The Galaxy S22 Ultra emerges as a powerful contender to the Pixel 6 Pro and the iPhone’s flagship in 2022. Aside from the premium feel of this smartphone, you could easily spot the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the S21 Ultra in one package; inheriting the Note 20 Ultra’s shape and build while taking the S21 Ultra’s design.
Whether you’re an avid photographer, a multitasking pro, or simply seeking the very best in smartphone technology, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra promises a journey that’s as thrilling as it is enlightening. So, without further ado, let’s explore what this phone is made up of and see if it is really worth the crown.
This review will delve deep into the device’s six key aspects: Display/Design, Camera, Software and Performance, Battery and Charging, S Pen integration, and Price. And I believe these are enough for you to make informed decisions.
Quick Specs of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Display/Design
- Display Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
- Screen Size: 6.8 inches
- Resolution: 1440 x 3088 pixels
- Dimensions: 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
- Weight: 228 g / 229 g (mmWave)
- Build: Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
- SIM: Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
- Waterproof: Yes, IP68 dust/water resistance
S23 Ultra’s Camera
- Main Camera: Quad – 108 MP (wide), 10 MP (periscope telephoto), 10 MP (telephoto), 12 MP (ultrawide)
- Selfie Camera: 40 MP (wide)
- Video Recording: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+
Software and Performance:
- Operating System: Android 12, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5.1
- Chipset: Exynos 2200 (Europe), Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (Rest of World)
- CPU: Octa-core (Europe), Octa-core (Rest of World)
- GPU: Xclipse 920 (Europe), Adreno 730 (Rest of the World)
- Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM. UFS 3.1 storage
Battery and Charging
- Battery Type: Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable
- Wired Charging: 45W (PD3.0)
- Wireless Charging: 15W (Qi/PMA)
- Reverse Wireless Charging: 4.5W
- Battery Life: Endurance rating 108h
SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone
Price: $878.49
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review
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Display/Design
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra combines the best elements of two iconic Samsung lineups, the Note 20 Ultra and the S21 Ultra, resulting in a visually stunning smartphone. It retains the Note 20 Ultra’s classic shape with a 6.8-inch screen and QHD resolution, but what truly sets it apart is the Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology.
This upgrade enhances the display’s contrast and brightness, delivering a captivating visual experience that’s hard to beat. While it may not break new ground in terms of design, it’s undeniably a premium piece of hardware that exudes elegance.
In terms of physical design, the S22 Ultra harmoniously blends elements from Samsung’s design heritage. The device features a glass front and back fortified with Gorilla Glass Victus+, ensuring durability and sophistication. The aluminum frame not only adds structural integrity but also imparts a sense of sturdiness.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s display and design pay homage to its predecessors while incorporating modern elements, resulting in a device that seamlessly blends classic elegance with cutting-edge innovation. The enhanced display and refined design make it a standout choice for those seeking a top-tier visual experience.
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Camera
The camera prowess of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is nothing short of extraordinary, building upon the foundation laid by the powerful S21 Ultra. This smartphone boasts an array of impressive lenses, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and dual 10MP telephoto cameras that offer 10x optical zoom and an astounding 100x space zoom capability. Both the front and rear cameras support resolutions of 8K for video capture, setting a high standard for mobile photography and videography.
What truly sets the S22 Ultra apart is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor’s upgraded image signal processor (ISP). This enhancement enables innovative features like the Night Mode, whimsically referred to as “Nightography” by Samsung. With the help of AI, the S22 Ultra can draw in more light and enhance color, resulting in stunning low-light photos. Even without Night Mode, the S22 Ultra impresses in low-light conditions, capturing more detail and clarity compared to its predecessor.
The S22 Ultra’s camera system incorporates computational photography, featuring adaptive pixel technology that combines nine pixels into one for better low-light images, enhanced AI high-res processing, and 4x faster multi-frame processing.
These software enhancements are further bolstered by Samsung’s commitment to regular camera updates, ensuring that your device stays at the forefront of mobile photography innovation. Whether you’re capturing everyday moments or pushing the limits with astrophotography, the S22 Ultra’s camera system is up to the task.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cements its position as a photography powerhouse, with a versatile camera system and cutting-edge computational photography capabilities. Whether you’re a professional photographer or simply looking to capture your daily adventures in stunning detail, the S22 Ultra delivers exceptional results.
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Software and Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra sets a new standard for software and performance in the Android smartphone realm. It’s one of the first phones to feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, offering remarkable CPU and graphics performance while maintaining efficiency. For international markets, Samsung provides its Exynos 2200 chip, ensuring that users around the world experience top-tier performance.
Despite the base model offering 8GB of RAM, the S22 Ultra delivers a seamless and responsive user experience across various tasks. From browsing the web to running media-rich social apps, this smartphone handles it all with ease. It excels in media consumption, with a smooth streaming experience for YouTube and Netflix, even during multitasking.
Gaming enthusiasts will appreciate the outstanding performance when playing resource-intensive games like Pokemon games, CODM, etc. Samsung’s Game Launcher further enhances the gaming experience by blocking non-priority notifications, allowing for uninterrupted gameplay.
One remarkable aspect is how the S22 Ultra handles multitasking and app switching. It offers a level of fluidity that stands out, making it a strong contender even against the iPhone 13 Pro Max. Whether you’re toggling between apps or switching between tasks, the S22 Ultra delivers a consistently smooth experience.
When it comes to software updates, Samsung’s commitment to quick updates is evident. The phone ships with Android 12 and Samsung’s One UI 4.1, which offers an intuitive interface and a new privacy dashboard for added peace of mind. Samsung Wallet and Google Duo integration provides convenience and enhanced communication capabilities.
Moreover, Samsung has pledged to provide four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates for the S22 Ultra, surpassing Google’s own commitment to the Pixel lineup. This demonstrates Samsung’s dedication to long-term support and ensures that your device remains up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers a stellar software and performance package, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor and supported by timely updates. Whether you’re a power user seeking multitasking prowess or a gamer in search of an immersive experience, the S22 Ultra delivers on all fronts.
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Battery and Charging
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery, designed to provide long-lasting performance for typical usage scenarios. In some tests, the device can last up to 10 hours of active use. The tests conducted by the likes of Tom’s Guide involve continuous web surfing over 5G at 150 nits of screen brightness. While it outperformed competitors like the Google Pixel 6 Pro, it fell short of the S21 Ultra’s endurance and the iPhone 13 Pro Max’s remarkable battery life.
The S22 Ultra’s adaptive display mode, which scales up to 120Hz, offers a balance between smoothness and energy efficiency. However, it’s essential to note that using this mode resulted in a slightly shorter battery life than expected.
Charging capabilities receive a notable upgrade, with the S22 Ultra offering 45W wired charging, a significant improvement over the S21 Ultra’s 25W charging. Samsung promises a 50% charge in just 20 minutes, thanks to this enhanced charging technology. Our tests confirmed this claim, with the device reaching 36% in 15 minutes and 67% in 30 minutes using a 45W charger. While the difference compared to a 25W charger is not dramatic, it’s a welcome enhancement.
In summary, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra delivers solid battery life for typical usage scenarios and benefits from faster wired charging technology. While it may not match the endurance of its predecessor, it offers a reliable and efficient battery performance.
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S Pen
The S Pen experience on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has seen significant improvements, making it one of the standout features of this device.
Samsung has managed to reduce S Pen latency from 9 milliseconds to an impressive 2.8 milliseconds, resulting in an incredibly responsive and natural writing and drawing experience. This 70% reduction in latency is immediately noticeable when using the S Pen, making it feel like you’re writing or drawing with a traditional pen.
One of the most significant enhancements is the integration of an S Pen holder directly into the phone, eliminating the need for a separate case or accessory to carry and store the stylus. This design choice adds a layer of convenience that was lacking in previous iterations.
Moreover, Samsung’s use of AI to predict hand movements when using the S Pen enhances the overall experience. Writing and drawing feel incredibly smooth and natural, complete with a satisfying sound that emulates the feeling of writing on paper. Comparing the S22 Ultra to its predecessor, the S21 Ultra, reveals a noticeable difference in responsiveness. It feels like words and strokes appear in real-time on the S22 Ultra, whereas the S21 Ultra lags slightly behind.
Samsung has also made improvements in the accuracy of handwriting-to-text conversions, allowing users to quickly save their notes in Microsoft Office documents and emails. These enhancements make the S Pen a powerful tool for productivity and creativity.
How much is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?
The pricing of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra reflects its premium positioning in the smartphone market. There are multiple configurations available, catering to varying storage and memory needs. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing for different models:
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (8GB/128GB): $1,199
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (12GB/256GB): $1,299
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (12GB/512GB): $1,399
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (12GB/1TB): $1,599
If you’re interested in buying refurbished or pre-owned Android phones, check these stores.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra worth Buying?
It’s evident that the S22 Ultra commands a premium price, which may lead to comparisons with other flagship smartphones in the market. The decision to offer a base model with 8GB of RAM, down from the previous 12GB standard, may raise questions among potential buyers regarding the value proposition.
However, it’s essential to consider the overall package that the S22 Ultra offers, including its exceptional display, camera capabilities, software support, and S Pen enhancements. While it’s undeniably a significant investment, it’s a device that caters to power users, creative professionals, and those who demand top-tier performance and features from their smartphones.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s pricing reflects its premium status in the smartphone landscape. It’s a device designed for those who prioritize performance, innovation, and an exceptional user experience, making it a compelling choice for discerning consumers.
If this is what you’re looking for, then the Galaxy 22 Ultra is worth buying.
