The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus aims to be the “just right” option for Android users, offering a premium experience without breaking the bank. However, with a 75% increase in demand for foldable smartphones, the S22 Plus faces a new challenge from emerging form factors. This review examines the S22 Plus’s position in the market, considering its strengths and weaknesses in the context of evolving consumer preferences.
I- Introduction
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is a smartphone that seeks to strike a balance between power, portability, and price. As the middle child in Samsung’s flagship lineup, the S22 Plus aims to offer a compelling package for those seeking a premium Android experience without the bulk and expense of the top-tier S22 Ultra. This Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review will focus on the key features and considerations for potential buyers, exploring whether the S22 Plus truly delivers on its promise of being a balanced option.
II- Design and Display
A Premium Feel, But Slippery
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus showcases a premium, glass-and-metal design that sets it apart from its more budget-friendly sibling, the standard S22. Featuring a sophisticated flat-edged design, the device is constructed from Gorilla Glass Victus and Armor Aluminum, creating a robust and stylish aesthetic.
Available in an array of colors, including classic Phantom Black and White, as well as bolder options like Green and Pink, the S22 Plus caters to various tastes. The device measures 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighs 195g, striking a balance that feels comfortable in hand. It is slightly larger and heavier than the compact S22 but remains more manageable than the bulky S22 Ultra.
However, this sleek design comes with its drawbacks. The smooth, matte finish can make the S22 Plus feel somewhat slippery, raising concerns about accidental drops. Users with less dexterous hands might want to invest in a protective case to enhance grip and safeguard against mishaps.
Pros: Premium materials, elegant design, multiple color options.
Cons: Slippery surface, may feel large for users with smaller hands.
A Bright and Responsive Display
Shifting focus to the display, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus features a stunning 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with a resolution of 1080p. The refresh rate dynamically adjusts between 48Hz and 120Hz, ensuring a fluid user experience whether you’re scrolling through social media or diving into action-packed gaming sessions.
While it doesn’t reach the Quad HD+ resolution of the S22 Ultra, the S22 Plus’s display impresses with vibrant colors, deep blacks, and peak brightness of up to 1,750 nits. The color accuracy and wide viewing angles enhance the overall viewing experience, making it enjoyable from various perspectives.
Compared to its predecessor, the S21 Plus, the S22 Plus offers a slightly larger screen and a modern 19.5:9 aspect ratio, which many users find more comfortable. However, for those who prioritize an even larger display with higher resolution, the S22 Ultra’s 6.8-inch screen might be the better choice.
Pros: Vibrant colors, high brightness, smooth refresh rate.
Cons: Lower resolution than the S22 Ultra.
III- Performance and Battery Life
Powerful Performance, But With Thermal Throttling
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, paired with 8GB of RAM. This combination delivers blazing-fast performance, easily handling demanding tasks such as gaming, video editing, and multitasking with ease.
However, like many high-performance smartphones, the S22 Plus can experience thermal throttling during extended periods of heavy usage. While its performance is generally impressive, prolonged use of resource-intensive applications may cause the device to heat up, leading to reduced processing power to prevent overheating.
In comparison to the S21 Plus, the S22 Plus offers a significant performance upgrade, thanks to its advanced processor and increased RAM. It stands toe-to-toe with other flagship Android devices, including the Google Pixel 6 Pro and the OnePlus 10 Pro.
Pros: Fast and responsive, handles demanding tasks effortlessly.
Cons: Can heat up during intensive use, throttling may impact performance.
Solid Battery Life, But Not Class-Leading
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a 4,500mAh battery, which offers respectable battery life for most users. During testing, the phone managed to last a full day of moderate to heavy usage, including web browsing, streaming, and light gaming.
However, when comparing the S22 Plus to the S22 Ultra’s larger 5,000mAh battery, the S22 Plus’s endurance doesn’t quite stand out. Users who prioritize battery life may want to consider the Ultra model for longer-lasting performance.
On the charging front, the S22 Plus supports 45W fast charging, allowing for quick top-ups when needed. Additionally, it offers 15W wireless charging and reverse wireless charging capabilities, which can be useful for powering up compatible accessories or even other devices in a pinch.
Pros: Good battery life for most users, fast charging capabilities.
Cons: Not as long-lasting as the S22 Ultra, charging speeds lag behind some competitors.
IV- Camera Capabilities
A Versatile Camera System With Some Quirks
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main camera, a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. While this setup mirrors that of the standard S22, it lacks the S22 Ultra’s advanced periscope-style telephoto lens, which offers 10x optical zoom.
In bright lighting conditions, the S22 Plus delivers impressive results, capturing detailed and vibrant images with accurate colors. The 3x optical zoom proves useful for framing subjects or capturing distant objects with ease. However, the camera’s performance can falter in low-light situations, where over-sharpening may occur, particularly with the telephoto lens. Color accuracy can also be inconsistent, leading to slightly washed-out or oversaturated tones.
Overall, while the S22 Plus’s camera is a solid performer, it may not match the class-leading capabilities of the S22 Ultra or the Google Pixel 6 Pro. Those who prioritize mobile photography may want to consider other options or wait for software updates to improve the S22 Plus’s performance.
Pros: Excellent image quality in good lighting, effective zoom capabilities.
Cons: Struggles in low light, over-sharpening can be noticeable, color accuracy issues.
Video Recording Features
The S22 Plus excels in video recording, capable of capturing high-quality videos at 8K resolution at 24fps and 4K resolution at 60fps. This flexibility allows users to create stunning video content with ease.
One notable feature is the Auto Framing capability, which automatically adjusts the frame to keep the subject in focus. While this feature can be beneficial in certain situations, it may not always track subjects accurately, leading to some frustrations during recording.
Pros: High-quality video recording, useful video features.
Cons: Auto Framing feature can be unreliable.
V- Software and Features
One UI 4-1: Familiar Yet Refined
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus operates on One UI 4.1, Samsung’s custom Android skin built on Android 12. This interface offers an intuitive experience for both existing Samsung users and newcomers to the ecosystem.
One UI 4.1 brings several enhancements, including improved integration with Google and Microsoft services. For instance, the phone now defaults to the Chrome browser and Google Messages, providing a seamless experience within the broader Android ecosystem.
Samsung’s partnership with Microsoft allows users to manage text messages, mirror apps, and transfer files effortlessly between their Galaxy S22 Plus and a Windows PC using the Your Phone app. Additionally, Samsung has committed to providing four years of major software updates for the S22 Plus, ensuring longevity in software support.
While the inclusion of Bixby, Samsung’s proprietary voice assistant, remains a point of contention for some users, the company continues to refine its capabilities and integration within the overall user experience.
Pros: Familiar interface, long software support, good integration with other services.
Cons: Bixby voice assistant remains a controversial feature.
VI- Conclusion
In conclusion, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus emerges as a well-rounded flagship smartphone that strikes a compelling balance between performance, features, and portability. It offers a premium design, a stunning display, solid performance, and a capable camera system—all while maintaining a more manageable size and weight compared to the top-tier S22 Ultra.
However, the S22 Plus is not without its trade-offs. Its slippery design and occasional camera quirks may deter some users, while those seeking the longest battery life or the most advanced camera features might find the S22 Ultra more appealing.
For users transitioning from the S21 Plus, the S22 Plus offers a noticeable upgrade with a more premium design, improved cellular reception, and camera enhancements. Ultimately, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is an excellent choice for the majority of Android users seeking a high-end smartphone experience at a more accessible price point than the S22 Ultra. If you’re in the market for a well-rounded flagship Android device, the S22 Plus is definitely worth considering.
VII- FAQ
Q: What are the main differences between the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and the Galaxy S22 Ultra?
A: The S22 Ultra features an integrated S Pen stylus, a larger display, a more advanced camera system with 10x optical zoom, and a bigger battery. It’s generally more expensive and offers a more premium design.
Q: Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus worth upgrading from the Galaxy S21 Plus?
A: For most users, the upgrade from the Galaxy S21 Plus to the S22 Plus may not be essential, as the improvements are incremental. The S22 Plus offers a more premium design and some camera enhancements, but the overall experience remains similar.
Q: What are the best alternatives to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus?
A: Some strong alternatives include the Google Pixel 6 Pro, which offers an excellent camera system at a more affordable price, and the iPhone 13 Pro Max, known for its polished user experience and superior battery life, although at a higher cost.