Cheat sheet:

• The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the smallest of the Galaxy S22 trio of flagships, and is the entry-level device in this series
• It’s for those who prefer the ‘pocketability’ and one-handed navigation of small-screen smartphones
• Uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor as the other S22 devices
• The Samsung Galaxy S22 features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate that peaks at 1300 nits
• The 3700 mAh battery should last a day, unless you’re a power user

Is a smaller-sized smartphone still relevant in 2022 and does it deliver the same flagship experience that has mostly become the preserve of large devices? The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the smallest of the S22 trio but promises to deliver the same premium flagship experience as its larger siblings. Does it hit the right notes?

The small joys

At a time when bulky, large screen devices have taken over planet Android, a lightweight smartphone comes like a breath of fresh air. Samsung manages to pack a 6.1-inch display in a light (167gm) smartphone that feels great in your hand and offers the simple pleasures of one-handed navigation. Like the Galaxy S22+ it’s less curvy and more flat-edged, and gets the contour-cut rear cam and elegant glass and metal design. This matte finish repels smudges and looks good in the white colour variant that we checked out. Overall, it even feels slightly more compact than last year’s S21 that had a slightly larger display.

The diminutive flagship

You don’t compromise on hardware specs with the smaller Galaxy S22. At its heart is the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor from the Ultra and the S22+. There’s 8GB of RAM (the Ultra gets 12GB), and a choice of 128GB or 256GB internal storage variants. The scores on our Geekbench benchmark tests were similar to the S22+. The S22 notched a score of 3264 vis-à-vis the Ultra’s 3506 score (both multi-core).

Improved shots

If there’s one reason you should ditch your Samsung Galaxy S21 for the S22, it’s the rear cam. It’s driven by a much-improved 50MP (f/1.8 aperture) lens that teams up with a 10MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultra-wide cam. Just like the S22+, you will see visible improvements in lowlight performance too. The new chipset impacts image quality too. Samsung has made a big improvement in portrait images on all the Samsung Galaxy S22 devices. The only significant miss (vis-à-vis the top-of-the-line Ultra) is the 10x optical zoom feature; you do get a 3x zoom option though. 

Who is the Samsung Galaxy S22 for?

The S22’s standout feature is its gorgeous 6.1-inch (1080 x 2340 pixels) Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. Colours are punchy and blacks are deep. Brightness peaks at 1300 nits. And that’s one of the key differences (aside from the screen size and battery) between the S22 and the brighter 1750 nits display on the S22+. You might notice this difference in environments when you need to crank up the brightness levels.

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 is the best Android option for those looking for a compact, small-screen experience and don’t mind paying a premium. If you’re likely to use your device for videos or flipping through work docs on the go, I’d suggest you spend the extra Rs 12K for the S22+ that strikes a balance between large screen and comfortable heft. The S22+ also delivers an improved battery performance compared to the S22 that might not cut it for heavy duty users. This one is for those who appreciate the convenience of a smaller smartphone without too many compromises.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 comes in Green, Phantom White and Phantom Black. The 8GB/128GB variant costs Rs 72,999, while the 8GB/256GB variant costs Rs 76,999. Samsung has multiple offers, including discounts on Galaxy Buds 2.