Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs iPhone 15 Pro Max

Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:195.00

Versus €1,283.00 new

See options
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 15 Pro Max
Starting at

Refurbished price:609.99

Versus €1,489.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G (released February 2022) and the iPhone 15 Pro Max (released September 2023) represent different generations of flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both offer premium experiences, the iPhone 15 Pro Max, being a newer device, introduces advancements in processing power and camera technology. The Galaxy S22 Plus operates on Android, offering a customizable user experience, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max runs on Apple's iOS, known for its integrated ecosystem.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical resilience.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Plus was released in February 2022, making it an older model compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which launched in September 2023. This difference in release dates impacts their remaining software support cycles.
  • Software Longevity: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to receive major iOS updates for a longer duration, typically 6-7 years from its release, extending its software relevance further into the future. The Galaxy S22 Plus, running Android, generally receives major OS updates for about 4-5 years and security updates for 5 years from its launch.
  • Physical Durability: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water up to 6 meters for 30 minutes for the iPhone, and up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes for the Galaxy S22 Plus. The iPhone 15 Pro Max incorporates a titanium frame and Ceramic Shield front cover, while the Galaxy S22 Plus uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ for screen protection.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance in daily use, from app handling to multitasking, is a key differentiator between these two devices.

  • System Responsiveness: The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a more recent generation processor, which translates to smoother operation, faster app loading times, and more efficient handling of demanding applications and graphics-intensive games. The Galaxy S22 Plus, with its earlier generation processor, still offers capable performance for everyday tasks and most applications, though it may show a difference in speed with the most intensive workloads.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: Both devices are equipped with sufficient memory to manage multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The iPhone 15 Pro Max's optimized software and hardware integration contribute to a fluid multitasking experience.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 15 Pro Max generally offers extended battery life, with users often reporting it lasting through a full day of heavy use, including extensive video playback and web browsing. The Galaxy S22 Plus provides solid battery performance for a full day of moderate use, but very heavy users might find themselves needing to recharge sooner.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is central to smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality displays with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a Super Retina XDR OLED display, offering deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a high resolution of 2796 x 1290 pixels at 460 ppi. The Galaxy S22 Plus utilizes a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a resolution of 1080 x 2340 pixels at 390 ppi, also providing rich colors and good clarity.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a peak outdoor brightness of up to 2000 nits, making it highly visible in bright sunlight, and an adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy S22 Plus offers a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, ensuring a responsive and bright viewing experience in most conditions.
  • Screen Size and Viewing Experience: Both phones feature large displays, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max having a 6.7-inch screen and the Galaxy S22 Plus a 6.6-inch screen. Both provide an immersive viewing experience for media consumption and productivity.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1290 x 2796

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though with some differences in their capabilities.

  • Rear Camera System: The iPhone 15 Pro Max features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 48MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 12MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. The Galaxy S22 Plus also has a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The iPhone's 5x optical zoom provides greater reach for distant subjects.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 15 Pro Max excels in low-light photography and offers advanced features like ProRes video recording and improved computational photography for detailed images. The Galaxy S22 Plus delivers strong performance in well-lit conditions with vibrant colors and good detail, and also offers capable low-light performance.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording high-resolution video, with the iPhone 15 Pro Max supporting 4K video at up to 60fps and offering Cinematic mode. The Galaxy S22 Plus can record up to 8K video. Both include stereo speakers for a rich audio experience during media playback and clear microphone quality for calls and recordings.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity and modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6E for both, Bluetooth 5.3 for iPhone 15 Pro Max and Bluetooth 5.2 for Galaxy S22 Plus). The iPhone 15 Pro Max uses a USB-C port, aligning with a more universal standard, while the Galaxy S22 Plus also features a USB-C port.
  • Biometric Security: The iPhone 15 Pro Max relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The Galaxy S22 Plus offers an in-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
  • Physical Characteristics: The iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs 221 grams and has dimensions of 159.9 x 76.7 x 8.25 mm. The Galaxy S22 Plus is lighter at 195 grams and measures 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm. The iPhone 15 Pro Max's titanium frame contributes to its robust feel.

Weight

195 g

221 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

Users often praise the iPhone 15 Pro Max for its exceptional camera capabilities, particularly its telephoto zoom and low-light performance, as well as its powerful processing for demanding tasks and extended battery life. Some common criticisms have included initial reports of overheating and potential fragility of the back glass, though software updates have addressed some performance concerns.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is frequently lauded for its vibrant display, sleek design, and reliable overall performance for daily use. Users appreciate its customizable Android experience. Some feedback has pointed to its battery life being less enduring compared to newer flagships, especially for heavy users.

Users prioritizing a longer software support lifespan, advanced camera features with superior optical zoom, and top-tier processing power for the most intensive applications may find the iPhone 15 Pro Max well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who prefer the Android operating system's flexibility, a slightly lighter device, and a still-excellent display and camera for general use might lean towards the Galaxy S22 Plus. Both devices offer a premium smartphone experience, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be a sustainable choice for either model.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons