Samsung's 90Hz AMOLED Marvel Under €200

The Samsung Galaxy A22 delivers a stunning 90Hz Super AMOLED display and a massive 5000mAh battery, making it a standout budget smartphone.

Introduction

Launched in mid-2021, the Samsung Galaxy A22 carved out a significant niche in the competitive budget Android market. It strategically combines a feature typically found on more expensive phones—a high-refresh-rate Super AMOLED display—with the long-lasting battery life that budget-conscious users crave, all while maintaining Samsung's renowned build quality and software experience.

Design & Display

The Galaxy A22 features a modern design with a plastic frame and back, keeping it lightweight at 186g. Its standout feature is the 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. This ensures smooth scrolling and vibrant colors, a rare combination in this price bracket. The HD+ resolution (720x1600 pixels) is adequate for everyday use, and the screen achieves a peak brightness of 600 nits for decent outdoor visibility.

Performance & Hardware

Under the hood, the A22 is powered by the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset, a capable 12nm processor designed for efficient performance and gaming. It's paired with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM (LPDDR4X) and 64GB or 128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage, which is expandable via a microSD card slot. This hardware configuration handles multitasking and popular mobile games reasonably well for a device in this class.

Camera

The smartphone sports a versatile quad-camera array on the rear. The main sensor is a 48MP shooter with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), a significant advantage for reducing blur in photos and videos. It's complemented by an 8MP ultra-wide lens for capturing more of the scene, a 2MP macro camera for close-ups, and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots with bokeh effects. The 13MP front-facing camera handles selfies and video calls.

Battery & Charging

A massive 5000mAh battery is at the heart of the A22, easily providing a day and a half to two days of use on a single charge for most users. It supports 15W wired fast charging, allowing you to quickly top up the large battery when needed.

Software & Features

The phone launched with Android 11 skinned with Samsung's One UI and is upgradable to Android 13. One UI offers a clean, user-friendly experience with a wealth of customization options and features like Samsung's Knox security. It also includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication and retains the beloved 3.5mm headphone jack.

Pros & Cons

  • Pros: Excellent 90Hz AMOLED display, strong battery life, main camera with OIS, upgradable software, headphone jack.
  • Cons: HD+ resolution only, plastic build, no 5G connectivity, uses older eMMC storage standard.

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A22, budget phone, Android, AMOLED, camera, battery, review

The Samsung Galaxy A22 delivers a stunning 90Hz Super AMOLED display and a massive 5000mAh battery, making it a standout budget smartphone.