Budget smartphones up their display game.
Just a few weeks ago we put the Samsung Galaxy M32 under the scanner. Samsung pitched the M32 as one of the best displays you could grab under Rs 15K. Samsung aims to stretch the price: value equation even further with its latest F Series device. The Galaxy F22 becomes the fourth F Series device to debut in 2021 and is all set to become a key weapon in Samsung’s battle for the ultra-competitive sub Rs 13,000 price band. Samsung is leaning on the display – yet again, to make a statement. Does it have enough in its armoury to please consumers who want serious bang for their buck?
It’s a delicate balance but Samsung’s recent launches have managed to keep the heft around 200 gm without compromising on the battery. This is a welcome trend. We’re seeing more brands place an extra emphasis on user comfort and form factor at a time when it looked that clunky devices were all set to take over Planet Android. The F22 sticks to a similar design language that we’ve seen with other devices this year. We dig the ribbed pattern on the back, that adds a touch of refinement but also makes it easier to clasp the device. It also repels smudges and fingerprints. Samsung offers two colour options – Denim Blue and Denim Black (we approve of the Denim prefix) that we checked out. 
The Super AMOLED HD+ display is the device’s biggest talking point. It’s a notch below the Galaxy M32 (that’s pricier than this device) in terms of display resolution. But this 6.4-inch display (720 x 1600 pixels) also boasts of a 90Hz refresh rate that is a big win at this price point. Colours are vibrant, gaming is quite smooth. This display packs a punch.
Just like the M32, Samsung manages to cram a 6000 mAh battery despite a large display. Samsung promises 25 hours of video playback. Battery performance was quite solid in our tests; we managed to stretch the battery beyond a day with extensive camera usage and a few hours of videos and gaming. Samsung bundles a 15W charger in the box; the device can charge even faster (it’s geared for 25W charging). 
The camera is another area where the M32 has a slight edge. This one is kitted with a 13MP Selfie cam. The F22 also features a rear quad cam – we like the placement of the rear lenses. It’s driven by a 48MP primary lens. It shares the other three lenses – an 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro and a 2MP depth sensor, with the M32. Images are good in ambient light but don’t quite cut it in lowlight. It’s the same for the ultra-wide lens too.
Samsung has opted for the MediaTek Helio G80 processor just like the M32. We tried the entry-level 4GB/64GB variant; there’s also a 6GB/128GB option. The device is certainly not the fastest at this price tag but should work for the everyday user who may not push his phone over the edge with hardcore gaming. The F22 managed a score of 1346 in our Geekbench test, very similar to our test results for the M32. The Samsung Galaxy F22 makes a similar value pitch as the M32, with a vivid display and a robust battery, at a more aggressive price tag.
The Samsung Galaxy F22 costs Rs 12,499 (4GB/64GB) / Rs 14,499 (6GB/128GB) and comes in Denim Black and Denim Blue.
