Galaxy S22+ 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 14 Plus • Unlocked

Galaxy S22+ 5G • Unlocked
Galaxy S22+ 5G • Unlocked
Starting at

Refurbished price:$159.99

Versus $999.00 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 offering distinct experiences. While the Galaxy S22 Plus operates on the Android ecosystem, the iPhone 14 Plus runs on iOS. Key differences between these devices include their display refresh rates, camera configurations, and overall software environments.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected practical lifespan.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G was released in February 2022, making it several months older than the iPhone 14 Plus, which debuted in October 2022. This age difference can influence the duration of future software support.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides approximately four years of major Android operating system updates for the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G. Apple generally offers a longer period of iOS updates for its devices, which could mean the iPhone 14 Plus receives software support for an extended duration.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The iPhone 14 Plus incorporates a Ceramic Shield front cover, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back.

Release Year

2022

2022

Last OS Compatibility

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver capable performance for daily tasks and more demanding applications, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • System Responsiveness: The iPhone 14 Plus provides a fluid user experience, handling various applications and multitasking smoothly. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G also offers strong performance, ensuring apps load quickly and transitions are responsive.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 14 Plus is recognized for its extended battery life, with some tests indicating nearly 12 hours of web browsing over 5G. Many users report that it comfortably lasts a full day or more on a single charge. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, typically provides around 10 hours and 30 minutes of continuous video streaming, generally sufficient for a full day of moderate use.
  • Storage and Memory: Both devices are available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB of internal storage. The iPhone 14 Plus comes with 6GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers 8GB or 12GB of RAM, which can influence the number of applications that remain active in the background.

Memory

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both phones is vibrant, but they employ different display technologies and refresh rates.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 14 Plus features a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks and rich colors with a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G has a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. Both displays provide clear visuals for media consumption and daily use.
  • Refresh Rate: A notable difference is the refresh rate. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations. The iPhone 14 Plus, in contrast, uses a standard 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Brightness Levels: For outdoor visibility, the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers a peak brightness of 1750 nits, while the iPhone 14 Plus reaches a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content and 800 nits typical.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1284 x 2778

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with capable camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos in various conditions.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 14 Plus features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 12MP wide lens and a 12MP ultrawide lens. Its main camera includes a larger sensor and a faster aperture, which enhances low-light performance. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G offers a more versatile triple-camera system, including a 50MP wide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. This telephoto lens allows for clearer zoomed-in shots.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G shows improved low-light capabilities and detail capture, with accurate colors. The iPhone 14 Plus also delivers strong photographic results, particularly in everyday and low-light scenarios, due to its enhanced main sensor and image processing.
  • Front Camera and Audio: For selfies and video calls, the iPhone 14 Plus has a 12MP TrueDepth front camera with autofocus. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is equipped with a 10MP front camera. Both devices feature stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate these two devices in terms of connectivity, design, and user interaction.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both phones support 5G cellular connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G utilizes a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, while the iPhone 14 Plus retains Apple's Lightning port. The iPhone 14 Plus also supports dual eSIM functionality.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 14 Plus relies on Face ID for secure authentication. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G incorporates an in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for biometric security.
  • Physical Characteristics: The iPhone 14 Plus measures 160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm and weighs 203 grams, featuring an aluminum frame with a Ceramic Shield front and glass back. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is slightly more compact at 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and lighter at 195 grams, with a glass front and back and an aluminum frame.

Weight

7 oz

7 oz

Screen size (inches)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the iPhone 14 Plus each offer a compelling smartphone experience, catering to different user preferences. The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is often praised for its vibrant 120Hz display, providing a noticeably smoother visual experience, and its versatile camera system that includes a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom. Some users, however, have noted that while its battery life is good, it might not be exceptional for very heavy usage scenarios.

Conversely, the iPhone 14 Plus is frequently highlighted for its exceptional battery life, often exceeding a full day of use, and its large, immersive display. Users appreciate the improvements to its main camera, which performs well in various lighting conditions. However, some discussions point out the absence of a telephoto lens and the standard 60Hz refresh rate as areas where it differs from more premium models or competitors.

Users prioritizing a high refresh rate display for smoother interactions, a dedicated telephoto camera for zoom capabilities, and the flexibility of the Android ecosystem may find the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G well-suited to their needs. Those who place a higher value on extended battery life, a large display within the iOS ecosystem, and robust general camera performance, without a strong need for a high refresh rate or optical zoom, may lean towards the iPhone 14 Plus. Both devices represent solid choices, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for acquiring either model.

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