On February 9, Samsung lifted the lid on its flagship series of Galaxy S devices for 2022.
The Galaxy Unpacked event brought announcements of new phones, new tablets, and insight into the company's direction for the year.
Here’s a look at the major takeaways and announcements from the Galaxy Unpacked event and the launch of the S22 range.
1. The Galaxy S22 Series Brings 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 S22 Ultra.
While all phones are premium flagships, they range from a more typical premium setup with the S22 to the ultra-premium S22 Ultra.
Some specifications will be familiar to followers of the brand, but there are some new innovations. For example, the smartphones are the first Galaxy smartphones to include 4nm processors.
This series of Galaxy devices also focuses on camera capabilities, photography, videography, and general performance.
Samsung also highlighted the phones' camera capabilities, with much of the event focusing on the photography and camera features of the devices.
The S22 and S22+ have a triple-lens main camera, consisting of 50MP, 12MP, and 10MP lenses.
Meanwhile, the S22 Ultra includes a quad camera setup. This camera includes a 108MP, 12MP, and two 10MP lenses. On the front, the smartphone features a 40MP camera.
2. The S22 Ultra Looks Like a Galaxy Note Successor
The S21 Ultra was the first Galaxy S device to support the S Pen. However, the S22 Ultra takes this a step further by becoming the first S Series device to have an S Pen built-in.
This means that the S Pen isn’t an optional add-on that can be stored in an external cover. Rather, it has a dedicated slot in the phone—exactly like a Note device.
The S22 Ultra also even looks like a Galaxy Note, with a rectangular screen rather than the more curved corners we’ve grown 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 Note features to more devices.
The Galaxy Note series is one of our most beloved products, thanks to an incredibly loyal fan base that appreciates the power, performance and productivity Note offers.
Roh adds:
That’s why we’re integrating the most beloved Note features into more device categories, including the S Series, tablets, Z Fold, Galaxy Book and beyond. This enables everyone to get more from their mobile experience and marks the next chapter of the Note legacy.
3. Samsung Has Committed to Four Generations of OS Upgrades
Operating system updates continue to be a sticking point for Android users, who don't always have guaranteed access to consistent upgrades as new versions roll out.
Increasingly, smartphone companies like Nokia have included guaranteed generation and security update periods for customers so that they can get a better idea of the future support their devices will receive.
At Galaxy Unpacked 2022, Samsung announced it would be extending its commitment to up to four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades on certain devices.
The company will also commit to five years of security updates on these devices.
Devices that the commitment applies to include the Galaxy S21 series, Galaxy S22 series, and future S series devices. It 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 upcoming Tab S devices.
4. Galaxy S22 Series Launch Date and Price
Wondering when the series of new phones launches and how much they will cost?
Pre-orders for the devices opened from February 9, the day of the announcement. General availability is set for February 25.
Suggested retail pricing for the Galaxy S22 starts at $799, with the S22+ starting at $999.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S22 Ultra starts at $1199.
Samsung is also offering pretty enticing trade-in offers to reduce the cost of purchases, including accepting devices with cracked screens.
5. Samsung Also Launched Three New Tablets
While Galaxy Unpacked events usually focus only on smartphones and accessories like Galaxy Buds and smartwatches, 2022’s event mixed things up a bit by also announcing the new series of Galaxy Tab S8 devices. This includes the Tab S8, S8+, and S8 Ultra.
The range is meant to be optimized for the increased need of hybrid work and connected homes.
Like the smartphones, the tablets also have 4nm processors. They also include features such as super-fast charging and reverse power-sharing, as well as support for Samsung Dex.
The Galaxy Tab S8 Ultra is also the company’s biggest display on a tablet yet, with a 14.6-inch AMOLED screen.
According to Harksang Kim, EVP & Head of New Computing R&D Team for MX Business at Samsung, the tablets lean into the new hybrid working environments many consumers find themselves in.
Tablets have been part of the Galaxy ecosystem for more than a decade. However, as the world rapidly transformed these past two years, tablets took on a new role in our lives. The versatility of tablets enable an integrated mobile technology experience that is essential in a hybrid world.
It will take some time to see how these devices are received compared to competing devices.
What Else Does Samsung Have Planned for 2022?
While there were some interesting developments for the first major Samsung flagship launch of 2022, some fans may have been left wishing there were more surprises.
However, the company may be saving those for other events during the year.