Galaxy S22+ 5G vs iPhone SE (2022)

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the Apple iPhone SE 2022, launched in March 2022, are both smartphones from the same year, yet they cater to different user preferences through distinct design philosophies and operating systems. The Galaxy S22 Plus operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, offering a large, vibrant display and a versatile multi-camera system. In contrast, the iPhone SE 2022 runs on Apple's iOS, featuring a more compact design with a traditional home button and a focus on core performance with a single main camera.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

• Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G launched with Android 12 and was promised four major OS updates and five years of security patches. This means it is expected to receive Android 16 as its final OS upgrade by early 2026, with security updates continuing until February 2027. As of February 2026, it has transitioned to quarterly security updates. The iPhone SE 2022, released with iOS 15.4, typically benefits from Apple's longer software support, often receiving updates for approximately 5-6 years from its launch.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 Plus features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for screen protection and boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2022 uses a durable glass on both the front and back, similar to the back glass of the iPhone 13 series, and carries an IP67 rating, protecting against submersion up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
• Repairability: The iPhone SE 2022 has been noted for average repairability, with common components like the battery and screen being relatively accessible for replacement with the right tools. Information regarding the specific repairability score for the Galaxy S22 Plus is less commonly detailed, but flagship Android devices often present more complex repair challenges due to their intricate designs.

Both devices offer robust performance, though they approach it from different ecosystems and hardware configurations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a current-generation processor, enabling it to handle demanding applications, intensive multitasking, and graphic-rich games smoothly. The iPhone SE 2022 features a powerful chip, which provides a highly responsive user experience, making it capable of running the latest apps and games with ease, often exceeding expectations for its segment.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S22 Plus typically comes with 8GB of RAM, supporting efficient multitasking and app management. It offers storage options up to 512GB. The iPhone SE 2022 includes 4GB of RAM and is available with up to 256GB of internal storage, which is generally sufficient for most users, though heavy media creators might consider cloud storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus houses a 4500 mAh battery, supporting fast wired and wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 2018 mAh battery, which for typical usage can last a full day, though heavy users might find themselves charging more frequently. It also supports wireless charging and fast charging.

The visual experience on these two smartphones differs significantly due to their display technologies and design choices.

• Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The iPhone SE 2022 utilizes a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD, providing accurate color reproduction and good viewing angles, though with a smaller screen size and more prominent bezels.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 393 ppi, offering sharp and detailed visuals. The iPhone SE 2022 has a 1334x750 pixel resolution at 326 ppi, which delivers clear text and images for its screen size.
• Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S22 Plus can reach a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive refresh rate that can go from 48Hz to 120Hz for smoother scrolling and animations. The iPhone SE 2022 offers a typical maximum brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate.

Both devices offer capable camera systems, but with different approaches to photography and video capabilities.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. This configuration allows for a wide range of photographic styles, from expansive landscapes to detailed zoomed-in shots. The iPhone SE 2022 comes with a single 12MP wide-angle camera on the back, also featuring OIS.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus excels in various lighting conditions, offering features like 'Nightography' for improved low-light photos through multi-frame stacking and an enhanced Portrait Mode. The iPhone SE 2022 leverages its powerful processor for computational photography features like Smart HDR 4, Deep Fusion, and Portrait mode for people, which enhance image quality in good lighting. However, it lacks a dedicated Night Mode, which can result in noisier and less detailed photos in very low-light environments.
• Video Recording: The Galaxy S22 Plus is capable of recording video up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second and 4K at 60 frames per second, providing high-resolution video capture. The iPhone SE 2022 also offers strong video capabilities, recording up to 4K at 60 frames per second, with good stabilization.
• Front Camera and Audio: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S22 Plus has a 10MP front camera that can record 4K video at 60 frames per second. The iPhone SE 2022 features a 7MP front camera, suitable for video calls and selfies in well-lit conditions, recording 1080p video at 30 frames per second. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption.