Samsung Galaxy S22 Series: Features & Specs Overview

Samsung Galaxy S22 Series (S22 / S22+ / S22 Ultra)

Basic Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Series is a lineup of premium Android flagship smartphones launched by Samsung Electronics on February 25, 2022, as successors to the Galaxy S21 series. Positioned to cater to diverse user demands—from compact flagship enthusiasts to power users and content creators—the series comprises three distinct models: the Galaxy S22 (compact standard variant), Galaxy S22+ (large-screen standard variant), and Galaxy S22 Ultra (premium phablet that integrates Galaxy Note series features, including the S Pen stylus). The S22 series marked Samsung’s focus on computational photography, high-refresh-rate displays, and premium build quality, targeting the upper echelon of the smartphone market with competitive specs against rivals like the iPhone 13 Pro series. Key regional model codes include SM-S901B (S22, global), SM-S906B (S22+, global), and SM-S908B (S22 Ultra, global).

Key Specifications (By Variant)

Category	Galaxy S22 (SM-S901B)	Galaxy S22+ (SM-S906B)	Galaxy S22 Ultra (SM-S908B)
Display	6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X2340×1080 resolution (425 ppi)120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120Hz), HDR10+ support1300 nits peak brightness (1750 nits for HDR)Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/back	6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X2340×1080 resolution (393 ppi)Same refresh rate, HDR, brightness specs as S22Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/back	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X3088×1440 resolution (500 ppi)120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1–120Hz), HDR10+ support1750 nits peak brightness (2400 nits for outdoor mode)Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/back
Processor	Exynos 2200 (Global) / Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US/China)Octa-core CPU (1×3.0GHz Cortex-X2 + 3×2.5GHz Cortex-A710 + 4×1.8GHz Cortex-A510)Mali-G710 GPU (Exynos) / Adreno 730 GPU (Snapdragon)	Same as S22	Same as S22
Memory & Storage	8GB LPDDR5 RAM128GB/256GB UFS 3.1 storageNo microSD expansion	8GB LPDDR5 RAM128GB/256GB/512GB UFS 3.1 storageNo microSD expansion	8GB/12GB LPDDR5 RAM128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB UFS 3.1 storageNo microSD expansion
Rear Cameras	Triple-camera system- 50MP wide (f/1.8, OIS, 1/1.56″ sensor, Dual Pixel AF)- 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV, 1/2.55″ sensor)- 10MP telephoto (f/2.4, 3× optical zoom, OIS)Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, Super Steady stabilization	Same triple-camera system as S22Same video specs as S22	Quad-camera system (Note-style camera array)- 108MP wide (f/1.8, OIS, 1/1.33″ sensor, Pixel binning)- 12MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)- 10MP 3× telephoto (f/2.4, OIS)- 10MP 10× periscope telephoto (f/4.9, OIS, 100× Space Zoom)Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, HDR10+ video recording
Front Camera	10MP (f/2.2, AF, 1/3.24″ sensor)Video: 4K@30fps	Same as S22	40MP (f/2.2, AF, 1/2.8″ sensor, Pixel binning)Video: 4K@60fps
Battery & Charging	3700 mAh non-removable lithium-ion25W wired fast charging, 15W Qi wireless charging, Wireless PowerShareNo charger included in box	4500 mAh non-removable lithium-ionSame charging specs as S22No charger included in box	5000 mAh non-removable lithium-ion45W wired fast charging, 15W Qi wireless charging, Wireless PowerShareNo charger included in box
Design & Build	Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/backDimensions: 146.0 × 70.6 × 7.6 mmWeight: 167 gIP68 water/dust resistanceColors: Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, Pink Gold, plus exclusive Samsung.com colors	Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/backDimensions: 157.4 × 75.8 × 7.6 mmWeight: 195 gIP68 ratingSame color options as S22	Titanium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front/backDimensions: 163.4 × 77.9 × 8.9 mmWeight: 228 gIP68 ratingColors: Phantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, Green, plus exclusive Samsung.com colorsIntegrated S Pen slot (S Pen included)
Connectivity	5G (sub-6GHz + mmWave, region-dependent), Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C 3.2, GPS/GNSSUltra Wideband (UWB) chip for Galaxy SmartTag+ tracking	Same as S22	Same as S22
Software	Android 12 (One UI 4.1)Upgradable to Android 15 (One UI 7.1)5 years of OS updates + 4 years of security patches	Same as S22	Same as S22
Special Features	Samsung DeX, Knox security, Bixby voice assistant	Same as S22	S Pen support (4096 pressure levels, 2.8ms latency), Samsung DeX, Knox security, Bixby

Core Features & Innovations

Premium Display TechnologyAll S22 models feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with 1–120Hz adaptive refresh rates, which adjust based on content (e.g., 1Hz for static screens to save battery, 120Hz for smooth scrolling). The S22 Ultra’s display stands out with a 2400-nit peak outdoor brightness, ensuring visibility even in direct sunlight, and a QHD+ resolution for sharper text and media. Gorilla Glass Victus+ provides scratch and drop resistance, enhancing durability.
Flagship Processor PerformanceThe Exynos 2200 (global) and Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US/China) deliver top-tier performance for gaming, multitasking, and computational photography. The Exynos variant includes a dedicated Xclipse 920 GPU with ray tracing support, enabling console-like lighting effects in compatible mobile games. Both chips support 5G connectivity, with mmWave available in select regions for ultra-fast data speeds.
Advanced Camera Systems
- The S22 and S22+ use a 50MP wide sensor with pixel binning (combining 4 pixels into 1) to produce 12.5MP photos with improved low-light performance. The 3× telephoto lens enables optical zoom for detailed distant shots.
- The S22 Ultra’s 108MP wide sensor and 10× periscope telephoto lens redefine mobile zoom capabilities, with 100× Space Zoom (digital) for extreme close-ups. Its 40MP front camera delivers high-resolution selfies and 4K video recording.
- All models support Night Mode and Single Take (captures photos and videos in one tap, with multiple edits available), leveraging computational photography to enhance image quality.
S Pen Integration (S22 Ultra Exclusive)The S22 Ultra merged the Galaxy S and Note lineups, featuring an integrated S Pen slot (a first for the S series). The S Pen offers 4096 pressure levels, 2.8ms latency, and support for note-taking, drawing, and remote control (e.g., taking photos, navigating slides). This made the S22 Ultra a productivity powerhouse for professionals and creative users.
Long-Term Software SupportSamsung committed to 5 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches for the S22 series, a significant upgrade from previous generations. This extended support ensures the devices remain secure and compatible with new apps and features for years after launch.

Limitations & Criticisms

No Charger IncludedFollowing industry trends, Samsung did not include a charging adapter in the box, forcing users to purchase a 25W (or 45W for S22 Ultra) charger separately. This was criticized for increasing the total cost of ownership.
Battery Life Trade-OffsThe S22’s 3700 mAh battery is relatively small for a flagship smartphone, leading to average battery life (around 8–10 hours of screen-on time) with heavy use. The S22+ and S22 Ultra fare better, but 45W fast charging on the Ultra is slower than competitors like OnePlus.
Thermal Issues with Snapdragon 8 Gen 1The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 variant (US/China) suffered from overheating during intensive tasks (e.g., gaming, 8K video recording), which could throttle performance. Samsung later released software updates to mitigate this issue, but it remained a complaint among power users.
No MicroSD ExpansionUnlike some previous Galaxy S models, the S22 series lacks microSD card support, limiting storage expansion options for users who need extra space for photos, videos, or apps.

Legacy & Market Position

The Galaxy S22 series was a commercial success, with the S22 Ultra emerging as the most popular model due to its S Pen integration and premium features. It solidified Samsung’s dominance in the Android flagship market, competing directly with the iPhone 13 Pro series. The merger of S and Note lineups streamlined Samsung’s flagship offerings, eliminating redundancy and catering to users who wanted both productivity and flagship performance. Today, the S22 series remains a viable option for users seeking a premium smartphone with long software support, though it has been succeeded by the S23 and S24 series with upgraded processors and cameras.