Galaxy S22 5G • Locked T-Mobile vs Galaxy S24 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, are both flagship Android smartphones from Samsung. While they share a similar design philosophy, the Galaxy S24 introduces notable advancements in processing power, display technology, and extended software support. Both devices operate on the Android platform, offering a consistent user experience with Samsung's One UI.

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its software support, physical durability, and ease of repair. These aspects differ between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S24.

• Software Support: The Galaxy S22 was promised 4 Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, with its final major OS upgrade being Android 16 in October 2025 and security updates ending around 2027. In contrast, the Galaxy S24 offers a significantly longer commitment of up to 7 years of OS and security updates, extending support until approximately 2031.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S22 received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, making battery and screen replacements challenging. Some sources, however, give it a 7.5/10, noting that the battery and screen are accessible but adhesive makes it difficult. The Galaxy S24, on the other hand, demonstrates improved repairability, earning a high score of 9 out of 10 from PBKreviews, partly because its battery is not glued in place and uses a pull tab for easier removal.
• Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software updates and easier potential repairs for components like the battery may find the Galaxy S24 to offer a longer practical lifespan. The Galaxy S22 remains a capable device, but its software support window is closing sooner.

Performance in smartphones is determined by the internal processing unit, available memory, and battery efficiency, all of which impact daily usage.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 is powered by a processor that handles everyday tasks and moderate multitasking smoothly. The Galaxy S24 features a newer generation processor, providing a noticeable boost in responsiveness for demanding applications, complex multitasking, and graphics-intensive gaming. This newer processor also contributes to improved thermal efficiency during extended use.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 is equipped with a 3700 mAh battery. The Galaxy S24 includes a larger 4000 mAh battery. This increased capacity, combined with the S24's more efficient display technology, generally translates to longer usage times between charges for the newer model.
• Storage and RAM: Both devices offer 8 GB of RAM in their base configurations. The Galaxy S22 comes with 128 GB or 256 GB storage options. The Galaxy S24 offers 128 GB, 256 GB, and 512 GB storage options, with some variants featuring faster Universal Flash Storage (UFS 4.0) for larger capacities. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.

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

• Display Technology and Brightness: Both the Galaxy S22 and S24 feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 offers a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits. The Galaxy S24 significantly enhances this with a peak brightness of 2600 nits, providing much better visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both devices offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy S22's display hardware can drop to 48Hz, with data transfer rates minimizing to 10Hz for power saving. The Galaxy S24 incorporates LTPO technology, allowing its refresh rate to dynamically adjust from 1Hz to 120Hz, which contributes to greater power efficiency.
• Screen Size and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Galaxy S24 features a slightly larger 6.2-inch display, maintaining the same 1080 x 2340 pixel resolution, resulting in sharp and clear visuals.

The camera systems on both devices are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, with the newer model offering refinements and additional features.

• Rear Camera System: Both the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S24 feature a triple rear camera setup. This typically includes a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide sensor, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Galaxy S24 benefits from improved image processing and algorithms, which can result in more natural-looking colors and enhanced detail.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 delivers capable photography in various conditions. The Galaxy S24 offers consistent image quality across its lenses and performs well in ideal lighting. While the S24's camera hardware is similar to its predecessor, software enhancements contribute to better overall output, particularly in color rendition.
• Video Recording and Front Camera: Both models support 8K video recording at up to 30 frames per second. The Galaxy S24 also introduces 4K 120fps slow-motion recording, an upgrade from the S22's 1080p slow-motion. The front-facing camera on the Galaxy S24 is a 12 MP sensor with autofocus, which helps ensure sharp selfies.