Samsung Galaxy S22 vs S22+: The Ultimate Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S22 series offers premium Android experiences, but choosing between the standard S22 and the S22+ can be tricky. Both boast stunning designs and powerful features, but key differences in battery size, display brightness, and charging speed can significantly impact your daily usage. Let's dive into a detailed comparison to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S22+ wins overall thanks to its larger battery, brighter display, and faster charging. However, the S22 remains a compelling choice for those prioritizing a more compact size and slightly lower price point. The chipset difference (Exynos vs Snapdragon) is a regional consideration.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22 5G Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 092022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm (5.75 x 2.78 x 0.30 in)157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight167 g / 168 g (mmWave) (5.89 oz)195 g / 196 g (mmWave) (6.88 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~425 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.1 inches, 90.1 cm2 (~87.4% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROWOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROW
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF-
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.2, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 3700 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora PurplePhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora Purple
ModelsSM-S901B, SM-S901B/DS, SM-S901U, SM-S901U1, SM-S901W, SM-S901N, SM-S9010, SM-S901E, SM-S901E/DSSM-S906B, SM-S906B/DS, SM-S906U, SM-S906U1, SM-S906W, SM-S906N, SM-S9060, SM-S906E, SM-S906E/DS, SM-S906L
Price$ 172.63 / C$ 304.00 / £ 186.11 / € 198.01€ 236.99 / $ 194.37 / £ 349.00
SAR1.03 W/kg (head)     1.15 W/kg (body)1.19 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.21 W/kg (head)     1.59 W/kg (body)0.57 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 85h Endurance rating 97h
Camera Photo / Video Photo / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.4 LUFS (Good) -26.0 LUFS (Very good)
Performance AnTuTu: 745496 (v8), 881428 (v9) GeekBench: 3682 (v5.1) GFXBench: 69fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 722495 (v8), 886916 (v9) GeekBench: 3528 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

  • Compact and pocketable
  • Excellent display quality
  • Powerful performance
  • Good camera system

  • Shorter battery life
  • Slower charging
  • Lower display brightness compared to S22+

Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

  • Longer battery life
  • Brighter display
  • Faster charging
  • Premium feel

  • Larger size may be less comfortable for some
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The S22+ takes a clear lead in display brightness, boasting a measured 1214 nits compared to the S22's 982 nits. Both offer excellent contrast (infinite nominal) and vibrant colors, but the S22+'s higher brightness makes it noticeably better in direct sunlight. Both use Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.

Camera Comparison

Both phones feature a versatile triple-camera system with excellent image quality. While specific camera specs are not detailed, both are known for their impressive low-light performance and capable video recording. The S22+ might offer slightly better image stabilization due to its larger size allowing for a larger sensor, but this is speculative.

Performance

Performance is largely similar, with both phones utilizing either the Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset depending on the region. Expect smooth multitasking and responsive gaming on both devices. The slight clock speed difference in the ROW version of the CPU might offer a marginal performance boost, but it's unlikely to be noticeable in everyday use.

Battery Life

The S22+ has a significant advantage in battery life, with an endurance rating of 97h compared to the S22's 85h. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges, especially for demanding tasks. The S22+'s 45W wired charging is also a considerable upgrade over the S22's 25W.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is ideal for users who prefer a smaller, more pocketable phone and don't heavily prioritize battery life. It's a great option for those on a tighter budget. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is best suited for power users who demand all-day battery life, a brighter display for outdoor visibility, and faster charging capabilities. It's a worthwhile upgrade if you frequently consume media or play games.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the Samsung Galaxy S22+ worth the extra money?
If battery life and display brightness are important to you, then yes. The S22+ offers a significant upgrade in these areas. However, if you prefer a smaller phone and are on a budget, the S22 is still a great option.
❓ Which chipset is better, Exynos or Snapdragon?
Historically, Snapdragon versions have often shown slightly better efficiency and performance. However, Samsung has made improvements to the Exynos chipsets, and the difference is often minimal in real-world usage. It largely depends on the specific implementation and region.