Cheat sheet:
- The Samsung Galaxy S22+ sits in the middle of the Galaxy S22 trio of flagships
- It brings the best of both worlds – a large screen experience with the convenience of one-handed navigation
- The Samsung Galaxy S22+ has an impressive spec sheet that includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- The S22+ comes with a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate that peaks at 1750 nits
- The 4500mAh battery lasts a day comfortably
- The rear cam features quite a few improvements over last year’s S21+ and fares better in lowlight scenarios
You’re likely to read a lot about the middle-child syndrome as more reviews of the Samsung Galaxy S22+ get published. We’ll spare you the psychological spiel around the middle child and focus on whether this middle child in the Samsung Galaxy S22 flagship line-up ticks enough boxes. Is it likely to be the most popular sibling with its best of both worlds appeal?
A step-up from the Galaxy S21+
It takes just a few seconds for most consumers to decide whether they dig the design of a smartphone or not. That’s usually determined by how the device feels in your hand the moment you pick it up. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ feels much better than its predecessor. There are subtle design changes but they make a significant difference. The S22+ opts for a more flat-edged design compared to the slightly curvier S21+, and the rear-camera design also looks better on the S22+.
It feels light for a device with a 6.6-inch display and certainly feels lighter than its 195gm heft; clear evidence that Samsung’s design team has found the balance between form and function. We checked out the Phantom Black colour option with its matte finish, it looks very elegant and also repels fingerprints.
No compromises
Comparisons with the formidable Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra that sits on top of the S22 trio are inevitable. Retailers will tell you how most Indian consumers who are in the market for a Rs 80,000 plus smartphone don’t mind the extra premium as long as it gives them bragging rights. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is propelled by the same Qualcomm Snapdragon Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor as the Ultra. There’s 8GB of RAM (the Ultra comes with 12GB) and a choice of 128GB or 256GB internal storage variants. The difference in RAM didn’t make a huge difference in our experience or the Geekbench benchmark tests that we put both devices through. The S22+ notched a score of 3311 vis-à-vis the Ultra’s 3506 score (both multi-core). The S22+ is blazing fast and the 4500 mAh battery delivered a similar all-day performance as the Ultra.
A camera that is not afraid of the darkness
The biggest leap for the Samsung Galaxy S22+ (over its predecessor) is rear camera performance. The 12MP primary cam on the S21+ makes way for a more formidable 50MP (f/1.8 aperture) lens. A 10MP telephoto lens and a 12MP ultra-wide cam complete the set up. The S22+ shoots sharper images in the dark and also benefits from the new chipset. Just like the Ultra, the software optimisations are most visible in portrait images where Samsung has upped its game. The S22+ delivers a versatile camera experience but misses out on the 10x optical zoom option that is one of the Ultra’s calling cards.
Is this all the flagship you need?
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ should please most users. We love how this device feels in your hand. It’s incredibly comfortable for a device with a vibrant 6.6-inch display and has the firepower to satisfy your need for speed. Camera performance is much improved over last year’s S21+, and we also like the design direction Samsung has taken with this device. It offers a significant saving over the pricier S22 Ultra but that’s not the only reason this smartphone deserves to be in your consideration set. It is a best of both worlds scenario. As for the middle-child syndrome, this middle sibling can’t complain of any lack of attention from Samsung’s design team.
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ comes in Green, Phantom White and Phantom Black. The 8GB/128GB variant costs Rs 84,999 while the 8GB/256GB variant is priced at Rs 88,999. Samsung has multiple offers that also include discounts on Galaxy Buds 2.
