Galaxy S22 vs. 5 Older Samsung Phones: Is Upgrading Worth It?

The Samsung Galaxy S22
Lisa Eadicicco/The Techy Trends
If you are contemplating buying the Galaxy S22, it’s best to know Samsung’s newest telephone sports activities a refreshed design and improved digicam that is a lot better at taking images in the dead of night. (The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s digicam can compete with the iPhone 13 and Pixel 6 Pro.) But is that sufficient to justify an improve?The reply will depend on which telephone you might have. Most individuals can be wonderful with hanging onto their Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 for some time longer. But you probably have a Galaxy S10 or earlier, you will see a extra dramatic distinction in digicam high quality and common efficiency when upgrading. The more moderen your telephone is, the longer you will get entry to the most recent model of Android and new Samsung software program options.If you are contemplating upgrading, take into account that Samsung additionally has extra reasonably priced choices just like the Galaxy S21 FE and newly introduced Galaxy A53 5G. But should you’re already eyeballing the Galaxy S22 and are questioning whether or not now’s the proper time to improve, take a look at the comparisons under. And remember to think about recycling or buying and selling in your previous smartphone should you’re not giving it to a good friend or member of the family. Not solely is it much less wasteful, however many carriers and retailers will supply a heavy low cost for exchanging your previous telephone.Read extra: Galaxy S22 Ultra: Go for the Upgrade, or Stick With Your Older Samsung?Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21The Samsung Galaxy S21
Sarah Tew/The Techy Trends
The largest distinction between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 is of their cameras. Samsung upgraded the S22 and S22 Plus with a 50-megapixel sensor and higher low mild pictures. Although the brand new digicam is a noticeable step up from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel sensor — as you may see in my critiques of each new telephones — it isn’t sufficient to justify an improve simply but. That’s very true since lots of the S22’s different adjustments are incremental. There are additionally another variations to remember except for the digicam, a few of which are not essentially an enchancment. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, for instance. Samsung’s new telephones even have barely tinier screens than their predecessors, which generally is a professional or a con relying in your preferences. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display in comparison with the S21’s 6.2-inch show, whereas the S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch display as a substitute of the S21 Plus’ 6.7-inch show. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus even have a recent design made from steel and glass that appears extra elegant than the Galaxy S21’s look, though which may not matter a lot should you plan to make use of a case. As is usually the case with new telephones, the Galaxy S22 household runs on a more recent processor than the Galaxy S21. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 powers the variations you will discover within the US, whereas Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chip will be present in different choose markets. Performance is comparable between the 2, so do not count on to see main adjustments. Instead, the Galaxy S22’s new chip is most noticeable within the digicam, because it’s a part of the rationale these new telephones can take higher low-light images. The Galaxy S22 Plus additionally has 45-watt quick charging whereas the Galaxy S21 household solely helps 25-watt quick charging, however you will have to purchase the adapter individually.The backside line: If you might have the Galaxy S21, you need not improve but. The digicam is best, however lots of the S22’s different adjustments are minor. Unless you actually need a greater digicam and may primarily get the Galaxy S22 totally free by means of a trade-in deal, you are higher off ready. The Galaxy S21 also needs to help software program updates for the foreseeable future because it’s eligible for 4 years of updates. Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S20The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus
Angela Lang/The Techy Trends
The Galaxy S20 has quite a bit in widespread with the Galaxy S21, which suggests you may in all probability dangle onto it for a short while longer. Again, the largest advantages you will get by upgrading are the improved 50-megapixel principal digicam, revamped design and newer processor. But of these three traits, it is the digicam that is going to really feel like the largest distinction.The Galaxy S20’s digicam is similar to the Galaxy S21’s. Both telephones have a 12-megapixel principal digicam, 12-megapixel extremely broad digicam and 64-megapixel telephoto lens. As such, the identical recommendation above typically applies should you personal the Galaxy S20. You’ll discover a lift on the whole picture high quality (shade, distinction, element and low mild efficiency), however general digicam performance is identical.The Galaxy S20 additionally has some advantages that might make it price hanging onto if it is nonetheless in good situation. Like the Galaxy S21, the common S20 and S20 Plus have barely bigger screens than the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. But maybe extra importantly, the Galaxy S20 lineup has a microSD card slot that helps as much as 1TB of expandable storage, not like the Galaxy S22 household. The commonplace Galaxy S22 additionally has a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 (the Plus fashions have the identical battery capability).The backside line: The Galaxy S20 remains to be comparatively new and has lots of the identical options and performance because the Galaxy S22, so that you need not improve but. The digicam is as soon as once more the largest change, however that alone is not sufficient for most individuals to improve. That stated, the Galaxy S20 is nearing the tip of its software program help cycle because it launched in 2020 and is eligible for 3 generations of Android OS upgrades. It’ll get safety updates for 4 years following its launch, however you may wish to take into account upgrading subsequent 12 months to proceed getting the most recent Android options. Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S10The Samsung Galaxy S10
Angela Lang/The Techy Trends
The Galaxy S10 is greater than three years previous, which places it in a clumsy place. It nonetheless has trendy options like a multi-lens digicam and a borderless display, nevertheless it’s additionally sufficiently old to make upgrading a smart choice. While you will respect the Galaxy S22’s improved digicam, smoother display and recent design, the true motive to improve is to future-proof your system. The commonplace Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus do not help 5G (to not be confused with the Galaxy S10 5G, which is a separate telephone). And these telephones seemingly will not get new software program options within the close to future.Given the three-year hole between the Galaxy S10’s launch and the Galaxy S22’s debut, there are a good quantity of variations between the 2 units. Aside from operating on a processor that is now about three years previous, the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus are lacking the Galaxy S22’s digicam enhancements. Not solely does the Galaxy S10’s principal lens have a 12-megapixel sensor in comparison with the S22’s 50-megapixels, however its digicam can solely zoom in 10 occasions digitally and two occasions optically. The Galaxy S22, however, has a 30x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom. And in fact, you will not get the Galaxy S22’s improved nighttime pictures on an older telephone just like the S10 because it runs on an getting old processor. There’s additionally no help for 8K video recording on the Galaxy S10.The Galaxy S22 and S10 each have a 6.1-inch display, however the S22’s dimensions are bodily smaller since its display takes up a bigger portion of the telephone’s entrance. Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Plus from the Galaxy S10 Plus will get you a bigger 6.6-inch show in comparison with the S10 Plus’ 6.4-inch show. But the S22 Plus’s dimensions are similar to the S10 Plus’, so you will not have to fret about adjusting to a bigger dimension telephone. While show high quality is analogous, the Galaxy S10 lineup would not help the power to extend its refresh price as much as 120Hz for smoother scrolling just like the Galaxy S22. Both telephones even have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, though that is smart contemplating Samsung’s older telephones have easier options which may not devour as a lot energy. But there’s one profit they’ve that the S22 lineup lacks: expandable storage. The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus every have a microSD card slot that helps as much as 512GB of additional house, whereas the Galaxy S22 lineup should depend on its built-in storage. The Galaxy S10 additionally has a headphone jack not like Samsung’s newer telephones. The backside line: If your price range permits, it is price upgrading from the Galaxy S10 to the Galaxy S22. The digicam, efficiency and battery life enhancements are prone to really feel important because the S10 is now three years previous. But most significantly, the Galaxy S10 is reaching the tip of Samsung’s promise to help three generations of Android because it launched with Android 9. While it ought to nonetheless obtain security-related updates by means of 2023 in line with Samsung’s four-year pledge, you may end up lacking out on new Android options quickly sufficient. That mixed with an absence of 5G and the opposite digicam enhancements you’d get with the S22 make a powerful case for upgrading.Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S9The Samsung Galaxy S9Galaxy S9 homeowners have quite a bit to achieve from upgrading. The four-year-old telephone lacks trendy options like a multilens digicam (though the Plus mannequin has two rear cameras), 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. But as is the case with the Galaxy S10, one of many largest causes to improve is to make sure your telephone retains getting new Android options for years to come back.One of the primary variations you may discover when upgrading from the S9 to the S22 is the latter’s bigger display. Samsung’s common Galaxy S9 solely has a 5.8-inch display, whereas the Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display. The case is identical for the Galaxy S9 Plus, which has a 6.2-inch show in comparison with the Galaxy S22 Plus’ 6.6-inch display. Neither of Samsung’s older telephones help larger refresh charges for smoother scrolling both.Samsung has made a number of progress in its digicam know-how over the past 4 years, too. The commonplace Galaxy S9 solely has one 12-megapixel digicam, whereas the Plus mannequin has each a 12-megapixel commonplace digicam and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, however, every have three lenses for capturing broad, zoomed-in and ultrawide-angle photographs. The Galaxy S9 can solely zoom as much as 8x digitally, whereas the Galaxy S22 can zoom as much as 3x optically and 30x digitally. In different phrases, the digicam adjustments transcend incremental updates. The Galaxy S22 has a extra versatile digicam with capturing modes that you just cannot get on the Galaxy S9 because of the S22’s extra lenses. That’s together with the upgrades Samsung made to enhance general picture high quality with the Galaxy S22, like its 50-megapixel sensor that captures richer element and distinction and its skill to take higher images in the dead of night.Other perks you will get with the Galaxy S22 embrace twice the storage on the base degree, an in-screen fingerprint scanner as a substitute of the S9’s rear-mounted sensor and a a lot newer and sooner processor. Since Samsung’s three-year software program replace coverage would not cowl the Galaxy S9, you will even be lacking out on the most recent Android options. (The Galaxy S9 remains to be eligible for quarterly safety updates in line with Samsung’s web site). But take into account that you will should say goodbye to expandable storage and the headphone jack when upgrading. The backside line: If you might have the Galaxy S9, it is time to improve. The Galaxy S9 is 4 years previous, which suggests it is in all probability beginning to really feel gradual should you bought it at launch, and it will not help new variations of Android. It’s additionally lacking a number of options which have develop into commonplace, even on as we speak’s cheaper telephones, like an ultrawide digicam lens, 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S8The Samsung Galaxy S8
Sarah Tew/The Techy Trends
The Galaxy S8 has quite a bit in widespread with the Galaxy S9, so the identical common recommendation applies. By upgrading to the Galaxy S22, you will get 5G help, a a lot better digicam with three lenses as a substitute of 1, a bigger display with the next refresh price and different advantages that make it properly well worth the improve. And as soon as once more, software program help is likely one of the largest causes to think about buying Samsung’s new telephone.The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus’ screens are noticeably bigger than the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus. Older telephones just like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 even have Samsung’s earlier design, which locations the digicam above the show. Samsung moved to a hole-punch-like cutout for the digicam with the Galaxy S10 era and later, making it attainable for Samsung to increase the scale of the display with out making the system bigger. You may also count on an enormous increase in digicam efficiency and high quality, contemplating the Galaxy S8 solely has a single 12-megapixel rear digicam. That means you will get devoted lenses for capturing ultrawide-angle photographs and higher zoomed-in images by shifting as much as the Galaxy S22. Other than including extra flexibility when it comes to capturing modes, the Galaxy S22 has a brand new 50-megapixel sensor that ought to ship drastically higher element, shade, distinction and low-light efficiency in comparison with the Galaxy S8.You’ll additionally get twice the Galaxy S8’s storage capability on the base degree with the Galaxy S22, a a lot newer processor and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. But that each one comes at the price of the headphone jack and expandable storage, which for most individuals can be a worthwhile trade-off. Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 additionally ensures that you will get the most recent model of Android and Samsung’s personal software program options for years to come back. The backside line: The Galaxy S8 is now 5 years previous, that means it is time for an improve. Not solely will upgrading to the Galaxy S22 convey core updates like 5G connectivity and compatibility with the most recent Android software program, however you will get meaningfully sooner efficiency and a a lot better digicam. Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Older Samsung Phones

Galaxy S22

Galaxy S21

Galaxy S20

Galaxy S10

Galaxy S9

Galaxy S8

Display dimension, decision

6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x; FHD+ (1,080×2,340); 120Hz

6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2,400×1,080 pixels

6.2-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; (3,200 x 1440)

6.1-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 3,040×1,440-pixels

5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440 pixels

5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440

Pixel density

425 pixels per inch

421 ppi

563 ppi

550 ppi

570 ppi

570 ppi

Dimensions (Millimeters)

70.6 x 146 x 7.6 mm

71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm

151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm

149.9 x 70.Four x 7.8mm

147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm

148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm

Weight (Ounces, Grams)

167g (168g for mmWave mannequin)

6.03 oz.; 171g

5.75 oz.; 163g

5.53 oz.; 157g

5.75 oz.; 163g

5.47 oz.; 155g

Mobile software program (at launch)

Android 12

Android 11

Android 10

Android 9

Android 8

Android 7

Camera

50MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (telephoto)

64MP (telephoto), 12MP (broad), 12MP (ultrawide)

12MP (broad), 64MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultrawide)

12MP (broad), 16MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)

12MP

12MP

Front-facing digicam

10-megapixel

10-megapixel

10-megapixel

10-megapixel

8-megapixel

8-megapixel

Video seize

8K

8K

8K

4K

4K

4K

Processor

Qualcomm Snapdragon Eight gen 1

Qualcomm Snapdragon 888

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865

Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

Qualcomm Snapdragon 835

RAM/Storage

8GB RAM + 128GB 8GB RAM + 256GB

8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 256GB

12GB RAM + 128GB

8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 512GB

4GB RAM + 64GB

4GB RAM + 64GB

Expandable storage

None

None

Up to 1TB

Up to 512GB

Up to 512GB

Up to 512GB

Battery/Charger

3,700 mAh

4,000 mAh

4,000 mAh

3,400 mAh

3,000 mAh

3,000 mAh

Fingerprint sensor

In-display

In-screen

In-screen

In-screen

Back

Back

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

Headphone jack

No

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

Special options

5G (mmw/Sub6), 120Hz show, IP68 ranking, 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare

IP68 ranking, 5G (mmw/Sub6), 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare, 120Hz show

5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh price; Wireless PowerShare; water-resistant (IP68)

Wireless PowerShare; hole-punch display notch; water-resistant (IP68); Fast Wireless Charging 2.0

Dual-aperture digicam, waterproof (IP68); tremendous slo-mo video; wi-fi charging; iris scanning

Dual-aperture digicam, waterproof (IP68); wi-fi charging; iris scanning

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