With the recent launch of the Samsung Galaxy S22 range, you might be wondering whether to invest in an S22 Plus or pick up an iPhone 13 Pro instead. While the iPhone’s 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and A15 Bionic chip might seem tempting, the expansive 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and 4,500mAh battery of the Galaxy S22 Plus are also calling to you.
It can be tough comparing two phones and deciding which to buy — but we’re here to help. We’ve compared the Samsung
You can also check out our Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus hands-on to find out more about Samsung’s latest flagship.
Specs
Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus | Apple iPhone 13 Pro | |
Size | 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6mm (6.19 x 2.98 x 0.29 inches) | 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.7mm (5.78 x 2.81 x 0.30 inches) |
Weight | 196 grams (6.91 ounces) | 204 grams (7.2 ounces) |
Screen size | 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED |
Screen resolution | FHD 1080 x 2340 pixels (390 ppi) | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) |
Operating system | Android 12 with OneUI 4.1 | iOS 15 |
Storage | 128GB, 256GB | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
MicroSD card slot | No | No |
Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
RAM | 8GB | 6GB |
Camera | Triple lens 50-megapixel wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 10MP telephoto rear, 40MP front | Triple lens 12MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, and 12MP telephoto rear, 12MP front |
Video | 4K at up to 60 fps
8k at 24fps |
1080p at 120 fps |
Bluetooth version | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.1 |
Ports | USB-C | Lightning |
Fingerprint sensor | Yes | No, Face ID |
Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Battery | 4,500mAh
45W wired fast charging (no charger included in the box) 15W fast wireless charging Reverse wireless charging (Wireless PowerShare) |
3,125mAh 20W wired charging (no charger included in the box) 15W MagSafe charging 7.5W wireless charging
|
App marketplace | Google Play Store | Apple App Store |
Network support | All carriers | All major carriers |
Colors | Phantom White, Phantom Black, green, Pink Gold
Samsung.com-exclusive colors: Cream, Violet, Graphite, Sky Blue |
Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue |
Price | Starting at $999 | Starting at $999 |
Buy from | Samsung, T-Mobile, AT&T | Apple |
Review score | Hands-on review | 4.5 out of 5 stars |
Design, Display, and Durability
These phones actually don’t look too different in terms of style. The iPhone 13 Pro’s front and back are protected by Ceramic Glass, offering superior drop protection. Although it weighs in at 204 grams compared to the 196 grams of the S22 Plus, its smaller dimensions make it more suitable for one-handed use. In contrast, the larger dimensions mean the S22 Plus definitely feels more comfortable for use with both hands.
The
Down to those displays. The
The
What about available colors? The S22 Plus comes in Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, or Pink Gold, as well as four Samsung-exclusive colors only available at Samsung.com: Cream, Violet, Graphite, and Sky Blue. It’s worth mentioning here that choosing one of the Samsung-exclusive colors will likely add a few weeks of shipping time to your order. The
Finally, both phones have an IP68 rating, meaning it’s safe to submerge each handset in up to six meters of water for up to 30 minutes, so you can safely pack either for your beach trip.
Right now it’s too close to call a winner for this round, as it really comes down to whether you prefer a slightly larger device with lower resolution or a smaller device for one-handed use, with a higher resolution display. This might change once we’ve spent some more time with the S22 Plus, though.
Winner: Tie
Performance, Battery Life, and Charging
When it comes to performance, both phones have processors that are pretty much the cream of the crop right now. The S22 Plus is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the U.S. and some other markets, with the Exynos 2200 elsewhere, plus 8GB of
The
When it comes to battery life, the 3,095mAh battery in the
You’ll be back up and at full charge in just 60 minutes with the S22 Plus’s 45W fast charging, compared to the rather-average 2oW wired charging on offer with the
It’s also worth noting here that neither phone comes with a charger in the box, so you’ll need to purchase your own (or use an existing charger).
Sorry Apple, but even with those larger storage models, the S22 Plus just takes the crown this round for that bigger battery, faster 45W wired charging, and handy reverse wireless charging (and that possible GPU boost from the Exynos 2200 chip).
Winner: Samsung
Cameras
Both phones pack a triple camera array, with the
The
We haven’t spent much time with the S22 Plus yet to test its camera capabilities, but features like Nightograph for great selfies at night and A.I. Stereo Depth Map, which lets you focus on what you care about, with improved object segmentation, are sure to give you shots to be proud of. The S22 Plus promises great photos in any lighting, with Adaptive Pixel that detects the light around you and intelligently switches between modes, and Detail Enhancer, which uses deep-learning A.I. to intelligently improve your pictures by adjusting highlights and shadows. There’s also Object Eraser for quickly deleting photobombers or other unwanted objects in the background of your shots, plus a handy Quickshare feature for sharing photos, videos, and other files with friends and family.
In the video stakes, the
Despite the S22 Plus’s 8K video support, we’re giving this round to the
Winner:
Software and updates
The Samsung
The
Apple usually provides several years of updates for its phones, with users receiving new versions of software as soon as they’re ready. But Samsung definitely has the edge here, offering four
Winner: Samsung
Special features
- 2. iPhone 13 Pro
Both the
One of the best things about the
However, the S22 Plus has reverse wireless charging, great for boosting your Galaxy Buds 2 or Galaxy Smart Watch battery — a feature you’re missing out on with the
The S22 Plus also packs lots of new special features into its cameras, most of which we’ve touched on in the Cameras section above.
This round is another one that’s too close to call, and it comes down to whether you’d rather have reverse wireless charging or MagSafe accessories.
Winner: Tie
Price and availability
You can pre-order the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus from Samsung right now starting from $999 for the 128GB version, or grab the 256GB model for $1,049. If you pre-registered before the Samsung Unpacked event, you’ll get $50 off, and for a limited time, you can get up to $150 instant Samsung Credit, a free memory upgrade, and up to $500 enhanced trade-in credit. The phone goes on general sale on February 25.
The Apple iPhone 13 Pro is available directly from Apple from $999 for the 128GB version, $1,099 for the 256GB version, $1,299 for the 512GB version, or $1,499 for the 1TB version. You can also trade in an older phone with Apple and get up to $900 toward the cost of your new phone, depending on which carrier you choose. You can also pick up the iPhone 13 Pro from Best Buy and other retailers.
Winner: Tie
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus takes the crown here, though this was pretty close to call. That gorgeous 6.6-inch Dynamic OLED screen with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, long battery life with 45W charging, powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200) processor, and innovative camera features — not to mention an impressive update policy — all mean the S22 Plus has earned its place as our winner over the Apple iPhone 13 Pro. Of course, both these phones are excellent choices if you’re looking for a powerful, capable device with a stylish design and impressive features, and ultimately, it may come down to whether you prefer Apple or
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