Samsung S22 Plus Vs S21 Plus Is The Upgrade Really Worth It

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S22 series, many owners of the S21 Plus were left wondering: is upgrading really worth it? After all, flagship phones are expensive, and if the improvements are marginal, holding onto your current device might make more sense. This article dives deep into the real-world differences between the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and its predecessor, the S21 Plus, to help you decide whether the upgrade delivers meaningful gains or just minor refinements.

Design and Build: Subtle Refinements, Same Feel

At first glance, both phones look nearly identical. They share a sleek glass-and-metal construction, a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED display, and a similar curved edge design. However, Samsung made subtle but noticeable improvements in the S22 Plus’s build. The frame is now slightly more squared-off, echoing the iPhone 13 design language, giving it a more modern aesthetic. The back glass also feels more premium and less prone to fingerprint smudges thanks to an improved anti-reflective coating.

The S22 Plus is marginally lighter (195g vs 200g) and thinner (7.6mm vs 7.8mm), though these differences are negligible in daily use. Both devices are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, so durability remains consistent across generations.

Tip: If you prioritize aesthetics and long-term resale value, the S22 Plus’s refined design may justify the upgrade even without major functional changes.

Display: Brighter, Smarter, More Efficient

The displays on both phones are excellent, but the S22 Plus takes a step forward with adaptive brightness and peak luminance. While both support 120Hz refresh rates and HDR10+, the S22 Plus can reach up to 1750 nits peak brightness—up from 1300 nits on the S21 Plus. This makes outdoor visibility significantly better, especially under direct sunlight.

The S22 Plus also features an improved auto-brightness algorithm that adjusts more smoothly based on ambient light, reducing eye strain during prolonged use. For media consumption, gaming, or reading in varied lighting conditions, this is one of the most tangible upgrades.

Performance: Next-Gen Chipset Delivers Real Gains

The heart of the upgrade lies in the chipset. The S21 Plus runs on the Exynos 2100 or Snapdragon 888 (depending on region), while the S22 Plus uses the newer Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200 in select markets). The new processor brings a 20–30% improvement in CPU performance and up to 45% faster GPU rendering, according to Qualcomm’s benchmarks.

In real-world use, this translates to smoother multitasking, faster app launches, and better thermal management during extended gaming sessions. Users who play graphics-intensive games like *Genshin Impact* or edit 4K video will notice reduced lag and fewer throttling issues. The S22 Plus also supports LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage as standard, ensuring faster data access.

“Moving from the S21 Plus to the S22 Plus feels like stepping into a more responsive ecosystem. The speed difference isn’t revolutionary, but it’s consistently noticeable.” — David Kim, Mobile Tech Analyst at TechPulse Asia

Camera Comparison: Refined, Not Revolutionized

Both phones feature a triple rear setup: 50MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, and 64MP telephoto with 3x hybrid zoom. On paper, they’re nearly identical. But Samsung enhanced the S22 Plus’s image processing engine with AI-powered enhancements and improved low-light algorithms.

In daylight, photos from both devices are sharp and vibrant. However, the S22 Plus produces more natural color tones and better dynamic range. Night mode has been significantly upgraded—the S22 Plus captures brighter, clearer images with less noise and more detail in shadows. Video stabilization is also improved, making handheld 4K recording noticeably smoother.

The front-facing 10MP selfie camera benefits from better skin tone rendering and background blur accuracy, especially in portrait mode.

Feature	S21 Plus	S22 Plus
Main Camera	12MP (f/1.8)	50MP (f/1.8)
Low-Light Performance	Good	Excellent (Nightography)
Video Recording	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps + Super HDR
Front Camera	10MP (f/2.2)	10MP (f/2.2) + improved AI focus

Battery Life and Charging: Efficiency Over Capacity

The S22 Plus has a slightly smaller battery (4500mAh vs 4800mAh), yet manages comparable, if not better, battery life. How? Thanks to the more power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and software optimizations in One UI 4.1+. In real-world testing, both phones last around 6–7 hours of screen-on time, but the S22 Plus maintains performance longer under heavy load.

Charging speeds remain unchanged: 25W wired, 15W wireless, and reverse wireless charging. No leap here, which is disappointing given the industry shift toward 65W+ fast charging. However, the S22 Plus charges slightly faster due to better thermal regulation during high-speed charging cycles.

Tip: Enable Adaptive Battery and Dark Mode together to extend daily usage by up to 1.5 hours, regardless of model.

Software and Longevity: Future-Proofing Matters

Samsung promises four years of Android OS updates and five years of security patches for the S22 series—a significant improvement over the S21 series’ three OS updates. This means the S22 Plus will receive Android updates through 2026, compared to 2024 for the S21 Plus.

If you plan to keep your phone for more than two years, this added software support could be a deciding factor. Longer update cycles mean better security, continued compatibility with apps, and access to new features long after purchase.

Mini Case Study: Sarah’s Upgrade Decision

Sarah, a freelance photographer based in Seoul, used her S21 Plus for 18 months before considering an upgrade. She valued camera quality and battery endurance for her fieldwork. After testing the S22 Plus side-by-side, she noted clearer night shots, faster autofocus in dim cafes, and smoother gallery navigation when reviewing RAW files.

While she didn’t need the extra power immediately, the promise of longer software support and improved low-light photography convinced her to upgrade. “It wasn’t a must-have,” she said, “but knowing I’ll get updates until 2026 made the investment feel smarter.”

Is the Upgrade Worth It? A Practical Checklist

Before deciding, ask yourself the following questions. Check off each item that applies to your situation:

• ✅ Do you frequently shoot photos or videos in low light?
• ✅ Are you experiencing slowdowns or app crashes on your S21 Plus?
• ✅ Do you plan to keep your phone for 3+ years?
• ✅ Is outdoor screen visibility important for navigation or media use?
• ✅ Have you already maximized trade-in value on your current device?

If you checked three or more, the S22 Plus likely offers enough tangible benefits to justify the cost. If not, consider waiting for the S23 or S24 series unless you find a deeply discounted S22 Plus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I expect faster performance in everyday tasks?

Yes, but subtly. App launches, transitions, and multitasking are snappier due to the newer chipset and optimized software. You won’t see double the speed, but the experience feels more fluid.

Does the S22 Plus support expandable storage?

No. Neither the S21 Plus nor S22 Plus includes a microSD card slot. Both rely solely on internal storage (128GB or 256GB options).

Is the price difference justified?

At launch, the S22 Plus was $100 more than the S21 Plus. Today, with discounts and trade-ins, the gap has narrowed. If you can get the S22 Plus within $50–$75 of the S21 Plus’s current resale value, the upgrade becomes much more compelling.

Final Verdict: Upgrade Only If You Need Specific Improvements

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is not a revolutionary leap over the S21 Plus—it’s an evolution. The design tweaks, brighter display, superior low-light camera, and longer software support add up to a more polished, future-ready device. However, if your S21 Plus still performs well and you don’t heavily rely on photography or long-term updates, the upgrade may not be urgent.

For power users, content creators, or those planning to hold onto their phone for years, the S22 Plus delivers meaningful enhancements. For casual users, the S21 Plus remains a capable flagship that hasn’t aged poorly.

💬 Have you upgraded from the S21 Plus to the S22 Plus? Share your experience, battery observations, or camera comparisons in the comments below—your insights could help others make a smarter decision!