Galaxy S22+ 5G • Unlocked vs iPhone 16e • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 16E, launched in February 2025, represent different approaches to smartphone design and functionality from their respective manufacturers. While the Galaxy S22 Plus offers a comprehensive Android experience with a versatile camera system, the iPhone 16E provides a streamlined iOS experience with a focus on core performance and a more recent release. These devices cater to users with varying preferences for operating systems and feature sets.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors. The iPhone 16E, being a more recent release, generally offers a longer period of software updates and security patches compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus.

• Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G 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 shortly after, positioning it as a much newer model in the market.
• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus launched with Android 12 and was promised four generations of Android OS upgrades, meaning its major software support is nearing its end. The iPhone 16E launched with iOS 18.3 and is currently running iOS 26.4, indicating a significantly longer future for major iOS updates and security support.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature robust builds with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, offering protection against immersion in water. The Galaxy S22 Plus uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for its front and back, while the iPhone 16E features Ceramic Shield on the front, which Apple states is tougher than typical smartphone glass.

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from browsing to demanding applications. Both devices offer capable performance for their respective ecosystems, though the iPhone 16E benefits from a more recent processor generation.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus is powered by a processor designed for its release year, enabling smooth multitasking and efficient handling of most applications and games available at its launch. The iPhone 16E features a newer generation processor, which provides enhanced speed, improved power efficiency, and advanced AI capabilities, resulting in faster app loading and smoother performance across demanding tasks.
• Multitasking and Storage: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Galaxy S22 Plus offers storage options of 128GB and 256GB, while the iPhone 16E provides 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB options, catering to users with larger storage needs. Neither device supports expandable storage.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, providing approximately a full day of typical use, with some tests showing around 9-10 hours of screen-on time. The iPhone 16E, with its 4005 mAh battery, is noted for having the longest battery life among 6.1-inch iPhones, offering up to 26 hours of video playback, suggesting extended usage for many users.

The visual experience is a primary interaction point for any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S22 Plus and iPhone 16E offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The iPhone 16E comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, also delivering rich colors and deep blacks. Both offer sharp visuals, with the iPhone 16E having a slightly higher pixel density at approximately 460 ppi compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus's 393 ppi.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Plus boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing a smoother scrolling and gaming experience, and can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits. The iPhone 16E maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate but offers a higher peak outdoor brightness of 2000 nits, enhancing visibility in bright sunlight, with typical brightness at 800 nits and HDR peak at 1200 nits.
• Design Elements: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a punch-hole cutout for its front camera, maximizing screen real estate. The iPhone 16E retains a traditional notch design, similar to earlier iPhone models, rather than the Dynamic Island found on other iPhone 16 series devices.

For many users, the camera system is a deciding factor, and these two phones offer different photographic capabilities and configurations.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP wide-angle lens, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, providing flexibility for various shooting scenarios. The iPhone 16E is equipped with a single 48MP wide-angle main camera, which is capable of capturing detailed images but lacks the dedicated ultrawide and telephoto lenses found on the Galaxy S22 Plus.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus offers improved low-light photography and enhanced detail, particularly with its telephoto lens. The iPhone 16E's 48MP main sensor is designed for strong performance, with potential for better low-light capture due to a larger sensor and improved optical image stabilization.
• Video and Audio: The Galaxy S22 Plus can record video up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, along with 4K at 30/60fps. The iPhone 16E also offers strong video capabilities, with Apple's focus on computational photography and stabilization, though specific video resolutions were not detailed for the 16E in the provided information. Both devices offer stereo speakers for media consumption.