Samsung today announced its new series of top smartphones: the Samsung Galaxy S22. This series consists of three smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Innovation does not seem to be the greatest asset, but the new Samsung smartphones stand out.
In recent years, Samsung announced a new smartphone series twice a year with the best that Samsung had to offer at the time. The Galaxy S series just before the spring and the Galaxy Note series just before the fall. Despite the beautiful, large screens and stylus that you put in the smartphone, the Galaxy Note smartphones were never as popular as the Galaxy S smartphones.
Also, more and more other manufacturers started to offer smartphones with large screens, often even with stylus support. In addition, the reputation was irreparably damaged after the introduction of the Galaxy Note7†You may remember, that was the smartphone that was recalled because of exploding batteries.
The Galaxy Note eventually gave way and the late summer announcement was used to announce Samsung’s smartphones with foldable screens.
Galaxy S22 Ultra: Note Edition
The deletion of the Note series does not alter the fact that there is still a large user group to serve. Samsung must have recognized this like no other. The largest top device from the S22 series, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra could just as well bear the name ‘Note’. Many features of the Galaxy Note can be found in the largest and most luxurious version of the Galaxy S22. Think of the large, razor-sharp screen, which is slightly more rectangular than the other versions, so practical for your stylus. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also comes with a stylus that you insert into the device and the device is equipped with a lot of computing power and a sturdy housing.
Features have also been taken over from the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which appeared last year. Especially in the camera area. For example, there is room for the periscope camera, which offers many zoom options. The sensor party on the back of the device also offers a regular camera, wide-angle lens, zoom lens and depth sensor. The rear also differs from the other Galaxy S22 devices, because the lenses are not placed in a block on the side.
Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+
Of course, the Galaxy S22 also consists of two other versions. The regular Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S22+. What is striking is that these smartphones are virtually indistinguishable from their predecessors from last year’s Galaxy S series. Of course, there’s a bit more computing power available, the camera performs a bit better (especially the night mode) and the screen has a slightly higher brightness. But there seem to be few reasons to choose the S22 over the S21.
The most advanced camera can be found on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (right).
Still, Samsung leaves other smartphone makers behind – especially Chinese brands. Simultaneously with the announcement of the Galaxy S22, Samsung announced that they are improving update support. Samsung already had a big lead in that area compared to other Android manufacturers. With the announcement that Samsung smartphones can expect four Android version updates and at least five years of security updates, other Android manufacturers such as OnePlus, Motorola and Xiaomi are put on the spotlight.
You get this support on the new Galaxy S22 devices, but also on last year’s Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy Flip3 and Fold3. The new tablets in the Tab8 series also receive this support.
The revised update policy puts other Android manufacturers in the spotlight
Unfortunately, one negative trait of the S22 series also stands out. Compared to all three versions of the Galaxy S21 series, the battery capacity is lower. Samsung tries to justify this by stating that the Galaxy S22 smartphones are more energy-efficient and therefore the battery life is comparable. This avoids the fact that a smaller battery causes faster battery wear and therefore a shorter life.
Battery replacement has so far been a dangerous job on Samsung smartphones because the battery is glued to the housing, requiring a heat gun to remove it. Whether that is also the case with these S22 devices remains to be seen.
Availability Samsung Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will be available from February 25. The suggested retail price is not tender: from 1249 euros. The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ cost 849 and 1049 euros respectively and are for sale from March 11. Also note that a fast charger is not included with the device and costs about fifty euros extra.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S8
Samsung also immediately used the momentum of the S22 announcement to introduce new tablets. Because in the tablet area, things don’t want to be like that for Samsung. Apple’s iPads dominate every price range by far, except budget tablets. There is not much (innovative) honor to be gained in this price area.
To put the Galaxy Tab S8 in the spotlight, Samsung also plays the stylus card here. This stylus does not stop in the housing, but you stick it magnetically to the back. Two things stay with the most: the gigantic screen size of the Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra (14.8 inches) and again the sky-high prices.
The regular Galaxy Tab S8 has a suggested retail price of 749 euros, the plus and ultra versions cost 949 and 1149 euros. If you are in the market for the 5G version, the price is about 150 euros higher.
â€