Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs Galaxy Z Fold7

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

Refurbished price:£167.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

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Galaxy Z Fold7
Galaxy Z Fold7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£916.00

Versus £1,799.00 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, represents a traditional high-end smartphone experience, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7, launched in July 2025, offers a distinct foldable design. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but their fundamental form factors lead to different user interactions and capabilities. The primary distinction lies in the Z Fold7's ability to transform from a compact smartphone into a larger tablet-like display, contrasting with the S22 Plus's conventional, unibody design.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors.

  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, launched with Android 12, has received four major OS updates, bringing it to Android 16, and is expected to receive security patches until the first quarter of 2027. In contrast, the newer Galaxy Z Fold7, which debuted with Android 16, benefits from Samsung's extended support policy, promising seven years of OS updates and security patches, extending its support through at least 2032.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a robust design with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame and an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Galaxy Z Fold7 incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 on its cover screen and an Advanced Armor Aluminum frame and hinge. It carries an IPX8 water resistance rating, but its inner foldable screen remains more delicate, susceptible to scratches from common objects. The Z Fold7's hinge is rated for 500,000 folds, suggesting mechanical longevity for the folding mechanism itself.
  • Practical Lifespan: Users prioritizing extended software support and the latest features will find the Z Fold7 offers a significantly longer period of updates. For physical resilience against drops and dust, the S22 Plus's traditional design with its higher dust resistance rating may offer more peace of mind for some users, while the Z Fold7's hinge durability has seen substantial improvements.

Year of Release

2022

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both devices deliver strong performance for their respective generations, but the Z Fold7 benefits from more recent advancements in processing power and memory configurations.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G is equipped with a processor capable of handling demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive user experience for everyday tasks and gaming. The Galaxy Z Fold7 features a newer, more advanced processor designed to deliver blazing-fast performance, ensuring seamless operation even with intensive games and complex multitasking scenarios across its larger display.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: With 8GB of RAM, the S22 Plus capably manages multiple applications. The Z Fold7 offers higher RAM options, typically 12GB or 16GB, which further enhances its ability to run numerous applications simultaneously and switch between them without lag, particularly beneficial when utilizing its expansive inner screen for productivity.
  • Storage Options: The S22 Plus is available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The Z Fold7 provides more generous storage configurations, starting at 256GB and extending to 512GB and 1TB, catering to users with larger digital libraries or extensive app usage.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience differs significantly between these two devices, primarily due to the Z Fold7's unique foldable form factor and dual-screen setup.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a single 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), offering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp visuals for a traditional smartphone experience. The Galaxy Z Fold7 provides a dual-screen setup: a 6.5-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X cover display and a larger 8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X main foldable display when unfolded. The main display boasts a higher QXGA+ resolution (1968x2184 pixels), delivering an expansive and highly detailed viewing area.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices offer a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S22 Plus's display reaches a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Z Fold7's displays are even brighter, with a peak brightness of up to 2,600 nits, enhancing outdoor usability and HDR content viewing on both its cover and main screens.
  • Viewing Experience: The S22 Plus provides a premium, flat-screen viewing experience. The Z Fold7's main display offers an immersive, tablet-like canvas ideal for media consumption, multitasking, and productivity, with a noticeably reduced crease compared to earlier foldable generations.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1968 x 2184

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, but the Galaxy Z Fold7 incorporates more recent advancements, particularly in its main sensor and additional features.

  • Main Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a versatile triple-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor that produces detailed 12MP photos through pixel binning, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It performs well in various lighting conditions, with improvements in low-light photography. The Galaxy Z Fold7 significantly upgrades its main camera to a 200MP wide-angle sensor, similar to that found in the Galaxy S25 Ultra. This allows for exceptionally detailed and brighter images, even offering 2x optical-grade zoom quality from the main sensor.
  • Ultrawide and Telephoto: The S22 Plus's 12MP ultrawide camera captures expansive scenes, and its 3x optical telephoto lens provides clear zoomed-in shots. The Z Fold7 also features a 12MP ultrawide lens, enhanced with autofocus for macro photography, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
  • Video and Front Cameras: Both devices support high-resolution video recording. The S22 Plus includes a 10MP front camera and features like Auto Framing for video. The Z Fold7 offers an enhanced 10MP front camera on its cover screen and an improved 100-degree front camera on the main display, which is 2.5 times clearer than its predecessor and supports 4K video recording.

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S22 Plus supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2, providing fast wireless communication. The Galaxy Z Fold7, being a newer device, incorporates more advanced connectivity standards, including 5G and likely Wi-Fi 7 and a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially faster and more stable connections. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometric Security: The S22 Plus features an in-display fingerprint sensor for convenient and secure unlocking. The Z Fold7 typically employs a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, often integrated into the power button, alongside face recognition.
  • Design and Handling: The S22 Plus presents a traditional smartphone form factor, measuring 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighing 195g, offering a comfortable and familiar in-hand feel. The Z Fold7, while significantly thinner and lighter than previous foldable generations (8.9mm folded, 4.2mm unfolded, 215g), still has a different handling characteristic due to its folding design and increased thickness when closed. Its unique form factor allows for a compact phone experience that unfolds into a larger screen.

Weight

195 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

8

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G and the Galaxy Z Fold7 cater to different user preferences, each excelling in distinct areas. User feedback for the S22 Plus often highlights its reliable performance, bright and vibrant display, and capable camera system as strong points. Some users have noted that its battery life, while generally good, can be average for heavy usage. The Z Fold7, on the other hand, is praised for its innovative foldable design, offering an expansive inner screen that enhances productivity and media consumption. Common discussions around the Z Fold series often touch upon the unique experience of having a tablet-sized display in a pocketable form factor, though the durability of the inner screen and the overall bulk (despite improvements) are frequent topics.

Users prioritizing a traditional, robust smartphone experience with a long-standing track record of reliability and a high level of physical durability may find the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G well-suited to their needs. Its consistent performance and established design make it a practical choice for everyday use. Conversely, individuals who value cutting-edge technology, a versatile large screen for multitasking and media, and the latest software support will likely lean towards the Galaxy Z Fold7. Its unique form factor is ideal for professionals, students, or travelers who can benefit from a larger display on the go. For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to new purchases, offering a sustainable choice without compromising on functionality.

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