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

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, launched in January 2024, represent different generations within Samsung's flagship smartphone lineup. While both devices operate on the Android platform, the S24 Plus introduces significant advancements in software longevity, display technology, and overall performance. These differences cater to varying user priorities, from long-term software support to enhanced visual experiences and processing power.

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its software support and physical resilience. The Galaxy S22 5G and S24 Plus offer distinct propositions in these areas.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S22 5G was initially promised four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates, with support expected to conclude around February 2027. As of early 2026, its security updates have transitioned to a quarterly schedule. In contrast, the newer Galaxy S24 Plus boasts an extended commitment of seven years for both OS upgrades and security updates, ensuring support until approximately 2031. This extended timeline means the S24 Plus will receive several more generations of Android and One UI updates.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S22 5G received a low repairability score from some experts, with challenges noted in battery and screen replacement due to strong adhesives. Other assessments gave it a moderate score, indicating that while some components are accessible, adhesive use complicates repairs. The Galaxy S24 Plus, however, shows improved repairability, with higher scores from various teardowns. It features pull tabs for easier battery removal and generally uses less adhesive, though screen replacement can still be a delicate process.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, capable of submersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes. The S22 5G incorporates an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ for screen protection. The S24 Plus also uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering robust protection against everyday wear and tear.

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks. The Galaxy S22 5G and S24 Plus offer different levels of processing power and memory configurations.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 5G is equipped with a processor that handles daily applications and multitasking effectively. The Galaxy S24 Plus features a more current-generation processor, providing top-notch performance for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex AI-driven tasks. This results in faster app loading times and a more responsive overall user experience on the S24 Plus.
• Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S22 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most multitasking needs. It offers internal storage options of 128GB or 256GB, without expandable memory. The Galaxy S24 Plus elevates this with 12GB of RAM as standard, enhancing its capability to manage numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns. It also provides 256GB or 512GB internal storage options, also without expandable memory.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 5G has a 3700 mAh battery, which some users found to require more frequent charging, especially with heavy use. The Galaxy S24 Plus includes a larger 4900 mAh battery, contributing to improved battery life that can comfortably last through a full day of use, and for some, even up to two days on a single charge.

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both models offer high-quality viewing experiences, though with notable differences.

• Display Technology and Resolution: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 5G has a 6.1-inch Full HD+ (1080 x 2340 pixels) screen. The Galaxy S24 Plus offers a larger 6.7-inch display with a Quad HD+ (3120 x 1440 pixels) resolution, providing a sharper and more detailed visual experience.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The S22 5G's display reaches a peak brightness of 1300 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. It features a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The S24 Plus significantly increases peak brightness to 2600 nits, offering exceptional clarity even in direct sunlight. Its adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, optimizing power consumption while maintaining smooth visuals.
• Viewing Experience: The S22 5G provides a compact viewing experience, suitable for one-handed use. The S24 Plus, with its larger screen, offers a more expansive and immersive viewing area, which can be particularly beneficial for media consumption and productivity tasks.

Both the Galaxy S22 5G and S24 Plus are equipped with versatile camera systems designed for capturing high-quality photos and videos, though the S24 Plus benefits from newer software enhancements.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 Plus retains a similar hardware configuration with a 50MP wide lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography and Video Quality: The S22 5G delivers solid all-around photo and video quality, with improvements in low-light photography compared to its predecessors. The S24 Plus, while having similar camera hardware to its immediate predecessor, benefits from advanced AI-powered capabilities for photo editing and enhanced image processing, contributing to solid photo and video quality across various conditions. Both devices are capable of recording 8K video, with the S22 5G at 24fps and the S24 Plus at 30fps.
• Front Camera and Audio: Both phones feature a 10MP or 12MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. The S24 Plus offers a 12MP front camera. Both devices provide a good media consumption experience with stereo speakers.