The most popular high-end Android phone that US consumers should purchase in 2022 is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus. The Plus is not flawless, nor is the smaller but comparable ordinary S22. One weak point is the battery life, which merits careful consideration. If you want something a little more attractive or with a few more bells and whistles, there are better options available. The S22 pair, however, is the only smartphone you need to consider if you’re among the great majority of people searching for a quick, dependable Android tablet to use for the foreseeable future.
This remark comes off as a backhanded praise because these are two of the extremely limited options that are available to us in the United States. They also have excellent cameras, the greatest support you can get for an Android phone on this continent, and are truly good phones that can handle just about any task you can throw at them.
It’s important to emphasize that these are S21 iterative changes. The most recent Qualcomm chipset is present, the camera’s capabilities have seen some welcome improvements, and that’s about it. Although they are welcome additions, they shouldn’t be enough to convince an S21 owner to trade in their current phone.
The flat displays of the S22 and S22 Plus have thin bezels and rails that are slightly curved. After the S21’s period with a “glasstic” rear, the glass back panel is back, and both phones are IP68 rated. Everything has a substantial, subtle, and slightly upscale feel to it. I prefer this more subdued look over last year’s, which included metal camera bumps that flawlessly blended into the rails. The gorgeous green color option is also a favorite of mine, which surprised me.
When compared to the S22 Plus’ larger 6.6-inch screen, the S22’s 6.1-inch display seems absurdly little. (Don’t take it as the S22 being “tiny,” but it is now the smallest Android device available.) Both screens are 1080p OLEDs with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz, although the S22 Plus’ has a peak outdoor brightness of 1750 nits as opposed to the S22’s 1300 nits. Both are bright enough to be used without discomfort in the sun.
They make excellent screens under any circumstances. The quick refresh rate allows using the phone to skim around social media and navigate menu panels a clean and fluid experience. Samsung has given both phones an OLED display that excels at producing deep blacks and vibrant colors.
I have mixed feelings about battery life. Despite being able to last through even a day of intensive use when I tested the S22 Ultra, the battery depleted more quickly than I had anticipated. The S22 and S22 Plus appear to use energy much more quickly. The little S22 has a 3,700mAh battery as opposed to the 4,500mAh battery in the Plus model.
After installing apps and logging into accounts for half an hour, I watched the S22 battery’s frightening decline from 30% to 20%, and after a day of average use, the S22 was down to 58% by 3PM. Without even attempting to push the battery in any demanding ways, such as streaming video or engaging in game play. This proportion was reduced to the low single digits after downloading and playing Genshin Impact for roughly 30 minutes. The S22 Plus performs only marginally better. Despite the larger battery, the larger screen requires more power, so stamina is about the same.
The S22 might not be for you if you get hives when you see a battery level indicator reading less than 20 percent. Both the S22 and S22 Plus can typically handle a day of use, but even a moderate user may find themselves coasting on fumes by the end of the day. A midday recharge or a backup battery is required because gaming significantly reduces the already shaky battery life.
Both versions’ battery life is a serious weakness
It is refreshing that the basic S22 is the smallest Android phone I have examined in a while. It fits completely within the side pocket of my yoga trousers, and several times I had to check to make sure it was there because I couldn’t feel it. Although it is not as compact as the iPhone Mini, it is one of the smallest high-spec Android phones available, and this small phone enthusiast was very pleased with it.
The battery life of both models, however, is a considerable drawback. I wouldn’t suggest the S22 if you spend a large portion of your day performing demanding things like watching video and playing games. You’ll be fine if you only sometimes stream a 30-minute episode and it doesn’t scare you when your battery level is less than 20 percent at night.
The phones will last for many years of use thanks to their strong support strategy
The apparent rival in this case is the $900 Pixel 6 Pro, which is priced between the normal S22 variants. It’s a great phone with improved battery life, cleaner software, and unique Google features like the ability to translate the automated phone tree options you hear when dialing a number. The Pixel is larger and bulkier than the S22 Plus, but if you want a less crowded interface and battery life is important to you, pick it.
However, the S22 and S22 Plus seem to be a suitable fit for the majority. Above the ordinary S22 versions, there is the Ultra, which costs a hefty $1,200 and feels like an enthusiast tablet with its pen and numerous cameras. The middle class, which has greater battery life but less robust performance, isn’t far behind, and includes Samsung’s excellent Galaxy A52 5G.
The S22 and S22 Plus represent a pleasant middle ground that will appeal to many people. The phones’ reliable support will last them for many years of usage, their day-to-day performance is great, and their diverse camera system is capable of meeting the majority of users’ photographic needs. The S22 is a really nice middle ground as long as you don’t require too much of the phone’s battery or you don’t mind a midday recharge.
