Galaxy S21+ 5G vs Galaxy S22+ 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, launched in February 2022, are both premium smartphones from Samsung's flagship 'S' series. While they share a similar design philosophy and operate on the Android platform, the S22 Plus 5G introduces refinements in its internal components, camera system, and overall build, setting it apart from its predecessor.

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and physical durability.

• Release Timeline and Software Support: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G was released in January 2021, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G followed in February 2022. Samsung typically provides four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates for its flagship devices. This means the S22 Plus 5G, being a year newer, will receive software support for approximately one year longer than the S21 Plus 5G, extending its practical lifespan for users who prioritize the latest software features and security patches.
• Build Materials and Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion in up to 1.5 meters of freshwater for 30 minutes. The S21 Plus 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and a plastic back, while the S22 Plus 5G upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, potentially offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance. Both devices utilize an aluminum frame.
• Expected Practical Lifespan: Given Samsung's update policy, the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is expected to receive major Android updates until early 2027 and security updates until early 2028. The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G, having been released a year earlier, will conclude its major OS updates around early 2026 and security updates around early 2027. This difference in software longevity is a key consideration for users planning to keep their device for an extended period.

The performance of these smartphones is largely driven by their internal processing capabilities and battery optimization.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G is equipped with a processor that handles daily tasks and demanding applications smoothly. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features a newer generation processor, which provides a noticeable improvement in CPU and GPU performance, leading to smoother operation for intensive tasks like gaming and complex multitasking. This newer chip also offers better thermal management, which can contribute to sustained performance during prolonged use.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G houses a 4800 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for most users. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G has a slightly smaller 4500 mAh battery. Despite the smaller capacity, user reports indicate that the S22 Plus 5G can still last a full day with typical usage, though heavy users might find themselves needing to charge more frequently than with its predecessor. Both devices support fast wired and wireless charging.
• System Responsiveness and Multitasking: Both models come with 8 GB of RAM, ensuring efficient multitasking and app switching. The newer processor in the S22 Plus 5G contributes to a slightly more responsive overall system, with faster app loading times and smoother transitions, particularly when running multiple applications simultaneously.

Both devices offer high-quality displays, but there are subtle differences in their specifications and viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G and S22 Plus 5G feature a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 Plus 5G, 1080 x 2340 pixels for S22 Plus 5G). This technology delivers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, providing an immersive viewing experience for media consumption and everyday use.
• Brightness Levels: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G offers good brightness for various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features a significantly brighter display, with a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, compared to the S21 Plus 5G's peak brightness. This enhanced brightness makes the S22 Plus 5G's screen more easily viewable in direct sunlight and improves HDR content playback.
• Refresh Rate and Viewing Experience: Both phones boast an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which allows for smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and a more responsive touch experience. The adaptive nature means the refresh rate can scale down to conserve battery when a high refresh rate is not needed, such as when viewing static content. The S21 Plus 5G has a 6.7-inch display, while the S22 Plus 5G has a slightly smaller 6.6-inch display.

The camera systems on both devices are capable, but the newer model brings notable enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 Plus 5G features a triple-lens setup with a 12MP wide-angle, a 64MP telephoto (with 3x hybrid optical zoom), and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also has a triple-lens system, but it upgrades the main sensor to 50MP, retains a 12MP ultra-wide, and includes a 10MP telephoto lens with true 3x optical zoom. The S22 Plus 5G's dedicated optical zoom lens generally produces sharper and more detailed zoomed-in images compared to the S21 Plus 5G's hybrid zoom.
• Low-Light and Everyday Photography: Both phones excel in well-lit conditions, capturing detailed and color-accurate photos. The S22 Plus 5G, with its larger main sensor, offers improved low-light performance, capturing more light and detail in challenging environments. Users have noted faster night shot processing on the S22 Plus 5G.
• Video Recording Quality: Both devices are capable of recording 8K video at 24 frames per second and 4K video at 30/60 frames per second, offering high-resolution video capture. The S22 Plus 5G benefits from enhanced video stabilization and improved computational photography for video, resulting in slightly more polished footage. The front-facing cameras on both are 10MP, suitable for clear selfies and video calls.