Samsung Galaxy S22 First Impressions: Ready to lead the league!

The Samsung Galaxy S22 has recently been launched in India along with Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra. Here is what the first impression of the phone suggests.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is priced at Rs. 72,999 and comes in three colour options: Phantom Black, Phantom White, and Green. (Priya/HT Tech)

In an era where almost every smartphone company is trying to give you a huge display, Samsung returns with another compact yet premium phone- the Samsung Galaxy S22. For people like me who prefer small, compact, feature-rich, premium looking phones, the Galaxy S22 is something to ponder upon. With so much said already, Samsung is not only likely to outshine its Android competitors but can also take on iPhone 13. Want to know how? Can't say much for now, but here's my first impression of this compact flagship (compact by today's standards).

Starting with the basic details, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is priced at Rs. 72,999 for 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, while the one with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage will cost you Rs. 76,999. Also, the company is offering three elegant colour options to choose from- Phantom Black, Phantom White, and Green. I have spent a few days with the phone in Phantom Black colour, and here is what I have to say.

Samsung Galaxy S22: Packaging and Design

When you have to spend around Rs.75000 on a phone, the expectations are already high. Right from unboxing the phone to using it on a daily basis, the smartphone wants to give you a premium feel. And the Galaxy S22 hits the expectations right! It does provide you with a decent, classy look which you will love showing off.

Samsung Galaxy S22. (Priya/HT Tech)

Samsung Galaxy S22. (Priya/HT Tech)

Starting with the packaging, the phone comes in a box along with a cable, sim card ejector, and a manual. However, you will miss a charger/adapter in the box. Talking about the design, at first glance, the Galaxy S22 largely resembles the Samsung Galaxy S21 which hit the market last year. But the Samsung Galaxy S22 goes for a boxy look similar to the iPhone 13 -- it is sharper on the edges this year.

On lines of S21, the back of S22 holds a camera bump merging with the sides. The front and back of the smartphone get a glass body (Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+) with a matte finish that is dust and smudge resistant. At the sides, you can see Samsung's new Armor Aluminum frame bordering the phone wearing a bit glossy finish. At 167 grams, the phone is slim and lightweight and hence, it is easy and comfortable to hold.

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

Moving to the front, the Galaxy S22 holds a 6.1-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with unbelievably slim bezels, 120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz touch sampling rate in game mode, and a peak brightness of 1,300nits. The phone is also equipped with vision booster technology that enables the screen to adjust brightness throughout the day.

So far, using the Samsung Galaxy S22 has been fun. The display is smooth and it feels flawless while scrolling it. It gives an instant response to the touch while playing games, scrolling Instagram, and doing other mundane phone stuff. However, for a full detailed analysis, you need to wait for our review in the coming days.

Samsung Galaxy S22: Features and specifications at a glance

The chipset breathing life into the Samsung Galaxy S22 is the latest 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip. With Samsung's One UI 4.1 interface on top of Android 12, the phone manages to handle every task with ease. Whether it be playing games, watching videos, scrolling social media apps, among others, the phone does not show any sign of lag. However, the phone heated up a bit while working for long.

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

When it comes to the camera, the phone comes with a triple rear camera system, featuring a 50MP main camera, 10MP telephoto-lens with 30X Space zoom, and 12MP ultra-wide lens. At the front, you get a 10MP selfie camera. I have used the cameras and all I can say for now is -- they are amazing! Trust me! I loved the output in both the daylight and night photography, and that's all I can say for the time being. And yes, more about this in the review.

The Galaxy S22 is equipped with a 3700mAh battery but it only gets support for the slower 25W charger, not the faster 45W solution. I won't be able to comment on its performance as of now, but would say don't judge on numbers! You are likely to be surprised.

Samsung Galaxy S22: First Impressions

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

Samsung Galaxy S22 (Priya/HT Tech)

Samsung knows how to make some of the most desirable flagship phones. And now, spending a few days with the Galaxy S22, it gives me a fair idea that we have an exciting Android flagship that could take on the more popular iPhone 13. The Galaxy S22 is indeed a tempting smartphone with its elegant and premium design, commendable display, good camera, and much more. However, for an in-depth analysis, you should wait for our full review of the Samsung Galaxy S22. Meanwhile, you can also check out our first take on the Galaxy S22 Ultra; the S22's best equipped cousin.