The base model Galaxy S22 is a compact smartphone that continues to perform very well today. However, some things are starting to hold it back in 2024. Nothing has changed on the Galaxy S22, but the latest smartphones are showing significant improvements in areas where the S22 seems to be showing its age. That said, is the Galaxy S22 still worth buying in 2024?
Is the Galaxy S22 still worth buying in 2024?
As I mentioned above, the Galaxy S22 continues to work very well these days. However, there is one thing that is really leaving you behind in 2024. I'm talking about screen brightness. Currently, the Galaxy S23 and Galaxy S24 have the same screen brightness as their more expensive counterparts, i.e. the S23+/Ultra and S24+/Ultra, respectively.
But in 2022, that wasn't the case. The Galaxy S22+ and S22 Ultra had up to 1750 nits of brightness, while the base Galaxy S22 model reached 1300 nits. Samsung simply hasn't paid as much attention to its entry-level model in 2022 as it has to its entry-level flagships. So this is starting to harm the S22.
It all comes down to the screen
Overall, the entry-level Galaxy S22 still has a decent AMOLED display with HDR10+, a 2340 x 1080 resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. But the 1300 nits of brightness spoil everything.
Samsung's new Galaxy S24 has a new 2X LTPO Dynamic AMOLED screen that can reach 2600 nits of brightness. The S23 FE outperforms the base model S22 with 1450 nits.
Even the mid-range Galaxy A55 has a screen that can literally outshine the Galaxy S22. Despite the fact that Samsung advertises the A55's screen as having over 1,000 nits, independent tests show that the A55's panel reaches almost 1,640 nits.
In short, taking into account the design, build quality, Exynos 2200 chip and camera system of the Galaxy S22, the phone's screen seems to be the only element that surpasses it.
It's a shame that the Galaxy S22 comes from a time when Samsung differentiated the base models so much from the more expensive Plus and Ultra variants. This leads us to not recommend this smartphone to buy in 2024. However, if it is the S22+ or the Ultra, it is still a good idea, especially if it is at a good price.