Forget The Samsung Galaxy S23 — Here's Why You Should Get A Galaxy S22 Instead

© Tom's catalog is empty.

If you're a fan of the flagship Samsung Galaxy S and are in the market for a new phone, you might be stuck with an "I can't or I can't" dilemma. Today, the best Samsung phones are dominated by the Galaxy S22 models released this year. And with great cameras, a solid processor, and Android 13 now available via Samsung's One UI 5 update, the Galaxy S22 is a good choice for a new phone.

But wait - a new Samsung flagship will be on the block in a few months. It's no secret that the smartphone giant is working on the Galaxy S23, and the latest rumors suggest that the phone will hit the market in early February 2023 alongside the Galaxy Unveiled.

So if you're considering a new Galaxy device, the dilemma is: should you buy the Galaxy S22 now or wait until the Galaxy S23 arrives?

Let me be the devil on your shoulder. If you're looking for a new Samsung phone, ditch any other phone and buy the Galaxy S22 now.

Let me be clear that I'm only talking about the entry-level Galaxy 22 and possibly the slightly larger Galaxy S22 Plus. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a completely different story, with the rumored changes to the Galaxy S23 Ultra seemingly delayed by a few months. But if you're not one to pay big bucks for a flagship Galaxy, go for the Galaxy S22 without any reservations or regrets.

I guess that's why fans of Galaxy phones shouldn't wait for next year's flagship.

The Galaxy S22 is a great phone.

As I said in the introduction, the Galaxy S22 was one of the best phones we reviewed last year. It may not have the flashy features of the Ultra, but it offers premium quality at a reasonable starting price of $799. (We'll talk about price in a moment.)

The Galaxy S22 has a bright and colorful screen; in fact, I believe it's the best performance of any flagship phone released in 2022. And while I always roll my eyes at the "Nightography" branding that Samsung promoted with this phone, I don't. You can't ignore how well the Galaxy S22's cameras perform in low light.

As a fan of compact phones, I appreciate the design of the Galaxy S22, with a 6.1-inch screen that fits comfortably in my hand. And if you prefer more screen, that's what the Galaxy 22 Plus has. You get all the great features of the Galaxy S22 with a larger 6.6-inch screen (and faster wired charging).

So let's be clear: When you buy the Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Plus, you're getting Samsung's best phones for under $1,000. You may not be able to select a device.

Galaxy S22 deals are everywhere.

And this time, you don't even pay full price. Black Friday may be in the rearview mirror, but the Galaxy S22 deals are still on.

Depending on the phone you trade in from Samsung, you can save $475 on the Galaxy S22. Verizon and AT&T are offering the Galaxy S22 for free with eligible trade-ins and with sign-up. Unlimited carrier plans. You'll also find similar deals on the Galaxy S22 Plus. Don't want to communicate with companies or service providers? At press time, Amazon is selling an unlocked Galaxy S22 for $135.

Yes, retailers and carriers are scrambling to clear Galaxy S22 stock ahead of the Galaxy S23 launch next year. But why not take advantage, especially when it means big savings on the best phones of the year?

The Galaxy S23 doesn't look like a big step forward.

With every appliance purchase, the question arises: Is there something better than what I'm buying? The answer to this question is always yes. Device manufacturers are always working on better versions of what they are trying to sell. You need to decide if these changes will bring what you are missing.

We won't know for sure until the launch next February, but from what we've heard so far, the Galaxy S23 could be an upgrade to the Galaxy S22. You will find it very soon. It's a more efficient chip from the Galaxy S23, if Samsung does what everyone expects and uses Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon for the new phone. The S23 may ditch the contoured design of the S22, with the rear camera lens slightly tilted. We've also heard of slight inconsistencies in battery size.

None of this is a big change because the Galaxy S23 Ultra could be Samsung's main focus this time around. The 200MP main camera - said to be in the Ultra range - is worth the wait, so again, if you're in the market for a premium Samsung phone, you should probably wait until next year to buy one. But I don't think anyone with a Galaxy S22 will be consumed with envy the day after the Galaxy S23 drops.

Prospects

Every purchase has an opportunity cost. As for buying the Galaxy S22 now, that means you're forgoing the changes Samsung has planned for the S23. But if what we're hearing is correct, there's not much the standard Galaxy S23 offers that you can't get with the Galaxy S22. Moreover, the latter can now be purchased much cheaper.

To me, the solution couldn't be more clear. Buy a Galaxy S22 and laugh at how much money you saved in the bank.