4 Ways Samsung’s Old Galaxy S22 Camera Still Beats My iPhone

Why It Matters

The S22’s enduring camera performance demonstrates that Android flagships can remain competitive long after release, influencing consumer buying decisions and pressuring Apple to expand its manual shooting tools.

Key Takeaways

• Single Take captures photos and video simultaneously, reducing shutter anxiety
• Pro/RAW mode offers manual ISO, shutter, white balance, live histogram
• Portrait video provides adjustable background blur, surpassing iPhone Cinematic
• 3× optical zoom retains context better than iPhone’s 5× zoom

Pulse Analysis

Samsung’s commitment to multi‑year software support has turned the 2022 Galaxy S22 into a camera that still rivals the 2023 iPhone 16 Pro. While Apple typically offers two major iOS updates for its devices, Samsung routinely delivers three to four Android upgrades plus feature‑focused camera packs. These updates introduce AI‑driven scene optimization, enhanced night‑mode algorithms, and new shooting modes that keep the S22’s 50‑megapixel sensor competitive. The result is a flagship whose imaging performance remains relevant four years after launch, challenging the notion that smartphone cameras become obsolete quickly.

The S22’s toolkit exemplifies why versatility matters as much as raw image quality. Single Take eliminates the photo‑or‑video dilemma by capturing a burst of images and short clips from multiple lenses in a ten‑second window, then letting users pick the best result. Pro mode and Expert RAW expose the full sensor data, with granular controls for ISO, shutter speed, white balance, and a live histogram—options the iPhone still lacks. Portrait video adds real‑time depth‑of‑field adjustments, giving creators more artistic control than Apple’s Cinematic mode, while a modest 3× optical zoom preserves context better than the iPhone’s tighter 5× range.

This functional edge reshapes consumer expectations and puts pressure on Apple to broaden its manual controls. For professionals and hobbyists who value post‑capture flexibility, an older Samsung device can now deliver a cost‑effective alternative to the latest iPhone. The competitive advantage also feeds into Samsung’s broader strategy, as seen in the upcoming Galaxy S26, which pairs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC with a refined camera stack. As smartphone photography continues to replace entry‑level DSLRs, the ability to extend a device’s useful life becomes a compelling selling point.