The new flagship generation from Samsung will be available in early February. We already know some details and reports about the upcoming Galaxy S22. What will it look like and what innovations can we expect? TECHBOOK summarizes all current information here.
The information is condensing so shortly before the launch of the new Galaxy S22 models from Samsung. There will be three models again: S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra (aka Note). One of them will inherit the current Galaxy Note and come with an integrated S-Pen – Samsung has already confirmed this.
Confirmed: Samsung combines the S and Note series
It will only be a few days until Samsung officially launches the Galaxy S22. Samsung hasn’t yet revealed its cards as to the exact date for the unpacked. At the beginning of February it should be ready. Samsung has already published a video as a small teaser:
If you look closely, you can see in the video that the two smartphones have different outlines. One has slightly more rounded edges while the other appears very angular. Exactly these forms indicate the S and the Note series. So Samsung makes a clear indication that both series will be combined in a new product. Samsung also confirms this in its own post:“At Unpacked in February 2022, we’ll introduce you to the most noteworthy S series device we’ve ever created.” .) The term “noteworthy”, which can be understood as a clear reference to the Note series.
At the same time, Samsung also hints at some special functions in the article on the Galaxy S22.
“With it, you will own the night – taking the best and brightest photos and videos you’ve ever captured with a phone.” – Samsung is addressing the revised night mode for video and photo recordings here. At the same time, the company promises more power, speed and features that are unique.
If you would like to read the entire article in English, you can find it on the Samsung website.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra aka S22 Note?
Rumors have been floating around the web for a long time that Samsung is changing the name of one of its new smartphones. We’re talking about the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which should actually be called the Samsung Galaxy S22 Note. This step is not far-fetched, because the largest of the three new smartphones will – as has now been confirmed – also replace Samsung’s Note series. It has a pin that can be sunk directly into the housing. This is new to the S range. Because although earlier models came with S-Pen support, the stylus always had to be stowed away separately because there was no corresponding slot for it in the case. This is set to change with the Galaxy S22 Note.
Also an entry in the US Certification Authority FCC gives relevant information. Here the smartphone is listed under its model number SM-S908U. The entry provides an overview of the functions and new accessories. In addition to support for Wifi 6E in the 6 GHz band, Samsung also lists an S Pen and a special LED cover for the Galaxy S22 Note.
Also on the website of the benchmark test Geekbench the new smartphones can also be found. However, only under the model number and not under their real name. The measurements published on December 9th give us a glimpse into the performance of the upcoming devices. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Note, for example, comes with Android 12 and 8 GB RAM and runs in the international version with Qualcomm’s recently introduced Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. In Germany, the device will probably be equipped with the Exynos 2200, but Samsung is not yet officially equipped has presented.
Galaxy S22 design
In addition to the video posted by Samsung itself, there are also various videos of prototypes and design samples. Various hand-on videos have surfaced over the past few weeks showing dummy models of the Galaxy S22 in all three sizes. First she showed Leaker OnLeaks on Twitter, now the well-known YouTube channel “Unbox Therapy” followed, but the video is no longer listed.
In both videos, it is easy to see that Samsung is apparently planning two completely different designs. Accordingly, the Galaxy S22 and S22 + should have a similar appearance to their S21 predecessors. The Galaxy S22 Ultra – possibly S22 Note – on the other hand is much more angular and comes without a protruding camera bump.
Images also show design changes
Leaker Yogesh Brar has published pictures of all three Samsung models via Twitter. The design of the largest model, the Galaxy S22 Ultra or Note, is particularly striking. Because Samsung has completely dispensed with a camera frame here and the lenses on all three devices no longer protrude so much from the back. Apart from that, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ in particular bear a very strong resemblance to their predecessors.
The Ultra model is said to have a 6.8-inch display with very thin bezels. The new information confirms a previous post on the Chinese social media platform, “Weibo“, according to which the S22 Ultra or Note has space in the housing for an S-Pen.
Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is probably thicker than previous models, which is not least due to the slot for the pen. At least Samsung has apparently managed to place the lenses for the camera almost flat on the back. Arranged in a “P” shape, they shouldn’t protrude from the back, which would be a huge advantage over the current generation.
Cameras that are flush with the back of the housing are now a rarity in the smartphone world. The new iPhone 13 even has two levels protruding from the back. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of LG smartphones, which always hid the cameras themselves.
Also read: Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+ and Ultra in comparison
Almost everything known about equipment
The information on the equipment of the Galaxy S22 models is also becoming increasingly clear. The data sheet for the S22 Ultra appeared in a tweet.
The data sheet confirms previous information that we have. On the one hand there is the quad camera with a 108 MP main sensor, 12 MP ultra wide angle, 10 MP triple zoom and 10 MP tenfold zoom, as well as the front camera with a 40 MP sensor. But the tweet should also confirm the chipset in the form of Exynos 2200, the memory size with 8/12 GB RAM and 128, 256 and 512 GB internal memory, as well as the battery size of 5000 mAh.
Will the Galaxy S22 get the brightest smartphone screen?
But that’s not all. The Samsung-focused site “SamMobile” reports on an internal test document from Samsung that is supposed to show details of the new display in the Galaxy S22+ and S22 Ultra. Both displays can therefore achieve a maximum brightness of an outstanding 1750 nits (candelas per square meter). However, this value is only achieved with the automatic brightness. We are not aware of any other smartphone that comes close to this value. Users can manually set up to 1500 nits – still significantly more than the 1200 nits in the iPhone 13 Pro Max. The Galaxy S22, on the other hand, is limited to a maximum of 1300 nits.
The leaked documents also show that the displays cover 100 percent of the DCI-P3 color space and thus reproduce colors very precisely.
The smartphones should also be able to charge up to 45 watts, but a charger is not included. The Galaxy S22 Ultra or Note should have a 5000 mAh battery.
And something else is new with the Galaxy S22 – the colors. According to the leaker Ice Universe and the website “LetsGoDigital“, the new Samsung smartphone also comes in completely new colors.
But no revolution in the camera
The Galaxy S22 Ultra or Note is said to have a 40-megapixel punch-hole camera at the top center of the screen. The main camera on the back should have a resolution of 108 megapixels. As in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, there is also an ultra wide-angle camera and two telephoto cameras, each with 12 megapixels. The telephoto cameras offer triple and tenfold magnification. There should also be optical image stabilization and laser autofocus. Previous leaks suggested that the Ultra could come with a 200-megapixel camera and stabilization via the camera sensor itself, as well as an under-display selfie cam. However, there is currently no indication of this.
Probably more plastic for the housing again
The models of the Samsung Galaxy S22 family are clearly in the upper class. The design should also be accordingly. In most cases, the manufacturers rely on high-quality materials such as glass and metal for the expensive devices. But with the Galaxy S22 it will probably be different. According to reports, only the largest and most expensive model in the series – the Galaxy S22 Ultra/Note – will get a premium glass case. With the Galaxy S22 and S22+, Samsung is therefore using polycarbonate, i.e. plastic.
The information is interesting in that Samsung has proceeded differently with the current S21 models. Here, only the Galaxy S21 is made of plastic, while the Plus and Ultra come with a glass back and a metal frame. Both materials ensure a high-quality look and feel, which is part of the desired standard for many buyers at prices of over 1000 euros.
In comparison, polycarbonate is less impressive. But it also has advantages. Plastic is more flexible. It handles light falls better and doesn’t shatter into sharp splinters. In addition, the material is lighter than glass, which can be an advantage, especially for large smartphones.
The rumors about the plastic housing of two of the three new smartphones would match an older report that the Galaxy S22 should be more robust than its predecessors. Samsung has registered the “Armor Skin”, “Armor Layer” and “Pro Shield” brands in Europe and already uses the term “Armor Aluminum” for the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3, for example repel new surfaces better, they are even waterproof. The case of the Galaxy S22 could also be of a new design. For example, a particularly robust frame and/or a scratch-resistant display would be possible.
When is the Galaxy S22 coming?
February 8th is a possible date for the unpacked. That would be clear before the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, which starts on February 28th. Samsung is also there, but will probably show its new flagship separately in the run-up to the fair.