Galaxy S22+ 5G • Locked T-Mobile vs iPhone 14 Plus • Unlocked

Galaxy S22+ 5G • Locked T-Mobile
Galaxy S22+ 5G • Locked T-Mobile
Starting at

Refurbished price:$231.10

Versus $959.99 new

See options
iPhone 14 Plus • Unlocked
iPhone 14 Plus • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$288.00

Versus $729.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 14 Plus, launched in October 2022, are both large-screen smartphones designed to offer a comprehensive mobile experience. While the Galaxy S22 Plus operates on the Android platform, the iPhone 14 Plus runs on Apple's iOS, presenting distinct user interfaces and ecosystem experiences. Key differentiators between these two devices include their display technology, camera systems, and overall software longevity.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, factors like software support and physical resilience are important.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus was released in February 2022, while the iPhone 14 Plus followed in October 2022. This eight-month difference means the iPhone 14 Plus benefits from a slightly newer starting point for software updates.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus is expected to receive major Android updates through 2027, potentially reaching Android 16, alongside security updates. The iPhone 14 Plus, being an Apple device, typically receives iOS updates for approximately 5-6 years from its release, suggesting a slightly longer period of active software support due to its later launch date.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices offer robust build quality. The iPhone 14 Plus features a Ceramic Shield front cover and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, contributing to its resilience against everyday wear and tear. The Galaxy S22 Plus also boasts a premium design and an IP68 rating, providing similar protection against environmental elements.

Release Year

2022

2022

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the iPhone 14 Plus deliver strong performance for daily tasks and more demanding applications, though they achieve this through different hardware architectures.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a powerful current-generation processor that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, ensuring a responsive user experience. The iPhone 14 Plus utilizes a high-performance chip, which was also featured in previous Pro models, providing excellent speed and efficiency for gaming, video editing, and general navigation.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 8GB of RAM, the Galaxy S22 Plus is well-suited for extensive multitasking, allowing users to switch between numerous applications without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with 6GB of RAM, which, combined with iOS optimization, also provides a fluid and responsive experience even with multiple apps running simultaneously.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus houses a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for most users, with some tests indicating around 10 hours and 30 minutes of continuous video playback. The iPhone 14 Plus, with its 4325 mAh battery, is noted for its excellent battery life, often lasting through a full day of heavy use and, for some, extending to two days on a single charge, with web surfing tests showing nearly 12 hours of endurance over 5G.

Memory

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The display is a central feature for both smartphones, offering large, vibrant viewing areas with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its deep blacks and vivid colors. The iPhone 14 Plus offers a slightly larger 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also delivering rich colors and excellent contrast.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus has a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a clear and sharp image. The iPhone 14 Plus provides a higher resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, contributing to its sharp visual output with approximately 458 pixels per inch.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Plus boasts an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations, along with a high peak brightness of 1750 nits for excellent outdoor visibility. The iPhone 14 Plus features a standard 60Hz refresh rate, which offers a consistent experience, and reaches a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content, with typical brightness around 800 nits.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-lens rear camera setup, including a 50MP main wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens capable of 3x optical zoom. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with a dual-camera system on the rear, comprising a 12MP main wide-angle lens with sensor-shift optical image stabilization and a 12MP ultrawide lens with a 120-degree field of view. It does not include a dedicated telephoto lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus's 50MP main sensor, combined with improved processing, delivers detailed images with accurate colors, and its telephoto lens provides clear zoomed shots. The iPhone 14 Plus's camera system, with its larger sensor and faster aperture on the main lens, excels in capturing vibrant photos with good detail, particularly showing improvements in low-light conditions.
  • Video Recording Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus supports video recording up to 8K resolution, offering high-fidelity video capture. The iPhone 14 Plus records video at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second and includes features like Cinematic mode, which allows for depth-of-field effects in videos, and Action mode for enhanced stabilization.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds. The Galaxy S22 Plus features Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, along with a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 14 Plus includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, and uses Apple's Lightning port.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S22 Plus typically uses an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking, alongside facial recognition. The iPhone 14 Plus relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system, for secure authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Plus has dimensions of approximately 6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 inches and weighs around 195 grams. The iPhone 14 Plus measures 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches and weighs 203 grams, making it slightly larger and heavier. Both phones feature premium build materials, with the iPhone 14 Plus utilizing an aluminum frame and glass back, protected by Ceramic Shield on the front.

Weight

7 oz

7 oz

Screen size (inches)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

T-Mobile

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and the iPhone 14 Plus each offer a compelling large-screen smartphone experience, catering to different user preferences and ecosystems. Users frequently praise the Galaxy S22 Plus for its vibrant 120Hz display, versatile camera system with optical zoom, and robust Android ecosystem. Some users, however, have noted that while its battery life is good, it may not always match the endurance of some competitors.

The iPhone 14 Plus is widely acclaimed for its exceptional battery life, large and bright OLED display, and the consistent performance of its iOS platform. Common observations include the 60Hz refresh rate, which some users find less fluid compared to higher refresh rate displays on other devices, and the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens. Some users have also reported isolated incidents of connectivity or screen issues with aftermarket parts.

Users prioritizing a high refresh rate display, a dedicated telephoto camera, and the flexibility of the Android operating system may find the Galaxy S22 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value extended battery life, the intuitive iOS experience, and Apple's ecosystem, along with strong camera performance in various lighting conditions, may lean towards the iPhone 14 Plus. Both devices represent solid choices, and opting for a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for acquiring either of these capable smartphones.

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