Samsung launches Galaxy S22 with pet camera and faster chip

Samsung Electronics on Wednesday unveiled the latest versions of its flagship Galaxy S smartphones, which feature improved camera functions and a faster processor, hoping the launch will regain sales after two weak years.

The S22 series will directly compete with the iPhone 13, which was released last September. Samsung’s premium two-pronged strategy is marked by flagship model launches in the first half of a year and Galaxy Z foldable phones in the second.

Aiming to appeal to discerning consumers with video and photo quality, Samsung said the camera on the S22 phones offers sharper low-light and night-time photos, as well as auto-framing that can track up to ten people, ensuring everyone is in the frame and in focus.

Additionally, the Galaxy S22 and S22+ come equipped with AI depth mapping that allows more detail to appear in Portrait Mode. The functionality, highlights the company, helps in capturing photos of pets, as it prevents the animal’s fur from blending into the background.

The most expensive version, the S22 Ultra, comes with a stylus — a typical feature of the Galaxy Note model that many fans and analysts now believe has been discontinued.

The Galaxy S line generally sells over 30 million units annually. But it recorded less than 25 million in 2020 and just under 30 million last year, hampered in part by a shortage of electronic components, said Jene Park, a senior analyst at research firm Counterpoint.

“We believe that Samsung will sell over 15 million units of the Galaxy S22 family in the first half of 2022. If the initial sale is good, we can expect it to reach 30 million units this year,” he said.

Samsung said the S22 Ultra, S22 Plus and S22 will be widely available from February 25th.

In the United States, the Galaxy S22 will cost US$799.99 (R$4,218), the S22 Plus, US$999.99 (R$5,272), and the S22 Ultra, US$1,199.99 (R$6,327).