What Is New with the Samsung Galaxy S22 Versus S21?

The latest Samsung Galaxy phones are here, with the S22 lineup set to launch in late February. Consumers who already own the Galaxy S21 can step up to the newer, slightly better S22. Keep reading to learn all about the S22 lineup and whether they warrant making the jump from an S21 device.

Perhaps the most notable improvement with the S22 lineup? The inclusion of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon mobile CPU. Dubbed Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, it’s currently the fastest Android phone processor on the market. Early impressions from Android Authority place the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 ahead of the Tensor chip currently powering the Pixel. Needless to say, it’s also a marked improvement over the Snapdragon 888 inside the Galaxy S21 phones.

Don’t get us wrong, the current display on the S22 looks incredible — especially on the S22 Ultra model. That version features a 6.8-inch dynamic AMOLED curved edge screen. Unfortunately, the lower-end S22 and S22 Plus displays are essentially unchanged from those found on the S21. Again, all of these screens look wonderful, but an incremental improvement would have been nice at the lower end of the line.

There was absolutely nothing wrong with the design or feel of the S21 lineup, but there’s no denying that the S22 phones look and feel better. A new frame constructed from glass and metal —along with an ever-so-slight size reduction — makes these phones sleeker.

As an added bonus, the S22 Ultra has a slot to store Samsung’s S Pen. While the Galaxy S21 Ultra supported the stylus, users were left without a built-in place to store it on the device. These small quality of life upgrades look insignificant on paper — but when comparing the phones in real life, the S22 lineup triumphs.

Samsung’s Galaxy phones always feature top-notch cameras, but it’s great to see a slight improvement with the S22’s. The base S22 and S22 Plus have received an upgraded main camera, which is now 50MP. It’s a solid step up from the S21’s 12MP setup.

Once again, the biggest improvement is found in the S22 Ultra edition. A 108MP wide-angle lens comes standard on the S22 Ultra, making it the must-have version for photography fanatics. However, this comes with a bit of a caveat: the Galaxy S21 Ultra has a similar camera setup.

Some smartphone users store their devices inside snazzy cases and forget about their phones’ exclusive colors. Others agonize over this decision. The S21 was a frustrating device for these types of users. Yes, it came in various nice-looking hues, but none of them stood out. The S22 line gets several eye-catching new colors, including a lovely pink gold, plus a dark mint green that’s easy on the eyes.

The entry-level S22 phone doesn’t see an upgrade in charging time. Thankfully, the S22 Plus and Ultra receive a boost, with up to 45-watt wired charging support offered. This is another nice upgrade that will fly under the radar for some but shouldn’t be discounted.

There’s no doubt that the S22 is a modest improvement over the S21 models. However, perhaps the biggest thing going for the new line is pricing. A base model S22 costs $799, with the Plus checking in at $999 and the Ultra reaching $1,999. These prices make the lackluster improvements a little more tolerable while giving Samsung a new slate of devices to compete against the iPhone 13 and the Pixel 6.

With the purchase of a new smartphone comes the usual hazards these devices face. Even when equipped with the sturdiest of cases, phones are still prime targets for abuse. As such, warranty coverage is a crucial consideration.

An Upsie extended smartphone warranty adds another line of defense to these prized devices. With an extended warranty from Upsie, terms and conditions are always easy to understand. Best of all, Upsie’s warranties often cost up to 70 percent less than warranties sold elsewhere.

With Upsie, your phone is safe from accidental damage, including drops, spills, and cracks. Upsie also offers protection against manufacturing defects, internal damage, and other sources of damage. Choosing whether to upgrade to an S22 may be difficult, but opting for an Upsie extended warranty should be a no-brainer.