Samsung's Budget 5G Powerhouse Revisited

Samsung's Galaxy A22 5G delivered accessible next-gen connectivity with a smooth 90Hz display and impressive battery life, making 5G available to a broader audience.

Introduction: Democratizing 5G

Launched in mid-2021, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G was a strategic move to bring 5G connectivity down to the budget segment. It packaged a capable MediaTek chipset, a high-refresh-rate display, and Samsung's reliable software experience into an affordable plastic body, proving that next-gen network speeds didn't have to come with a premium price tag.

Design & Display

The phone features a practical, no-frills design with a plastic frame and back, weighing in at a substantial 203g. It's available in several muted color options like Gray, Green, Violet, and White. The 6.6-inch TFT LCD is the standout feature here, offering a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) and a buttery-smooth 90Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations, which was a rare find in its price bracket at launch.

Performance & Hardware

At its core, the Galaxy A22 5G is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 700 chipset, built on a 7nm process. This octa-core processor, paired with either 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of RAM (LPDDR4X), handles everyday tasks and light gaming competently. It offers 64GB or 128GB of internal storage, expandable via a microSDXC card slot, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media.

Camera

The triple-camera array on the back is led by a 48MP main sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and PDAF for focus. It's accompanied by a 5MP ultra-wide-angle lens with a 115-degree field of view and a 2MP depth sensor for portrait shots. The setup can record video at up to 1152p@30fps. For selfies, an 8MP front-facing camera housed in a waterdrop notch handles video calls and self-portraits.

Battery & Charging

A massive 5000mAh battery is the fuel tank for this device, easily providing a day and a half of use on a single charge, even with the 90Hz display enabled. It supports 15W wired charging for topping up the sizable cell.

Software & Features

The device launched with Android 11 skinned with Samsung's One UI Core 3.1. It is eligible for an upgrade to Android 13 with One UI Core 5, ensuring access to newer features and security updates. Features include a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, NFC for contactless payments, and a headphone jack.

Pros & Cons

• Pros:
  • Strong value proposition with 5G connectivity
  • Smooth 90Hz Full HD+ display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Expandable storage
  • Clean software with upgrade path
• Cons:
  • Plastic build feels budget-oriented
  • Low-light camera performance is average
  • Charging speed is only 15W
  • Uses an older Wi-Fi 5 standard

Tags: Samsung, Galaxy A22 5G, Android smartphone, budget phone, 5G phone, MediaTek Dimensity 700, battery life

A deep dive into the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, featuring a 90Hz display, Dimensity 700 chipset, and massive 5000mAh battery.