Samsung A24 Vs S22 Is The S22 Still Worth It Or Is The A24 Good Enough

When choosing between Samsung’s Galaxy A24 and the Galaxy S22, you're not just comparing two phones—you're weighing value against performance, longevity against price. The A24 sits firmly in the budget segment, while the S22 was a flagship released in early 2022 with premium specs. But now, nearly two years later, does the S22 still justify its higher cost on the used or refurbished market? Or has the A24 closed the gap enough to make it the smarter buy for most users?

This isn’t just about raw numbers—it’s about real-world usability, software support, camera quality, and how long each phone will serve you well. Let’s break down every key area to help you decide which device aligns best with your needs and budget.

Performance and Hardware: Power vs Practicality

The core difference between these two phones lies in their processors and overall system performance. The Galaxy S22 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200 in some regions), a top-tier chipset designed for intensive tasks like gaming, multitasking, and AI processing. In contrast, the A24 uses the modest MediaTek Helio G95, a mid-range chip built for everyday use—browsing, messaging, light social media, and streaming.

In practical terms, the S22 handles app launches faster, sustains high frame rates in games, and manages background processes more efficiently. It also comes with UFS 3.1 storage, significantly quicker than the eMMC 5.1 storage in the A24. This translates to smoother app installations, file transfers, and OS responsiveness.

Tip: If you frequently switch between apps, play mobile games, or edit photos/videos, the S22’s superior hardware will deliver a noticeably better experience.

Memory and Storage Comparison

Feature	Samsung Galaxy S22	Samsung Galaxy A24
Processor	Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200	MediaTek Helio G95
RAM	8GB	4GB / 6GB / 8GB (varies)
Storage	128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)	128GB (eMMC 5.1)
Expandable Storage	No	Yes (up to 1TB microSD)
Benchmark Score (Avg)	~950,000 (Antutu v9)	~270,000

The performance gap is stark. While the A24 won’t lag under normal use, heavy workloads expose its limitations quickly. For example, opening large documents, editing 4K video, or playing Genshin Impact at high settings can cause stutters or overheating on the A24.

Display Quality: Brightness, Resolution, and Real-World Use

Both phones feature 6.4-inch Super AMOLED displays with 1080p resolution and 90Hz refresh rates—on paper, quite similar. However, the S22 pulls ahead with superior brightness (up to 1300 nits peak) and tighter pixel density, making it far more usable outdoors.

The A24’s screen is adequate indoors but struggles under direct sunlight. Colors are vibrant, and blacks are deep thanks to AMOLED technology, but viewing angles and HDR content playback aren’t as refined. The S22 supports HDR10+ and delivers richer contrast, essential for streaming platforms like Netflix or YouTube.

“High brightness and accurate color reproduction matter more than resolution when judging display quality.” — David Kim, Mobile Display Analyst at TechVision Labs

Camera Capabilities: When Photography Matters

The S22’s triple-lens system includes a 50MP main sensor with advanced pixel-binning, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. The A24, meanwhile, has a 50MP main sensor (smaller pixels), a 5MP ultrawide, a 2MP macro, and a depth sensor—hardware that sounds competitive but performs modestly.

In daylight, both capture decent images, though the S22 produces sharper details, better dynamic range, and more natural color grading. Where the gap widens dramatically is in low-light photography. The S22’s larger sensor and Night Mode algorithms produce bright, clean shots with minimal noise. The A24 struggles, often delivering grainy, over-smoothed photos.

Video recording is another major differentiator. The S22 supports 4K at 60fps with excellent stabilization and HDR10+, while the A24 maxes out at 1080p at 30fps with basic stabilization—fine for social clips, but not suitable for serious content creation.

Tip: If you regularly take photos in dim lighting or record videos, the S22’s camera system offers a generational leap in quality.

Real Example: Travel Photography Challenge

Lena, a frequent traveler, used both phones during a weekend trip to Istanbul. During daytime sightseeing, her A24 captured colorful snapshots of markets and mosques—perfectly acceptable for Instagram. But during an evening cruise along the Bosphorus, the A24 failed to preserve detail in dark shadows, while the S22 produced balanced exposures with visible textures in architecture and water reflections. She noted that only the S22 footage was usable for her travel blog.

Software and Longevity: How Long Will Each Phone Last?

One of the most overlooked factors is software support. The Galaxy S22 launched with Android 12 and is guaranteed up to four generations of OS updates, meaning it will receive Android 16 and security patches through 2026. The A24, despite being newer, only promises two major OS upgrades (from Android 13 to Android 15) and four years of security updates—ending around 2027.

This might seem minor, but longer software support means better app compatibility, enhanced security, and access to new features like improved voice assistants, privacy tools, and AI integrations. As apps evolve, older systems fall behind. By 2026, the A24 may struggle with newer versions of Google apps or fail to support emerging services.

Checklist: Evaluating Long-Term Value

• Does the phone have at least three years of expected software support?
• Is it receiving regular security updates?
• Can it run current productivity and social media apps smoothly?
• Will it support future app requirements (e.g., 64-bit, TLS encryption)?
• Is repairability or spare parts availability considered?

Battery Life and Charging: Daily Usability

The A24 packs a 5000mAh battery compared to the S22’s 3700mAh—a significant difference on paper. Yet, due to the S22’s more efficient processor and adaptive power management, real-world usage tells a nuanced story.

The A24 easily lasts 1.5 to 2 days with moderate use: messaging, browsing, and music. The S22 typically requires daily charging, sometimes twice if used heavily. However, the S22 charges much faster—25W wired charging versus the A24’s 25W maximum, though Samsung often ships slower chargers with the A24.

Wireless charging and reverse wireless charging are exclusive to the S22, adding convenience for users invested in the Samsung ecosystem (earbuds, smartwatches). The A24 lacks these entirely.

Final Verdict: Who Should Buy Which Phone?

The answer depends on your priorities.

If you’re looking for the best possible smartphone experience within a tight budget—someone who values long battery life, expandable storage, and doesn’t engage in gaming or professional photography—the **Galaxy A24 is “good enough”**. It runs Android smoothly, has a solid build, and covers all essential functions without breaking the bank.

But if you want a phone that feels fast, takes exceptional photos, supports the latest software for years, and integrates seamlessly with other Samsung devices, the **Galaxy S22 remains worth it**, especially if purchased secondhand or refurbished at a discount. Its resale value stays strong precisely because it delivers a premium experience that budget phones can’t match.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Galaxy S22 still good in 2024?

Yes. Despite its age, the S22 continues to perform exceptionally well. With flagship-grade hardware, excellent cameras, and ongoing software updates through 2026, it remains a compelling option—particularly in the refurbished market where prices have dropped significantly.

Can the A24 replace a flagship phone?

For basic tasks like calls, messaging, social media, and video streaming, yes. But it cannot match the S22 in multitasking, gaming, photography, or long-term software relevance. Users upgrading from older flagships may find the A24 underpowered over time.

Which phone holds its value better?

The S22 retains value far better due to its premium components and brand positioning. After two years, a used S22 typically sells for 40–50% of its original price, while the A24 drops to 20–30%, reflecting lower demand and perceived longevity.

Conclusion: Make the Choice That Fits Your Life

The Galaxy A24 proves that budget smartphones have come a long way—offering decent screens, capable cameras, and impressive battery life. For many users, especially those upgrading from older entry-level models, it’s more than sufficient.

Yet, the Galaxy S22 represents a different tier of mobile computing. Its speed, photographic excellence, and extended software roadmap offer tangible benefits that accumulate over time. If you plan to keep your phone for three years or more, or rely on it for work, creativity, or performance, the S22 still stands tall—even in 2024.

🚀 Ready to upgrade? Consider your usage patterns, not just the price tag. Whether you choose the A24 for value or the S22 for performance, make sure your phone serves you—not the other way around.