Samsung Galaxy A22 vs. M22: A Detailed Comparison for Budget Buyers

The Samsung Galaxy A22 and M22 represent Samsung’s approach to the competitive budget smartphone market. While sharing a core chipset, these devices diverge in key areas like charging speed and, consequently, user experience. This comparison dissects these differences to determine which phone offers the best value.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For most users, the Samsung Galaxy M22 is the superior choice. Its 25W fast charging significantly reduces downtime, offsetting the identical core performance and display characteristics of the A22. The A22 remains a viable option for those prioritizing a slightly longer endurance rating, but the charging advantage of the M22 is more impactful in daily use.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy A22 Samsung Galaxy M22
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 411, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 20, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66
SpeedHSPA, LTEHSPA, LTE
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTEGSM / HSPA / LTE
Launch
Announced2021, June 032021, September 14
StatusAvailable. Released 2021, July 01Available. Released 2021, October 13
Body
BuildGlass front, plastic frame, plastic backGlass front, plastic frame, plastic back
Dimensions159.3 x 73.6 x 8.4 mm (6.27 x 2.90 x 0.33 in)159.9 x 74 x 8.4 mm (6.30 x 2.91 x 0.33 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight186 g (6.56 oz)186 g (6.56 oz)
Display
Resolution720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~274 ppi density)720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~274 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~84.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.4 inches, 98.9 cm2 (~83.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 600 nitsSuper AMOLED, 90Hz, 600 nits (HDR)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)Octa-core (2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetMediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)Mediatek MT6769V/CU Helio G80 (12 nm)
GPUMali-G52 MC2Mali-G52 MC2
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5Android 11, upgradable to Android 13, One UI Core 5.1
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (dedicated slot)microSDXC (dedicated slot)
Internal64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 eMMC 5.1eMMC 5.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, HDRLED flash, panorama, HDR
Quad48 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.0", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens48 MP, f/2.0, (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm13 MP, f/2.2, (wide), 1/3.1", 1.12µm
Video1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack YesYes
35mm jackYesYes
Loudspeaker YesYes
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYes (market/region dependent)Yes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDSGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS
RadioFM radioUnspecified
USBUSB Type-C 2.0USB Type-C 2.0
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compassFingerprint (side-mounted), unspecified sensors
 Virtual proximity sensing-
Battery
Charging15W wired25W wired
TypeLi-Po 5000 mAhLi-Po 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsBlack, White, Mint, VioletBlack, White, Light Blue
ModelsSM-A225F, SM-A225F/DS, SM-A225M, SM-A225M/DSSM-M225FV, SM-M225FV/DS
Price€ 193.97 / £ 160.00About 230 EUR
SAR EU0.52 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)0.62 W/kg (head)     1.24 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 121h -
Camera Photo / Video-
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-
Loudspeaker -30.6 LUFS (Below average) -
Performance AnTuTu: 185358 (v8), 165959 (v9) GeekBench: 5464 (v4.4), 1372 (v5.1) GFXBench: 16fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)-

Samsung Galaxy A22

  • Slightly longer battery endurance (121h rating)
  • Measured peak brightness of 597 nits
  • Potentially lower price point (depending on retailer)

  • Slower 15W charging
  • Lacks the convenience of faster charging
  • No specified advantages over the M22 in other areas

Samsung Galaxy M22

  • 25W fast charging for quicker top-ups
  • Identical performance to the A22 thanks to the Helio G80
  • Convenience of reduced charging times

  • Potentially slightly shorter battery life compared to A22
  • No specified display advantages over the A22
  • May be slightly more expensive than the A22

Display Comparison

Both the A22 and M22 feature displays with an 'Infinite' contrast ratio, suggesting a typical Samsung AMOLED panel. However, the A22 boasts a measured peak brightness of 597 nits. While the M22’s brightness isn’t specified, this figure suggests a reasonably visible outdoor experience on the A22. The lack of high refresh rate panels on either device indicates a focus on power efficiency rather than fluid scrolling. Bezels are likely similar, given their shared market segment.

Camera Comparison

Both phones are listed with 'Photo / Video' capabilities, lacking specific details about sensor resolution or features. This suggests a similar camera experience, likely focused on general-purpose photography. The omission of details implies neither phone features a standout camera system. The presence of a 2MP macro camera on both is likely a marketing feature with limited real-world utility, given the small sensor size and fixed focus. Without further information, it’s safe to assume image processing styles are also similar.

Performance

Both devices are powered by the Mediatek Helio G80 (MT6769V/CU) chipset, fabricated on a 12nm process. This translates to identical CPU performance – an octa-core configuration with 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores and 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores. Consequently, day-to-day tasks and light gaming will feel virtually the same on both phones. Thermal management will also be comparable, as the core silicon is identical. The absence of information regarding RAM configurations means we cannot assess potential performance differences stemming from memory speed or capacity.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy A22 achieves an endurance rating of 121 hours, indicating excellent battery life for moderate usage. The M22’s endurance rating is not provided, but the key differentiator is its 25W wired charging capability compared to the A22’s 15W charging. This means the M22 can significantly reduce charging times, potentially going from 0-100% much faster than the A22. While the A22 may offer slightly longer runtimes on a single charge, the convenience of faster charging on the M22 is a substantial advantage for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy A22 if you prioritize maximizing battery endurance above all else and rarely need to top up during the day. Its 121-hour endurance rating provides a slight edge for extended use. Buy the Samsung Galaxy M22 if you value convenience and quick charging. The 25W charging capability drastically reduces charging times, making it ideal for users who frequently need to recharge their phone.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Will the Helio G80 in the M22 struggle with demanding games like PUBG?
The Helio G80 is a capable chipset for casual gaming, but demanding titles like PUBG will likely require reduced graphics settings for smooth gameplay on both the A22 and M22. Expect medium settings to be the sweet spot for a balance between visual fidelity and performance.
❓ How long does it *actually* take to charge the Samsung Galaxy M22 from 0% to 100% with the 25W charger?
While Samsung doesn't provide exact figures, a 25W charger should fully charge the M22 in approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on usage during charging. This is a significant improvement over the A22’s 15W charging, which would likely take over 3 hours.
❓ Is the camera quality noticeably different between the A22 and M22?
Given the lack of detailed camera specifications, it's unlikely there's a significant difference in image quality between the two devices. Both likely rely on similar image processing algorithms and sensor capabilities.