iPhone 14 vs Galaxy S22
This is a classic rivalry: the iPhone 14 against the Galaxy S22, Apple against Samsung, both in flagship smartphone territory. The numbers lean one way: the Galaxy S22 comes out ahead in 3 of the 5 areas we compared, with its clearest lead in the display category.
At a glance
- Display Galaxy S22 wins
- Performance Galaxy S22 wins
- Memory & Storage iPhone 14 wins
- Camera Galaxy S22 wins
- Battery & Charging Tie
- Price iPhone 14 wins
- Display2.1
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera0.9
- Display5.1
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera2.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The Galaxy S22 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz
When it comes to refresh rate, the Galaxy S22 wins comfortably with 120 Hz against 60 Hz. You notice refresh rate every time you scroll a feed or a web page, which is why the Galaxy S22 feels more fluid in everyday use.
-
The Galaxy S22 has a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera
It’s a lopsided result (50 MP for the Galaxy S22, 12 MP for the iPhone 14) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. The Galaxy S22’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
-
The Galaxy S22 has an extra rear camera
The spread here is large: 3 on the Galaxy S22 versus 2 on the iPhone 14. Expect to notice it. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S22 gives you more lenses to choose from.
-
The iPhone 14 has a bigger top storage option
Of all the specs we compared, this is one where the iPhone 14 makes its strongest case: 512 GB against 256 GB. Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the iPhone 14’s bigger maximum.
-
The Galaxy S22 has 8.3% higher peak brightness
The Galaxy S22 wins this narrowly, 1,300 nits against 1,200 nits, which makes it more of a bonus than a reason to buy. Peak figures are usually reached only in short bursts or small areas of the screen, but a higher ceiling still helps outdoor visibility.
Design & Size
- iPhone 14 5.78 in × 2.81 in × 0.31 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
If you’re worried about fit, relax: either phone occupies roughly the same footprint. The iPhone 14 and the Galaxy S22 are within a few percent of each other on weight.
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.07 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Galaxy S22 leads
The Galaxy S22 wins the display section decisively. On its side, the Galaxy S22 has a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. Smoother motion is one of the most visible display upgrades, and adaptive high-refresh panels can slow down on static content to save power. The iPhone 14 steps ahead thanks to 8.2% sharper pixel density. In short, the Galaxy S22 is the better-equipped phone for display.
Refresh rate
iPhone 14: 60 Hz Galaxy S22: 120 Hz A higher refresh rate makes scrolling, animations and games look smoother. Once you’re used to it, a lower-rate screen can feel sluggish by comparison.
Peak brightness
iPhone 14: 1,200 nits Galaxy S22: 1,300 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
Galaxy S22 leads
It’s a narrow one, but the performance round goes to the Galaxy S22. The Galaxy S22 delivers a newer 4 nm chip process. The Galaxy S22’s chip is built on a more advanced process. That usually points to efficiency gains, though chip design matters just as much. If this section decides it for you, choose the Galaxy S22.
CPU cores
iPhone 14: 6 Galaxy S22: 8 Phone chips mix large and small cores, so a different count mostly reflects a different design rather than a clear speed gap.
Process node
iPhone 14: 5 nm Galaxy S22: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Memory & Storage
iPhone 14 leads
On balance, the iPhone 14 leads the memory & storage section, just not by much. The iPhone 14 adds a bigger top storage option. Most buyers are fine with a base or middle tier, so this is a niche advantage, but a real one if you need it. That makes the iPhone 14 the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Max storage
iPhone 14: 512 GB Galaxy S22: 256 GB The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone.
Camera
Galaxy S22 leads
The Galaxy S22 dominates the camera section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. The Galaxy S22 makes its case with a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera. Megapixels are only one part of image quality, so treat this as a sign of detail potential, not a verdict on photos. Point to the iPhone 14 for a sharper 12 MP selfie camera. Prioritize camera, and the Galaxy S22 is where you should land.
Main camera
iPhone 14: 12 MP Galaxy S22: 50 MP More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Rear cameras
iPhone 14: 2 Galaxy S22: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S22’s extra lens adds.
Battery & Charging
Too close to call
Evenly matched is the fairest summary of the battery & charging section. The battery & charging verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Software & Updates
This section is descriptive. The iPhone 14 and the Galaxy S22 list different components for software & updates, and the table spells them out.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Super Retina XDR) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2532 x 1170 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 460 ppi (winner) | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz (winner) |
| Peak brightness | 1,200 nits | 1,300 nits (winner) |
| Always-on display | No | Yes (winner) |
Performance
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | A15 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) |
| CPU cores | 6 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nm (winner) |
| RAM | N/A (not specified) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 12 MP | 50 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 12 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 Dolby Vision | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | N/A (not specified) | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| Rated video playbackManufacturer rating | 20 h | N/A (not specified) |
| Wired charging | N/A (not specified) | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | Lightning | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | iOS 16 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | N/A (not specified) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.78 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.81 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.31 in | 0.30 in |
| Weight | 6.07 oz | 5.89 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | iPhone 14 | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
With just $1 between them at launch, the iPhone 14 and the Galaxy S22 are priced as near equals. Step up by $1 to the Galaxy S22 and you gain a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera.
Launch prices in the US as of September 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the iPhone 14 if…
- you need as much on-device space as you can get (512 GB vs 256 GB top option)
- you want the sharper screen (460 ppi vs 425 ppi)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 10 MP front camera)
- you’d put the $1 saving toward something else
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you want smoother scrolling (120 Hz vs 60 Hz)
- you like to crop into your photos (50 MP vs 12 MP main camera)
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (1,300 nits vs 1,200 nits peak brightness)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the iPhone 14 or the Galaxy S22?
We’d point most buyers to the Galaxy S22. The main exception is if you need a bigger top storage option, which only the iPhone 14 offers.
Is the iPhone 14 bigger than the Galaxy S22?
Size is essentially a tie. The official dimensions of the iPhone 14 and the Galaxy S22 differ only marginally.
Which is faster, the iPhone 14 or the Galaxy S22?
On paper, the Galaxy S22 is the stronger performer, with a newer 4 nm chip process.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 14 or the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 has the edge for photography, offering a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera and an extra rear camera.
Is the iPhone 14’s display better than the Galaxy S22’s?
The Galaxy S22 has the stronger display on paper, with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz and 8.3% higher peak brightness.
Is the iPhone 14 cheaper than the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 launched at $1 more than the iPhone 14, based on prices as of September 2022.
Executive Summary
The iPhone 14 and the Galaxy S22 come from rival camps, Apple and Samsung, but they’re chasing the same person: you. My main argument for the Galaxy S22? It comes with a 120 Hz display instead of 60 Hz. I’d also count a higher-resolution 50 MP main camera in the Galaxy S22’s favor. I don’t want to sell the iPhone 14 short, though: it has a bigger top storage option.
In my head, the iPhone 14 is the memory & storage pick and the Galaxy S22 is the display pick.
My pick: the Galaxy S22, unless you’d trade the rest for a bigger top storage option.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.