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Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

8.1/10 UpPhone score

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is a refined, compact Android flagship that packs serious performance and camera capability into one of the most pocketable premium form factors Samsung has ever shipped.

Cheapest plan with this phone
$29.17/mo
Straight Talk
with Straight Talk · see all 4 plans below
Or buy outright: $699.99
See this deal
Screen
6.1"
The verdict, & two little voices

Should you actually get the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G?

The editor weighs in — flanked by the optimist on her shoulder and the cynic on the other.
UP
Our takeEditorial
The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G makes a compelling case for anyone who genuinely values a more compact premium Android phone. The Galaxy S-series pedigree brings strong performance, Samsung's polished One UI software, and the built-in trust of one of the world's best-known smartphone brands. For prepaid shoppers on Straight Talk or Total Wireless who want the full Galaxy experience with 5G, the S22 5G delivers it.

The $699.99 outright price is significant, though installment options ease the upfront commitment. Those who prize a manageable, pocketable form factor in a flagship device will find the S22 5G a distinctive and satisfying choice — particularly as a value-priced option compared to newer Galaxy releases.

UpPhone Team
The Optimist
“At last — a Samsung Galaxy S-series phone that actually fits in a normal human hand! The Galaxy S22 5G is proof that you do NOT have to carry a tablet in your pocket to have a premium Samsung experience. One UI in all its polished, feature-packed glory! Samsung Pay ready to make contactless payments feel effortless! 5G connectivity! 128 GB of storage! Flagship performance packed into a compact body that won't dislocate your shoulder! The S22 5G is what happens when Samsung remembers that some of us have normal-sized hands and pockets. A triumph of proportionate design! An ode to the one-handed smartphone! Compact, capable, and completely brilliant — the Galaxy S22 5G is a love letter to everyone who said "can we please just have a powerful phone that isn't the size of a cutting board?"”
— the angel on your shoulder
The Cynic
“Ah, the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G — seven hundred dollars for a phone whose main distinguishing feature is that it is SMALL. Congratulations, Samsung, for charging flagship prices to give us less phone, literally. The compact form factor means a more modest battery, because physics is undefeated. You're paying $699.99 outright on a prepaid carrier for a phone that arrived in 2022, meaning the software update clock is already ticking. By the time you've fully paid it off on installments, it'll be two generations old. Also, you're paying Straight Talk prices for a Galaxy S flagship — a choice that carries a certain poetic irony. But sure, if your primary qualification for a $700 phone is "it fits in a small pocket," then mission accomplished, I suppose.”
— the devil in your other ear
Our take

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is a refined, compact Android flagship that packs serious performance and camera capability into one of the most pocketable premium form factors Samsung has ever shipped.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G represented Samsung's vision of what a premium compact Android phone should look like — a phone that doesn't require you to buy into an oversized phablet to get flagship-grade hardware. With 128 GB of storage and Samsung's flagship-tier processor under the hood, the S22 5G delivered a full Galaxy S-series experience in a form factor genuinely designed to fit comfortably in one hand.

Available through Straight Talk and Total Wireless at $699.99 outright or on installment plans, the Galaxy S22 5G brings the full Samsung One UI experience — including Samsung Pay, Galaxy ecosystem integration, and the performance expected from a Galaxy S-series device — to the prepaid market. For shoppers who value a more compact body without sacrificing core smartphone capability, the S22 5G occupies a distinctive niche in the Samsung lineup.

The Galaxy S22 5G is a well-regarded device that holds its own as a capable daily driver, particularly for users who find larger phones unwieldy. Its combination of compact design, Samsung's polished software experience, and 5G connectivity makes it a meaningful choice in the prepaid premium space.

What we love
  • Compact premium form factor — one of Samsung's most pocketable flagship designs
  • Full Samsung Galaxy S-series experience including One UI and Samsung Pay
  • 5G connectivity for fast mobile data speeds
  • 128 GB of storage provides solid capacity for apps, photos, and media
  • Available on installment plans through Straight Talk for budget-friendly access
What we don't
  • Premium price of $699.99 outright puts it at the higher end of the prepaid market
  • Battery capacity is more modest than larger Galaxy S-series counterparts
  • Compact display size may not suit users who prefer larger screens

Full specifications

Display
Size6.1"
Performance
Storage128 GB
OSAndroid 15
Camera
VideoYes
Design
Form factorSlate
Connectivity
USBUSB 3.2 (5 Gbps)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G on individual carriers

All 4 plans with Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

Carrier: Any ▾Lines: 1 ▾Sort: Lowest ▾
CarrierPlanDataTermMonthly
Straight Talk
Installments + Basic Unlimited
Unlimited
24-mo term
$29.17/mo
total $53.17 over term
Straight Talk
Installments + Straight Talk Silver Unlimited
10 GB
24-mo term
$29.17/mo
total $71.67 over term
Straight Talk
Installments + Straight Talk Gold Unlimited
15 GB
24-mo term
$29.17/mo
total $84.17 over term
Straight Talk
Installments + Straight Talk Platinum Unlimited
Unlimited
24-mo term
$29.17/mo
total $94.17 over term
All 4 plans with Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G

What kind of display does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G have?

The Galaxy S22 5G features Samsung's signature Dynamic AMOLED display technology in a compact form factor. As a flagship Samsung device, the screen delivers the vivid colors, deep blacks, and smooth refresh rate performance that the Galaxy S-series is known for — all in a size that makes single-handed use genuinely comfortable.

What kind of camera does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G have?

The Galaxy S22 5G carries forward the multi-lens camera tradition of the Galaxy S-series, giving users a versatile shooting system for everything from everyday snapshots to zoom photography. Samsung's computational photography processing pipeline delivers well-balanced exposures, strong detail retention, and solid performance across lighting conditions, backed by the camera-focused heritage of the Galaxy S lineup.

What is the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G?

The Galaxy S22 5G balances battery capacity with its compact body, which means endurance is best suited for typical daily usage patterns — communication, social media, browsing, and moderate media consumption. Samsung's power optimization in One UI helps stretch the battery through a full day, and fast charging support gets you back to full quickly when needed.

What processor does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G use?

The Galaxy S22 5G runs Samsung's flagship-tier chipset, delivering the kind of responsive, capable performance you'd expect from a Galaxy S-series device. Heavy apps, multitasking, demanding games, and camera processing all run smoothly and efficiently, thanks to the combination of a powerful processor and Samsung's One UI software optimizations.

How much storage does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G have?

With 128 GB of onboard storage, the Galaxy S22 5G offers a generous baseline for a flagship device. A large app library, extensive photo and video archive, and downloaded media all fit comfortably, making storage management an infrequent concern for the majority of users. This storage tier provides a solid foundation for the life of the device.

What kind of speakers does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G have?

The Galaxy S22 5G features Samsung's stereo speaker setup, producing clear, well-balanced audio for hands-free media, gaming, and video calls. The stereo separation adds noticeable depth to the listening experience, and Samsung's tuning ensures dialogue and mid-range frequencies come through clearly.

Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G support fingerprint or face unlock?

Biometric security on the Galaxy S22 5G includes an under-display fingerprint sensor and face recognition, consistent with the broader Galaxy S-series experience. Unlock speeds are fast and reliable, providing the seamless security convenience that Samsung's premium lineup is known for.

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G water-resistant?

The Galaxy S22 5G carries Samsung's IP68 water and dust resistance rating, providing protection against accidental splashes, rain, and brief submersion. This is a standard feature across the Galaxy S-series and adds meaningful durability assurance for everyday real-world use.

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