Samsung steps up smartphone competition as it unveils Galaxy S22

Samsung has unveiled its new range of flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S22, offering improved cameras and a faster processor.

The new phones, which will go up against Apple’s iPhone 13, include the S22, S22+ and S22 Ultra. The latter is the first of the S phones to include a built-in stylus, a feature that was developed exclusively for the Note range, which was last updated in 2020. In 2021, Samsung opted to release the Galaxy Z foldable phones in the latter half of the year, skipping the Note launch.

In a virtual presentation, Samsung played up the camera performance of the S22 range, which it said was its most intelligent yet. A larger sensor and adaptive pixel technology let in more light, improving low light and night shots . Automatic framing can track up to 10 people, keeping subjects in focus.

"Our smartphone cameras have transformed the way we create, share, and communicate. Through photos and videos, we express ourselves and connect with the people we care about," said Conor Pierce, corporate vice president for Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland. "That's why we focused on designing our latest S series devices with ground-breaking camera capabilities that work day and night, powered by our best mobile performance yet."

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The S22 and S22+ come with a 50MP main camera, 10MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultra-wide lens, with AI technology to improve portraits and bring out details. The SS Ultra offers a more advanced set up at 108MP for the main camera, along with a 12MP ultra-wide lens and 10MP telephoto lens.

Samsung has continued to push the larger screened phones, with the S22 featuring a 6.1 inch display, the S22+ at 6.6 inches and the S22 Ultra super-sizing the display to 6.8 inches.

Processor

The phones are powered by the company’s first 4 nanometer processor on a Galaxy smartphone, with advanced AI and machine learning capabilities.

Although the new phones also boast large batteries, Samsung has built in fast charging. The S22 comes with 25 watt fast charging, with the S22+ and Ultra featuring more powerful 45 watt fast charging.

Available from February 25th, the S22 starts at €879 for the 128GB version, with the S22+ costing from €1,089 and the S22 Ultra at €1,299 for the 128GB capacity. The top of the range 1TB version, which will only be available from Samsung’s e-store, will cost €1,699.

While Samsung saw sales of smartphones drop off during the pandemic, arch-rival Apple enjoyed sales gains. The Galaxy S suite of products usually sells more than 30 million units annually, but it logged fewer than 25 million in 2020 and a little below 30 million last year. The group was hampered in part by component shortages, said Jene Park, a senior analyst at research firm Counterpoint.

“We believe that Samsung will ship more than 15 million units of the Galaxy S22 family in the first half of 2022. If the initial sell-through is good we can expect it to reach 30 million units in 2022,” he said.

A global semiconductor shortage is expected to continue into this year but analysts predict Samsung will fare better than many rivals thanks to its huge buying power and strong grip on its supply chain. – Additional reporting: Reuters