The Motorola ThinkPhone and Samsung Galaxy S22 represent two of the most impressive Android flagship phones on the market today. In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll analyze how these two powerhouses stack up across critical categories like design, display, performance, camera quality, battery life and special features.
Motorola ThinkPhone Overview
The Motorola ThinkPhone is the first collaborative effort between iconic brands Motorola and Lenovo, aiming to bring the resilient design and enterprise security of Lenovo‘s beloved ThinkPad series to an Android smartphone. Key specs include:
- 6.6" 1080p pOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate
- Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip
- Up to 12GB RAM and 512GB storage
- Dual rear cameras: 50MP main + 13MP ultrawide
- 5,000mAh battery with fast charging support
- MIL-STD 810H and IP68 dust/water resistance rating
- ThinkShield security software suite
Samsung Galaxy S22 Overview
The Galaxy S22 represents Samsung‘s latest compact flagship entry, featuring the brand‘s gorgeous design ethos and top-tier hardware. Key Galaxy S22 specs:
- 6.1" 1080p Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with 120Hz refresh
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip
- 8GB RAM and 128/256GB storage options
- Triple rear camera: 50MP main + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide
- 3,700 mAh battery with 25W wired charging
- IP68 dust/water resistance
- OneUI 4.1 software based on Android 12
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Motorola ThinkPhone | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
| Display | 6.6" pOLED, 1080p, 144Hz | 6.1" Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1080p, 120Hz |
| Dimensions | 158.76 x 73.9 x 11.2mm | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6mm |
| Weight | 195 grams | 167 grams |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| RAM | 8/12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 128/256/512GB | 128/256GB |
| Rear Cameras | 50MP main + 13MP ultrawide | 50MP main + 10MP telephoto + 12MP ultrawide |
| Front Camera | 32MP | 10MP |
| Battery | 5,000mAh | 3,700mAh |
| Charging Speed | 68W wired | 25W wired |
| Biometrics | Side fingerprint sensor | In-display fingerprint sensor |
| Durability | MIL-STD-810H rating | None |
| Other Key Features | ThinkShield security suite | S Pen support & Wireless PowerShare |
As the table illustrates, the ThinkPhone pulls ahead in display refresh rate, RAM, battery capacity and charging speed. But the S22 counters with a slimmer design, better front/rear camera arrays and unique Samsung features like S Pen support. Let‘s analyze the differences in more depth across critical categories.
Display Technology
Both phones boast bright, vivid OLED displays offering excellent viewing angles and contrast. The ThinkPhone‘s 6.6" pOLED panel features a best-in-class 144Hz refresh rate for incredibly smooth scrolling and animations. It also renders rich colors covering 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut.
While not quite as buttery, the Galaxy S22‘s 6.1" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display still impresses with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and high 1500 nit peak brightness for great outdoor visibility. Ultimately both deliver fantastic viewing experiences – the ThinkPhone just edges out the win for its slightly faster refresh rate and productivity-friendly larger size.
Design & Build
Design philosophies clearly differ between these two flagships. Channeling Lenovo‘s iconic ThinkPad laptops, the ThinkPhone prioritizes durability and practicality in its design. An aluminum + glass fiber reinforced polymer body withstands challenging environments, while red accents and rubberized grips provide an anti-slip, unique look.
The Galaxy S22 instead focuses on premium style, evident in its near borderless display and contoured glass back. The aluminum frame looks elegant, but won‘t stand up to drops and scratches like the ThinkPhone. For users wanting a sleek phone that also feels solid, the S22 delivers. But if durability is critical, the MIL-STD 810H and IP68 rated ThinkPhone outshines for enduring real-world punishment.
Performance & Hardware
Both phones share the same Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset platform. But the ThinkPhone utilizes an overclocked "+" variant, squeezing extra performance and power efficiency from Qualcomm‘s latest silicon. This combines with up to 12GB RAM – a capacity advantage over the 8GB Galaxy S22 – for beastly multitasking abilities. Storage options are generous too, with the ThinkPhone ranging from 128GB up to a capacious 512GB.
The Galaxy S22 is no slouch however, offering flagship-level speed from its standard Snapdragon 8 CPU and stable 8GB RAM allotment. Power users may yearn for more memory headroom, but both phones handle demanding apps and games without issue. Ultimately processing and multitasking power balances closely between the two.
Cameras
Imaging capabilities represent another critical area. Both smartphones feature a similar 50MP primary rear camera, augmented by an ultrawide module. But the Galaxy S22 packs a bonus 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom. This gives Samsung‘s shooter more creative flexibility – an edge furthered by advanced processing and AI effects.
Around front the ThinkPhone rocks a 32MP selfie camera, handily outresolving the S22‘s 10MP front-facing cam. So while the Galaxy S22 boasts the better overall camera array, selfie aficionados may prefer what the ThinkPhone brings for video calls and vlogging needs.
Battery & Charging
The ThinkPhone‘s huge 5,000mAh battery simply dwarfs the Galaxy S22‘s more modest 3,700mAh capacity – a key advantage that translates to substantially longer runtimes. While the S22 struggles to last a full day with heavy use, the ThinkPhone powers through 1.5-2 days without issue. Standby times are stellar as well thanks to optimized software.
Fast charging tech keeps both phones topped off quickly when desired. But again the ThinkPhone pulls ahead, needing just 68 minutes for a 0-100% charge versus ~1 hour for the Galaxy. The S22 still hits 50% in 30 minutes with its 25W adapter, but those needing the very fastest charging performance should look to Motorola‘s powerhouse.
Special Features
Software and special features add further differentiation between these two. Out of the box, the ThinkPhone runs a fairly stock build of Android 13. But it sets itself apart with exclusive enterprise and security focused software like ThinkShield – bringing hardened encryption, secure displays and additional identity protection.
The Galaxy S22 alternatively ships with Samsung‘s polished OneUI skin adding extra functionality like advanced multi-window support, an integrated S Pen experience (on S22 Ultra model), plus deeper camera, AI and Bixby integration. And features like Wireless PowerShare and Samsung DeX desktop mode appeal to power users.
So while the ThinkPhone focuses on no-nonsense security and seamless integration with ThinkPad laptops, the S22 tempts with niceties tailored towards Samsung fans. Both add tangible extra value through software.
Which Should You Buy?
On paper, both the Motorola ThinkPhone and Samsung Galaxy S22 rate as leading Android flagships, with specific strengths catering to different priorities:
The Motorola ThinkPhone is ideal for:
- Enterprise and business users needing robust security
- People who prioritize long battery life
- Those wanting a durable phone for demanding environments
- ThinkPad laptop owners who desire seamless integration
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is better suited for:
- General consumers desiring a svelte premium design
- Mobile photographers wanting a better camera setup
- Samsung fans who leverage exclusive ecosystem features
- People mainly using their phone for media, gaming and light work
At the end of the day, choosing between these two awesome phones comes down to weighing your personal priorities. Business users need to give the enterprise-ready ThinkPhone a hard look. But the gorgeous Galaxy S22 tempts anyone wanting the ultimate compact Android camera phone. Either way, you‘ll be getting a blazing fast flagship backed by industry leaders.
