Samsung just announced three new flagship phones for 2022. The Galaxy S22, the Galaxy S22+, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra all have a lot in common (including the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor), but they also differ in some meaningful ways. If you're struggling to decide which one to buy, we're here to help.
We haven't reviewed the phones yet, so we can't tell you about any surprise features or warn you of any unforeseen pitfalls—those are details you should look out for in our full reviews, which we're currently working on. But for now we have some guidance based on the specs and our initial experience with the phones.
Galaxy S22 Ultra: The S Pen and Zoom Lens Set It Apart
The two biggest reasons to buy the $1,199.99 S22 Ultra are its S Pen stylus and 10x optical zoom camera.
If you want the S Pen, you inherently know that you do. Over the years, I've found that the pen is better for drawing than for writing, especially because Samsung's large-screen mobile devices are still just a bit too small for full-fledged note-taking. But the combination is perfect for annotating, doodling, sketching, signing documents, and underlining. If you're an artist or an academic, the pen could be enough of a reason to pick the S22 Ultra.
I'm not an artist, so I haven't used the S Pen on my 2021 Galaxy S21 Ultra as much as I thought I would, but I love its 10x optical zoom camera, which you'll also find on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. I take a lot of photos of cell tower panels from a distance, for example, and the extra zoom range helps me get more usable images. Do you like to photograph birds and other small animals? The camera is ideal for filling the frame with those creatures. But if most of your photos are of landscapes, buildings, or nearby people, you probably don't need this lens. And if you don't need to the 10x camera or the S Pen, you don't need the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Galaxy S22+: The Mainstream Choice With a Solid Battery
The $999.99 S22+ is the midsize SUV of the lineup: a little chunky, but with the space and features most people want. Most notably, it has a big, 4,500mAh battery that supports fast 45W charging, something the smaller S22 doesn't offer. Battery life anxiety is a top concern for many smartphone owners, and the S22+ should induce less stress than the smaller model in this regard.
The question then becomes whether you should upgrade to the S22+ from your old device, especially if it’s a Samsung handset. If you live in an area with 5G (or one that will soon get 5G coverage) and have an S20 or earlier model, then you should absolutely upgrade—the difference in coverage is significant. And if the camera’s night mode or the telephoto zoom lens are important to you, we expect improvements in those areas.
Galaxy S22: The Model for Small Phone Fans
At $799.99, the Galaxy S22 fits comfortably in one hand. It has all the power (both in terms of the processor and 5G connectivity) of the larger phones. And unlike last year's S21, it has a 3x optical zoom lens (that doesn't rely on digital zooming). If you're out and about and need to, say, hold a bag or a child with your other hand, the S22 is the most convenient of the three models by far.
What gives us pause is the S22's 3,700mAh battery and 25W charging. Think about whether your phone runs out of battery a lot: If that's a big problem for you, the S22 may not be the right choice. On the other hand, if you're a diligent charger or you just don't stare at your screen all day, the more petite model saves you money and physical space.
Should You Wait for New Foldables?
If you’re wondering about the Galaxy Z Flip4 or Galaxy Z Fold4 (successors to the Flip3 and Fold3), those handsets are likely to arrive early in the fall. Samsung follows a twice-annual release cadence—it recently moved the release for foldables to the part of the year when it used to debut new Note devices.
Apart from the difference in design, the Z Flip4 and Fold4 will likely use similar processors and offer similar features compared with the S22 and S22+. If you prefer foldable phones and have no reason to upgrade immediately, then you should wait for those new devices.
Otherwise, we’re in the process of testing the new Galaxy S lineup now, so check back soon for our reviews.