Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 x 75.9 x 9.1 mm | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm | A02s is taller and thicker, making S22+ more pocketable and comfortable to hold. S22+ is more sleek. |
| Weight | 196g | 195g | Virtually identical weight; both feel similar in hand. |
| Build Quality | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22+ offers superior screen protection against scratches and impacts. A02s screen protection is unknown, so durability may be a concern. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.6" | Both screens are very similar in size; difference of 0.1" is negligible for most users. |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 | 1080 x 2340 | S22+ has a significantly sharper and more detailed display, better for reading, videos, and gaming. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 270 | 393 | S22+ offers clearer text, images, and video with much sharper detail. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S22+ provides richer colors, deeper blacks, better contrast, and higher brightness making it much more visually appealing. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S22+ offers smoother scrolling and animations, better responsiveness when gaming and navigating the interface. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S22+ offers vastly superior outdoor visibility and readability in bright sunlight, A02s will likely have issues in bright conditions. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Snapdragon 450 (14nm) | Exynos 2200 (4nm) | S22+ offers dramatically faster performance, handles multitasking and demanding apps far better. Much more future-proof. A02s is limited to basic tasks. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 890,774 | S22+ performance is significantly higher - offers faster app loading, smoother multitasking, better gaming performance |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Xclipse 920 | S22+ has a superior GPU resulting in significantly better graphics performance for gaming and demanding applications. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 4500mAh | A02s likely offers slightly longer battery life due to larger capacity, however, performance and screen brightness differences may offset this. |
| Charging | 15W | 45W | S22+ charges much faster, reducing waiting times and making the device more convenient. A02s has slow charging. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | S22+ offers wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, and bypass charging (can game while charging with limited heat impact). |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 13MP f/1.8 | 50MP f/1.8 | S22+ captures much more detailed and higher-quality images with a larger sensor and higher pixel count. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP f/2.2 | 10MP f/2.2 | S22+ takes more detailed selfies with its higher resolution front-facing camera. |
| Telephoto Lens | None | 10MP f/2.4 | S22+ has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. A02s only offers digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | None | 12MP f/2.2 | S22+ has a wide-angle lens to capture more in a single frame. A02s has no wide-angle lens. |
| Portrait Mode | 2MP f/2.4 | None | A02s has a dedicated depth camera for portrait mode. S22+ achieves this with software. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP f/2.4 | None | A02s has a dedicated macro camera for close-up shots. S22+ doesn't have one, relying on its main camera for closeups. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps | S22+ captures significantly higher-quality video at higher resolutions and framerates with much more features and quality. |
| DxOMark Score | N/A | Mobile: 125 (Photo: 122, Video: 124) | S22+ has a significantly better camera than A02s based on DxOMark scores. A02s has no score. |
| Camera Features | Limited | Extensive | S22+ offers advanced features like 8K video, optical zoom, OIS, RAW capture, that A02s lacks. A02s is very limited. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10 (up to 12) | Android 12 (up to 16) | S22+ provides a newer operating system with more features and up to 4 years of upgrades, compared to the A02s limited Android 12 upgrades. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | 802.11n | WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S22+ has faster and more reliable Wi-Fi with modern standards, including dual band. A02s is very basic. |
| Bluetooth | 4.2 | 5.2 | S22+ has more modern and efficient Bluetooth 5.2, which is more power-efficient and provides better audio support. A02s is outdated. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S22+ has more accurate location tracking with additional satellite system support. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano SIM) | Dual SIM (Nano SIM + eSIM) | S22+ allows using eSIMs for carrier switching, while A02s has only physical SIM slots. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32GB or 64GB | 128GB or 256GB | S22+ offers much more internal storage space for photos, videos, apps and games. A02s is extremely limited for storage. |
| RAM | 3GB or 4GB | 8GB | S22+ has significantly more RAM for smoother multitasking and gaming. A02s is very limited. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither device supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Stereo Speakers | S22+ offers a better audio experience with stereo speakers for a more immersive sound experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Basic fingerprint sensor | S22+ includes a fingerprint sensor for added security. A02s relies on basic security features. |
| Sensors | Proximity, Accelerometer | Fingerprint, Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer | S22+ has a comprehensive sensor suite for advanced functionalities like improved gaming and accurate navigation. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery may offer slightly longer battery life for basic tasks.
- Macro and Depth Camera: The A02s features a dedicated macro lens and depth sensor, which are absent in the S22+.
- Lower Price Point: A02s is designed to be budget-friendly and is therefore much more affordable.
Practical Implications:
- A02s is suitable for users primarily needing basic smartphone functions (calls, texts, light browsing) with long battery life, macro camera and at a low price point.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED screen, high resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and high brightness offer a much better visual experience.
- Significantly Higher Performance: The Exynos 2200 chipset is much faster, smoother, and handles demanding tasks (gaming, multitasking, video editing) far better than the Snapdragon 450 in the A02s.
- Advanced Camera System: Significantly superior image quality, telephoto lens, wide-angle lens, 8K video recording, OIS and more advanced features.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: 45W charging and wireless charging make the device more convenient to use.
- Modern Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, and additional GPS systems provide more modern connectivity features.
- Stereo Speakers: Better audio experience for media consumption.
- Biometric Security: Fingerprint sensor for added security.
- Better Software Support: Newer version of Android, and several years of upgrades.
Practical Implications:
- S22+ provides a premium smartphone experience with outstanding display, camera and performance suitable for heavy users, content creators, gamers, media consumers and those who value cutting-edge technologies.
Trade-offs:
- Price: S22+ is significantly more expensive.
- Battery Capacity: S22+ has a smaller battery but the more efficient chipset and charging may offset this for most users.
- No Dedicated Macro or Depth Camera: S22+ users will not have a dedicated macro lens or depth camera, relying on software enhancements for some features that the A02s offers in dedicated hardware.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s:
- Ideal Users: Budget-conscious users with basic smartphone needs, first-time smartphone buyers, users who prioritize long battery life, and users that enjoy Macro and depth cameras, and the lowest possible price point.
- Use Cases:
- Basic communication (calls, texts, messaging apps)
- Light web browsing and social media
- Simple photography and video recording
- Occasional use of navigation apps
- Price-to-Value: Good value for its price, for basic smartphone functionality.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G:
- Ideal Users: Power users, mobile gamers, photography enthusiasts, content creators, and users who value cutting-edge features and performance.
- Use Cases:
- Demanding mobile gaming
- High-quality photography and videography
- Heavy multitasking and productivity
- Content consumption (high-quality video, audio)
- Use with newer Wi-Fi routers and bluetooth devices.
- Price-to-Value: High price point, but justifies with superior quality features, making it suitable for users who are willing to pay for a premium experience.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What is your budget? The A02s is a budget-friendly option while the S22+ is a premium device.
- What will you primarily use the phone for? Basic communication, light use, or heavy gaming, video editing, camera work?
- How important is display quality, performance, and camera quality to you? S22+ is vastly superior in these areas.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Tight Budget and Basic Needs: If your budget is limited and you need a basic phone for calls, texts and simple browsing, the A02s is adequate.
Scenario 2: Camera Quality and Performance are Important: If you value high-quality photos and videos, smoother performance, and a premium display, the S22+ is the better choice.
Scenario 3: Mobile Gaming and Media Consumption: If you're a gamer or consume a lot of media, the S22+ superior screen, performance, and speakers will provide a significantly enhanced experience.
My Choice and Explanation
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G.
Here's why:
While the A02s is budget-friendly and may have a slight edge in battery capacity and dedicated macro and depth cameras, the S22+ provides a vastly superior overall experience. The differences are not marginal; they represent a different class of device.
The superior display quality of the S22+ is a significant factor for daily use, I value the high resolution, vibrant colours, and smoothness provided by the AMOLED 120Hz panel. The performance boost from the Exynos 2200 chipset is essential for fluid multitasking, gaming, and app usage.
The dramatically better camera system in the S22+ is another key deciding factor; the image and video quality, telephoto, wide angle lens and features like OIS and 8K recording are important to me. I would much rather have one great multi-purpose camera, than additional basic ones.
Also, as a technology enthusiast, the advanced connectivity, better battery features like fast and wireless charging and enhanced audio with stereo speakers provided by S22+ are things that I would appreciate and get much more daily usage from. Finally, the multi-year software upgrade support of the S22+ is very important and will make the device more future-proof.
While the S22+ is significantly more expensive, it is worth it for my use case, as it is a much more capable device that is sure to provide a much better user experience for many years to come. I'd much rather spend more now for a much better, high-quality phone than get the basic model that I will want to upgrade in a year.
Therefore, for my preferences and use cases, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G is the clear and ideal choice, despite the higher price point.
