Samsung Galaxy S22+ SM-S906UZKAXAA 5G Unlocked Cell Phone 6.6" Full Rectangle / 6.4" Rounded Phantom Black 128GB 2022 Review

The Galaxy S22+ is a former flagship that still excels in cameras, battery life, and display quality. Its performance is good but not class-leading anymore. Its value is entirely dependent on finding a deep discount. Only consider it if it's priced well below a newer FE model, and always buy from a reputable seller.

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is a bit of a time capsule phone. It's not the latest model, but it's still a powerful, premium Android device that's hitting a weird spot in the market. If you're looking for flagship-level features from a couple of years ago at a price that's hopefully not flagship-level anymore, this is your jam. It's for the person who wants a great screen, top-tier cameras, and solid battery life, but doesn't need the absolute newest chipset.

What makes it interesting is how it holds up. The specs that mattered most in 2022—the camera system, the display, the connectivity—are still scoring in the 90th percentile or higher in our database. That means even today, it's beating most phones out there in those key areas. It's a reminder that 'old' flagship hardware is often still better than new mid-range stuff.

Just know what you're getting into. The performance score lands in the 69th percentile, which is perfectly fine for daily use but won't set any speed records against 2024's chips. And that 2.5-star customer rating is a massive red flag, but it's almost entirely about the seller, not the phone itself. We'll get into that.

Let's talk about that 69th percentile performance score. It's driven by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip and 8GB of RAM. In real-world terms, this means apps open quickly, you can juggle a bunch of them, and everyday scrolling is smooth. You can absolutely game on it, but you might not be pushing the highest frame rates on the most demanding titles a few years from now. It's fast, but it's not 'blow your hair back' fast compared to what's out there now.

The areas where it truly shines are elsewhere. That 97th percentile camera score is no joke. The 50MP main sensor, paired with Samsung's processing, still takes phenomenal photos with great dynamic range and color. The 8K video recording is a party trick most phones still don't have. Battery life, at the 95th percentile, is a real strength. That 4500mAh cell, combined with the efficient display, should get most users through a full day and then some. The performance story here isn't about raw speed; it's about a balanced, highly capable experience where the strengths are exceptionally strong.

Here's the tricky part. At its original $1000 MSRP, the S22+ was a tough sell against the competition. But phones don't live at MSRP. Its value today is 100% tied to its current street price, which we don't have. If you can find this new for, say, $500-$600, it becomes a compelling proposition. You're getting 95th-percentile battery life and 97th-percentile cameras for potentially half the price of a new S24+.

You're trading the latest processor and longer software support for those flagship-tier features. Compared to a new phone in that $500-$600 range, the S22+ likely has a better display, better cameras, and better build materials. But it will lose on pure CPU speed and how many Android versions it has left. The value equation is all about discount.

Stacked against its natural rivals, the trade-offs are clear. The Google Pixel 10 GA09899-US will destroy it in computational photography and offer cleaner, longer software support, but the S22+ has a more premium build and likely better battery life. The OnePlus 15 5011116281 will almost certainly beat it in raw performance and charging speed for a similar price, but Samsung's camera consistency and display quality are hard to match.

Then there's the 'FE' model, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE SM-S731UZKAXAA. This is the key rival. The newer FE will have a more efficient chip, longer software support, and probably a similar price. The S22+ might counter with a slightly more premium build and materials. Honestly, if they're the same price, the newer FE is almost always the smarter buy for the software alone. The S22+ needs a clear price advantage to make sense.

Power users and mobile gamers who need the absolute fastest chip should look elsewhere. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is fine, but it's outclassed by newer processors in both raw power and efficiency. Check out a phone with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 or 3, like a OnePlus 15 or a newer Samsung FE model.

If you plan to keep your phone for four or more years, the shrinking software support window is a real concern. You'll stop getting major Android updates before a phone launched in 2024 will. In that case, a newer base-model Galaxy S23, S24, or a Google Pixel would be a much better long-term investment. Also, if you're terrified by that 2.5-star seller rating, just buy this model from somewhere else—a certified refurbished program from Samsung or a major retailer is a safer bet.

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22+ if you can find it significantly discounted (think 40-50% off its original MSRP), and your priorities are a fantastic screen, top-tier cameras, and all-day battery in a sleek package. It's a great fit for photo enthusiasts, media consumers, and anyone who wants a premium feel without paying a premium price for the latest gen.

Skip it and look at the newer Galaxy S23 FE or S24 FE if the price difference is minimal. The gains in chip efficiency and software support are worth it. Also, avoid it if you're buying from a sketchy third-party seller with tons of negative reviews about fulfillment—that 2.5-star rating is a warning siren. Buy from a reputable source or consider a refurbished model from a trusted vendor instead.