Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S22+ 5G • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, launched in February 2022, are both premium Android 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 display technology, camera hardware, and overall build quality, offering a more advanced experience in certain areas.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors come into play, including their initial release and ongoing software support.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S21 5G was released in January 2021, making it approximately one year older than the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, which debuted in February 2022. This difference in release date directly impacts their remaining software support.
• Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates for its flagship devices. Given its later release, the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is expected to receive software updates for a longer period, extending its practical lifespan by about a year compared to the S21 5G. The S21 series received the Android 14 update in January 2024 and is expected to receive Android 15 and One UI 7 in May 2025.
• Physical Durability and Repairability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating robust protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S21 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, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance. The Galaxy S21 5G has a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10, with many parts being easily removable, though the battery is secured with strong adhesive. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also received a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10 from PBKreviews, but iFixit gave the S22 series a lower score of 3 out of 10 due to strong adhesives and difficult battery replacement.

Both the Galaxy S21 5G and the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G deliver strong performance for daily tasks, but the newer model offers a noticeable boost in processing power.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 5G handles typical applications, web browsing, and multitasking with smooth performance. Users generally report a fluid experience for most activities. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G provides a more responsive experience for graphically intensive games and demanding applications, with smoother frame rates and quicker loading times.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 5G features a 4000 mAh battery, while the S22 Plus 5G has a larger 4500 mAh battery. The S22 Plus 5G also supports faster 45W wired charging compared to the S21 5G's 25W. Some users of the S22 Plus 5G have noted that it can experience heating during extended heavy use, such as gaming or prolonged camera use.
• Storage and Multitasking: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for efficient multitasking and keeping multiple applications open without significant slowdowns. Storage options for both models include 128GB and 256GB, but neither supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

Both smartphones feature high-quality displays, but the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers a brighter viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for their vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. They both offer a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels for S21 5G, 1080 x 2340 pixels for S22 Plus 5G), providing sharp and clear visuals for everyday content consumption.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G has a significantly higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, compared to the S21 5G's 1300 nits. This makes the S22 Plus 5G's screen more easily viewable in bright outdoor conditions, thanks to its Vision Booster technology.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both models feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth scrolling and fluid animations. This adaptive technology adjusts the refresh rate based on the content being viewed, helping to conserve battery life when a high refresh rate is not necessary. The Galaxy S21 5G has a 6.2-inch display, offering a more compact form factor, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G features a larger 6.6-inch display, providing a more expansive viewing area for media consumption and productivity.

Both devices offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality images and videos, with the S22 Plus 5G featuring updated sensors for improved performance.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G includes a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide, 64MP telephoto (with 3x hybrid zoom), and 12MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also has a triple-camera system, but with a 50MP wide, 10MP telephoto (with 3x optical zoom), and 12MP ultrawide lens. The S22 Plus 5G's larger main sensor and optical telephoto zoom generally result in more detailed and clearer images, especially when zooming.
• Photography Performance: Both phones excel in well-lit conditions, producing vibrant and detailed photos. In low-light conditions, images captured using the Galaxy S21 5G have higher noise and lower details compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G. The S22 Plus 5G captures cleaner images with higher sharpness, more details, and better textures, thanks to its larger sensor and updated processing.
• Video Recording Quality: Both phones can capture 8K 24fps and 4K 60fps videos using the rear-facing cameras. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G's 50MP sensor captures more detailed and smoother videos compared to the Galaxy S21 5G.