7.9GetLow score
Is the Galaxy S22 worth buying?
The Galaxy S22 remains a brilliant pocket-sized Android, though its small battery requires careful management in 2026.
Best bits
- Perfect compact size and lightweight at 167g
- Superb 6.1-inch 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display
- Genuine 3x optical zoom from the 10MP telephoto
- Premium glass and aluminium IP68 build
Watch-outs
- 3700mAh battery struggles to last a full day
- 25W wired charging feels slow in 2026
- Exynos 2200 can run warm under heavy load
- No expandable storage option
2026 buyer guide
Samsung Galaxy S22 in 2026
Four years on, this compact 2022 flagship offers premium cameras and superb build quality at a fraction of its original price, making it a top refurbished pick on our price comparison engine.
Live price position Judge the Galaxy S22 by today's whole-contract price
GetLow currently checks 13 Galaxy S22 contract offers across 4 retailers and 3 networks. The market starts at £14.99 a month, £0.00 upfront and £404.76 in total after currently stated promotional savings.
Those headline floors can come from different deals. Keep monthly price, upfront cost, data, storage, term and condition tied to one listing before deciding which offer is genuinely cheapest.
Monthly pricesFrom £14.99
Upfront pricesFrom £0.00
Total contract costFrom £404.76
Current conditionEvery current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost.
Live model price comparison How does the Samsung Galaxy S22 price compare with nearby phones?
This table uses the reviewed phone plus up to four nearby alternatives by current lowest total contract cost. Monthly price, data, total cost and condition remain attached to the same cheapest-total listing for each phone.
Read each difference against the bold Galaxy S22 baseline. A cheaper row shows the whole-contract saving; a dearer row shows the additional amount currently needed to step up.
Build your own phone comparison Select any three phones and compare them side by side
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is selected first. Change any selector to compare it with two other current phones from Samsung, or with the wider market when fewer than three Samsung models are available.
Every price card keeps monthly cost, upfront payment, total cost, data, contract length and condition attached to the same live listing. The specification table then shows the hardware differences that may justify paying more.
Pocketability meets premium glass and metal
At 146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm and weighing just 167g, the Galaxy S22 is genuinely pocketable. It is a refreshing departure from the massive slabs dominating the current market. The IP68 water and dust resistance provides peace of mind, while the flat aluminium frame feels remarkably solid without digging into your palm.
The 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel remains gorgeous in 2026. You get a sharp 1080x2340 resolution and a buttery 120Hz refresh rate that makes scrolling through One UI feel instantaneous. Colours pop exactly as you would expect from a Samsung display, offering deep blacks and brilliant contrast for video streaming.
Capable cameras, but keep a charger handy
In the UK we got the Exynos 2200 chip rather than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Paired with 8GB of RAM, it handles everyday Android multitasking perfectly well on a 5G connection. The camera system is the real draw: a 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide and a proper 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom easily beats mid-range phones released this year, while the 10MP front lens handles video calls brilliantly.
The glaring weakness is the 3700mAh battery. It was borderline acceptable at launch and requires strict management now; heavy users will definitely need a midday top-up. Refuelling is also fairly pedestrian by modern standards, capped at 25W wired and 15W wireless charging.
Is it worth buying on contract in 2026?
If you dislike massive handsets and want flagship-grade photography on a budget, this is an excellent choice. Buying a refurbished or Like New S22 on contract today offers tremendous value, giving you a high-end metal and glass phone for the monthly price of a cheap plastic budget device. Run it through the comparison engine and you will frequently see aggressive data deals on this model, making it ideal for anyone who prioritises pocket space and camera quality over multi-day battery life.
New and refurbished buying checks Protect the saving before you order
Every current offer is listed as refurbished, so compare the stated condition, warranty and total cost. A low price is only good value when the condition, storage, warranty, returns terms and battery policy suit what you expect to receive.
Use total contract cost after any stated code as the first comparison, then check data and storage on the same basis. Availability can change as retailers update stock.
- Confirm whether the selected listing is new or refurbished.
- Check the exact storage and colour before leaving GetLow.
- Read the warranty, returns and refurbished battery terms.
- Compare the total contract cost rather than monthly price alone.
Who it suits
Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 right for you?
Buy the Galaxy S22 if
Buy the S22 if you want a premium, pocket-friendly Android with a dedicated zoom lens at a bargain refurbished price.
Choose another phone if
Skip this phone if you are a heavy gamer or routinely spend long days away from a plug socket.
Colours and images
Galaxy S22 is available in Phantom Black, Phantom White. Pick the colour you can live with for the full contract, not just the launch-week favourite.
Phantom Black
Phantom Black gives the Galaxy S22 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Phantom White
Phantom White gives the Galaxy S22 a different feel without changing the deal comparison underneath.
Which storage should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy S22 storage options include 128GB. The live cards show capacities currently found in GetLow deals. Start with the smallest suitable option for lighter use, then step up if you keep lots of photos, video, games or offline apps.
128GBAvailable from £14.99/mo
Full Galaxy S22 specs
These are the buyer-facing specs that matter most when comparing contract deals.
| Display | 6.1 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080 x 2340 |
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| Refresh rate | Up to 120Hz |
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| Chip | Exynos 2200 (Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 outside Europe) |
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| Rear camera | 50MP wide + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP telephoto (3x) |
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| Front camera | 10MP |
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| Operating system | Android (One UI) |
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| Storage | 128GB |
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| Colours | Phantom Black, Phantom White |
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| Battery | 3,700mAh battery |
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| Charging | 25W wired / 15W wireless |
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| Size | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm |
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| Weight | 167g |
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| Durability | IP68 |
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Specifications come from GetLow catalogue and retailer data. Contract prices and availability are checked from current in-stock GetLow listings.
Keep comparing
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Galaxy S22 FAQs
Is the Galaxy S22 still getting Android updates in 2026?
Samsung promised four years of major OS updates and five years of security patches for the S22, so it stays secure and supported up to 2027. That makes a 24-month contract perfectly viable today.
Will the Exynos 2200 processor slow down?
For daily tasks like WhatsApp, browsing and YouTube, the Exynos chip alongside 8GB of RAM stays snappy and responsive. You might notice some warmth during extended gaming, but general One UI navigation is fluid.
How bad is the battery life really?
The 3700mAh cell is undoubtedly its weakest point. If you mainly use 5G and keep brightness high you will almost certainly need to recharge before the evening.
Is the camera better than a new mid-range phone?
Yes, particularly for zoomed shots. Mid-range phones often use cheap macro lenses to pad the spec sheet, but the S22's dedicated 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom gives noticeably better portrait and distance photography.
Does it support standard UK 5G networks?
Yes. It connects to all major UK 5G networks, so you get the fastest available data speeds wherever your provider has coverage.
The verdict
The Galaxy S22 is a tale of compromises. You get exceptional build quality, a gorgeous 6.1-inch screen and top-tier cameras squeezed into a frame that actually fits a normal jeans pocket. The trade-off is distinctly average battery life. If you sit at a desk most of the day or carry a power bank, picking up a Like New model via GetLow is a smart way to secure flagship features for a fraction of the original cost.
Ready to compare the Galaxy S22?See monthly price, upfront cost, storage, data and total contract cost in one place.
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