Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs iPhone 16

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

Refurbished price:£169.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

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iPhone 16
iPhone 16
Starting at

Refurbished price:£480.00

Versus £699.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the iPhone 16, launched in September 2024, represent different generations of flagship smartphones. While both offer robust performance and advanced features, the iPhone 16 benefits from more recent technological advancements, particularly in its internal components and software longevity. The Galaxy S22 Plus operates on Android, offering extensive customization, whereas the iPhone 16 runs on Apple's iOS, known for its streamlined user experience and ecosystem integration.

Scores

Durability

The expected lifespan of a smartphone is significantly influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Plus 5G was introduced in early 2022, making it a more mature device compared to the iPhone 16, which debuted in late 2024. This two-and-a-half-year difference impacts the remaining period of official software support.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus launched with Android 12 and is expected to receive major OS updates for approximately four years from its release, potentially reaching Android 16 or One UI 8. The iPhone 16, launching with iOS 18, is anticipated to receive software updates for a longer duration, typically five to six years or more, extending its functional life.
  • Durability Features: Both devices feature robust build materials. The Galaxy S22 Plus incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, and carries an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 16 utilizes Apple's Ceramic Shield for its front display and a color-infused glass back with an aluminum design, also boasting an IP68 rating for submersion up to 6 meters for 30 minutes. User reports indicate the iPhone 16's Ceramic Shield offers notable scratch resistance, with marks appearing faintly at level 6 on the Mohs scale and deeper at level 7.

Year of Release

2022

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the iPhone 16 benefiting from a newer generation of internal hardware.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus is powered by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung's Exynos 2200, depending on the region. These processors deliver strong performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and demanding applications. The iPhone 16 features Apple's A18 chip, which provides a significant generational leap in processing capabilities, resulting in smoother operation for complex tasks, advanced gaming, and future-proofed performance.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy S22 Plus generally report a smooth user interface and efficient handling of daily applications. However, some users have noted potential heating during extended heavy gaming or prolonged camera use, which can lead to performance throttling. The iPhone 16, with its newer chip and optimized iOS, offers consistently fluid performance across applications and system navigation, with user feedback often highlighting its refined and responsive feel.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus is equipped with a 4500 mAh battery, providing approximately a full day of moderate use, with some users reporting 6-7 hours of screen-on time after two years of usage. The iPhone 16, while having a smaller 3561 mAh battery, demonstrates efficient power management, with reported battery life of up to 22 hours for offline video playback and around 12 hours and 43 minutes in continuous web surfing tests. This suggests that despite the capacity difference, the iPhone 16 often achieves comparable or better real-world endurance due to hardware and software optimization.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both smartphones offer high-quality displays, but they differ in refresh rate and overall visual experience.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 393 ppi. This display delivers vibrant colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 16 comes with a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering a higher resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels and a pixel density of around 460 ppi. Both displays provide excellent clarity for viewing content.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Plus boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, which contributes to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations, and can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, ensuring good visibility outdoors. The iPhone 16, while featuring a bright display with 1000 nits typical maximum brightness and 2000 nits peak outdoor brightness, maintains a standard 60Hz refresh rate. This means the iPhone 16 does not offer the same level of visual fluidity as the Galaxy S22 Plus for fast-moving content or general navigation.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy S22 Plus provides a more expansive viewing area for media consumption and multitasking. The iPhone 16's display, while smaller, offers higher pixel density and features the Dynamic Island, which integrates notifications and activities into a dynamic interface.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1179 x 2556

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices offer versatile camera systems capable of capturing high-quality photos and videos, with some distinct features.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a triple-camera setup, including a 50 MP wide-angle lens with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. This configuration provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios, including distant subjects. The iPhone 16 has a dual-camera system, comprising a 48 MP wide-angle lens and a 12 MP ultrawide lens, arranged vertically.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus is praised for its photo quality, particularly its low-light performance and accurate color reproduction. The 3x optical zoom is a practical advantage for capturing subjects further away. The iPhone 16's camera offers improved low-light capabilities, sharper zoom quality, and more accurate skin tones compared to older iPhone models. It also supports macro photography and spatial photos and videos.
  • Video and Audio: The Galaxy S22 Plus can record video at up to 8K resolution at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The iPhone 16 also offers strong video recording capabilities, with the Pro models supporting 4K at 120fps, indicating overall advancements in video processing for the series. Both devices provide good microphone quality for calls and recordings, and stereo speakers for media consumption.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S22 Plus supports 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6e, and Bluetooth 5.2, and features a USB-C port that supports USB 3.2 speeds for faster data transfer. The iPhone 16 also supports 5G, but upgrades to Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3. It includes a USB-C port, though it operates at USB 2.0 speeds, which is slower for wired data transfers compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus.
  • Biometrics and User Interface: The Galaxy S22 Plus features an in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication. The iPhone 16 relies on Face ID, Apple's facial recognition system. The iPhone 16 also introduces an Action button, customizable for various functions, and a dedicated Camera Control button for quick camera access.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S22 Plus measures 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighs 195 g. The iPhone 16 is slightly more compact and lighter at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm and 170 g. Both devices feature aluminum frames, with the iPhone 16's aluminum sides being noted as more prone to scratches in some durability tests.

Weight

195 g

170 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.1

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C (USB 2)

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G often highlights its vibrant display, capable camera system, and the flexibility offered by the Android operating system and Samsung's One UI. Many appreciate its overall performance for daily tasks and the utility of its 3x optical zoom. Common criticisms sometimes point to battery life being merely adequate for heavy users, and some instances of heating during intensive use.

For the iPhone 16, users frequently praise its smooth and responsive performance, the consistent iOS experience, and significant camera improvements over previous iPhone generations, including new features like the Action button and Camera Control button. The enhanced battery life compared to its predecessors is also a notable positive. Some users, however, express that while it's a solid device, the overall innovation might feel incremental if upgrading from a very recent iPhone model.

Users prioritizing a larger display with a high refresh rate for fluid scrolling and a more open, customizable operating system may find the Galaxy S22 Plus 5G well-suited to their needs. Its 3x optical zoom also offers a distinct advantage for telephoto photography. Conversely, those who value a more compact device, a longer software support lifespan, a consistently optimized user experience, and advanced computational photography features will likely lean towards the iPhone 16. Its newer processor also provides a performance edge for future applications. Both devices are available as quality-assured refurbished options, offering a sustainable choice for consumers.