OnePlus has unveiled the OnePlus 10T, a companion smartphone to the OnePlus 10 Pro. The first entry in its ‘T’ series since 2020’s OnePlus 8T, it combines the powerful 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip with a sharp 6.7-inch AMOLED display, blazing-fast 125W charging and a triple-lens camera setup. And at $650, it’s a great price, too.
But the OnePlus 10T isn’t the only Android flagship on the market. One of its biggest direct competitors is the Samsung Galaxy S22. It’s also competitively priced, retailing for $799 and often available for even less. Despite the great price, it has a number of premium features — like a beautiful design, a screen with rich details and a similarly muscular 4nm chip.
Which is the better phone? We put that to the test in this head-to-head comparison, which will examine each phone’s specs, design, displays, performance, cameras and software. By weighing the pros and cons of each, it should help the undecided make their choice.
specifications
Samsung Galaxy S22 OnePlus 10T Size 155.7 x 74.5 x 7.9 mm (6.12 x 2.93 x 0.31 in) 163 x 75.4 x 8.8 mm (6.42 x 2.97 x 0.35 inches) Weight 168 grams (5.89 ounces) 204 grams (7.20 ounces)1 Screen size 6.-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz) 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED (120Hz) Resolution of screen 2340 x 1080 pixels (411 ppi) 2412 x 1080 pixels (394 ppi) Operating system Android 12, One UI 4.0 Android 12, OxygenOS 12.1 Storage 128GB, 256GB 128GB, 256GB MicroSD card slot No No Touch payment services Google Pay , Samsung Pay Google Pay Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 RAM 8GB 8GB, 12GB Camera 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto, 10MP front 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 16MP front Video 8K at up to 24 fps, 4K at up to 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5.2 Bluetooth 5.3 Ports USB-C USB-C sensor h and fingerprints Yes, in the display Yes, in the display Water resistance IP68 IP54 Battery 3700mAh
Fast charging (25W)
Fast wireless charging (15W)
4800 mAh
Fast charging (125W)
App Market Google Play Store Google Play Store Colors Phantom Black, Phantom White, Pink Gold, Green Moonstone Black and Jade Green Prices $799+ $649 Review Score 4 out of 5 stars 3 out of 5 stars
Design, display and durability
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To the casual observer, the OnePlus 10T looks a lot like the 10 Pro. It has a punch-hole selfie camera at the top center of its 6.7-inch display, which is surrounded by pleasingly narrow bezels. It also has almost the same design on the rear camera module, featuring three lenses arranged together in a square with an LED flash. From a distance, it certainly looks attractive, but the effect dissipates when you actually pick up the device. Gone is the 10 Pro’s aluminum frame, and in its place is a plastic alternative that feels like plastic in the worst possible way. It’s sticky and warm and belies the relatively high price OnePlus is asking for the phone.
When it comes to the Galaxy S22, design is certainly one of its strong points. While the basic S21 had a plastic back, the S22 has been upgraded with a glass equivalent, making it look much more premium. Its camera module is perhaps also a bit more sleek and stylish than the 10T’s, with the way it organically leans towards the device’s shoulders still capable of turning heads.
Turning to the displays, each device is not too far from the other. The OnePlus 10T boasts a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display, which is a slight step down from the LTPO 2.0 AMOLED screen on the 10 Pro. The panel offers a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, which is also less than that of the 10 Pro, with a density of 394 pixels per inch. This contrasts with the 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display you find on the Galaxy S22, which packs 2340 x 1080 pixels. Both displays support a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and animations.
Samsung has covered the S22 in Gorilla Glass Victus Plus on the front and back, while the OnePlus 10T has the slightly less durable Gorilla Glass 5 to protect it. The latter also only has a basic IP54 rating, while the Samsung device is IP68 certified, making it more resistant to water and dust. Combined with its aesthetic and display-related advantages, this gives the S22 a round.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Performance, battery life and charging
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The OnePlus 10T is treated to Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1, which is a step up from the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 found in the Galaxy S22. While the performance difference isn’t huge, the newer chip also allows for slightly more efficient use of battery power. Taken with 8GB of RAM on the 10T (which can be increased to 16GB for a higher price), OnePlus’ device is slightly faster than Samsung’s.
Both phones come with 128GB of internal storage as standard and are available (for more money) with 256GB. Neither has a microSD card slot, so you may have to limit the available storage space.
There’s a pretty big difference in battery sizes between the two devices, with the OnePlus 10T packing a 4,800 mAh cell and the Galaxy S22 packing a 3,700 mAh one. This practically equates to greater day-to-day longevity, with the 10T able to last around a day and a half of normal use, while the S22 only makes it a full day. In addition, the OnePlus 10T offers incredibly fast charging. With speeds of 125W in the US (or 150W in other markets), the 10T goes from 0-100% in about 20 minutes. The S22 just can’t come close to matching it, giving OnePlus an easy win this time around. The 10T’s lack of wireless charging isn’t ideal, but everything else in that department is excellent on the phone.
Winner: OnePlus 10T
Cameras
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Samsung’s Galaxy S22 features three rear camera lenses, including a 50-megapixel primary lens, a 12MP ultra-wide and a 10MP telephoto lens. Similarly, the 10T also has a triple-lens array, combining a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide and a 2MP macro camera.
The 10T’s specs are decent enough, but it doesn’t really shine as much as the Galaxy S22. The main 50MP lens takes very nice photos in good, natural lighting, but as with some too many Android devices, it struggles on cloudy days or when the lighting isn’t quite optimal. Its ultra-wide lens is also not as capable as its main camera, while its macro camera was described in our phone review as “almost completely useless”. As such, it doesn’t really offer as much flexibility as one would like to think.
In contrast, the S22 is a better full-camera phone. Its prime lens captures clear photos with impressive color, detail and balance. Similarly, its portrait mode handles that of the iPhone, while its ultra-wide lens is more useful than the 10T’s.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Software and updates
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The OnePlus 10T ships with OxygenOS 12 built on top of Android 12, while the Galaxy S22 puts One UI 4 on top of the same Android 12 skeleton. While software is (to some extent) a subjective and individual experience, it’s arguable that the Android skin on Samsung is slightly better overall this time. OxygenOS may be fast and reliable, but it also has a few minor flaws — like showing old notifications, default focus on battery saving, and over-highlighting sometimes unnecessary system notifications.
As for One UI 4, it removes many of these annoyances while adding a host of useful features, such as Smart Calendar (which automatically recognizes dates). It also has an advantage in terms of updates, as although OnePlus promises three years of major Android updates, Samsung has gone one better with four.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Special features
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Longtime OnePlus fans may be disappointed to learn that the OnePlus 10T lacks the notification slider that you can find on almost every previous OnePlus phone. Still, it comes with a few special features worth mentioning – like a reliable in-screen fingerprint sensor, 5G support, and the aforementioned insanely fast charging.
Like the 10T, the Samsung Galaxy S22 also supports 5G networks. On top of that, it offers Bixby (if you get tired of Google Assistant) and Samsung’s DeX mode, emulating a desktop.
There isn’t much in this round as both devices are cheaper versions of more premium phones. However, with a little more flexibility, we’re giving the S22 another go.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Price and availability
The OnePlus 10T starts at $649 for the 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model. While pre-orders are already live in some countries, US pre-orders don’t start until September 1st. And from there, regular sales don’t start until September 29.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 has an official price of $799 for the 128GB model, although it’s been out for a few months now, so you should be able to find good deals online.
Overall winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
There isn’t a huge difference between the two devices, but the Samsung Galaxy S22 wins in enough sections to claim a clear overall victory. It features a better design than the OnePlus 10T, as well as a brighter screen, a more useful camera, and slightly lighter software (and more updates). It’s true that the 10T provides more power and superior performance, but it’s not by such a huge margin that it makes up for its other relative shortcomings. And with the OnePlus 10 Pro priced more competitively at around $799, OnePlus fans might be better off going with the Pro if they don’t want the Galaxy S22.
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