Eric Zeman / Android Authority
It’s felt like forever since we first heard about the Galaxy S22 series thanks to all the leaks and rumors, but Samsung’s 2022 flagships are now official. Whether it’s the Galaxy S22, S22 Plus, or S22 Ultra, there’s plenty to like about all of these phones. The Ultra model in particular marks the return of the S Pen slot for the first time since the Galaxy Note 20 series. But what if you want something a little different? Here are some of the best Galaxy S22 series alternatives you should consider.
The best Galaxy S22 series alternatives
1. Samsung Galaxy S21 series
David Imel / Android Authority
Sure, the Galaxy S22 series is out now, but the Galaxy S21 range is still one of the best alternatives. Pricing has come down since launch, meaning you can get a base Galaxy S21 for ~$700. The Galaxy S21 Ultra hasn’t seen as big a price drop and has actually disappeared from many online stores, though, but if you can find it we definitely recommend it even a year after launch.
What we thought: Galaxy S21 review | Galaxy S21 Ultra review
The Galaxy S21 series comes with a Snapdragon 888 SoC (Exynos 2100 outside the US), 120Hz OLED panel, wireless charging, and water resistance. Samsung’s Ultra model is the most impressive of the lot though, packing a 5,000mAh battery, a 108MP main camera, and a pair of telephoto lenses (3x and 10x). It even supports the S Pen, albeit without the integrated slot.
Best of all, Samsung is now offering the same four years of OS updates for the series as the Galaxy S22 family, along with five years of security patches. So you should expect these phones to receive new features for a while yet.
2. Apple iPhone 13 series
Dhruv Bhutani / Android Authority
Apple and Samsung have been arch-rivals in the smartphone space for over a decade now, and the iPhone 13 series continues this tradition. Apple is offering four models in the series, namely the iPhone 13 Mini, iPhone 13, iPhone 13 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max.
The iPhone 13 and Mini model both offer a powerful A15 processor, IP68 water/dust resistance, wireless charging, dual 12MP rear cameras, and access to the Apple ecosystem. They both lack a high refresh rate screen and telephoto camera though. The iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max bring a more flexible triple rear camera system (featuring a telephoto lens), a high refresh rate display, and bigger batteries. These two phones also offer a macro mode thanks to the addition of autofocus on the ultrawide camera, catching up to Samsung and other Android players in this regard.
Our verdict: iPhone 13 review | iPhone 13 Pro Max review
Even though Samsung just announced four years of OS updates, Apple’s phones edge them out by usually offering five or more years of software support. Either way, you’ll be getting updates years down the line.
3. Google Pixel 6 range
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
The Pixel 6 series is one of the best Galaxy S22 alternatives around. In fact, Google’s Tensor chipset used in these phones is actually made by Samsung and uses some Samsung technology too (such as the modem). Furthermore, you can expect a lengthy software update pledge here as well, albeit not as long as Samsung when it comes to OS updates.
The standard Pixel 6 is perhaps the most alluring device of the two, coming in at just $600 in the US and therefore being cheaper than the Galaxy S22. It also brings a water-resistant design, 90Hz OLED screen, and a 4,614mAh battery. Otherwise, you’re also getting a dual rear camera (50MP+12MP ultrawide) and wireless charging.
Our verdict: Google Pixel 6 review | Google Pixel 6 Pro review
The Pixel 6 Pro is a great deal at $900 too, with extras like a 5,000mAh battery, QHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, and a 48MP 4x periscope camera. This matches up well with the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
4. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE
Eric Zeman / Android Authority
The Galaxy S21 FE is another phone worth considering, having just launched in January after a months-long delay. The device packs Samsung’s One UI skin and three years of OS updates too, making it one of the better Galaxy S22 alternatives right away.
What we thought: Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review
Samsung’s latest FE phone also sports a larger battery than the standard Galaxy S22 (4,500mAh), but one disadvantage is the use of the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 chipset compared to the S22 range’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 SoCs.
Other notable features include a 120Hz FHD+ OLED screen, 25W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and a solid triple rear camera system (12MP, 12MP, and 8MP).
5. OnePlus 10 Pro
Robert Triggs / Android Authority
The OnePlus 10 Pro was released in China last month, although a wider release hasn’t been announced just yet. Nevertheless, you should keep your eye on this device if you’re contemplating a Galaxy S22 series alternative.
OnePlus’s 2022 device packs a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, a 6.7-inch 120Hz OLED screen (QHD+), and a 5,000mAh battery. This lines up well with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But the OnePlus phone also serves up 80W wired charging and 50W wireless charging, beating Samsung’s devices.
Related: OnePlus buyer’s guide
In terms of photography, you can expect a 48MP main shooter, 50MP ultrawide lens, and 8MP 3.3X telephoto camera. In other words, the phone loses out to the S22 Ultra on paper when it comes to zoom capabilities. But the rest of the package and OnePlus’s three-year update pledge all make for a good alternative to Samsung’s flagships.
These are our favorite Galaxy S22 series alternatives. Not convinced by these picks? Then grab yourself a Samsung Galaxy S22 series phone via the links below.
