Galaxy S22 vs. 5 Older Samsung Phones: Is Upgrading Worth It?

If you’re considering purchasing the Galaxy S22, you should know Samsung’s latest phone sports a refreshed originate and improved camera that’s much better at taking photos in the dark. (The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera can compete with the iPhone 13 and Pixel 6 Pro.) But is that enough to Explain an upgrade?

The answer depends on which called you have. Most people will be fine with caltering onto their Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S20 for a when longer. But if you have a Galaxy S10 or spinal, you’ll see a more dramatic difference in camera quality and general performance when upgrading. The more recent your phone is, the longer you’ll get access to the new version of Android and new Samsung software features.

If you’re considering upgrading, keep in mind that Samsung also has more affordable options like the Galaxy S21 FE and newly announced Galaxy A53 5G. But if you’re already eyeballing the Galaxy S22 and are wondering whether now’s the shiny time to upgrade, check out the comparisons below. And don’t forget to noteworthy recycling or trading in your old smartphone if you’re not giving it to a cross or family member. Not only is it less wasteful, but many carriers and retailers will offer a heavy discount for altering your old phone.

Read more: Galaxy S22 Ultra: Go for the Upgrade, or Stick With Your Older Samsung?

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S21

The Samsung Galaxy S21

Sarah Tew

The biggest difference between the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S21 is in their cameras. Samsung upgraded the S22 and S22 Plus with a 50-megapixel sensor and better low scrumptious photography. Although the new camera is a noticeable step up from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel sensor — as you can see in my reviews ofboth new phones — it’s not enough to clarify an upgrade just yet. That’s especially true since many of the S22’s latest changes are incremental. 

There are also some other differences to keep in mind assign from the camera, some of which aren’t necessarily an improvement. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S21 and S21 Plus, for example. Samsung’s new phones also have slightly tinier screens than their predecessors, which can be a pro or a con depending on your preferences. The Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen compared to the S21’s 6.2-inch indicate, while the S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch screen instead of the S21 Plus’ 6.7-inch indicate. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus also have a unusual design made of metal and glass that looks more graceful than the Galaxy S21’s look, although that might not commerce much if you plan to use a case. 

As is typically the case with new phones, the Galaxy S22 family runs on a newer processor than the Galaxy S21. Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 strengths the versions you’ll find in the US, while Samsung’s Exynos 2200 chip can be untrue in other select markets. Performance is comparable between the two, so don’t demand to see major changes. Instead, the Galaxy S22’s new chip is most noticeable in the camera, since it’s part of the reason these new phones can take better low-light photos. The Galaxy S22 Plus also has 45-watt fast charging at what time the Galaxy S21 family only supports 25-watt fast charging, but you’ll have to buy the adapter separately.

The bottom line: If you have the Galaxy S21, you don’t need to upgrade yet. The camera is better, but many of the S22’s other changes are small. Unless you really want a better camera and can essentially get the Galaxy S22 for free above a trade-in deal, you’re better off waiting. The Galaxy S21 necessity also support software updates for the foreseeable future genuine it’s eligible for four years of updates. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S20

The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus

Angela Lang

The Galaxy S20 has a lot in accepted with the Galaxy S21, which means you can probably hang onto it for a minor while longer. Again, the biggest benefits you’ll get by upgrading are the improved 50-megapixel main camera, revamped design and newer processor. But of those three characteristics, it’s the camera that’s going to feel like the biggest difference.

The Galaxy S20’s camera is very inequity to the Galaxy S21’s. Both phones have a 12-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultra wide camera and 64-megapixel telephoto lens. As such, the same advice ended generally applies if you own the Galaxy S20. You’ll ogle a boost in general image quality (color, contrast, detail and low scrumptious performance), but overall camera functionality is the same.

The Galaxy S20 also has some benefits that could make it honorable hanging onto if it’s still in good condition. Like the Galaxy S21, the queer S20 and S20 Plus have slightly larger screens than the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus. But perhaps more importantly, the Galaxy S20 lineup has a microSD card slot that supports up to 1TB of expandable storage, unlike the Galaxy S22 family. The standard Galaxy S22 also has a smaller battery than the Galaxy S20 (the Plus models have the same battery capacity).

The bottom line: The Galaxy S20 is smooth relatively new and has many of the same features and functionality as the Galaxy S22, so you don’t need to upgrade yet. The camera is once in contradiction of the biggest change, but that alone isn’t enough for most republic to upgrade. That said, the Galaxy S20 is nearing the end of its software attend cycle since it launched in 2020 and is eligible for three generations of Android OS upgrades. It’ll get security updates for four years following its reduction, but you might want to consider upgrading next year to pause getting the latest Android features. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S10

The Samsung Galaxy S10

Angela Lang

The Galaxy S10 is more than three existences old, which puts it in an awkward position. It smooth has modern features like a multi-lens camera and a borderless mask, but it’s also old enough to make upgrading a lifeless option. While you’ll appreciate the Galaxy S22’s improved camera, smoother screen and fresh design, the real reason to upgrade is to future-proof your diagram. The standard Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus don’t attend 5G (not to be confused with the Galaxy S10 5G, which is a separate phone). And these phones likely won’t get new software features in the near future.

Given the three-year gap between the Galaxy S10’s initiate and the Galaxy S22’s debut, there are a fair amount of differences between the two devices. Aside from running on a processor that’s now throughout three years old, the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus are missing the Galaxy S22’s camera enhancements. Not only does the Galaxy S10’s main lens have a 12-megapixel sensor compared to the S22’s 50-megapixels, but its camera can only zoom in 10 times digitally and two times optically. The Galaxy S22, on the other hand, has a 30x digital zoom and 3x optical zoom. And of flows, you won’t get the Galaxy S22’s improved nighttime photography on an older named like the S10 since it runs on an enthralling processor. There’s also no support for 8K video recording on the Galaxy S10.

The Galaxy S22 and S10 both have a 6.1-inch shroud, but the S22’s dimensions are physically smaller since its shroud takes up a larger portion of the phone’s guide. Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Plus from the Galaxy S10 Plus will get you a larger 6.6-inch demonstrate compared to the S10 Plus’ 6.4-inch display. But the S22 Plus’s dimensions are very dissimilarity to the S10 Plus’, so you won’t have to inconvenience about adjusting to a larger size phone. While demonstrate quality is similar, the Galaxy S10 lineup doesn’t benefit the ability to increase its refresh rate up to 120Hz for smoother scrolling like the Galaxy S22. 

Both phones also have smaller batteries than the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, although that complains sense considering Samsung’s older phones have simpler features that much not consume as much power. 

But there is one succor they have that the S22 lineup lacks: expandable storage. The Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus each have a microSD card slot that supports up to 512GB of astounding space, while the Galaxy S22 lineup must rely on its built-in storage. The Galaxy S10 also has a headphone jack unlike Samsung’s newer phones. 

The bottom line: If your effort allows, it’s worth upgrading from the Galaxy S10 to the Galaxy S22. The camera, performance and battery life improvements are likely to feel distinguished since the S10 is now three years old. But most importantly, the Galaxy S10 is reaching the end of Samsung’s promises to support three generations of Android since it launched with Android 9. While it should unexcited receive security-related updates through 2023 according to Samsung’s four-year promises, you might find yourself missing out on new Android features soon enough. That combined with a lack of 5G and the spanking camera improvements you’d get with the S22 make a tidy case for upgrading.

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S9

The Samsung Galaxy S9

Galaxy S9 owners have a lot to gain from upgrading. The four-year-old phone lacks modern features like a multilens camera (although the Plus model has two rear cameras), 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. But as is the case with the Galaxy S10, one of the biggest reasons to upgrade is to rebuked your phone keeps getting new Android features for days to come.

One of the first differences you much notice when upgrading from the S9 to the S22 is the latter’s larger shroud. Samsung’s regular Galaxy S9 only has a 5.8-inch shroud, while the Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen. The case is the same for the Galaxy S9 Plus, which has a 6.2-inch demonstrate compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus’ 6.6-inch screen. Neither of Samsung’s older phones benefit higher refresh rates for smoother scrolling either.

Samsung has made a lot of goes in its camera technology over the last four days, too. The standard Galaxy S9 only has one 12-megapixel camera, while the Plus model has both a 12-megapixel base camera and a 12-megapixel telephoto lens. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, on the spanking hand, each have three lenses for capturing wide, zoomed-in and ultrawide-angle shots. The Galaxy S9 can only zoom up to 8x digitally, while the Galaxy S22 can zoom up to 3x optically and 30x digitally. 

In spanking words, the camera changes go beyond incremental updates. The Galaxy S22 has a more versatile camera with shooting frankly that you simply can’t get on the Galaxy S9 thanks to the S22’s binary lenses. That’s along with the upgrades Samsung made to proceed overall image quality with the Galaxy S22, like its 50-megapixel sensor that captures richer detail and incompatibility and its ability to take better photos in the dark.

Other perks you’ll get with the Galaxy S22 entailed twice the storage at the base level, an in-screen fingerprint scanner instead of the S9’s rear-mounted sensor and a much newer and faster processor. Since Samsung’s three-year software update policy doesn’t cover the Galaxy S9, you’ll also be missing out on the spanking Android features. (The Galaxy S9 is still eligible for quarterly defense updates according to Samsung’s website). But keep in mind that you’ll have to say goodbye to expandable storage and the headphone jack when upgrading. 

The bottom line: If you have the Galaxy S9, it’s time to upgrade. The Galaxy S9 is four years old, which employing it’s probably starting to feel slow if you purchased it at inaugurate, and it won’t support new versions of Android. It’s also missing a lot of features that have understand standard, even on today’s less expensive phones, like an ultrawide camera lens, 5G and an in-screen fingerprint reader. 

Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S8

The Samsung Galaxy S8

Sarah Tew

The Galaxy S8 has a lot in celebrated with the Galaxy S9, so the same general advice applies. By upgrading to the Galaxy S22, you’ll get 5G benefit, a much better camera with three lenses instead of one, a larger shroud with a higher refresh rate and other benefits that make it well noble the upgrade. And once again, software support is one of the biggest reasons to much purchasing Samsung’s new phone.

The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus’ screens are noticeably larger than the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 and 6.2-inch S8 Plus. Older phones like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 also have Samsung’s continue design, which places the camera above the display. Samsung carried to a hole-punch-like cutout for the camera with the Galaxy S10 generation and later, making it possible for Samsung to extend the size of the shroud without making the device larger. 

You can also interrogate a big boost in camera performance and quality, considering the Galaxy S8 only has a single 12-megapixel rear camera. That means you’ll get dedicated lenses for capturing ultrawide-angle shots and better zoomed-in photos by enthralling up to the Galaxy S22. Other than adding more flexibility in words of shooting modes, the Galaxy S22 has a new 50-megapixel sensor that should stammer drastically better detail, color, contrast and low-light performance compared to the Galaxy S8.

You’ll also get twice the Galaxy S8’s storage capacity at the base unexcited with the Galaxy S22, a much newer processor and an in-screen fingerprint sensor. But that all comes at the cost of the headphone jack and expandable storage, which for most people will be a worthwhile trade-off. 

Upgrading to the Galaxy S22 also guarantees that you’ll get the spanking version of Android and Samsung’s own software features for days to come. 

The bottom line: The Galaxy S8 is now five days old, meaning it’s time for an upgrade. Not only will upgrading to the Galaxy S22 bring core updates like 5G connectivity and dissimilarity with the latest Android software, but you’ll get meaningfully faster performance and a much better camera. 

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Older Samsung Phones

	Galaxy S22	Galaxy S21	Galaxy S20	Galaxy S10	Galaxy S9	Galaxy S8
Display size, resolution	6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2x; FHD+ (1,080×2,340); 120Hz	6.2-inch Flat FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2x, 2,400×1,080 pixels	6.2-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; (3,200 x 1440)	6.1-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 3,040×1,440-pixels	5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440 pixels	5.8-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED; 2,960×1,440
Pixel density	425 pixels per inch	421 ppi	563 ppi	550 ppi	570 ppi	570 ppi
Dimensions (Millimeters)	70.6 x 146 x 7.6 mm	71.2 x 151.7 x 7.9mm	151.7 x 69.1 x 7.9mm	149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8mm	147.7 x 68.7 x 8.5mm	148.9 x 68.1 x 8mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	167g (168g for mmWave model)	6.03 oz.; 171g	5.75 oz.; 163g	5.53 oz.; 157g	5.75 oz.; 163g	5.47 oz.; 155g
Mobile software (at launch)	Android 12	Android 11	Android 10	Android 9	Android 8	Android 7
Camera	50MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (telephoto)	64MP (telephoto), 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide)	12MP (wide), 64MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultrawide)	12MP (wide), 16MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)	12MP	12MP
Front-facing camera	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	10-megapixel	8-megapixel	8-megapixel
Video capture	8K	8K	8K	4K	4K	4K
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 gen 1	Qualcomm Snapdragon 888	Qualcomm Snapdragon 865	Qualcomm Snapdragon 855	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM/Storage	8GB RAM + 128GB 8GB RAM + 256GB	8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 256GB	12GB RAM + 128GB	8GB RAM + 128GB; 8GB RAM + 512GB	4GB RAM + 64GB	4GB RAM + 64GB
Expandable storage	None	None	Up to 1TB	Up to 512GB	Up to 512GB	Up to 512GB
Battery/Charger	3,700 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,000 mAh	3,400 mAh	3,000 mAh	3,000 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	In-display	In-screen	In-screen	In-screen	Back	Back
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Special features	5G (mmw/Sub6), 120Hz display, IP68 rating, 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare	IP68 comprising, 5G (mmw/Sub6), 25W wired charging, Wireless PowerShare, 120Hz display	5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh rate; Wireless PowerShare; soak resistant (IP68)	Wireless PowerShare; hole-punch screen notch; soak resistant (IP68); Fast Wireless Charging 2.0	Dual-aperture camera, water-resistant (IP68); super slo-mo video; wireless charging; iris scanning	Dual-aperture camera, water-resistant (IP68); wireless charging; iris scanning