If you're a big smartphone enthusiast and money isn't an object, it's easy to upgrade your phone every year when a new model launches. Unfortunately, for the rest of us, we need to weigh whether the latest release brings enough extra sauce to make it worth dropping all that cash.
With the Samsung Galaxy S24 series freshly released, you might be wondering whether you should upgrade if you have an S22 (if you have an S23, stick to it for now). I have an S22 Ultra, so I'll be giving you my thoughts on whether it can suffice for another year or whether it is time to bring out the credit card.
Should I Upgrade?
The S22 lineup launched in early 2022, almost exactly two years before the S24 series came to market. As expected, there are notable changes between these sets of devices, but are they enough to justify upgrading? Let's talk about it.
Galaxy S22 to Galaxy S24?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a similar but slightly more modern design than the S24. Both phones have the same dimensions, though the S24 trims the bezels enough to provide a 0.1-inch increase in the screen size. Speaking of screens, the S24 has a brighter and more power-efficient display.
You'll get the expected upgrade on the Exynos or Snapdragon chip. Storage options are similar, but if you go for the 256 GB or 512 GB S24, it comes with faster UFS 4.0 storage in place of UFS 3.1. The cameras are mostly identical, though the S24 now supports 8K at 30fps and not just 24fps, and can also take ultra slow motion video in Full HD. 720p was the previous max. The selfie shooter gets bumped to 12 MP from 10 MP.
You get a 300 mAh boost on the battery, to a total of 4,000 mAh on the S24. Of course, there's all the Galaxy AI magic too. But with all that in consideration, do I think it is worth upgrading? The answer is no. Besides the AI stuff, the improvements are mostly minimal and the S22 is still highly capable.
Galaxy S22+ to Galaxy S24+?
The S24+ has earned a reputation as being the smart pick in the newest lineup, but does it make for a smart upgrade? Well, with a 0.1-inch increase on the screen, the dimensions take a very minor bump up. That screen is worth it too: more power-efficient, brighter, and QHD+ instead of FHD+ like the S22+.
You'll get a more modern chipset, and both storage configurations opt for 12 GB of RAM instead of 8 GB. The minimum storage option is doubled to 256 GB, and it is UFS 4.0 as well. In terms of performance, the S24+ has things going well. Cameras are mostly the same, with improvements to recording modes (now has 8K at 30fps and 1080p at 960fps). The selfie camera gets the same bump up to 12 MP.
The battery takes a leap to 4,900 mAh, up by 400 mAh, which gets a nod of approval from me. To be honest, if your S22+ has seen better days, you'll definitely notice a difference if you upgrade. If you can afford it or take advantage of a trade-in deal, I'd say go for the S24+, especially with AI in the mix.
Galaxy S22 Ultra to Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Here's where I'm personally invested. Does the S24 Ultra have enough to make me say bye to my S22 Ultra? Let's find out.
While the design is similar, a lot is different. It has Samsung's first titanium frame and switches to a flat screen for the first time in a long time. Slimmer bezels and a flat display mean the device is slightly smaller in all dimensions. The screen is brighter, brings LTPO tech, and is covered with Gorilla Glass Armor which reduces its reflectivity and helps for viewing in direct sunlight, and is more scratch-resistant.
You get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 globally, and UFS 4.0 storage, no matter which configuration you choose. The main camera jumps to 200 MP from 108 MP in the S22 Ultra, and the 10x telephoto is replaced by a 50 MP 5x telephoto, but the selfie cam drops from 40 MP to the same 12 MP sensor in the other models. You also get additional video recording features, such as 4K at 120fps, which the lower models don't have.
So, the question is, do I recommend jumping from the S22 Ultra to the S24 Ultra? If you make content and your phone's camera is essential, then perhaps, since that's where the biggest changes are. But for me, I'll be sticking with my S22 Ultra for at least another year.
Will Next Year Be A Better Time To Switch?
The S25 is a year away, and we're yet to get any solid leaks on what that lineup might be coming with. Is it the year for another design change? It's hard to say, but since my S22 Ultra is still serving me reliably, I'll be patient and see what Samsung has for us in 2025.
