Frame and back are connected to each other via many steps.
Housing, card slot and fingerprint sensor
With dimensions of 167.2×76.4×9.0 millimeters (without camera) and a weight of 203 grams, the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G is not one of the particularly compact models. The plastic back mimics frosted glass quite well and doesn’t look cheap. It is not prone to fingerprints, but scratches. The front and back look a bit attached and there are many edges and steps at the edge. This isn’t really annoying, but both optically and haptically one has already experienced it tidier. The camera only sticks out a millimeter from the back, so the A22 5G is reasonably stable on the table. Typical in the price range, but still a disadvantage for the test score: The A22 5G is not waterproof.
On the underside there is a classic jack and the USB Type-C port.
On the left is the card slot, which in addition to two SIM cards swallows a memory card. Below are the charging and jack sockets, on the right are the volume rocker and the power button, which is also the fingerprint sensor and is therefore easily accessible. Alternatively, unlock with face recognition.
The fingerprint sensor is on the side.
Display: Not crisp, but sharp
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G comes with a 6.6-inch TFT FHD+ display.
A 6.6-inch LCD with a resolution of 2408×1080 pixels (FHD+) is used in the Samsung Galaxy A22 5G. This means that the screen is a little larger compared to the Galaxy A21s and Galaxy A32 5G, but much sharper. While the A22 5G has 2.6 million pixels, the Full HD+ relatives share the work with just 1.15 million. Unfortunately, the maximum brightness of only 412 candelas per square meter (cd/m²) is even lower than that of the A21s (522 cd/m²) or A32 5G (545 cd/m²). It lacks radiance outdoors in direct sunlight and the viewing angles are also limited. Inside buildings, however, readability is impeccable. The A72, for example, shows what is possible in terms of brightness with a radiant 1225 cd/m². The contrast of 1761:1 is okay for an LCD and is above the A21s and A32 5G, but well below the OLED relatives A31 or A42 5G. In contrast to the A32, however, one cannot mourn the loss of a high-contrast OLED, because the A21s only had an LCD. Curious: The A22 without 5G only has a diagonal of 6.4 inches and a resolution of 1600×720 pixels, but it is a crisp OLED display! Only from the A52 onwards do the devices in Samsung’s A class become as sharp as the A22 5G again. Scrolling is pleasantly smooth thanks to the 90 Hertz screen change frequency. Overall, the display is satisfactory (grade: 2.8) and better than the A32 5G (grade: 3.3) and A21s (grade: 4.0).
Galaxy A22 5G with triple camera
The front camera in the teardrop notch has a resolution of 8 MP. The Galaxy A22 has three cameras on the back (here in white). The main camera (48 MP) is on the top left, next to it is the depth camera (2 MP) and in the second row is the ultra-wide-angle camera (5 MP) and the weak LED flash.
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G has three lenses on the back. The main camera (f/1.8) with a maximum of 48 megapixels (MP) and the ultra wide-angle camera (f/2.2; 5 MP) are responsible for photos. In standard mode, the main camera combines four pixels into one optimized pixel (pixel binning), resulting in a 12 MP image. In daylight, the A22 5G shoots on par with the A32 5G, but in low light the photos also turn out bad. An auxiliary lens (2 MP) for depth information supports, for example, the calculation of blurred backgrounds in portrait mode. The front camera (f/2.0) embedded in the so-called Infinity-V display has a resolution of 8 MP. The selfie quality is satisfactory. Here, too, there are weaknesses in poor lighting, which other cell phones compensate better. The front and main cameras of the A22 5G get a grade of 3.0 (for comparison: A21s: 3.1; A32 5G: 2.7; A52 5G: 2.8; A72: 2.5). In the test, the A22 5G delivered usable photos in daylight. Of course, with an exclusively digital zoom, there are losses at larger zoom levels. A maximum of tenfold magnification is possible. Unlike the A32 5G, the A22 5G cannot record 4K videos.
Galaxy A22 5G: shot with the ultra wide-angle camera. The original photo has a resolution of 2592×19944 pixels with a file size of 5.4 megabytes.
Shot with the standard camera. The original photo has a resolution of 4000×3000 pixels with a file size of 21.6 (!) megabytes.
A tenfold zoom shows clear blurring. The original photo has a resolution of 4000×3000 pixels and a file size of 5.4 megabytes.
Pace and storage: Galaxy A22 5G
Geekbench 5 from left to right: Samsung Galaxy A22 5G, A72, A52 5G, A32. Amazing: The Galaxy A22 5G delivers the second best score after the A52 5G.
The scope of delivery includes a power adapter that delivers a maximum of 15 watts.
Large battery and NFC
Samsung Galaxy A22 5G: colors and prices
The Galaxy A22 5G comes in black, white and purple. With 64 GB the RRP is 229 euros, with 128 GB 249 euros. This puts the A22 5G exactly 20 euros above the Galaxy A22 (without 5G) and 50 euros below the A32 5G.
The green variant did not make it onto the German market.
Test conclusion: Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
The Samsung Galaxy A22 5G makes one thing above all: the Galaxy A32 5G unnecessary. It’s cheaper, even a bit faster in everyday use and has the much sharper display. The surcharge for the smaller A22 is only 20 euros. You have to do without the macro lens for this, but you get a faster mobile phone with 5G and a larger and sharper screen. In return, the small A22 with OLED offers better contrast. Compared to the A21s, the A22 5G does everything better apart from the maximum brightness and the price. Nevertheless, at the time of testing, it was the best-placed Galaxy in the list of the best smartphones up to 300 euros and entered the top 10 in the list of the best 5G smartphones under 300 euros. In short: a price tip if you want Samsung to stand on it.