Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs Galaxy Z Flip5

Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£166.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

See options
Galaxy Z Flip5
Galaxy Z Flip5
Starting at

Refurbished price:£266.76

Versus £1,145.61 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 represent distinct approaches within the smartphone market. The Galaxy S22 Plus, released in February 2022, is a traditional slab-style smartphone, offering a conventional design with a focus on robust specifications. In contrast, the Galaxy Z Flip5, launched in August 2023, introduces a clamshell foldable design, prioritizing portability and a unique user experience. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but their form factors and feature sets cater to different user preferences.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines and software support.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Plus was released in February 2022, making it an older model compared to the Galaxy Z Flip5, which launched in August 2023. This difference in release date impacts their respective software support cycles.
  • OS Support Duration: Both Samsung devices are committed to receiving four generations of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. Since the Galaxy Z Flip5 was released later, it is expected to receive OS updates up to Android 17 and security updates through 2028, extending its software lifespan beyond that of the S22 Plus, which is expected to receive OS updates up to Android 16 and security updates through 2027.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a traditional glass and aluminum build with IP68 dust and water resistance, offering a high level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy Z Flip5, while also featuring an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its exterior, has a foldable Ultra-Thin Glass main display. It boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, but its folding mechanism introduces a different set of durability considerations, with some users reporting concerns about the inner screen protector or hinge over extended use.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, from app usage to multitasking and gaming. Both devices offer capable performance, but with different underlying hardware generations.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus is powered by a processor from early 2022, which handles demanding applications and multitasking effectively, though some users have noted it can experience heating during prolonged intensive use, such as gaming. The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a newer, more efficient processor from mid-2023, providing a noticeable boost in speed and smoother operation across various tasks, with improved thermal management.
  • Multitasking and Storage: Both models come with 8 GB of RAM, which is sufficient for managing multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. Storage options for the S22 Plus include 128 GB or 256 GB, while the Z Flip5 offers 256 GB or 512 GB. Neither device supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for many users, though heavy usage might require a midday charge. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has a smaller 3700 mAh battery. Despite its more power-efficient processor, user experiences vary, with some finding its battery life to be a limiting factor for heavy use, often requiring more frequent charging.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and these two devices offer distinct visual experiences.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 Plus has a 6.6-inch flat display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels. The Galaxy Z Flip5 features a 6.7-inch foldable main display with a resolution of 1080 x 2640 pixels. The Z Flip5 also includes a 3.4-inch Super AMOLED cover screen, which is significantly larger and more functional than previous Flip models, allowing for more interactions without opening the device.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer a smooth visual experience with a 120Hz refresh rate on their main displays, contributing to fluid scrolling and responsiveness. Peak brightness levels are also comparable, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Z Flip5's cover screen operates at a 60Hz refresh rate.
  • Viewing Experience: The S22 Plus provides a consistent, expansive viewing area ideal for media consumption and productivity. The Z Flip5's main screen offers a similar large viewing experience when unfolded, but its unique folding design allows it to become much more compact for portability. The enhanced cover screen on the Z Flip5 provides quick access to notifications, widgets, and even full apps, changing how users interact with their device when closed.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2640

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and these phones offer different photographic strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This allows for a range of photographic options, including detailed zoomed shots. The Galaxy Z Flip5 has a dual-camera system on its rear, consisting of a 12 MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. It lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, relying on digital zoom for distant subjects.
  • Photography Performance: The S22 Plus generally produces high-quality images in good lighting, with strong detail and color reproduction, and its telephoto lens is a notable advantage for capturing subjects at a distance. The Z Flip5's cameras, while using similar hardware to its predecessor, benefit from improved computational photography, resulting in good images in well-lit conditions, though some users note a tendency for oversaturated colors. Its low-light performance is considered good for its class, but it may not match traditional flagships.
  • Selfie and Video: Both phones feature a 10 MP front-facing camera for selfies and video calls. A key advantage of the Z Flip5 is its ability to use the higher-quality rear cameras for selfies, utilizing the cover screen as a viewfinder, which can lead to more detailed self-portraits. Both devices are capable of recording high-resolution video, with the S22 Plus offering 8K recording and the Z Flip5 supporting 4K at 60fps.

Main camera

50 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, practical elements like connectivity, ports, and physical design contribute to the overall user experience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and Galaxy Z Flip5 support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and NFC for mobile payments. The S22 Plus uses Bluetooth 5.2, while the Z Flip5 features the slightly newer Bluetooth 5.3. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer and neither includes a 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Plus is a conventional smartphone with dimensions of 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and a weight of 195-196g, offering a solid in-hand feel. The Galaxy Z Flip5, when unfolded, is similar in height but narrower and thinner at 165.1 x 71.9 x 6.9 mm, weighing 187g. Its defining characteristic is its ability to fold into a compact square (85.1 x 71.9 x 15.1 mm), making it highly portable and easy to fit into smaller pockets or bags.
  • Security and Build Materials: Both phones incorporate a fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The S22 Plus features an aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back. The Z Flip5 uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for its exterior, with its main foldable screen protected by Ultra-Thin Glass.

Weight

195 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7 /3.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and Galaxy Z Flip5 cater to different user priorities, as reflected in user feedback and their core designs. The S22 Plus is often praised for its bright, expansive display, reliable performance for everyday tasks, and a versatile camera system that includes a telephoto lens. Users appreciate its traditional smartphone form factor and robust build. However, some common criticisms include its battery life being merely adequate for heavy users and the processor occasionally running warm during demanding applications.

The Galaxy Z Flip5 receives acclaim for its innovative and highly portable folding design, which makes it exceptionally compact when closed. Its significantly improved cover screen is a major highlight, offering enhanced functionality and quick access to information. Users also value its strong performance thanks to a newer, more efficient processor. Conversely, frequent user concerns revolve around its battery life, which is often described as average or requiring careful management for a full day of heavy use. While its cameras are capable, the absence of a telephoto lens and some reports of oversaturated colors are noted. Some users also express long-term durability concerns regarding the inner screen protector or hinge, though overall durability for a foldable has improved.

Users prioritizing a conventional, durable smartphone experience with a dedicated telephoto camera and consistent battery performance may find the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G to be a suitable choice. Those who value a highly portable, stylish device with a unique folding form factor and an interactive cover screen, and who are willing to manage battery life more actively, will likely prefer the Galaxy Z Flip5. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking these features.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons