Samsung Refreshes Galaxy S Series with S Pen, New Cameras
Feb 9, 2022, 10:00 AM by Rich Brome
updated Feb 9, 2022, 11:09 AM
Samsung today announced its lineup of flagship phones for 2022: the Galaxy S22 series. The top-end S22 Ultra sees the biggest changes as it essentially absorbs Samsung's Note series with an integrated S Pen stylus and a more Note-like shape and design, instead of the Contour Cut design of the other models. Those two other models — the Galaxy S22 and S22+ — have a reconfigured camera system that's more like the Ultra models, with the main camera having extra resolution instead of the telephoto camera like last year. The main camera is 50 megapixel, plus a 12 megapixel wide-angle camera and 10 megapixel 3x tele camera. All three models have new Adaptive Pixel technology that captures both pixel-binned and non-binned images and merges them so users don't have to choose between high resolution and better low-light image quality. A new AI Stereo Depth Map feature delivers portrait shots with well-defined edges down to the hair level, and works with both people and pets. Auto Framing can track up to ten subjects at once and adjust focus and zoom to match. The S22 and S22+ are slightly smaller and lighter than their predecessors, with slightly smaller displays and batteries to match. All three models use the new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 flagship chip from Qualcomm in their US variants. Other specs and features are mostly the same compared to last year's models, including 120 Hz AMOLED displays, 8K video capture, IP68 water rating, at least 8 GB RAM, ultrasonic fingerprint reader, and two-way wireless charging. Pricing and availability are also in line with last year.
- The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a slightly shorter and wider shape compared to last year, but the display still measures 6.8" diagonally, and the battery is still 5,000 mAh. The camera configuration and basic specs are the same, including a 108 megapixel main camera, dual telephoto cameras (10x and 3x), and a 40 megapixel front camera. An exclusive Expert RAW app provides a "DSLR-like experience" and lets you capture 16-bit RAW images using any camera. The OIS (optical image stabilization) has been improved with wider correction angles. The S Pen has 70% lower latency compared to the S21 Ultra. The S22 Ultra also supports up to 45W fast charging. The starting configuration still costs $1,200 and comes with 128 GB storage, but only comes with 8 GB RAM instead of 12 like last year. (Samsung made a similar tweak with the S21 and S21+ last year.) Step-up options come with 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB of storage, all with 12 GB RAM. Color options are Phantom Black, Phantom White, green, and burgundy. Samsung will offer three additional colors exclusively through its web site: Graphite, Sky Blue, and Red.
- The Galaxy S22+ has a 6.6-inch display, 4,500 mAh battery, 45W fast charging, and Wi-Fi 6E. It's more durable thanks to a body made almost entirely of two new materials: Samsung's own Armor Aluminum, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+. The S22+ starts at $1,000 for 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage, with a 256 GB option also available. It will be available in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Pink Gold, and green. The samsung.com exclusive colors will be Graphite, Cream, Sky Blue, and Violet.
- The standard Galaxy S22 is smaller, with a 6.1-inch display and 3,700 mAh battery. Other differences compared to the S22+ include 25W fast charging, Wi-Fi 6 (not 6E), and no UWB. But it keeps everything else, including the same camera system and advanced materials. The color and storage options are also the same. It starts at $800.
About the author, Rich Brome:Editor in Chief Rich became fascinated with cell phones in 1999, creating mobile web sites for phones with tiny black-and-white displays and obsessing over new phone models. Realizing a need for better info about phones, he started Phone Scoop in 2001, and has been helming the site ever since. Rich has spent two decades researching and covering every detail of the phone industry, traveling the world to tour factories, interview CEOs, and get every last spec and photo Phone Scoop readers have come to expect. As an industry veteran, Rich is a respected voice on phone technology of the past, present, and future.
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