Samsung crammed a lot into the Galaxy S22 series — including everything from 120Hz displays to better cameras. But do the phones come with a charger?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series tries to offer every spec and feature under the sun — but does that mean it comes with a charger in the box? A few short years ago, this wasn't a question anyone thought of asking when buying a new phone. Regardless of who made a smartphone or how much it cost, it was expected to come with a charging cable and charging adapter. That's how things had always been, and it's what shoppers had gotten used to.
In recent years, however, this has changed. In 2020, Apple made headlines when it released the iPhone 12 and didn't include a charging adapter in its box. Customers ranted about this decision online and other companies relentlessly mocked Apple for it. But within a matter of months, the lack of a charging adapter became the 'new normal.' Shoppers got used to the idea, other brands like Google and Samsung followed suit, and Apple kept the trend going by not offering a charger with the most recent iPhone 13.
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With all of this in mind, it shouldn't come as any surprise that the Galaxy S22 series also doesn't have a charger in its box. Regardless if someone buys the Galaxy S22, S22+, or S22 Ultra, none of the phones are sold with a charger. This tactic isn't new for Samsung at this point. This year's Galaxy S21 FE didn't include a charger, nor did last year's Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra. It's a trend Samsung's seemingly stuck with for the long haul, for better or worse.
As is the case with each phone that launches without a charger, there are two reasons why it isn't included: One the company tells to the public, and the other that's a well-known secret. According to Samsung, phones like the Galaxy S22 are sold without a charger to make the product more environmentally friendly. And that's a very valid point! Not including a charger with the S22 means it can ship in a smaller box, which results in Samsung using less plastic and cardboard for its packaging. Smaller boxes also mean Samsung can fit more units on a cargo plane/truck at a time, further reducing its carbon emissions. And, last but certainly not least, the lack of a charger means there's one less thing to potentially end up in a landfill.
But there's another reason why companies like Samsung and Apple don't include chargers — and that reason is money. Charging adapters aren't expensive accessories on their own, but when shipping millions upon millions of them with every phone, it's a cost that quickly adds up. Companies now know they can sell a phone without a free charger, people will still buy them, and it saves those companies a considerable amount of cash. Some folks may call that greedy, but it's just how the business world works.
While it may be annoying not to get a charger with the Samsung Galaxy S22, there are ample charging options available for it. Virtually any USB-C cable + wall adapter will charge the phone just fine. If someone doesn't already have one, they can buy an adapter directly from Samsung or get a third-party one online. All of the S22 models also support Qi wireless charging if someone prefers refueling that way.
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Joe has been actively writing and talking about consumer tech since 2012. His biggest passion lies with smartphones, but he's happy to talk your ear off about just about anything with a CPU. He lives in Kalamazoo, MI with his wife, two cats, and pit bull/boxer mix.