Galaxy S22 One UI 7 Update Review: Still Worth It in 2025?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 has long been praised as a stylish, compact flagship, but it’s no secret that battery life has been its biggest drawback. With the arrival of the One UI 7 update, many users are wondering if this update breathes new life into the S22—or if it’s time to move on. Here’s a full review of the experience after a few days with One UI 7 on the Galaxy S22.

Battery Life: No Major Improvement

The most asked question: Did the battery get better? Unfortunately, the answer is no. The S22’s 3,700 mAh battery, paired with 25W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, still delivers about 4 to 4.5 hours of screen-on time. For heavy users, it may need recharging within two to three hours. While standby drain has slightly improved, the battery performance overall remains the same.

One tip: One UI 7 adds more flexibility for battery protection settings—you can now cap charging at 80%, 85%, 90%, or 95% to preserve long-term battery health.

Software Experience: A Major Step Up

The real magic of One UI 7 is in the software experience. The update brings many features previously seen only on the latest Galaxy S25 series. Some highlights include:

• Galaxy AI features, offering smart functionality on par with newer phones.

• New folder customization, letting you enlarge folders and access apps directly.

• Redesigned animations and visual polish, including a more modern look and smoother transitions.

• Updated charging animations and a revamped camera app layout.

• The new now bar on the lock screen, giving a taste of the dynamic island-like experience.

Overall, the update has made the S22 feel much more modern and responsive, closing the gap between old and new flagships.

Performance & Gaming

Powered by 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, the S22 still holds its own in 2025. It handles popular games like PUBG at 90 fps and Call of Duty Mobile at low-ultra settings smoothly. While extended gaming sessions can heat up the phone, casual gaming remains enjoyable. For hardcore gamers, though, the Galaxy S23 or S23+ is a better choice, offering improved thermals and performance.

Camera Performance

The Galaxy S22 camera setup still impresses:

• 50MP main camera

• 10MP telephoto (3x optical, up to 30x zoom)

• 12MP ultrawide

• 10MP selfie camera (4K 60fps)

In good lighting, the S22 produces sharp, vivid shots. Dynamic range is strong, and the telephoto lens performs well. However, low-light photography is where the S22 shows its age, sometimes producing softer images with overly vivid colors. Still, most shots can easily be tuned in post-editing.

Fingerprint, Face Unlock, and Speakers

The optical fingerprint scanner and face unlock work reliably. Audio-wise, the S22 has decent stereo speakers, but they lack bass and sound somewhat flat compared to newer models.

Should You Buy the S22 in 2025?

If you’re considering the S22, here’s the bottom line:

✅ Beautiful design with matte finish and comfortable feel
✅ Excellent software experience with One UI 7
✅ Strong camera system (except in low light)
✅ Solid performance for everyday tasks and casual gaming

❌ Small battery with mediocre endurance
❌ Gets warm during heavy use
❌ Average speakers with limited bass

For around $200 in excellent condition on Amazon or eBay, the S22 is still a good pick—especially if you pair it with a battery pack or case. But if you can stretch your budget, the Galaxy S23 is the better long-term investment with improved battery, cooling, and performance.