Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 test: they won’t leave you indifferent

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Test of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: a sublime smartphone with Galaxy Note perfume

After a Ultra more than successful Galaxy S21, Samsung puts back its title of high -end terminal champion in play. A real tribute to the Note range, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has serious arguments to establish itself as the cador of this year 2022.

01net’s opinion.com

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

• + Beautiful screen
• + Sublime design
• + One UI 4.0
• + Ultra versatile in photography

• – An ultra-wide angle module too fair
• – The Exynos 2200 processor, a little young
• – We would have liked a monster independently

Writing note

Note published on 03/21/2022

Technical sheet

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

System	Android 12
Processor	Samsung Exynos 2200
Size (diagonal)	6.8 “
Screen resolution	500 ppi

See the full file

You have to save the legacy of the Galaxy Note. After the recent disappearance of the range, Samsung takes a daring bet: integrate the features that made its success in the most premium of the Galaxy S. The result is an ultra galaxy s22 that differs from its small brothers by a square factor and the native integration of the S Pen.
Last year, we qualified the ultra S21 “Best Smartphone on the market”. It must be said that its LTPO screen, its photo partition, its operating system, and its chip exynos 2100 cohated all the boxes to satisfy us. The Galaxy S22 Ultra wants to do better, while integrating the legacy of the Galaxy Note. For two weeks, we made it our main smartphone. Immediately holes the suspense, our opinion is very positive. On the other hand, it is less dithyrambic than last year.

Like an air of Galaxy Note

No more rounded edges, the ultra galaxy s22 inherits the protruding and square angles of the Galaxy Note. A choice of design that makes the smartphone a little less pleasant in hand in our opinion. Already because the right angles support in the interior of the hand, but above all because the grip seems to us less convincing. This change in form factor still has an advantage, it makes the smartphone even more beautiful than its predecessor.
At the front, the impression of having no border is reinforced. An effect accentuated by the screen a bit more curved than on the 2021 edition. Even if we find the flat screens more comfortable in hand, it is clear that in the eye, the result is dazzling.

Same feeling in the back. Samsung has revised the integration of its camera modules. No more protruding plaque, each lens emerges independently of the back of the smartphone. The idea is welcome and the Korean giant is one step ahead of its design competitors. We are used to it with Samsung, but the finishes are impeccable. The choice of mat treatment is renewed in the back, comforting our opinion last year: it’s splendid.

Inevitably, with a 6.8 -inch screen, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is large. It will be complicated to use the device in one hand, even if Samsung has greatly improved its operating system in recent years to overcome this problem. It is also a little higher and a little thicker than its predecessor.
On the weight side, with 229 grams, the device remains in the high edge, without being unpleasant. Some users could be disturbed, but it remains lighter than an iPhone 13 Pro Max.

Major novelty, this ultra S22 incorporates the S Pen with a dedicated storage space at the bottom left of the smartphone. In reality, the ultra S21 was already compatible with the stylus, but did not include a location to store it. Here again, the heritage of the note range is felt since the interface and the associated functions are almost identical to those present on the Galaxy Note 20. We are not going to enter here the analysis of the choice of Samsung to integrate the S Pen into this iteration. We have already published an article in which we explain why its interest is, in our view,.

A screen always so sumptuous

Samsung is master in screen production and proves it once again. The ultra galaxy S22 simply has the brightest slab on the market. Our laboratory has measured an average brightness of 1 135 cd/m² and a bright peak up to 1,601 cd/m², two absolute records since the start of our measurements.
We always take advantage of infinite contrasts thanks to the OLED and an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120 frames per second. In hand, it is a constant pleasure, particularly outdoors or its exceptional brightness allows it to be used in all circumstances.

It is not easy to find it faults, with the exception of the accuracy of the colors displayed. This is a reproach that we regularly formulate in the Korean. By default, Samsung configures its screen with particularly bright colors. Result, color loyalty is questionable. The Delta E was measured at 5.96 by our laboratory. As a reminder, the closer this figure, the closer the colors are the real rendering.
We advise you to change the screen displays of the screen and configure it in “natural” where we measured a Delta E of 3. The colors seem less artificial. Note that color loyalty in this mode remains a little less good than on the ultra S21. It’s quite surprising.

An exynos 2200 maybe a bit young

This year again, Samsung offers two processors for its high -end terminal. One for Europe, Exynos 2200, and the other, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, for the rest of the world. Samsung’s house 2022 vintage 2022 was eagerly awaited. Indeed, this chip, engraved in 4 nm, was designed in collaboration with AMD. The architecture used is the same as in Xbox Series and in PlayStation 5. Inevitably, a strong expectation was created around its 3D performance and games.

Yes, the exynos 2200 is powerful. Is it as efficient as we hoped ? Not really. According to our tests, if the Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the most powerful Android smartphones on the market, it remains far behind the A15 Bionic of the iPhone 13. It is barely placed at the A14 Bionic of the iPhone 12.

There is also a relatively average stability in GPU uses. Clearly, S22 Ultra tends not to always deliver the same performance in 3D uses, with downward results as the duration grows. It appears that the chip slows down the pace to limit the heating of the device. Our probe raised temperatures up to 42.4 degrees, rather in the high edge compared to its competitors.

However, in use, everything went well. All applications work perfectly. As for 3D games, even the most greedy, we have never noted slowdowns. This is not necessarily the case for all our colleagues who revealed in their tests to have met several inconveniences.
Samsung seems to be aware of the problem. After being accused of restraining your SoC, except for benchmark, The Korean has announced a next update to “release” the power of exynos 2200. The fact remains that if the temperatures go up too much, the processor will always have to slow down the rate.

Autonomy: the day, no more !

Despite a 5,000 mAh battery, the Galaxy S22 Ultra offers relatively average autonomy. In our versatile autonomy test, which simulates the different uses of a smartphone until its extinction, it held 3.30 p.m. Without being bad, we would have liked Samsung to tickle the iPhone.
Same observation in video streaming where our laboratory has measured an autonomy of 12:18 p.m., a fairly average score. In fact, you can use your smartphone for a day without needing to recharge it, but not more. In this price range, in 2022, we are entitled to expect more.

Especially since Samsung does not offer ultra-fast recharge. S22 Ultra is compatible with 45 W wired recharge. But, since Samsung withdrew the sector charger from its box, it will be necessary to spend 49.99 euros to afford its services ! Count 62 minutes to recharge your device from 0 to 100%. S22 Ultra is also compatible with 15 W wireless recharge. We would like the Korean manufacturer to progress in this area.

A photo and video partition in continuity

In photo, Samsung refines details after an ultra very successful S21. No big upheavals in the focal lengths. We find an ultra large-angle equivalent 13 mm, for the main sensor, 24 mm equivalent, a small telephoto lens “X3” equivalent 72 mm, and a super telephoto “X10”, 240 mm equivalent. The Korean has concentrated a large number of improvements in the main sensor with larger photodiodes. They are theoretically capable of capturing more light, offering photos a better dynamic beach.

We specify here that we will carry out a more advanced test in the coming days, but we can already tell you that this main sensor is successful. At night, as during the day, it will almost never lack. Its autofocus is good and the restitution of the scenes is excellent. Even at night, this main sensor is of formidable efficiency.

The ultra-angle is less convincing. By day, it will provide more than acceptable shots, but the deformation of the image is substantial and the dive is quite bad on the edges of the image of the image. There is also an irregular colorimetry compared to other sensors. At night, it will be necessary to have a definition of acceptable a little more optimistic. Like last year, we stay hungry.

The X3 optical zoom, already very good on the ultra S21, does not disappoint. We even noted a real improvement in low lights with an image almost all the time usable, so that we never hesitate to use it, even in difficult conditions.

Finally, the 270 mm equivalent always does the job very well in very good light conditions. At night, it is always difficult to use.

Slight detour to video. The Ultra S22 allows you to film up to 8K 24 FPS or 4K 60 FPS. The Korean promises exceptional stabilization, and it is … true. The combination of optics with algorithmic treatments make it possible not to feel the movements of the body while one films.
The image quality is really good, even if still a bit of the iPhone. It will be enough for any amateur videographer. Add to that the return of the director mode which allows you to have the return of your face in the corner of the current video, and you have an already very complete vlog device for small productions.

Hardware: always at the top

Let us quickly return to the other functions of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It is 5G compatible, Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6th. It is always water resistant and benefits from the reverse charging. It offers fairly good quality stereo speakers.
Finally, the micro-SD port seems definitively abandoned while the double nano sim port is of course its return. The fingerprint sensor under the screen is strictly identical to that of last year. Our criticism on its size, a little too small for us, therefore applies again, and we find that Samsung has placed it a little too high. Nevertheless, its reactivity is always generally satisfactory.

One UI 4.0, it’s yes !

Whoever used a Samsung before the arrival of One Ui knows that this overlay is a blessing. One UI 4.0 was released at the end of last year and logically teams this Galaxy S22 Ultra. The overlay takes up several elements of Android 12, in particular the applications that change color depending on your wallpaper.
In use, it’s always so pleasant. We also take this opportunity to remind you that Samsung is committed to providing security updates to these terminals for four years. Checking commitment with the Galaxy S9 which received its last update a few days ago when we write these lines. If you want to invest in a long -term device, it is a weight argument.

Technical sheet

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

System	Android 12
Processor	Samsung Exynos 2200
Size (diagonal)	6.8 “
Screen resolution	500 ppi

See the full file

• + Beautiful screen
• + Sublime design
• + One UI 4.0
• + Ultra versatile in photography

• – An ultra-wide angle module too fair
• – The Exynos 2200 processor, a little young
• – We would have liked a monster independently

The verdict of the test

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

In continuity, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the best smartphones on the market. However, his title of champion is less obvious this year. The 2022 vintage is excellent, but you can’t help but put on some details. After all, it is sold from 1,250 euros !
Autonomy could be improved, the chip could be more impressive, the ultra-wide angle could be better. Competition progresses at a crazy speed. If Huawei was out of the competition, Xiaomi and particularly Oppo are in ambush with very high -end ever more attractive.

Note
writing

Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+ test: they won’t leave you indifferent

The Galaxy S22 and S22+ sublimate the recipe launched by the Galaxy S21 range, while raising the level again. Our Galaxy S22 and S22+ test: do they remain relevant smartphones in 2023 ?

When Samsung unveiled the Galaxy S22 in early 2022, the Galaxy S22 Ultra made a lot of shade to the rest of the range, including the models of this Galaxy S22 and S22 test+. However, not only is ultra for everyone – whether because of its size, its particular design or its price ..

But as a bonus, at the beginning of 2023 the Galaxy S22 and S22+ are still in it and their price has dropped a lot. You can find all our impressions on these smartphones, in addition to photos and analysis of their features in Our Galaxy S22 and S22 test+.

Galaxy S22 8/128 GB at the best price basic price: € 859

We also offer to watch the video of our Galaxy S22 test below:

What is the design of the Galaxy S22 design ?

The design of the Galaxy S22 and S22+ is built on the achievements of the already very beautiful design launched on the s21 generation. Which is not a bad thing since the design of the Galaxy S21 was, in our humble opinion, one of the most successful in the Korean firm.

From the outset, these Galaxy S22 and S22+ have a certain class, and sobriety – which reflects the maturity of a product so good that you wonder what Samsung could still improve. There are still some small welcome developments:

First of all the end of the Edge screens with curved edges, to return to the simplicity of the flat slabs. We are not on a completely flat and angular chassis as on the S22 Ultra. There is always a little extra of roundness: which is frankly pleasant and facilitates handling. It is particularly appreciable on the Galaxy S22+ which is slightly larger and which slides less than its predecessor.

Then the back: the Galaxy S22 sports a frosted glass surface in place of much less premium plastic offered the Galaxy S21. For model more, no change: it was already glass in 2021. But it is always nice to see that even the smallest of the models benefits from a design and materials as premium as the others.

What is the screen of the Galaxy S22 worth ?

As for the screen size, we also note another difference in our Galaxy S22 test: the straight slices make these smartphones slightly less wide … and the size of the screens also decreases !

The Galaxy S22 offers a 6.1 -inch slab (against 6.2 inches for the Galaxy S21) and the model Plus has the right to 6.6 inches against 6.7 inches for its predecessor. For a brand that has popularized the big sizes on smartphone, it’s unique. The Galaxy S22 with its ultra-thin borders could even claim the best compact smartphone of the year. Notice to amateurs.

The screen ratio also changes from 20/9 to 19.5/9th. In short, the Galaxy S22 is a little shorter, and it is easier to reach the top of the screen in one hand.

These screens, although slightly smaller, are beautiful. We are now used to Samsung and these Galaxy S22 and S22+ is not derogated from the rule. We take advantage of Dynamic AMOLED 2X Super luminous tiles, very contrasting with warm colors, a full HD+definition, an adaptive refresh rate which extends up to 120 Hz and therefore an ultra -eluid experience. In short: it is a splendid display and Samsung has still put the package on this generation.

Besides, even if the screen of the Galaxy S22 and S22+ already benefits from an exemplary brightness, it is possible to boost it thanks to a specific mode called “additional brightness”. He will do wonders if you watch outdoor videos for example. Another novelty on this slab: the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor has been further improved. In our Galaxy S22 test, we found it super reactive, precise, and fast.

What is the autonomy of S22 ?

The size of the screen is not the only differentiating point between the Galaxy S22 and its big brother, the S22 Plus. In recharging matters, the small model can only go up to 25 W wired against 45 W for the Galaxy S22+.

That said, the Galaxy S22 incorporates a smaller battery so even if the recharge is slower, it will take less time to return to the load. It will take just over an hour on average for the standard model of the range. We also point out that these smartphones have been delivered without a charger block, a standard for a few years.

This therefore brings us to the autonomy of these smartphones which is always good, without more. If the Galaxy S22+ manages to hold a full day without problem with its 4,500 mAh battery, the Galaxy S22 and its 3,700 mAh battery has more difficulty in holding. It will probably last until evening, but if you have energy -consuming uses (use of GPS, watching videos, mobile games, 5G), its battery could make the soul quickly. If you want the really enduring smartphone in the range, opt instead for the Galaxy S22+.

We find it a bit of a shame that the autonomy of the Galaxy S22 and S22+ is not so good. They both have a new Exynos 2200 SOC signed Samsung and engraved in 4 nm supposedly more economical. In principle, we could therefore expect better management of energy consumption. In fact, this is not really the case. Nevertheless, software optimizations (and in particular onei 5 powered by Android 13) should strengthen the autonomy of the Galaxy S22 and S22+ in 2023.

What are the performance of the Galaxy S22 ?

Regarding this new chip, it turns out to be a little disappointing in benchmarks. However, between the 4 Nm and the graphic part developed by AMD, we could expect a small monster of power but we are ultimately quite far behind the A15 designed by Apple. Despite everything, we are not going to lie: it is absolutely not felt on a daily basis and even in the most delicious apps.

The Galaxy S22 and S22+ are super efficient: they never scrape, the management of the multitasking is exemplary and no application scares him. We are at a stadium where benchmarks no longer want to say much, as long as application needs no longer evolve on smartphones.

Software side, it’s also impeccable. We find Android 12 coupled with the new version of the Samsung software overlay, one UI 4.1, still as practical and well thought out (but as we told you above, they are now entitled to one UI 5 and Android 13).

How the Galaxy S22 defend themselves in photo and video ?

The Galaxy S range has always illustrated the best of Samsung know-how in terms of smartphones. This is an essential point on all high -end devices and the Korean had to answer present.

The Galaxy S22 and S22+ board exactly the same photo paraphernalia: in this block cut directly in the chassis of the smartphone, there are therefore 3 sensors. And the good news is that there are still some changes compared to the Galaxy S21.

The main big angle lens goes from 12 Mp to 50 Mp on this new cuvée. It has still been enlarged and uses the Pixel-Binning technique in order to merge the pixels between them and thus capture more light and details.

On the zoom side for these Samsung Galaxy S22, the 64 Mp sensor with hybrid zoom last year was replaced by a 10 Mp sensor with a real 3X optical zoom. As for the ultra big angle, it is exactly the same as last year: a 12 Mp sensor with a lens capable of capturing images at 120 °.

Does this recipe work ? You can see it on the images in our Galaxy S22 test below, it’s convincing. In fact, we do not note enormous progress compared to the Galaxy S21 and S21+ which were already very good in the matter.

The Galaxy S22 and S22+ take pleasant clichés with an eye with a nice dive, a lot of contrast and a generally controlled colorimetry. Autofocus works well and stabilization too … In short: these are excellent photophones, certainly among the best on the market.

Where the Galaxy S22 is strong is when night falls. With this new main sensor, night mode is no longer even so essential as that. The smartphone is capable of capturing so much light that the results are already convincing without even having to go through a specific mode.

The telephoto lens is also doing rather well under these conditions. The ultra grand angle, on the other hand, turns out to be less convincing when the light is missing.

Finally, on the selfie side, there is a 10 Mp front sensor housed in a very small punch that you will forget almost instantly, and which does the trick for what is asked.

Samsung Galaxy S22 test: the compact and design option

The most affordable model of Samsung’s new S series, the Galaxy S22 is also the most compact version. This smartphone intends to offer a service equivalent to that of the Galaxy S22+, at the price, however, of some concessions.

Presentation

Galaxy S22 family gateway from Samsung, the eponymous smartphone is also the most compact. 6.1 -inch AMOLED screen, SOC Exynos 2200 flanked by 8 GB of RAM, triple photo module, 3700 mAh battery and 128 GB storage at 256 GB appear on the menu of this premium smartphone. It is obviously equipped with the One UI 4 interface associated with Android 12 and therefore constitutes one of the demonstrations of the South Korean know-how.

Samsung invoices this Galaxy S22 at the same price as its predecessor, the Galaxy S21, or € 859 (128 GB) and € 909 (256 GB). This locates it in the price range of a pro oneplus 9, for example, or the Google Pixel 6 Pro.

Ergonomics and design

At a time when compact smartphones, with very rare exceptions, have disappeared from the market, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is a good surprise. The device indeed measures 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and thus pays the luxury of being smaller than its predecessor. The Galaxy S21 displays dimensions of 151.7 x 71.2 x 7.9 mm. Only two small grams separate the two products (167 g for S22, 169 g for S21), light in hand. The newcomer retains the IP68 certification of its elder and is therefore resistant to water as well as dust. The quality of his finishes is exemplary and we particularly appreciate his vitreous, matt back, on which the fingerprints are invisible, or almost.

A small change, on the back precisely, should be noted: the photo block no longer extends on the edge of the device, as was the case with the S21, and the back of the phone is perfectly flat. It is as aesthetic as they can be agreed in hand.

When the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a screen with curved edges, the Galaxy S22 prefers a flat screen that occupies 89 % of its facade. The grip is all the more assured and it is not difficult to use it by one hand. With this format, the fingerprint reader located under the smartphone screen is easily accessible, in addition to being reactive, as well as the control keys located on its right edge. The terminal counts for the rest a drawer capable of accommodating two nano-sim cards on its lower edge, next to a USB-C port dedicated to the load as in audio. Note that the headphones are no longer provided with the smartphone, as well as the load block.

Audio

As specified above, the Galaxy S22 ignores the wired headphones, the presence of which is no longer legally imposed in commercial boxes. It is therefore necessary to be satisfied with its speakers which ensure a suitable experience on their side with regard to the format of the device.