1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G and Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G, focusing on the practical implications of their specifications:
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 161.5 x 75.6 x 7.8 mm | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm | S22+ is slightly smaller and thinner, potentially more comfortable for smaller hands/pockets. |
| Weight | 200g | 195g | S22+ is slightly lighter, might be noticeable in extended use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.7" | 6.6" | S21+ has marginally larger screen, may be preferred by users who want more screen real estate. |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2400 | 1080 x 2340 | Virtually identical visual sharpness, the small difference is not noticeable in daily use. |
| PPI | 394 | 393 | Negligible difference in pixel density, both displays appear very sharp. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Identical display technology. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Identical smoothness when scrolling and gaming. |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | S22+ is noticeably brighter in bright sunlight, significantly improving outdoor visibility. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) - International | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | S22+ has newer, more efficient chip, providing better overall performance. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,100 | 890,774 | S22+ performs better in benchmarks, translating to smoother multitasking and faster app launches. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 - International | Xclipse 920 - Europe | S22+ uses a newer GPU, which translates to improved gaming and graphics performance. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 4800 mAh | 4500 mAh | S21+ has a slightly larger battery, potentially offering slightly longer battery life. |
| Charging | 25W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S22+ charges significantly faster, reducing downtime. |
| Charging Features | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W, Reverse Charging, No charge in-box | Wireless 15W, Reverse Wireless 4.5W, Bypass Charging | S21+ has reverse charging, S22+ has Bypass charging. S22+ charging allows the phone to be powered directly, reducing battery wear during gaming. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard | 12MP, f/1.8, 1/1.76", 1.8µm pixel size | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57", 1.0µm pixel size | S22+ has a significantly higher resolution sensor that can capture more detail. |
| Telephoto+Portrait | 64MP, f/2.0, 1/1.72", 0.8µm pixel size | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated Telephoto+Portrait camera which can be useful for portraits. |
| Selfie | 10MP, f/2.2, 1/3.2", 1.22µm pixel size | 10MP, f/2.2, 1.22µm pixel size | Comparable selfie cameras. |
| Telephoto lens | N/A | 10MP, f/2.4, 1/3.9", 1.0µm pixel size | S22+ has a dedicated telephoto lens offering optical zoom. |
| Wide Angle lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.2, 1.4µm pixel size | S22+ has a dedicated ultrawide camera offering a wider perspective. |
| Wide Angle+Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm pixel size | N/A | S21+ has a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro camera, suitable for macro photography. |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-quality video recording features. |
| DxOMark Score | Main: 111, Photo: 118, Video: 89 | Main: 125, Photo: 122, Video: 124 | S22+ has significantly better video performance and better overall camera performance. |
| Camera Features | Digital Stabilization, Continuous Autofocus, Manual Focus, Night Mode | Ultra stable video | S21+ has more focus options while S22+ has Ultra Stable Video. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11 (Upgradable to 15) | Android 12 (Upgradable to 16) | S22+ ships with newer OS version and will receive one additional year of updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | Wi-Fi 6 | Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi MiMO | S22+ has Wi-Fi MiMO for enhanced network performance. |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.2 | S22+ uses a newer version of Bluetooth, with enhanced connectivity and efficiency. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S22+ supports more satellite systems for better location accuracy. |
| SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | Similar dual SIM capabilities with eSIM support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128GB/256GB | 128GB/256GB | Similar internal storage options, neither support expandable storage. |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB | Good for multitasking and gaming. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone offers expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | S21+ offers more premium audio features. |
| Security | |||
| Security Features | Fingerprint Sensor | Fingerprint Sensor | Both phones have similar fingerprint sensors. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22+ features a newer Gorilla Glass version for slightly better protection. |
| Sensors | Comprehensive Sensor Suite | Comprehensive Sensor Suite | Both phones feature a comprehensive suite of sensors. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's an analysis of the major advantages of each phone:
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Advantages:
- Larger Display: The 6.7" screen provides a slightly more immersive viewing experience for media consumption.
- Larger Battery: The 4800mAh battery may offer slightly better battery life, though this can vary based on use.
- More Audio Features: Has Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and Noise cancellation microphone.
- Telephoto+Portrait and Wide Angle+Macro Cameras: The dedicated Telephoto+Portrait camera and Wide Angle+Macro camera offers more versatility in certain situations.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Advantages:
- Brighter Display: The significantly higher peak brightness (1750 nits vs 1300 nits) makes it much more visible in direct sunlight.
- Faster Chipset: The newer Exynos 2200 chip provides faster processing and improved gaming performance.
- Better Camera: The new 50MP standard camera allows for higher detail and improved image quality. Better scores for camera in dxoMark.
- Faster Charging: The 45W fast charging dramatically reduces charging times.
- Newer OS and Longer Support: Ships with Android 12 and will receive one additional year of OS updates compared to the S21+.
- Ultra Stable Video: S22+ offers an "Ultra Stable Video" recording feature.
- Dedicated Telephoto and Wide Angle lenses: Allows for greater flexibility when shooting.
- Bypass charging: Reduces battery wear during gameplay.
- Better Connectivity: New WiFi and Bluetooth version for better network capabilities.
Trade-offs:
- The S21+ has a slightly larger battery, but the S22+ may compensate with better power management from the newer chipset, and faster charging.
- S21+ has more focus options, while S22+ has Ultra Stable Video.
- S21+ has a dedicated Telephoto+Portrait camera and a Wide Angle+Macro camera while the S22+ has a dedicated Telephoto lens and Wide Angle Lens.
- S21+ has additional audio features not found on the S22+.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who value a slightly larger screen: For content consumption (videos, reading), this provides a slightly larger screen.
- Users who value audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and Noise cancellation microphone.
- Users who appreciate versatile camera: Users who would utilize the Telephoto+Portrait camera and Wide Angle+Macro camera.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Likely to be more affordable now that newer models are released.
- Users who don't need the very best outdoor visibility: This is a good overall performer, if you don't need high brightness outdoors.
- Users who need a charger in the box: If this is a must, consider the S21+.
Use Cases for S21+ 5G:
- Enjoying media on the larger screen, with Dolby Atmos.
- Everyday use, with a large battery life to last through the day.
- Macro photography with the Wide Angle + Macro camera.
- Portrait photography with the Telephoto+Portrait camera.
Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Ideal Users:
- Users who need excellent outdoor visibility: The brighter screen is essential for use in direct sunlight.
- Gamers and power users: The more powerful processor and GPU provide better performance for gaming and multitasking.
- Users who need fast charging: The 45W charging is a huge benefit for busy users who need a quick top-up.
- Users who want the latest OS: For security and feature benefits.
- Users who want better video quality: The video scores are significantly better than the S21+.
- Users who want optical zoom: Dedicated telephoto lens allows for better optical zoom.
- Users who want a dedicated ultrawide lens: Dedicated ultrawide lens allows for wider perspective when shooting.
- Users who want better battery health: Bypass charging allows for the phone to be powered directly during gameplay.
- Users who value newer tech: Features more modern connectivity, faster charging, and better chip.
Use Cases for S22+ 5G:
- Playing mobile games with high graphics settings.
- Outdoor photography and videography in direct sunlight.
- Shooting stable video with Ultra Stable Video feature.
- Using the camera for high quality videos and photos.
- Everyday use with fast charging for less downtime.
- Users who need higher quality location services.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21+ is likely to be more affordable, but you sacrifice performance, screen brightness, and camera quality for cost saving.
- The S22+ offers the newer tech and better overall features for a higher price.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions for buyers to consider:
- How important is outdoor screen visibility? If you frequently use your phone in bright sunlight, the S22+ is a must.
- How important is high-end gaming or video recording? If these are priorities, the S22+ is a more powerful choice, but consider audio if using the S21+.
- Is the lower price of the S21+ a deciding factor? If budget is a constraint, the S21+ is still a very capable phone, but consider the trade-offs.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Outdoor Enthusiast: Choose the S22+ for its brighter display, better camera and overall better performance.
- Budget-Conscious Media Consumer: Choose the S21+ for a slightly larger screen and good overall performance.
- Mobile Gamer: Choose the S22+ for its more powerful chipset and better GPU, alongside Bypass charging.
- Content Creator: Choose the S22+ for its significantly better video recording quality.
- Audio lover: Choose the S21+ for it's superior audio features.
- Casual User: Either phone would be suitable, but the S22+ offers a better experience overall if the budget allows.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would personally pick the Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G.
While I appreciate the slightly larger screen on the S21+ and its unique Telephoto+Portrait camera, the S22+ offers a more compelling package for my usage. The significantly brighter display is a must-have for my daily life as I spend a lot of time outdoors. Additionally, the faster chipset, dedicated telephoto and ultrawide lenses, bypass charging, and faster charging are significant improvements that would make my user experience much smoother and more convenient. The improved camera and video capabilities and the additional year of software updates also add to its appeal. Though it may come at a higher cost, the value added by its improvements make it a worthwhile investment. Finally, the significantly better dxoMark scores for video recording, and overall performance, would make my choice the S22+ due to my preference for video.
