camera Front: 40MP |
| Battery |
|
|
|
| Network + Connectivity |
|
|
|
| Dust / Water Resistance | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions |
|
|
|
*Not coming to Singapore
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series
Following on from the Galaxy S21 series, the new Galaxy S22 series phones are all 5G-ready and come with new flagship processors, pro-grade cameras, and new top-tier features. Most importantly, the flagship S22 Ultra remedies a wrong from last year by having a place to store the S Pen, and thus has become the true Note20 series successor. (More on this model later.)
The Galaxy S22 series features the use of Armour Aluminium and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back for increased durability according to Samsung. Each model also has a certain amount of repurposed ocean-bound plastics, such as fishing nets, as the company works to reduce ocean pollution.
As expected, the new Galaxy S22 series will all come with Android 12 and One UI 4.1. The goal here is to empower users to get more from their devices as they live, work, and play. With One UI 4, Samsung focused on offering greater customisation and privacy controls, so users can adapt the interface via themes and colours to best suit their needs and experiences. There is also a new Privacy dashboard where your privacy settings and controls can be easily located.
Samsung will continue to partner with Google, especially around features like Google Duo, so you can enjoy activities like co-watching videos together with friends. Partnerships with Microsoft will also extend the seamless continuity between smartphone and PC with ‘Link to Windows’.
Plus, whether you’re using a Galaxy smartphone, watch, or tablet, you’ll be able to seamlessly sync them across all Samsung devices.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra and S22+ both get 45W wired fast charging support, while the S22 tops out with 25W wired fast charging similar to its predecessor. All three have 15W wireless charging functionality, too. Unfortunately, like earlier models, Samsung said they aren’t including charging adapters with the smartphones but will sell a 45W Power Adapter and data cable separately.
The power inside
In terms of processing power, Samsung said that they will be using a 4nm processor and Singapore for the first time, will be getting a model powered by the latest Qualcomm mobile processor, in this case, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
Previous models came with the Samsung Exynos 2100. When asked Samsung why the change, especially since they also recently launched the Samsung Exynos 2200, they mentioned they wanted to satiate the local market's ask for Qualcomm powered devices.
Qualcomm claims improvements such as the ability to capture 8K video at 30 frames per second, 30% faster graphics rendering, and 25% more power savings than previous generations, thanks to a new Qualcomm Andreno GPU.
The built-in Snapdragon X65 5G Modem-RF System can go up to a peak 10Gbps 5G download speeds and can support Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E up to 3.6Gbps with the integrated Qualcomm FastConnect 6900. It also features the 7th-generation Qualcomm AI Engine, which has 2x faster tensor accelerator and 2x larger shared memory than its predecessor.
While all the Galaxy S22 models have 8GB RAM and options for 128GB and 256GB storage, the Ultra variant comes in two RAM options at 8GB and 12GB. The lesser 8GB version also has the smallest storage capacity at 128GB. The 12GB RAM model will come in 256GB, and 512GB storage capacity options.
Next, we’ll look take a closer look at the differences between the models beyond RAM and storage options.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+
Samsung claims that the cameras on the new S22 and S22+ smartphones can take what is possible to new heights, especially around video.
Both use symmetric flat glass for a sleek and balanced profile and come in colours that were carefully chosen as part of Samsung’s Essential Design philosophy and to blend between the glass and metal components of the smartphone.
The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ will come with 8GB RAM, two storage capacity options (128GB and 256GB), and four colour options (Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, Pink Gold).
Display sizes will come in 6.1 inches for the S22 and 6.6 inches for the S22+. Both feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays at FHD+ resolution and viable refresh rate support up to 120Hz.
The Galaxy S22 and S22+ will share the same camera hardware which includes a primary 50MP f/1.8 wide camera, a 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens.
Besides sporting a similar triple-rear lens configuration as their Galaxy S21 predecessors (12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide-angle, 64MP telephoto with 3x hybrid optical zoom), the newcomers also sport the same contour cut camera housing too.
In terms of their battery capacity, the S22 comes in at 3,700mAh and the S22+ at 4,500mAh. These figures are actually less than the S21 and S21+ which had a more respectable 4,000mAh and 4,800mAh charge. As iterated earlier, the S22+ now has 45W wired fast charging, but the S22 only gets 25W wired charging support (identical to the S21 series).
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is their flagship model, the "absolute best that they have to offer" as Samsung itself puts it.
Like the previous model, it has a 6.8-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but the resolution is now QHD+ with peak brightness at 1,750nits as opposed to 1,500nits in the S21 Ultra. There is also an Eye Comfort Shield with AI-based blue light control. The Galaxy S22 Ultra will have four colour options (Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, Burgundy).
To make the Ultra even better this year, they tapped into their experience with the Samsung Note series of smartphones to include the S Pen integrated within the housing but still have the excellent cameras of the S series. So while consumers no longer have to choose between having an S Pen or a better photography experience, the fact these aspects are only available on the Ultra variant means that the Note experience will no longer be at an accessible price point that the previous Note series brought.
Nevertheless, the headliner is that the Note users now have an upgrade path, thanks to its spiritual successor, the new Galaxy S22 Ultra. Samsung didn't just borrow a Note series body to make this happen, but they've also worked even harder to improve it. S Pen support has been improved with latency slashed down from 9ms to 2.8ms using an enhanced AI-based coordinate prediction technology and an upgrade of Wacom’s handwriting component.
Writing with the S Pen now feels smoother and more natural. And this is important as language recognition now works in up to 88 languages, which is 12 more than the last version.
Samsung Note, the company's note-taking application, has also been improved with new features like Quick Note that allows you to attach or link to content with a pop-up note while using apps like Samsung Internet, Gallery, and Messages. Another new feature is Collaboration View which allows seamless syncing between the S22 Ultra and the new Tab S8 tablet series.
Samsung has also enhanced the security of the S22 Ultra. Building on the previous version of Samsung Knox on the S21 series, the company has enhanced it with new features like Point Authentication and Branch Target Identifiers.
Battery capacity remains at 5000mAh like the S21 Ultra, but the S22 Ultra is able to use things like AI to put the Wi-Fi radio to sleep at times to save power, plus it now incorporates an S Pen within its body, so that's impressive.
Cameras to take you from an amateur to a pro
A flagship smartphone needs top of the line cameras and Samsung has equipped the Galaxy S22 Ultra with upgraded cameras and an NPU that Samsung says is twice as fast as before.
For those who are more familiar with photography options in Samsung's new phones, the S22 Ultra has a Pro Mode so you can take full control of your camera settings and have access to the RAW image for further editing even when in camera.
It is also easier to use the S22 Ultra’s camera directly in your favourite apps. For example, Snapchat's built-in camera compatibility for support of the smartphone’s AI-based autofocus, super HDR, and Space Zoom. Now you don't have to use the Samsung Camera app before using Snapchat to post and this improves the user experience.
New video features like Auto Framing can track up to 10 people in a single frame making it easier to get a group shot and make your videos more dynamic without the worry of focus loss.
Shooting in low-light conditions is even easier with the hardware and software upgrades to get images that are bright and clear no matter how dark it is around you. Samsung calls this Nightography where AI is used to enhance objects within the shot so their true shape and details can be seen. This works hand-in-hand with sensors that have larger pixel size, OIS, VDIS and Super Night Resolution features.
There are four cameras on the rear that include a 108MP primary camera sensor that has dual pixel AF and an aperture of f/1.8. The other cameras are a 12MP ultra-wide lens with an aperture of f/2.2, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 10MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom (this helps you get 100x Space Zoom). The front-facing camera has a 40MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.2.
Unlike the big camera panel of the S21 Ultra, the S22 Ultra is more flushed with only small bumps around the camera lenses.
Pricing and availability
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series will be available in Singapore on 25 February 2022 in the following configurations and colours:
- Galaxy S22 - S$1,178 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage) or S$1,278 (8GB RAM, 256GB storage)| Pink Gold, Green, Phantom Black, Phantom White (Online exclusive: Graphite, Cream, Violet, Sky Blue)
- Galaxy S22+ - S$1,468 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage) or S$1,568 (8GB RAM, 256GB storage)| Pink Gold, Green, Phantom Black, Phantom White (Online exclusive: Graphite, Cream, Violet, Sky Blue)
- Galaxy S22 Ultra - S$1,718 (8GB RAM, 128GB storage) or S$1,858 (12GB RAM, 256GB storage) or S$1,998 (12GB RAM, 512GB storage) | Burgundy, Green, Phantom Black, Phantom White (Online exclusive: Graphite, Red, Sky Blue)
Pre-order for the Galaxy S22 5G, Galaxy S22+ 5G and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G will commence online (Samsung Online store, Lazada, Shopee) from 9 February 2022, 11pm. For those interested in pre-ordering through their preferred telcos, this commences from 10 February 2022, 10am.
For all the launch offer promotions, bonuses, and pre-order specials, head over here for our full compilation!
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