Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a comparison of three of Samsung's flagship phones: the S20 Plus, the S21 Plus, and the S22 Plus. If you're trying to decide which of these powerhouses to snag, you're in the right place. We'll break down everything from design and display to performance and cameras, so you can make an informed decision.

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, Samsung has consistently pushed the envelope. The S20 Plus sports a sleek, familiar design with a metal frame and glass back. It feels premium in hand, and the camera module is neatly arranged. Moving on to the S21 Plus, you'll notice a more integrated camera bump that blends seamlessly into the frame. This design tweak gives the S21 Plus a unique and modern look. Finally, the S22 Plus refines the design language even further. It's got a flatter design with squared-off edges, making it look a bit more sophisticated and in line with current trends.

The build quality is top-notch across all three models, but there are subtle differences. The S20 Plus and S21 Plus both use Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and back for enhanced durability, while the S22 Plus steps it up a notch with Gorilla Glass Victus+. This means the S22 Plus is slightly more resistant to scratches and drops. All three phones have an IP68 rating, meaning they're dustproof and can survive being submerged in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. In terms of ergonomics, the S21 Plus and S22 Plus might feel a bit more comfortable for some users due to their slightly smaller size compared to the S20 Plus. However, this is subjective and depends on your personal preference.

Ultimately, the design is a matter of personal taste. If you prefer a classic, rounded design, the S20 Plus might be your pick. If you're into a more modern, integrated look, the S21 Plus is a great option. And if you want the latest and greatest design with a slightly more robust build, the S22 Plus is the way to go. Regardless of your choice, you're getting a premium-feeling phone with excellent build quality.

Display Technology

Let's talk about displays, because Samsung always nails this aspect. The S20 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate. This means you get vibrant colors, deep blacks, and incredibly smooth scrolling. The S21 Plus also has a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, but it introduces adaptive refresh rate technology. This allows the phone to adjust the refresh rate dynamically between 48Hz and 120Hz, saving battery life when high refresh rates aren't necessary. The S22 Plus takes it up another notch with a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display that also boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, but with a wider range (10Hz to 120Hz) and higher peak brightness.

All three displays are HDR10+ certified, ensuring excellent dynamic range and color accuracy when watching HDR content. The S22 Plus, however, has a peak brightness of 1750 nits, which is significantly brighter than the S20 Plus and S21 Plus. This makes the S22 Plus much easier to see outdoors in direct sunlight. Another notable difference is the resolution. The S20 Plus has a resolution of 1440 x 3200 pixels, while the S21 Plus and S22 Plus have a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. While the difference in sharpness is noticeable on paper, in real-world use, most people won't be able to tell the difference. The adaptive refresh rate on the S21 Plus and S22 Plus is a significant advantage, as it helps to improve battery life without sacrificing the smoothness of the display.

If display quality is a top priority, the S22 Plus is the winner due to its higher peak brightness and more efficient adaptive refresh rate. However, all three phones offer excellent displays that are a joy to use for everything from browsing the web to watching videos. The S20 Plus offers a slightly higher resolution, which some users may prefer, but the benefits of the adaptive refresh rate on the S21 Plus and S22 Plus are hard to ignore.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the S20 Plus, S21 Plus, and S22 Plus pack some serious power. The S20 Plus comes with either a Snapdragon 865 or an Exynos 990 chipset, depending on the region. The S21 Plus features a Snapdragon 888 or an Exynos 2100, and the S22 Plus is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or an Exynos 2200. All three phones come with at least 8GB of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and app performance.

The Snapdragon variants generally offer slightly better performance and efficiency compared to the Exynos versions, but the difference is not huge. In terms of raw power, the S22 Plus is the most powerful of the three, followed by the S21 Plus, and then the S20 Plus. This means that the S22 Plus will handle demanding tasks like gaming and video editing more smoothly than the other two. However, all three phones are more than capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. The S21 Plus introduced a 5nm process, resulting in significant gains in efficiency and performance over the S20 Plus.

In terms of storage, all three phones are available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. However, the S20 Plus is the only one that offers expandable storage via a microSD card slot. This is a significant advantage for users who need more storage for photos, videos, and other files. The S21 Plus and S22 Plus do not have a microSD card slot, so you're stuck with the internal storage you choose at the time of purchase. All phones support 5G connectivity, ensuring fast download and upload speeds where available. The S22 Plus also supports Wi-Fi 6E, which offers faster and more stable Wi-Fi connections compared to Wi-Fi 6 on the S20 Plus and S21 Plus.

Camera Capabilities

The cameras are where Samsung really shines. The S20 Plus features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main lens, a 64MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. It can record video up to 8K resolution. The S21 Plus also has a triple-camera setup with a 12MP main lens, a 64MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens, but it benefits from improved image processing and software features. The S22 Plus boasts a triple-camera setup as well, but with upgraded sensors: a 50MP main lens, a 10MP telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.

The S22 Plus takes the crown in terms of camera performance. The larger main sensor captures more light, resulting in better low-light performance and more detailed images. The improved image processing on the S22 Plus also helps to produce more natural-looking colors and better dynamic range. While the S20 Plus and S21 Plus are still capable of taking great photos, they don't quite match the S22 Plus in terms of overall image quality. All three phones have excellent video recording capabilities, but the S22 Plus offers improved stabilization and dynamic range in video mode. The telephoto lens on all three phones allows for optical zoom, but the S22 Plus has a slightly shorter optical zoom range (3x) compared to the S20 Plus and S21 Plus (3x hybrid optic zoom).

For selfie lovers, all three phones have a 10MP front-facing camera that takes sharp and detailed selfies. However, the S22 Plus benefits from improved image processing on the front camera as well, resulting in better skin tones and dynamic range. If camera quality is a top priority, the S22 Plus is the clear winner. Its upgraded sensors and improved image processing make it the best of the three in terms of overall camera performance.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery life is always a crucial factor when choosing a smartphone. The S20 Plus has a 4500mAh battery, the S21 Plus has a 4800mAh battery, and the S22 Plus has a 4500mAh battery. While the S21 Plus has the largest battery, the actual battery life you get will depend on your usage habits and the efficiency of the chipset.

In general, all three phones will last you through a full day of moderate use. However, if you're a heavy user who plays a lot of games or streams a lot of videos, you may need to top up the battery before the end of the day. The S21 Plus, with its more efficient chipset, tends to offer slightly better battery life compared to the S20 Plus, even though the battery capacity is similar. The S22 Plus, despite having a slightly smaller battery than the S21 Plus, offers comparable battery life due to the improved efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 chipset.

All three phones support 25W fast charging, which can charge the battery from 0% to 50% in about 30 minutes. However, the S22 Plus also supports 45W fast charging, which can charge the battery even faster. The catch is that you'll need to purchase a separate 45W charger to take advantage of the faster charging speeds. All three phones also support wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, allowing you to charge other devices like wireless earbuds or smartwatches.

Software and Updates

All three phones launched with different versions of Android and Samsung's One UI. The S20 Plus launched with Android 10 and One UI 2, the S21 Plus launched with Android 11 and One UI 3, and the S22 Plus launched with Android 12 and One UI 4. Samsung has been pretty good about providing software updates to its flagship phones, so all three phones have received multiple updates since their launch.

As of today, the S20 Plus has received its last major Android update, meaning it will no longer receive new features or major OS upgrades. The S21 Plus and S22 Plus are still eligible for future updates, with the S22 Plus having the longest update lifespan. This is an important consideration if you plan to keep your phone for several years, as you'll want to make sure it continues to receive security updates and new features. Samsung has promised to provide four years of major Android updates and five years of security updates for select devices, including the S21 Plus and S22 Plus.

Price and Value

When these phones were first released, they had different price points, but now things have changed. The S20 Plus was the most affordable, with the S21 Plus being a mid-range option, and the S22 Plus being the premium pick. The prices can vary widely based on the retailer, promotions, and whether you're buying a new or used device. It's always a good idea to shop around and compare prices before making a purchase.

In terms of value, the S20 Plus still offers a lot for the money, especially if you can find it at a discounted price. It has a great display, capable cameras, and solid performance. However, keep in mind that it will no longer receive major software updates. The S21 Plus is a good middle ground, offering a more modern design, improved performance, and longer software support compared to the S20 Plus. The S22 Plus is the most expensive of the three, but it offers the best overall experience with its superior cameras, brighter display, and longer software support.

Conclusion: Which One Should You Buy?

So, which phone should you buy? It really depends on your needs and budget. If you're on a tight budget and don't mind missing out on the latest features, the S20 Plus is still a solid option. If you want a balance of features, performance, and price, the S21 Plus is a great choice. And if you want the best of the best, with the latest technology and longest software support, the S22 Plus is the way to go.

Here’s a quick recap:

• S20 Plus: Best for those on a budget who still want a great Samsung flagship experience.
• S21 Plus: Best all-around value, balancing features, performance, and price.
• S22 Plus: Best for those who want the latest technology and don't mind paying a premium. Each of these phones brings something unique to the table, and hopefully, this comparison has helped you figure out which one is the right fit for you. Happy shopping!