Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T vs iPhone SE (2020) • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone SE 2020, launched in April 2020, represent distinct approaches to smartphone design and functionality. While the Galaxy S22 offers a modern, expansive display and a versatile camera system, the iPhone SE 2020 provides a compact form factor with a traditional home button and a focus on core performance within the iOS ecosystem. These differences extend to their operating systems, with the Galaxy S22 running Android and the iPhone SE operating on iOS.

The expected practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability features.

• Release Timeline and OS Support: The Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, benefits from a more recent launch, offering a longer period of software updates. Samsung has committed to providing four Android OS upgrades, with Android 16 being the last major OS upgrade, and five years of security updates, extending support into the Android 17 cycle. The iPhone SE 2020, released in April 2020, originally shipped with iOS 13.4 and has received updates to iOS 26.4 as of March 2026, indicating a strong commitment to software longevity from Apple.
• Software Longevity Expectations: Users can expect the Galaxy S22 5G to receive major Android updates for several more years, ensuring access to new features and security enhancements. The iPhone SE 2020, while older, continues to receive current iOS updates, which is a characteristic of Apple's long-term software support for its devices.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 5G features an Armor Aluminum frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, contributing to its resistance against drops and scratches. It also boasts an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, allowing submersion up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone SE 2020 has a glass front and back with an aluminum frame and an IP67 rating, providing dust and water resistance up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.

Performance in both devices is driven by their respective internal components, impacting app loading, multitasking, and overall system responsiveness.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 5G is equipped with a current-generation processor that handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for gaming and productivity. The iPhone SE 2020 features a powerful chip that delivers fast and fluid performance for everyday tasks, gaming, and augmented reality applications, comparable to more premium devices from its release era.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 8 GB of RAM, the Galaxy S22 5G offers substantial capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns, contributing to a seamless user experience. The iPhone SE 2020, with 3 GB of RAM, manages multitasking efficiently within the iOS environment, providing a generally smooth experience for typical usage.
• Storage Options: Both devices offer various internal storage configurations. The Galaxy S22 5G is available with 128 GB or 256 GB of storage. The iPhone SE 2020 comes in 64 GB, 128 GB, and 256 GB options, catering to different user needs for app and media storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 5G has a 3700 mAh battery. User reports indicate that while it can last a full day for moderate use, heavy usage, especially with features like the high refresh rate display, may require more frequent charging. The iPhone SE 2020, with an 1821 mAh battery, is generally reported to offer sufficient battery life for average daily use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge before the end of the day.

The visual experience on a smartphone is largely defined by its display technology, resolution, and brightness levels.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 5G features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks, vibrant colors, and high contrast. It offers a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in sharp and detailed visuals. The iPhone SE 2020 utilizes a 4.7-inch Retina HD IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1334 x 750 pixels, providing clear and accurate color reproduction.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 5G's display can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, and features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The iPhone SE 2020 has a maximum brightness of 625 nits and a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which is suitable for most everyday viewing but less fluid than higher refresh rate displays.
• Screen Size and Viewing Experience: The larger 6.1-inch screen of the Galaxy S22 5G provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and gaming. The iPhone SE 2020's 4.7-inch display offers a compact and easily manageable form factor, ideal for one-handed use and users who prefer a smaller screen.

The camera systems of both devices offer different capabilities for capturing photos and videos, catering to various photographic needs.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 5G boasts a versatile triple-camera setup on the rear, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens, allowing for a range of photographic perspectives and detailed shots. The iPhone SE 2020 features a single 12 MP wide-angle rear camera with optical image stabilization, which, despite being a single lens, is enhanced by its processor to deliver strong image quality in good lighting conditions and supports Portrait mode through software.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 5G excels in various lighting conditions, offering features like enhanced low-light performance and advanced image processing for vibrant and detailed photos. The iPhone SE 2020 performs well in bright light, producing color-accurate and sharp images, though it lacks a dedicated Night mode and its Portrait mode, while effective, may not always perfectly delineate subjects compared to multi-lens systems.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: The Galaxy S22 5G supports video recording up to 8K resolution at 24fps, along with 4K at 30/60fps, and features a 10 MP front camera capable of 4K video. The iPhone SE 2020 can record 4K video at up to 60fps and has a 7 MP front camera, which is suitable for video calls and selfies.