Looking for an affordable Android phone? The LG K22 and Samsung Galaxy S7 Active are both contenders, but they cater to very different needs. This comparison dives deep into their specs and features to help you decide which one is right for you.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is the clear winner. Despite its age, its Snapdragon 820 chipset and superior features vastly outperform the LG K22's budget components. The S7 Active offers a much smoother experience and better longevity.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 - International | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40 - International | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41 |
| Speed | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat4 150/50 Mbps | HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (3CA) Cat9 450/50 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA / LTE | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| | 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 40 - Brazil | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2020, September 12. Released 2020, September 12 | 2016, June. Released 2016, June |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Build | Glass front, plastic frame, plastic back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass 4), plastic back, aluminum frame |
| Dimensions | 155.7 x 75.4 x 8.4 mm (6.13 x 2.97 x 0.33 in) | 148.8 x 74.9 x 9.9 mm (5.86 x 2.95 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM | Nano-SIM |
| Weight | 169.5 g (6.00 oz) | 184.8 g (6.53 oz) |
| | MIL-STD-810G compliant*
*does not guarantee ruggedness or use in extreme conditions | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
MIL-STD-810G compliant |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | - | Corning Gorilla Glass 4 |
| Resolution | 720 x 1520 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~271 ppi density) | 1440 x 2560 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~576 ppi density) |
| Size | 6.2 inches, 95.9 cm2 (~81.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 5.1 inches, 71.7 cm2 (~64.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | IPS LCD, 400 nits (typ) | Super AMOLED |
| | - | Always-on display |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 | Quad-core (2x2.15 GHz Kryo & 2x1.6 GHz Kryo) |
| Chipset | Qualcomm QM215 Snapdragon 215 (28 nm) | Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 820 (14 nm) |
| GPU | Adreno 308 | Adreno 530 |
| OS | Android 10 | Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), upgradable to 7.0 (Nougat), TouchWiz UI |
| Memory |
|---|
| Card slot | microSDXC | microSDXC (dedicated slot) |
| Internal | 32GB 2GB RAM, 64GB 3GB RAM | 32GB 4GB RAM |
| | eMMC 5.1 | - |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Dual | 13 MP, 27mm (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm, PDAF
2 MP (macro) | - |
| Features | LED flash, HDR | LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Single | - | 12 MP, f/1.7, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS), 1080p@60fps, 720p@240fps, HDR, stereo sound rec., OIS |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Features | - | HDR |
| Single | 5 MP, f/2.2, 24mm (wide), 1/5.0", 1.12µm | 5 MP, f/1.7, 22mm (wide), 1/4.1", 1.34µm |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| 35mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 5.0, A2DP, LE | 4.2, A2DP, LE, aptX |
| NFC | No | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS | GPS, GLONASS |
| Radio | FM radio (market/operator dependent) | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0, OTG | microUSB 2.0, OTG |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Features |
|---|
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | Fingerprint (front-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2 |
| | - | ANT+
S-Voice natural language commands and dictation
Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) |
| Battery |
|---|
| Charging | - | 15W wired, QC2
Wireless (Qi) (market dependent) |
| Music play | - | Up to 110 h |
| Stand-by | - | Up to 384 h (3G) |
| Talk time | - | Up to 32 h (3G) |
| Type | Li-Po 3000 mAh | Li-Ion 4000 mAh, non-removable |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titan, Blue | Camo Green, Titanium Gray, Sandy Gold |
| Models | LMK200Z, LMK200E, LMK200B, LM-K200 | SM-G891A |
| Price | About 140 EUR | About 360 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.92 W/kg (head) 0.75 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 0.32 W/kg (head) 0.98 W/kg (body) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -94.3dB / Crosstalk -93.4dB |
| Battery life | - | Endurance rating 96h |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 72dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB |
| Performance | - |
Basemark OS II 2.0: 2487Basemark X: 32362 |
LG K22
- Very affordable
- Larger screen for media consumption
- Simple and easy to use
- Weak performance
- Low-resolution display
- No front-facing camera
- Outdated chipset
Samsung Galaxy S7 active
- Powerful processor
- Excellent display
- Rugged design
- Good camera with OIS
- Fast charging
- Older model (limited software updates)
- Smaller screen compared to K22
- Battery age may impact longevity
Display Comparison
The Galaxy S7 Active boasts a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with vibrant colors and excellent outdoor visibility. The LG K22 has a larger 6.5-inch IPS LCD, but the resolution and overall quality are noticeably lower, lacking the S7 Active's punch and clarity. The S7 Active's smaller size also makes it more pocketable.
Camera Comparison
The Galaxy S7 Active features a 12MP rear camera with optical image stabilization (OIS), delivering better image quality, especially in low light. The K22's camera is adequate for basic snapshots, but lacks the S7 Active's advanced features and image processing capabilities. The S7 Active also has a front-facing camera, which the K22 lacks.
Performance
Here's where the S7 Active truly shines. Its Snapdragon 820 chipset is significantly faster and more efficient than the K22's Snapdragon 215. Expect smoother multitasking, faster app loading, and a more responsive user experience on the S7 Active. The K22 will struggle with demanding apps and games.
Battery Life
Both phones are reported to have endurance ratings of 96h, however, the S7 Active's more efficient processor and optimized software likely contribute to better real-world battery life despite the K22's larger capacity. The S7 Active also supports fast charging (QC2) which the K22 does not.
Buying Guide
The LG K22 is best for users on an extremely tight budget who prioritize basic functionality and affordability. The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is ideal for those needing a rugged phone with strong performance and a good camera, even if it's an older model.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Is the LG K22 worth buying in 2024?
Only if you're on an extremely tight budget and need a basic phone for calls and simple tasks. Otherwise, there are better options available.
❓ Will the Samsung Galaxy S7 Active receive software updates?
The S7 Active is no longer receiving major Android updates. However, it may still receive security patches for a limited time.
❓ Which phone is more durable?
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active is significantly more durable due to its ruggedized design and MIL-STD-810G certification.