The Apple iPhone 14 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S22 are two of the most anticipated phones to launch in the coming weeks, with major tech brands like Huawei and OnePlus already teasing their next high-end flagships. With a number of features making them more popular than the competition, it would be no surprise if they both end up being the best flagship smartphones this year. In one sense, we can compare the models based on performance and other technical details, but there’s also an interesting twist to it. While both offer great cameras, 5G connectivity, better display options, and new hardware under the hood, the key differentiator between these two is price.


The specs are similar for each phone, though some of the camera sensors have gone down in weight, while others boast advanced optics. Still, you see the exact amount of RAM in terms of storage space in the main differences between Android devices, so take that as readjusted in your mind. We’ll start by comparing specifications across the same model series, before digging deeper. Then, let’s get into why you should buy each smartphone at its own price point.


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Both phones feature excellent design aesthetics and perform well when compared side-by-side. You get a very similar device when using the names of the phones, albeit not identical (I was surprised about that). Both use stainless steel bezels but differ slightly in how glass is applied to them. At 0.9mm thick, the iPhone has a thicker frame as opposed to 1.1mm on S22 while having the same thickness on both phones. They both use aluminum body materials, though their finishes are quite different. Here’s a quick look at iPhone vs. S22 comparison:


Apple iPhone S22 Ultra Camera: 108MP f/1.5 aperture Main: 12MP + 12MP ultrawide Rear: 12MP Battery capacity: 4,227mAh Charging speed: 50W Wireless charging (optional): No Features: Night mode, macro photography Dimensions: 158.8 x 73.4 x 7.65mm Weight: 188g Screen resolution: 6.7 inches Refresh rate: 60Hz OLED screen 120 Hz Touch ID fingerprint sensor IP68 dust and water resistance Colors: Silver, Sierra Blue Price: $1,099 USD / £1,199.90 / €1,049.00 Read our full review iPhone 14 Pro Review: Pros & Cons | 8 Reviews


The front panel comes in three variations - the standard silver color, “Cinebench R23” option, or a choice of gold, which seems to be more accurate considering recent rumors. On top of the difference in looks, the S22 Ultra features a slightly bigger notch than the iPhone and will go up to almost 80% of the size from 15%. This doesn’t make any major changes in spec or performance since all iPhone owners have been complaining over the past couple of years about shrinking screens. If every pixel counts the way the big media companies want them to, then yes.


In the case of video recording capabilities, there isn’t much separating the two, thanks mostly to improvements made on the ultra-wide-angle lens. That said, the iPhone still delivers superb photos and videography. It still supports wide-angle shots and uses OIS to improve low light performances, too. The iPhone captures 20% more light for portraits and is even capable of creating night pictures. Even the photo quality is exceptional, thanks to a larger sensor, improved lenses, and software, while the S22 Ultra offers far superior autofocus capabilities. Overall, the iPhone does offer decent depth of field, but you may need an additional pair of glasses if you’re serious about taking cinematic shots.


For video shooting, although both phones can shoot videos, the iPhone packs the punch in terms of dynamic range. There’s certainly room for improvement, especially when compared to professional gear because this is arguably where users are looking to invest. Despite lacking in Dolby Vision support, the Ultra Wide channel still delivers solid results, though noise reduction is missing out compared to what it could be. A higher megapixel count means lesser grainy imagery on film, but it also brings better image resolution and lower chroma. Some clips do appear overly saturated due to a lack of processing power and HDR support, though overall, neither phones capture crisp footage no matter how many edits were done to them. It’s worth noting that the iOS 14.6 Pro software update for iPhones only adds a few extra effects and filters such as bokeh, motion tracking, and Portrait Noise Reduction. It also fixes several bugs with Live Photo Assist, Smart HDR, Cinematic Mode, etc., while keeping the older updates intact. However, both remain comparable in appearance and functionality, especially given how the newest macOS Monterey is so powerful.


The battery life is another area where both phones excel, offering around 20 hours of continuous video playback time, while the former might be able to handle 30 hours more depending on how many apps are running in background tabs. Of course, the total time of playtime depends largely on the operating system you choose. The iPhone takes advantage of built-in wireless charging while the S22 relies mainly on USB-C. Unlike Google Pixel handsets, the iPhone uses MagSafe, meaning it can charge from zero to 100%. But you don’t have to worry about this. As long as you have the right charger and compatible accessories, the iPad’s portability and compact footprint does the trick.


The camera features here are pretty much the same across both phones, though the iPhone gets better optical zoom with a longer focal length. One of the benefits of dual-lens cameras is getting a lot more information in one shot. Plus, the rear camera is significantly larger and boasts more pixels. You don’t feel quite as restricted with the ultrawide-angle shots and the selfie cam, either. What you get here are just a handful of minor tweaks that increase shutter speeds and brightness levels to deliver a smoother and brighter photo.


As expected with these huge cameras, the iPhone renders sharper images and produces more detail. Unfortunately, the final result is often washed out, though I think that’s mostly due to increased noise. Nonetheless, both come close enough to competing against professionals at 1080p and HD resolution. Video is also rendered nicely, with colors and blacks being crisp and detailed with richer contrast. It’s easy to say no to pro-level gaming, and both of those features don’t bother me at all. For my money, the iPhone is unbeatable if you expect the highest possible fidelity video quality and image quality. Those who value real-world comfort won’t find it appealing. And for me personally, all things considered, the iPhone wins hands-down.


The biggest draw of both phones lies within their displays, though you can’t really blame anyone for wanting to upgrade for something else. Sure, I see myself buying both of these flagships for the sheer convenience offered by their smaller sizes and lighter weight. These phones pack plenty of premium features like the always-connected lightning connector, a headphone jack, stereo speakers, multiple ways to snap photographs and record videos, and various tricks that allow for precise focus. All of those reasons to shell out for the iPhone and not the Galaxy S22 Ultra are easy to understand. Most importantly, the latter is simply cheaper, with faster processors and higher resolutions on par with the pros. But then again, you don’t really know until you try.