The Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+ were the last in the S series to feature a protruding frame around the rear-facing cameras. Subsequent models, such as the Galaxy S23/S23+ and Galaxy S24/S24+, abandoned this design element in favor of independent circular rings surrounding each lens.
We're big fans of Samsung's minimalist but careful design, and many people would agree that the rings on the backs of the Galaxy S23 and S24 are more beautiful than the thicker frames.
And because Samsung moved away from the gimmick of rethinking and redesigning the camera housing design every year, it was able to focus on improving other aspects that are more valuable to the user experience.
Nevertheless, Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22+ users who don't like phone cases and upgrade to the newer S24/S24+ might find that there is one minor downside to Samsung's newer minimalist design language.
Camera frames helped keep fingerprints away
The one minor downside to not having a hump or a frame around the rear-facing cameras is that it can make it easier for the camera lenses to get smudged.
Hold your caseless Galaxy S22 / S22+ in your hand right now, if you're not doing it already, and pay attention to whether or not your fingers feel around the camera housing. You might realize that you use the camera frame as a sort of guide for your fingertips.
If you have this habit then be prepared to smudge your camera lenses way more often after you switch to the Galaxy S24 / S24+. The camera rings on the newer models are considerably thinner than the traditional camera frame, and if you use these camera rings to guide your fingers, you will soon realize that you're leaving fingerprints on your camera lenses more often than before.
All in all, we found out that even though the newer Samsung flagships look better without a camera hump or a frame, the older design had a practical use, minor as it may be, particularly for people who don't use protective phone cases. They might not be many, but if you're among them, this might be something you'll notice and have to keep in mind once you upgrade from your Galaxy S22 / S22+ to a newer model.
