Review of Galaxy S22 after 6 Months: Compact Flagship Android Still Excellent Right Now

Phones are getting bigger and bigger over time, but I believe there are still many of you who love compact phones like me. If you're in need of a compact Android phone with strong performance, good camera, and long-term usability, then Samsung's Galaxy S22 is the choice you can't overlook. Let's review the Galaxy S22 after 6 months to find out if we should buy this product at the current time or not!

Note: You can click here to see more detailed photos in this article.

See Also: Review of Galaxy S22 Ultra with One UI 5.0 Update: Definitely Worth the Upgrade!

Galaxy S22 Performance Still Impressive with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1

Before delving into the detailed performance assessment of the Galaxy S22, let's quickly overview its key specifications to provide you with a better understanding!

• Display: 6.1-inch size, Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, Full HD+ resolution (1,080 x 2,340 pixels), 120 Hz refresh rate.
• CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.
• RAM: 8 GB (supports RAM Plus feature, up to an additional 8 GB).
• Internal Storage: 128 GB or 256 GB.
• Rear Cameras: Main 50 MP + Ultra Wide 12 MP + Telephoto 10 MP.
• Front Camera: 10 MP.
• Battery Capacity: 3,700 mAh, supports 25 W fast charging.
• Operating System: Android 12 (One UI 4.1 interface).

Despite the recent release and considerable attention towards Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 remains one of Qualcomm's most powerful processors at present. I agree that initially, Samsung faced some challenges optimizing the temperature for Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 when the Galaxy S22 was launched. However, after a few minor updates, I noticed that overheating issues have disappeared on the Galaxy S22. Another commendation for Samsung is the release of an update in March to completely remove the performance throttling feature on the Galaxy S22 trio.

Speaking of software updates, the Galaxy S22 in the Vietnamese market has also received the One UI 5.0 update. Unfortunately, at the time of my device experience, Samsung had not yet rolled out One UI 5.0 for the Galaxy S22. Therefore, stay tuned for the Galaxy S22 review updated with One UI 5.0 in the near future!

*Performance Rating for Galaxy S22

To give you a clear picture of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1's power on the Galaxy S22 at the moment, I'll assess its performance using specialized software like GeekBench 5, 3DMark, and PCMark. The conditions for the assessment are as follows:

• The device battery must be between 90 - 100% (battery below 90% can affect device performance and results).
• No charging while conducting the assessment.
• Assessment conducted 3 times consecutively, and the average result is taken after the 3 assessments.

First, in GeekBench 5 and PCMark software, the results I obtained were very impressive, as follows:

- GeekBench 5:

• Single-Core/Multi-Core Score: 749 points/2,990 points.
• GPU Compute: 4,642 points.

 - PCMark: 13,483 points.

Next up is the light graphics test, 3DMark Wild Life Extreme, where the Galaxy S22 delivers impressive results with a total score of 1,963 and an average FPS of 11.80. The device's temperature and battery capacity also remain stable after the test (97% battery and 40°C temperature).

Finally, I'll use the most demanding test in this section, the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test. For those who may have forgotten, this test automatically repeats the scoring process 20 times to assess the stability of a smartphone over an extended period with heavy tasks (such as video editing, gaming, etc.). You can check the results below and pay attention to the Stability metric!

As you can see in the results table above, the stability of the Galaxy S22 is quite high at 52.9%. Notice the slight difference between the highest loop score and the lowest loop score (1,926 points compared to 1,018 points). Additionally, the temperature and battery life of the Galaxy S22 show relatively small fluctuations after completing the test (temperature increased from 37°C to 43°C, battery dropped from 96% to 88%).

To sum up this scoring section, I find that the Galaxy S22, after 6 months, still delivers very impressive numbers, with minimal deviation compared to when I initially evaluated the performance of the Galaxy S22. Next up, let's dive into the gaming experience on the Galaxy S22!

*Gaming Experience on the Galaxy S22

In this section, I'll use the Galaxy S22 to experience playing some popular games like Arena of Valor, PUBG Mobile, Call of Duty Mobile, and Genshin Impact. Additionally, I'll use the Perfdog software to measure the frame rate of each game. You can find the related data here for your reference!

In my opinion, gaming performance on the Galaxy S22 remains impressive currently, except for Genshin Impact, where the device experiences slight stutters if graphics settings are set to the highest level. As for temperature, the device only warms up and doesn't experience excessive heat as it did when it was first released. This is the case if you play games on the device for about 20 - 30 minutes. If you have heavier gaming needs, I recommend opting for a dedicated gaming phone.

Another plus point that I highly appreciate is the Galaxy S22's support for the RAM Plus feature (expandable up to 8 GB), allowing the device to have a total RAM capacity of up to 16 GB and delivering smoother gaming experiences. Now, let's take a look at the graphics settings I've configured and gameplay videos for each game below.

• Experience with Liên Quân Mobile

• Experience with Call Of Duty Mobile

• PUBG Mobile

• Genshin Impact

Galaxy S22's 50 MP camera easily meets the photo needs of many users

Before diving into the image quality review, let's take a look at some specs of the camera setup on the Galaxy S22.

• Main camera: 50 MP resolution, f/1.8 aperture, Dual Pixel AF, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS).
• Telephoto camera: 10 MP resolution, f/2.4 aperture, PDAF, OIS.
• Ultra-wide camera: 12 MP resolution, f/2.2 aperture, 120˚ field of view (ultrawide), integrated super-stable technology for video recording.
• Front camera: 10 MP resolution, f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel AF.

As you've seen in the specifications above, the main camera of the Galaxy S22 boasts a 50 MP resolution, a significant leap from the 12 MP of its predecessor generation. Moreover, due to the pixel binning technology, photos captured by the Galaxy S22 have a resolution of 12.5 MP. Not stopping there, the sensor itself is also larger, up to 1/1.56 inches compared to just 1/1.76 inches on the previous generation. Another plus point of the Galaxy S22 is the 3X telephoto camera, a significant upgrade from the Galaxy S21 as the device now relies entirely on optical zoom capabilities.

Besides hardware, software is equally important as the Galaxy S22 offers a full range of shooting/recording modes. For example, one-touch video recording and photo capture simultaneously or the new 'Nightography' algorithm.

Under adequate lighting conditions, images from the Galaxy S22 are very detailed, high in sharpness, and have decent HDR. With the device's ultra-wide-angle camera, I am also pleased that distortion is well controlled.

When I take portraits with the Galaxy S22 camera under indoor lighting conditions, the device demonstrates good background blur capability. If you notice, even the glass of water or the straw on the table is seamlessly blurred out by the device, focusing solely on the main subject. Additionally, Samsung handles skin tones well, avoiding any excessive paleness.

Personally, I remain impressed by the zoom capabilities of the Galaxy S22, especially the 10x zoom, which performs exceptionally well. The photos retain good detail and are usable. Overall, for a basic user like myself, the triple rear camera setup of the Galaxy S22 is more than sufficient.

The Galaxy S22 also has the ability to record 8K video at 24fps, but personally, I rarely use it. When recording video in 4K resolution, the quality is relatively good, with effective stabilization, but there is still a slight blurring issue. For more details, you can check out the in-depth review video of the Galaxy S22 conducted by Mytour.

The design of the Galaxy S22 remains very modern, compact, and balanced

In terms of design, the Galaxy S22 stands out among its Android peers, boasting several distinctive features compared to many competitors in the same segment. The symmetrical and evenly distributed design suits the Galaxy S22 perfectly, even more so than the Galaxy S22+, which has a larger screen and is heavier, making one-handed operation less comfortable.

Samsung did an excellent job with the design of the Galaxy S21, so with the successor, the company simply refined it further, especially the rear camera module. It's a bit disappointing that the rear camera module of the Galaxy S22 is made to match the color of the back of the phone instead of using a more striking color like the previous generation. It remains to be seen whether the Galaxy S23 (expected to be launched in early 2023) will retain this camera design, as leaked images suggest that the rear camera module of this phone will be made into a separate raised module, distinct from the frame.

Assuming the above leaks become reality, I'd personally feel quite disappointed, as it might make the design of the Galaxy S23 look less premium compared to the Galaxy S22 (in my opinion). However, this is still just leaked information, and we'll have to wait until the official launch of the Galaxy S23 series to get clarity on everything.

Returning to the Galaxy S22, its compact form factor allows for confident one-handed typing or usage. The screen bezels are well-handled by Samsung, with no accidental touches or reaching issues at the top corners. The design features slimmer, more squared-off bezels with a subtle curve, ensuring the Galaxy S22 doesn't feel slippery like its predecessor.

Nevertheless, the design and level of refinement of the Galaxy S22 do have weaknesses. During long-term use, I noticed that the camera frame and glass panel still protrude slightly. While this may seem like a minor detail that most people would overlook, for a flagship like the Galaxy S22, it can be somewhat hard to accept.

Discussing the Galaxy S22's display, its 6.1-inch size and evenly distributed bezels provide an excellent viewing experience (though the screen is 0.1 inches smaller than last year's Galaxy S21). The Galaxy S22's display has a Full HD+ resolution similar to the Plus variant, but due to its smaller size, the pixel density is slightly higher. However, for those who prefer larger screens for watching movies or playing games, the Galaxy S22's screen may not be suitable.

A minor factor that I encountered with the Galaxy S22, similar to the S22+, is the lowest refresh rate at 48 Hz, not 1 Hz like the LTPO panel of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Theoretically, it may consume more battery, and I'll share my practical battery usage experience below. Overall, the design of the Galaxy S22 is compact, easy to use, and its beauty remains relevant for the next 2 - 3 years.

Galaxy S22 battery performance is decent, but I hope the next generation will improve

In real-world usage, I rate the Galaxy S22 battery as decent, lasting slightly over half a day (with basic tasks and light gaming). However, I appreciate the standby time of the Galaxy S22, as it only drains about 2 - 3% overnight. To give you an idea of the Galaxy S22 battery life, I'll conduct a battery test (following TGDĐ standards) under specific conditions:

• Experience 4 rotating tasks: Playing Liên Quân Mobile (graphics set as shown below), watching YouTube, browsing Facebook, and using Chrome.

• Each task lasts for 1 hour.
• Screen brightness set to 100%, refresh rate set to 120 Hz.
• External speaker enabled at 50% volume.
• WiFi and social media notifications turned on.
• Battery saver, adaptive brightness, GPS, and Bluetooth turned off.
• Measure from 100% to 0%.

The results obtained are as follows:

In my opinion, the results above are quite impressive for a phone with a 3,700 mAh battery like the Galaxy S22. However, I cannot deny that the battery capacity of the Galaxy S22 may not be sufficient for some users. While companies are 'arming themselves' with fast charging technologies and massive battery capacities, the modest figure of the Galaxy S22's battery may not attract users.

The charging time of the Galaxy S22 is also not too long, thanks to the 25W fast charging technology, it only takes me about an hour and a half to fully charge from empty.

How much is the Galaxy S22? Should you buy the Galaxy S22 at the current time?

Summing up, I rate the Galaxy S22 as one of the most compact and worth-buying phones currently, especially when it's priced at under 16 million dong at Mytour (prices may vary depending on the timing and promotional programs). Samsung's latest Galaxy S model offers almost everything you need in a world dominated by large-screen phones.

So, what do you think about the Galaxy S22? Would you like to buy this device at the moment? Leave your comments below for me and everyone else to know! Thank you for your interest and for following my article.

Additionally, you can also click the button below to explore more Samsung Galaxy S models available at Mytour with extremely attractive prices.

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Check out: Experience the S Pen of the Galaxy S22 Ultra: Totally worth falling in love with!