Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy S24 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, represent two generations of Samsung's compact flagship Android smartphones. While both offer a premium experience, the Galaxy S24 introduces a more advanced processor, significantly extended software support, and notable display enhancements that differentiate it from its predecessor.

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

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 5G launched with Android 12 and was promised four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 debuted with Android 14 and benefits from an extended commitment of seven years of OS updates and seven years of security updates, offering a considerably longer period of official support.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an aluminum frame and are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance, meaning they can withstand submersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S22 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front and back for protection. The Galaxy S24 utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its display, with the Ultra variant featuring Gorilla Glass Armor, which offers enhanced scratch resistance.
• Practical Lifespan: Users seeking the maximum possible software support and future-proofing will find the Galaxy S24's extended update policy more appealing. While both devices offer robust physical builds, some drop tests have indicated that the S24 series, despite its newer materials, may be susceptible to damage from drops.

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components, impacting everything from app responsiveness to battery endurance.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 5G is equipped with an octa-core processor (either the Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, depending on the region), paired with 8GB of RAM. The Galaxy S24 features a newer octa-core processor (Exynos 2400 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, also region-dependent), offering improved speeds and efficiency for demanding applications and multitasking.
• Storage and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 5G typically comes with UFS 3.1 storage. The Galaxy S24, particularly in its 256GB and higher configurations, utilizes faster UFS 4.0 storage, which contributes to quicker app loading times and overall system responsiveness.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 5G houses a 3700 mAh battery, which some users have reported can struggle to last a full day with heavy usage. The Galaxy S24 includes a slightly larger 4000 mAh battery. User experiences suggest that while it generally provides good battery life for typical daily use, intensive tasks like gaming can still lead to faster depletion.

The visual experience on a smartphone is heavily influenced by its display technology and specifications.

• Display Technology and Size: Both devices feature a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 5G has a 6.1-inch screen. The Galaxy S24 offers a slightly larger 6.2-inch display and incorporates LTPO technology, allowing for a more dynamic and power-efficient adaptive refresh rate.
• Resolution and Clarity: Both phones provide a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), ensuring sharp text and clear images for everyday viewing.
• Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S22 5G reaches a peak brightness of 1300 nits, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Galaxy S24 significantly boosts this to a peak brightness of 2600 nits, making it exceptionally clear and easy to view even in direct sunlight. Both models feature a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations.

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though with some generational improvements.

• Rear Camera System: Both the Galaxy S22 5G and Galaxy S24 feature a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear. This typically includes a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24's camera hardware is largely similar to its immediate predecessor, but it benefits from improved imaging algorithms and the integration of AI features for enhanced photo processing. While both are capable in good lighting, user feedback suggests that the S24's low-light performance is good, but not necessarily class-leading compared to some competitors.
• Video Capabilities: Both devices support 8K video recording. The Galaxy S24 introduces the ability to record slow-motion video at 4K resolution and 120 frames per second, an upgrade from the S22's capabilities. The front-facing camera on the S22 is 10MP, while the S24 features a 12MP front camera.