On February 9, Samsung took the wraps off its flagship line of Galaxy S devices for 2022.
The Galaxy Unpacked event announced new phones, new tablets, and provided insight into the company’s direction for the year.
Here’s a look at the key highlights and announcements from the Galaxy Unpacked event and the launch of the S22 range.
1. Galaxy S22 series offers three smartphone options
Sticking to the familiar formula of its last few launches, Samsung has announced three devices as part of the S22 series: the Galaxy S22, S22+ and the S22 Ultra.
While all the phones are premium flagships, they range from more typical premium setups with the S22 to the ultra-premium S22 Ultra.
Some of the specifications will be familiar to followers of the brand, but some are new innovations. For example, the smartphone is the first Galaxy smartphone with a 4nm processor.
This series of Galaxy devices also focuses on camera capabilities, photography, videography and general performance.
Samsung also highlighted the phone’s camera capabilities, with most of the event focused on the devices’ photography and camera features.
The S22 and S22+ feature a triple-lens main camera with 50MP, 12MP and 10MP lenses.
Meanwhile, the S22 Ultra includes a quad camera setup. This camera includes one 108MP, 12MP and two 10MP lenses. On the front, the smartphone packs a 40MP camera.
2. The S22 Ultra looks like a successor to the Galaxy Note
The S21 Ultra was the first Galaxy S device to support the S Pen. However, the S22 Ultra takes it a step further by becoming the first S series device with the S Pen built-in.
This means that the S Pen is not an optional add-on that can be stored in the outer cover. Rather, it has a dedicated slot in the phone—just like the Note devices.
The S22 Ultra also looks a lot like a Galaxy Note, with a rectangular screen instead of the more curved corners we’re used to on the S series.
According to TM Roh, president and head of MX business at Samsung, this is part of the company’s initiative to bring the Note feature to as many devices as possible.
That’s why we’re integrating best-loved Note features across more device categories, including the S Series, tablet, Z Fold, Galaxy Book and beyond. It enables everyone to get the most out of their mobile experience and marks the next chapter in the Note legacy.
3. Samsung commits to four generations of OS upgrades
Operating system updates remain a sticking point for Android users, who don’t always have guaranteed access to frequent upgrades as new versions roll out.
Increasingly, smartphone companies such as Nokia include guaranteed generation and security update periods for customers to get a better idea of the future support their devices will receive.
At Galaxy Unpacked 2022, Samsung announced that it will expand its commitment to One UI and four generations of Android OS upgrades on some devices.
The company will also commit to five years of security updates on these devices.
Devices to which the commitment applies include the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S22 series and future S series devices. This also includes the Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3, and future Z devices.
Future Galaxy A series devices will also be eligible, as well as Galaxy Tab S8 series tablets and the upcoming Tab S devices.
4. Galaxy S22 Series Launch Date and Price
Wondering when the new phone series will launch and how much will they cost?
Pre-orders for the devices started on February 9, the day of the announcement. General availability is set for February 25.
The suggested retail price for the Galaxy S22 starts at $799, while the S22+ starts at $999.
Meanwhile, the price of Galaxy S22 Ultra starts at $1199.
Samsung is also offering very attractive trade-in offers to reduce the cost of purchase, including accepting devices with cracked screens.
5. Samsung also launched three new tablets
While Galaxy Unpacked events usually only focus on smartphones and accessories like Galaxy Buds and smartwatches, the 2022 event mixed things up a bit by announcing the new Galaxy Tab S8 series of devices. This includes the Tab S8, S8+ and S8 Ultra.