Galaxy S22+ 5G • Locked T-Mobile vs iPhone 16e • Unlocked

The practical lifespan and software support differ significantly between these two devices due to their respective release dates.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Plus was released in February 2022, making it a device from an earlier generation. The iPhone 16E, on the other hand, was announced in February 2025 and released later that month, positioning it as a much newer model.
• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S22 Plus launched with Android 12 and was promised four generations of OS upgrades, meaning its official software support is likely nearing its conclusion around Android 16. The iPhone 16E, released with iOS 18.3, is designed to support iOS 26, indicating a longer period of guaranteed software updates.
• Repairability: The iPhone 16 lineup, which includes the 16E, has received improved repairability scores, with iFixit granting it a 7 out of 10, a notable increase over previous iPhone generations. The Galaxy S22 Plus, while featuring durable materials, has shown mixed results in drop tests, with some instances of shattered glass, though cameras often remained intact. The base Galaxy S22 received a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10.

Both devices offer capable performance for their respective generations, though the newer iPhone 16E benefits from more recent hardware advancements.

• Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus is powered by either the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipset, depending on the region. This hardware capably handles demanding applications and multitasking. The iPhone 16E features the Apple A18 system on a chip (SoC) with a 4-core GPU, designed to deliver fast and smooth performance, including support for Apple Intelligence features.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, allowing for smooth app switching and efficient multitasking. The iPhone 16E also includes 8GB of RAM, contributing to its ability to manage multiple applications and complex tasks effectively.
• Storage Options: The Galaxy S22 Plus is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The iPhone 16E offers more varied storage configurations, including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a 4,500 mAh battery. In web browsing tests, it achieved around 9 hours and 46 minutes with a 120Hz refresh rate. Some users report varying screen-on-time, with faster drain on 5G. The iPhone 16E is noted for its extended battery life, offering up to 26 hours of video playback and 90 hours of audio playback.

The display technologies in both smartphones provide vibrant visuals, with some key differences in refresh rate and design.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 2340x1080 pixels, offering vivid colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 16E utilizes a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels and a pixel density of 460 PPI, also providing rich colors and contrast.
• Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S22 Plus can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, which aids in visibility under bright outdoor conditions. The iPhone 16E offers 800 nits typical maximum brightness and up to 1200 nits peak brightness for HDR content.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 16E maintains a 60Hz refresh rate.
• Design Elements: The iPhone 16E retains a notch design for its front camera and sensors, similar to earlier iPhone models, rather than the Dynamic Island found on other iPhone 16 series devices.

Both devices offer capable camera systems, each with distinct strengths in photography and video recording.

• Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple camera setup on the rear, including a 50MP main sensor, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. The iPhone 16E is equipped with a 2-in-1 rear 48MP Fusion camera with a single lens, which also enables 12MP 2x optical-quality telephoto zoom through sensor cropping.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus shows improvements in low-light photography and offers accurate colors, with its 50MP main sensor capturing good detail. The iPhone 16E's 48MP Fusion camera is designed for super-high-resolution photos and includes features like Photonic Engine and Smart HDR 5 for enhanced image quality.
• Video Recording Quality: The Galaxy S22 Plus is capable of recording video at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second. The iPhone 16E supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second.
• Front Camera: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S22 Plus has a 10MP front camera. The iPhone 16E features a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus and supports 4K video recording.

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

• Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S22 Plus supports Wi-Fi 6, while the iPhone 16E also features Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.3.
• Port Types: The Galaxy S22 Plus uses a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 16E has also transitioned to a USB-C port, allowing for broader compatibility with accessories.
• Biometric Security and Other Features: The Galaxy S22 Plus typically includes an under-display fingerprint sensor. The iPhone 16E relies on Face ID for secure unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 16E also incorporates an Action Button, providing customizable access to various functions.
• Build Materials and Durability: The Galaxy S22 Plus features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its robust build. The iPhone 16E uses Ceramic Shield for its display protection, which is designed to be tougher than typical smartphone glass, and has a splash, water, and dust-resistant design.