Samsung Galaxy S22 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Compare Samsung Galaxy S22 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600, 50MP…
Samsung
Galaxy S22 5G
$399
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
11categories won
9 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. In camera testing, the two devices offer similar flexibility, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26. Choose the Galaxy S26 if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S22 5G if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 takes battery honors offering 4,300 mAh alongside 25W charging.
Galaxy S26 provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
Both camera setups are closely matched for daily street photography and low-light shooting.
Galaxy S22 5G provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $399 vs $790.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
Galaxy S22 5G vs Galaxy S26: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.3" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppiWinner | 409 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1300 nits | 2600 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 2 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 940,000 | 3,064,672Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3950 | 10824Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 512GBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 3x |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 10 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 8K at 24fps / 4K at 60fps | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,700 mAh | 4,300 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 g | 167 g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mm | 7.2 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ front and back | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 12 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 4 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 5 years | 7 yearsWinner |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S22 5G | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $399Winner | $790 |
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
Boasting a featherweight 167-gram build, completely symmetrical display borders, and an upgraded 50MP GN5 sensor with 3x optical telephoto, the Galaxy S22 is a premier compact Android device.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 3,700mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh