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Now that the Galaxy S22 lineup has been officially unveiled, there’s a lot to like about the first major flagship series to be launched across the globe. From improved cameras to the incredible software support and the infused Galaxy Note DNA into the S22 Ultra. But there are also a few reasons why we think the Galaxy S22 might not be the best phone for everyone.
- Samsung officially unveils the Galaxy S22, S22+, and S22 Ultra
- Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S8 lineup might just change the way you think about tablets
- How to buy the Galaxy S22
- Best Galaxy S22 Chargers
Boring ole’ design
This one pertains to the Galaxy S22 and S22+, as these phones essentially are the same as the Galaxy S21 series. There have been a few minor changes here and there, such as the flattened edges, but by in large, there are no discernible differences. We miss the days when a new phone from Samsung meant a brand-new design, one that would be as striking as the phone is powerful. Unfortunately, you just won’t find that with Samsung’s entry-level and middle-of-the-pack options.
Folding phones are the future
If it wasn’t obvious enough by the reports surrounding sales of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, it’s clear that Samsung has something special with its foldable phones. For one, there really isn’t much competition here in the States, as you would need to import something like the Oppo Find N or Huawei P50 Pocket. But the reality is that slab phones are just plain boring. There’s nothing exciting, as it’s just a slab of glass (and maybe plastic) with the same internal upgrades that we see on a yearly basis. Foldable phones are the future, and we’re finally getting closer to the point where those slab phones are a thing of the past.
Pixel 6 and 6 Pro — Price
Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings back the siloed S Pen and has an incredible set of camera hardware. Yes, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ have been upgraded in all of the “right” ways, at least internally. But the fact remains that, ignoring any trade-in or pre-order offers, the price is still too high. Google showed us that you don’t need to put too big of a price tag on a phone, and Samsung has even done the same in the past. But at $799 for the S22 compared to the $599 for the Pixel 6, it’s just going to be a tough sell unless you’re firmly planted in the Galaxy ecosystem.
And pivoting to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the starting price of $1,199 is the same as last year’s model, which is great. But it also comes at a cost of RAM, with the base model featuring just 8GB of RAM with 128GB of storage. For comparison, the Pixel 6 Pro at $899 features 12GB of RAM and the same amount of storage. Is the extra camera and S Pen really worth an extra $400 just to get the same specs? We just don’t think that there’s enough to warrant that kind of price difference.
You don’t need an S Pen
The Galaxy Note may feel like it was a niche device. But the truth is that people consistently upgraded to the latest version because of how handy the S Pen is. For some, last year’s decision to make the S Pen a separate purchase makes more sense, as it gives the user the ability to decide whether they wanted to pick up an S Pen or to just use the phone without one. With the Galaxy S22 Ultra, you don’t have a choice, as it’s included whether you want it or not. So if you want the best that Samsung has to offer, you have no choice but to get an S Pen and the price tag that comes with it.
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