[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Eun-mo] Samsung Electronics has reportedly begun mass production of components for its next-generation flagship smartphone series, the 'Galaxy S22,' fueling expectations for a possible release in February next year.
On the 2nd, IT specialized media SamMobile reported that Samsung Electronics has started producing some parts for three models: the Galaxy S22 (model number SM-S901), Galaxy S22 Plus (SM-S906), and Galaxy S22 Ultra (SM-S908). These parts mainly include flex cables that connect various circuit boards inside the phone, with tens of thousands of units reportedly produced so far.
As Samsung Electronics officially begins production of its next flagship model, interest in the release timing is increasing. Considering that Samsung generally starts mass production of parts 2 to 3 months before a new product launch, the S22 series is expected to be released as early as January next year or by February at the latest.
However, there are also forecasts that Samsung will not rush the release of the S22 series. This is because the third-generation foldable phones 'Galaxy Z Fold3 and Z Flip3,' released in the second half of this year, have received favorable reviews and continued success, and there are expectations that the 'Galaxy S21 Fan Edition (FE)' will be unveiled in January next year. If the S21 FE is revealed in January, Samsung is likely to adjust the interval between flagship model releases to a certain extent.
Samsung's quasi-premium smartphone, the S21 FE, had its launch repeatedly delayed, even sparking rumors of cancellation, but recently there has been growing support for its possible unveiling at the world's largest electronics exhibition, 'CES 2022,' held in January next year. CES 2022 will take place in Las Vegas, USA, from January 5 to 8.
As the unveiling of the S22 series approaches, detailed specifications continue to leak. Like its predecessor, the S22 series is expected to be offered in three models: the base model, Plus, and Ultra. The application processor (AP) is likely to be equipped with either Samsung's Exynos 2200 or Qualcomm's Snapdragon 898 chipset.
The display will feature a Super AMOLED display supporting a 120Hz refresh rate, with an expected aspect ratio of 19.5:9. Additionally, the S22 is expected to have a 6.1-inch screen, the S22+ a 6.5-inch screen, and the S22 Ultra a 6.8-inch screen. However, information about maximum brightness has not yet been disclosed. Previously, well-known IT tipster Ice Universe predicted that the S22 Ultra model would have the brightest display ever. The maximum brightness of the previous models, the 'Galaxy S21 Ultra' and 'Galaxy S21,' were 1500 and 1300 nits, respectively.
The cameras on the S22 and S22+ are expected to be triple cameras with 50 million, 12 million, and 10 million pixels, while the Ultra model is expected to feature a quad camera setup with 108 million, 12 million, 10 million, and 10 million pixels. Additionally, the phones will support IP68 rating and 45-watt (W) fast charging, and will come with the new user interface (UI) 'One UI 4' alongside Android 12.
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