Your Guide to News, Updates, and Buying This Flagship

In the Android world, the Samsung Galaxy line continues to be a contender for the best smartphone. More importantly, it’s a flagship series that’s worth consideration as your next smartphone. If you’re shopping around right now, you might want to hold off because the Samsung Galaxy S22 line is shaping out to be a powerhouse.

That shouldn’t come as a surprise given how the series has evolved to include the latest and greatest hardware — while introducing new features that often become emulated by the competition. We’re eager to see what’s in store for this flagship, so we’ll not only help answer some of the most important questions you may have but also tell you about some of its main competitors you can buy right now in the space.

From upgraded cameras that let you get close to your subjects, to using the newest processors to edit your TikTok videos on the fly, and even enough juice to let you finish watching your favorite Netflix shows, you can certainly count the Samsung Galaxy S22 line to have something that’s critical to what you need and want in 2022.

Three’s a Crowd

It should come as no surprise that three models are on tap: the Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, and the S22 Ultra. This is a safe bet given that this has been the main lineup for the past couple of generations of Galaxy devices — starting first with the Galaxy S20 lineup. While all three anticipated models are expected to be phenomenal performers for benign functions, such as surfing the web, sending emails, and watching videos on YouTube, choosing the right one will largely depend on your size preference.

So far, the rumors indicate displays sizes around 6.06, 6.5, and 6.81-inches for the respective models. The sizes are a bit smaller than the previous generation, but it’s essentially the same concept as before with big, bigger, and biggest respectively. Knowing that, you’ll want to choose what suits you and your phone habits best.

Return of the S-Pen

After saying goodbye to its long-time productivity-centric flagship line, the Galaxy Note, many loyal users have missed the S-Pen stylus. Well, there’s something to be excited about because the rumors all hint at the return of the S-Pen. Although, it looks like the Galaxy S22 Ultra will be the only one to accommodate it — so if you crave the functions of the S-Pen, you’ll have to settle for the biggest phone in the lineup.

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With the death of the Samsung Galaxy Note, everyone was wondering if we’d ever see the S-Pen stylus again. Just as before, there appears to be a cutout in the S22 Ultra that would store the S-Pen when it’s not being used, but this accommodation seems to contribute to a thicker chassis. We don’t think it’s too bad, especially given all the helpfulness that the S-Pen brings to the phone.

In terms of what it can do, it’s difficult to say what new features the S-Pen will include with this iteration, but you can expect the same utility as before — like pressure sensitivity for drawing, acting as a mouse to hover over things, and even the ability to be used as a useful remote trigger for snapping photos.

All About the Cameras, as Usual

We all know it by now, but the Galaxy S22 lineup is expected to be a powerhouse in the camera department. With the Galaxy S22 and S22+, it looks like they’ll be adorned with a triple camera system consisting of a 50-megapixel f/1.8 main camera, 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide, and 10-megapixel f/2.4 3X telephoto. Even though these specs aren’t concerned, you can still bet they’ll be more than equipped to handle just about any situation.

Now, if you’re really looking for the best of the best, you’ll want to point your attention to the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s impressive hardware. It’s expected to boast a quad-camera system comprising a 108-megapixel f/1.8 wide main camera, 12-megapixel f/2.2 ultra-wide, 10-megapixel f/2.4 3X telephoto, and a 10-megapixel f/4.9 10X periscope. While impressive, it’ll be interesting to see what new features Samsung will bring to the table to showcase this quad-camera system, just because the same setup is already found in the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Either way, the telephoto lenses in the Galaxy S22 Ultra should continue to get you closer to your subjects while delivering exceptional clarity. What would be really neat is the ability to somehow record video simultaneously wit
h all four cameras. There’s definitely usefulness in this for power users that intend on using the S22 Ultra’s cameras to their full potential.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Alternatives

We’re still months away from an official unveiling for the Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup, so if you really can’t wait, there are alternatives you can buy right now that will still give Sammy’s upcoming flagship a run for its money. The smartphones we’ve listed below cover the gamut. From hand-friendly sized smartphones that would match the Galaxy S22’s expected size to top-of-the-line behemoths accompanied with the fastest processors from Qualcomm, you’ll find something suited that’s worthy of being a contender.

1. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra

This pick makes perfect sense, just because being the previous generation device, you know it’s still a capable smartphone — but now discounted in anticipation of its successor. You’ll probably end up having to drop over $1,000 to buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra when it’s released, but you can save money while enjoying top-notch features with the existing Galaxy S21 Ultra. Take its quad-camera system for example, which is still one of the most versatile around because it covers all situations.

Buy: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra $842.95

Buy: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra $650.00

2. Apple iPhone 13

Looking for a flagship caliber smartphone that won’t be a burden in your pockets? Well then, the Apple iPhone 13 will not only be easier to stow away in your pockets because of its smaller size but you won’t also be hit too much in the pockets buying it either. That’s because it features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR display that makes the phone more pocketable than the majority, while still offering superb performance running all of your favorite apps with its A15 Bionic chip.

Buy: Apple iPhone 13 $929.00

Buy: Apple iPhone 13 $829.00

3. Google Pixel 6 Pro

The Google Pixel 6 Pro is a monster of a smartphone, which closely matches what the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is expected to bring to the table. With the Pixel 6 Pro’s quad-camera system and Google’s intelligent image processing, you’ll capture stunning photos and videos that look like a professional took them. If the camera is a top priority on your list, you won’t be disappointed with this one.

Buy: Google Pixel 6 Pro $900.00

4. OnePlus 9

Matching the expected size of the Galaxy S22+, the OnePlus 9 is a close competitor that’s widely regarded as an all-around smartphone. That’s because it features a premium design, a 6.55″ Fluid AMOLED Display with a 120 Hz panel, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 chip. Watching video is especially gratifying as the 120 Hz dynamic refresh rate means animations and movement across the interface are smooth.

Buy: OnePlus 9 $729.99

Buy: OnePlus 9 $729.00

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