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 main direct competitors is the Samsung Galaxy S22. It’s also competitively priced, retailing for $799 and often available for even less. Despite the hefty price tag, it packs a host of premium features, including a gorgeous design, a richly detailed display, and an equally beefy 4nm chip.
What is the best phone? We put it to the test in this head-to-head comparison, which will look at each phone’s specs, designs, displays, performance, cameras and software. Weighing the pros and cons of each should help the undecided make a 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 Screen size 5.720 ounces (5.720 ounces) -inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (120Hz) 6.7 inches Fluid AMOLED (120Hz) Screen resolution 2340 x 1080 pixels (411 ppi) 2412 x 1080 pixels (394 ppi) Operating system Android 12, One UI 4.0, Android Gen OS112. 256 GB 128 GB, 256 GB MicroSD card slot No No Payment services Google Pay, Samsung Pay Google Pay Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 RAM 8 GB 8 GB, 12 GB Camera 50 MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto 10MP front 50MP wide, 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro, 16MP front Video 8K at 24 fps, 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60 fps Bluetooth version Bluetooth 5. Ports Bluetooth 5.3 USB-C USB-C Fingerprint sensor Yes, on the screen Yes, on the screen Water resistance IP68 IP54 Battery 3,700 mAh
Fast charging (25W)
Fast wireless charging (15W)
4,800 mAh
Fast charging (125 W)
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 pretty much the same design as the rear camera module, with three lenses grouped in a square with an LED flash. From a distance, it certainly looks attractive, but the effect dissipates when you actually hold the device. Gone is the 10 Pro’s aluminum frame, and in its place is a plastic alternative, which feels plastic in the worst possible way. It’s sticky and warm and belies the relatively high price OnePlus is asking for the phone.
As for the Galaxy S22, the design is definitely 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 certainly a bit sleeker and sleeker than the 10T’s too, with the way it organically leans towards the device’s shoulders still capable of turning heads.
In terms of screens, each device is not too far from the other. The OnePlus 10T features a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED display, which is a slight step down from the 10 Pro’s LTPO 2.0 AMOLED display. The panel offers a resolution of 2412 x 1080 pixels, which is also lower than that found on the 10 Pro, with a density of 394 pixels per inch. This contrasts with the 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display you’ll find on the Galaxy S22, which packs 2340 x 1080 pixels. Both displays support a 120Hz refresh rate, providing 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 tough Gorilla Glass 5 for protection. The latter also only has a basic rating of IP54, while Samsung’s device has been IP68 certified, making it more resistant to water and dust. Combined with its screen-related and aesthetic advantages, this gives the S22 the upper hand.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Performance, battery life and charging
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The OnePlus 10T has been treated to the 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 in the 10T (upgradable to 16GB for a higher price), OnePlus’ device is a touch faster than Samsung’s.
Both phones come with 128GB of internal memory as standard and are available (for more money) with 256GB. Neither has a microSD card slot, so you may have to ration the available storage space.
There’s a big gulf in battery size between the two devices, with the OnePlus 10T packing a 4,800mAh cell and the Galaxy S22 packing a 3,700mAh counterpart. This equates to longer daily longevity in practice, with the 10T able to last about a day and a half with normal use, while the S22 only makes it a full day. Plus, the OnePlus 10T offers incredibly fast charging. With speeds of 125W in the US (or 150W in other markets), the 10T goes from 0 to 100% in about 20 minutes. The S22 just can’t come close to equaling it, giving the OnePlus an easy win this time around. The lack of wireless charging on the 10T isn’t ideal, but everything else in that department is great on the phone.
Winner: OnePlus 10T
cameras
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Samsung’s Galaxy S22 has three rear camera lenses, including a 50-megapixel main lens, a 12MP ultra-wide-angle lens, 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 they don’t really shine as much as the Galaxy S22’s. The main 50MP lens takes really nice photos in good, natural lighting, but as with a few too many Android devices, it struggles on cloudy days or when the lighting isn’t quite optimal. Its ultra-large lens isn’t quite as capable as its main camera either, while its macro camera was described in our phone review as “almost completely useless”. As such, it doesn’t really offer as much versatility as you’d like to think.
By contrast, the S22 is a better full-camera phone. Its main lens captures sharp images with impressive color, detail and balance. Similarly, its portrait mode is different from 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 overlays One UI 4 on top of the same Android 12 skeleton. While software is (to some extent) a subjective and individual experience, Samsung’s Android skin might be a little better overall this time around. OxygenOS may be fast and reliable, but it also has some minor issues, such as showing old notifications, being more battery-conserving by default, and an overemphasis on sometimes unnecessary system notifications.
As for One UI 4, it removes many of these annoyances while adding a number of useful features, such as Smart Calendar (which automatically recognizes dates). It also has the advantage when it comes to updates, as while OnePlus promises three years of basic Android updates, Samsung has gone one better with four.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Special features
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Long-time OnePlus fans may be disappointed to learn that the OnePlus 10T lacks the alert slider found on almost every previous OnePlus phone. Still, it packs a few special features worth mentioning, such as a reliable in-display fingerprint sensor, 5G support, and the aforementioned insanely fast charging.
Like the 10T, the Samsung Galaxy S22 also supports 5G networks. It also offers Bixby (if you get tired of Google Assistant) and DeX mode that emulates Samsung’s desktop.
There’s not much going on in this round as both devices are cheaper versions of more premium phones. However, with a little more versatility, we give the S22 another go.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Price and availability
The OnePlus 10T starts at $649 for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. While pre-orders are already available in some countries, US pre-orders don’t start until September 1st. And from there, regular sales don’t start until September 29th.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is officially priced at $799 for the 128GB model, although it’s been out for a few months, so you should be able to find some 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 departments for a clear overall win. It sports a better design than the OnePlus 10T, as well as a more vibrant screen, a more useful camera, and easier software (and more updates). It’s true that the 10T provides more power and superior performance, but it’s not by such a wide margin that it makes up for its other relative drawbacks. And with the OnePlus 10 Pro priced more competitively at around $799, OnePlus fans may be better off going with the Pro if they don’t want the Galaxy S22.
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