It used to be so easy to decide which Samsung flagship to buy because the company only released one per year. Then, starting with the Galaxy S8 series, the company saw there was demand for an even larger high-end phone — and so the Plus variant was born. Fast forward to 2020 and Samsung adds the Ultra to the canon. So now there are three S-series flagships to choose from every year, and 2022’s lineup is more compelling than ever.
First, let’s have a quick look at the specsof the Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, and the S22 Ultra.
One look at the tablemakes it clear the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best of the lot in terms of specs with the biggest display, the most versatile camera setup, the biggest battery, and more. However, depending on what’s important to you, it might not be the ideal phone for your needs.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Build quality
The Galaxy S22 trio follows the same formula as other high-end flagships in the build quality department. They feature an Armor Aluminumchassis, which Samsung claims is the strongest frame it has ever used, along with Gorilla Glass Victus+ panels at the front and rear. This is also true for the smallest model in the lineup, despite the base-model S21 using a “glasstic” back last year. All three phones feature IP68 certification, stereo speakers, and in-display ultrasonic fingerprint sensors.
The Galaxy S22 and S22+ are similar in the design department with flat edges and displays and a camera hump that blends into the chassis. However, the Ultra feels more like a Note than an S series phone with rounded sides, a slightly curved display, and flat top and bottom edges. It is also noticeably thicker, allowing the camera hump to blend into the body, though the lenses do protrude a small amount. One look at the Galaxy S22 Ultra alongside the Note20 Ultra paints a clear picture of its origin.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Display
The dimensions differ significantly between the three phones. The regular Galaxy S22 is the smallestin the lineup, with a 6.1-inch display and a claimed maximum brightness of 1,300 nits. Then there’s the S22+ that sits in the middle with its 6.6-inch panel with a max brightness of 1,750 nits. Both phones are slightly smaller than their 2021 predecessors, pulling back on both screen size and battery capacity
The S22 and S22+ both feature flat LTPS-based panels at a 1080p resolution, with a 48-120Hz refresh rate, and 240Hz touch sampling rates in Game Mode.
As for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it is in a league of its own with a massive 6.8-inch QHD+ (1440p) AMOLED panel that’s curved on the edges and features a maximum brightness of 1,750 nits. Unlike the other two Galaxies, Samsung uses a more power-efficient LTPO panel on the S22 Ultra that can dynamically adjust the refresh rate from 1 to 120Hz. It also supports the S Pen that now offers a reduced latency of only 2.8ms, down from 9ms on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. While the S Pen isn’t a must-have accessory for everyone, having it built into the chassis is a huge benefit for taking notes and sketching.
With varying display sizes, the phones also differ in their dimensions. The Galaxy S22 is a compact flagship, a dying breed in the Android world, while the S22+ is ideal for users looking for a device with a big screen but something that’s still somewhat usable with one hand in most scenarios. The 6.8-inch Galaxy S22 Ultra is for power users who know what they want: the biggest possible display on a device. This is a phone that forces you to use it with two hands in most cases. On the flip side, the big display could help boost your productivity levels while on the go.
The entire S22 lineup features in-display ultrasonic fingerprint scanners. This is the second-gen sensor that Samsung first debuted with the Galaxy S21 last year, and, as we noted in our review, it offers better performance than the previous iteration.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Chipset
All three phones in the lineup share the same internals: they are either available with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chip, depending on where you live. Both are fabricated on the 4nm process and are 2022’s flagship chips, offering notably superior GPU and AI/ML performance compared to last-gen offerings. The Ultra, however, features an upgraded cooling solution comprising a new “Gel-TIM”thermal paste that can supposedly transfer heat up to 3.5x more efficiently than previous generations, though we saw little difference in heat output in our testing. Add in the larger chassis, and the largest S22 should offer the best sustainedperformance in the lineup.
The entire Galaxy S22 series ships with 8GB base RAM, but the 256GB+ storage variants of the Ultra are equipped with 12GB RAM. The phones differ in their storage configurations, with the S22 and S22+ topping out at 256GB storage while the Ultra goes all the way up to 1TB. None of the models feature a dedicated SD card slot, though.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Camera
The Galaxy S22 Ultra has the best and the most versatile camera setup in the lineup — it features a quad-camera setup consisting of a 108MP primary shooter and two 10MP telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom. The regular and Plus models feature a 50MP primary camera and a telephoto shooter with 3x optical zoom. The 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide remains the common point between the three phones.
If you want the best camera experience, the S22 Ultra is what you should go for. However, the other two models are not bad either, and the 50MP sensor will serve you just fine — what you’ll primarily miss on the non-Ultra models is the 10x optical zoom capability. All three phones sport the same camera featureslike 8K video recording, an improved Portrait mode, Pro mode for additional control over various camera aspects, and more. Check out our Galaxy S22 Ultra camera samples to get an idea of what its shooters can do.
The S22 and S22+ feature 10MP selfie shooters, while the Ultra has a 40MP camera that uses pixel binning to output sharper and more detailed photos, along with autofocus to provide some proper depth of field for your selfies.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Battery life and charging
The Galaxy S22 has the smallest battery in the lineup, with a 3700mAh cell and 25W fast charging speed. The Galaxy S22+ features a more respectable 4500mAh battery, while the Ultra has a massive 5000mAh cell. Both phones also feature faster 45W wired charging speeds. The regular S22 and the Plus model feature smaller batteries than their predecessor.
In our review, we found the Ultra to last through a day with around six hours of screen time — not bad, but there are phones with better battery life. Battery drain tests show the S21 Ultra and the iPhone 13 Pro Max as notably more efficient than the S22 Ultra, but your mileage will vary based on your usage.
The entire range also supports 15W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Samsung only bundles a USB-C cable with the phones, so you’ll have to purchase the charger separately, irrespective of which phone you buy.
Galaxy S22 vs. Galaxy S22+ vs. S22 Ultra: Price & Accessories
The Galaxy S22 is the cheapest in the lineup, with a starting price of $800. Next in line is the S22+ with a price tag of $1000, while the Ultra starts from $1,200. For the regular and Plus model, the 256GB upgrade costs an additional $50. With the S22 Ultra, you need to pay $100 for the same thing, though you also get a bump in RAM to 12GB.
The S22 Ultra is expensive, and unless you have a specific need for the S Pen or the big display, the S22+ will serve you just fine. The regular S22 is a decent phone, too, but its battery life could fall short of your expectations if you push it hard. Note that Samsung phones are almost always available with some attractive bundles or offers, so you should save a bit of money that way — check out the best Galaxy S22 deals and trade-in values for this.
We’ve also rounded up the best cases for the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+, and Galaxy S22 Ultra, and given that they’re made out of glass we’d recommend picking one up.
Buy the regular Galaxy S22 if you…
Need a compact flagship.
Want an all-rounder phone that’s reasonably priced.
Are not a power user and don’t care much about battery life.
Buy the Galaxy S22+ if you…
Need a phone with a relatively large display that’s not too difficult to use one-handed.
Want a great camera but don’t use the zoom functionality too much.
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About The Author
Rajesh Pandey (183 Articles Published)
Rajesh Pandey started following the tech field right around the time Android devices were going mainstream. He closely follows the latest development in the world of smartphones and what the tech giants are up to. He loves to tinker around with the latest gadgets to see what they are capable of.
The federal government is ordering the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform, but stopped short of ordering people to stay off the app.
Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne announced the government’s “wind up” demand Wednesday, saying it is meant to address “risks” related to ByteDance Ltd.’s establishment of TikTok Technology Canada Inc.
“The decision was based on the information and evidence collected over the course of the review and on the advice of Canada’s security and intelligence community and other government partners,” he said in a statement.
The announcement added that the government is not blocking Canadians’ access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content.
However, it urged people to “adopt good cybersecurity practices and assess the possible risks of using social media platforms and applications, including how their information is likely to be protected, managed, used and shared by foreign actors, as well as to be aware of which country’s laws apply.”
Champagne’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment seeking details about what evidence led to the government’s dissolution demand, how long ByteDance has to comply and why the app is not being banned.
A TikTok spokesperson said in a statement that the shutdown of its Canadian offices will mean the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs.
“We will challenge this order in court,” the spokesperson said.
“The TikTok platform will remain available for creators to find an audience, explore new interests and for businesses to thrive.”
The federal Liberals ordered a national security review of TikTok in September 2023, but it was not public knowledge until The Canadian Press reported in March that it was investigating the company.
At the time, it said the review was based on the expansion of a business, which it said constituted the establishment of a new Canadian entity. It declined to provide any further details about what expansion it was reviewing.
A government database showed a notification of new business from TikTok in June 2023. It said Network Sense Ventures Ltd. in Toronto and Vancouver would engage in “marketing, advertising, and content/creator development activities in relation to the use of the TikTok app in Canada.”
Even before the review, ByteDance and TikTok were lightning rod for privacy and safety concerns because Chinese national security laws compel organizations in the country to assist with intelligence gathering.
Such concerns led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass a bill in March designed to ban TikTok unless its China-based owner sells its stake in the business.
Champagne’s office has maintained Canada’s review was not related to the U.S. bill, which has yet to pass.
Canada’s review was carried out through the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to investigate any foreign investment with potential to might harm national security.
While cabinet can make investors sell parts of the business or shares, Champagne has said the act doesn’t allow him to disclose details of the review.
Wednesday’s dissolution order was made in accordance with the act.
The federal government banned TikTok from its mobile devices in February 2023 following the launch of an investigation into the company by federal and provincial privacy commissioners.
— With files from Anja Karadeglija in Ottawa
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2024.
LONDON (AP) — Most people have accumulated a pile of data — selfies, emails, videos and more — on their social media and digital accounts over their lifetimes. What happens to it when we die?
It’s wise to draft a will spelling out who inherits your physical assets after you’re gone, but don’t forget to take care of your digital estate too. Friends and family might treasure files and posts you’ve left behind, but they could get lost in digital purgatory after you pass away unless you take some simple steps.
Here’s how you can prepare your digital life for your survivors:
Apple
The iPhone maker lets you nominate a “ legacy contact ” who can access your Apple account’s data after you die. The company says it’s a secure way to give trusted people access to photos, files and messages. To set it up you’ll need an Apple device with a fairly recent operating system — iPhones and iPads need iOS or iPadOS 15.2 and MacBooks needs macOS Monterey 12.1.
For iPhones, go to settings, tap Sign-in & Security and then Legacy Contact. You can name one or more people, and they don’t need an Apple ID or device.
You’ll have to share an access key with your contact. It can be a digital version sent electronically, or you can print a copy or save it as a screenshot or PDF.
Take note that there are some types of files you won’t be able to pass on — including digital rights-protected music, movies and passwords stored in Apple’s password manager. Legacy contacts can only access a deceased user’s account for three years before Apple deletes the account.
Google
Google takes a different approach with its Inactive Account Manager, which allows you to share your data with someone if it notices that you’ve stopped using your account.
When setting it up, you need to decide how long Google should wait — from three to 18 months — before considering your account inactive. Once that time is up, Google can notify up to 10 people.
You can write a message informing them you’ve stopped using the account, and, optionally, include a link to download your data. You can choose what types of data they can access — including emails, photos, calendar entries and YouTube videos.
There’s also an option to automatically delete your account after three months of inactivity, so your contacts will have to download any data before that deadline.
Facebook and Instagram
Some social media platforms can preserve accounts for people who have died so that friends and family can honor their memories.
When users of Facebook or Instagram die, parent company Meta says it can memorialize the account if it gets a “valid request” from a friend or family member. Requests can be submitted through an online form.
The social media company strongly recommends Facebook users add a legacy contact to look after their memorial accounts. Legacy contacts can do things like respond to new friend requests and update pinned posts, but they can’t read private messages or remove or alter previous posts. You can only choose one person, who also has to have a Facebook account.
You can also ask Facebook or Instagram to delete a deceased user’s account if you’re a close family member or an executor. You’ll need to send in documents like a death certificate.
TikTok
The video-sharing platform says that if a user has died, people can submit a request to memorialize the account through the settings menu. Go to the Report a Problem section, then Account and profile, then Manage account, where you can report a deceased user.
Once an account has been memorialized, it will be labeled “Remembering.” No one will be able to log into the account, which prevents anyone from editing the profile or using the account to post new content or send messages.
X
It’s not possible to nominate a legacy contact on Elon Musk’s social media site. But family members or an authorized person can submit a request to deactivate a deceased user’s account.
Passwords
Besides the major online services, you’ll probably have dozens if not hundreds of other digital accounts that your survivors might need to access. You could just write all your login credentials down in a notebook and put it somewhere safe. But making a physical copy presents its own vulnerabilities. What if you lose track of it? What if someone finds it?
Instead, consider a password manager that has an emergency access feature. Password managers are digital vaults that you can use to store all your credentials. Some, like Keeper,Bitwarden and NordPass, allow users to nominate one or more trusted contacts who can access their keys in case of an emergency such as a death.
But there are a few catches: Those contacts also need to use the same password manager and you might have to pay for the service.
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Is there a tech challenge you need help figuring out? Write to us at onetechtip@ap.org with your questions.
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s competition watchdog said Thursday it’s opening a formal investigation into Google’s partnership with artificial intelligence startup Anthropic.
The Competition and Markets Authority said it has “sufficient information” to launch an initial probe after it sought input earlier this year on whether the deal would stifle competition.
The CMA has until Dec. 19 to decide whether to approve the deal or escalate its investigation.
“Google is committed to building the most open and innovative AI ecosystem in the world,” the company said. “Anthropic is free to use multiple cloud providers and does, and we don’t demand exclusive tech rights.”
San Francisco-based Anthropic was founded in 2021 by siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The company has focused on increasing the safety and reliability of AI models. Google reportedly agreed last year to make a multibillion-dollar investment in Anthropic, which has a popular chatbot named Claude.
Anthropic said it’s cooperating with the regulator and will provide “the complete picture about Google’s investment and our commercial collaboration.”
“We are an independent company and none of our strategic partnerships or investor relationships diminish the independence of our corporate governance or our freedom to partner with others,” it said in a statement.
The U.K. regulator has been scrutinizing a raft of AI deals as investment money floods into the industry to capitalize on the artificial intelligence boom. Last month it cleared Anthropic’s $4 billion deal with Amazon and it has also signed off on Microsoft’s deals with two other AI startups, Inflection and Mistral.
