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S22+ vs S22 ultra: Which One is Better?

Samsung S22 series

S22+ vs S22 ultra: Which One is Better?

The Samsung S22 lineup has proven to be worthy of its flagship status. With improvements to just about every aspect from camera to design, the S22 offers android users more options than ever before. Even so, choosing the right device can be a tricky prospect and the costly price point of the higher-end devices can make it a daunting decision. Let’s take a look at how the S22+ and S22 Ultra stack up against each other so you can find the best bang for your buck.

Samsung s22 Ultra
The Samsung s22 Ultra comes in four different colors. However, if ordering via Samsung, there are three online-exclusive colors.

S22+ vs S22 Ultra: Side-by-Side Comparison

Galaxy S22+Galaxy S22 Ultra
Chipset:Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM:8GB8GB, 12GB
Storage:128, 256GB128, 256, 512GB and 1TB*
Display:6.6” FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2., 48~120Hz refresh rate, 240Hz refresh rate6.8Hz” QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2. LTPO, 1~120Hz refresh rate, 24Hz refresh rate
Battery:4,500mAh, 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging5,000mAh, 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging
Connectivity:5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, ultra-wideband5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, ultra-wideband
OS:One UI 4.1/Android 12One UI 4.1/Android 12
Colors:Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold Online Only: Graphite, Cream, Sky Blue, VioletPhantom Black, Phantom White, Burgundy, Green Online Only: Graphite, Sky Blue, Red
Starting Price:$999$1,199

*Due to shortages, the 1TB version is unavailable online.

S22+ vs S22 Ultra: What’s the Difference?

SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone, Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 8K Camera & Video, Brightest Display Screen, S Pen, Long Battery Life, Fast 4nm Processor, US Version, Phantom Blac...
$999.99
  • 8K Video: Shoot videos with 8K resolution for epic quality
  • Adaptive Color: Auto adjusts color and brightness for outdoor and indoor viewing
  • Long Battery Life: 5000mAh battery provides all day power
  • S Pen Included: Use the S Pen for precise editing on the go
  • Premium Design: Glass and metal build with aluminum frame for durability
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 10:46 am GMT
SAMSUNG Galaxy S22+ Cell Phone, Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 8K Camera & Video, Brightest Display Screen, Long Battery Life, Fast 4nm Processor, US Version, Green
$547.40
  • 8K Video Recording: Shoot stunning 8K videos with the highest recording resolution on a smartphone
  • Night Photography: Capture clear photos and videos in any lighting condition with Night Mode
  • 50MP Photo Resolution: Capture vivid detail with 50MP resolution for epic photos and videos
  • Adaptive Color Contrast: Optimize color and brightness for outdoor and indoor viewing
  • Long Battery Life: Power through the day and night with an intelligent, long-lasting battery
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 10:46 am GMT

To better understand how these phones are different, we need to talk about the similarities.

Power

First off, Samsung is not messing around when it comes to processing power. Both come loaded with the super-powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset which boasts 4-nanometer process technology. That’s a serious improvement on the S21’s chipset. All three phones in the series come stocked with 8GB of RAM. 12GBs of RAM is available for the S22 Ultra but only on the 256GB and up variants. Unlike the S21 Ultra, there is no 16GB version but even running the heaviest apps doesn’t require that much RAM. So, the lack of a 16GB variant makes sense.

In addition to processing power, both models have virtually the same building components. Both are built with a sturdy aluminum frame, incredibly strong Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, and IP68 water resistance. While not the most rugged phones on the market, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ and S22 Ultra can certainly take a great deal of wear and tear.

Design

Here it is, the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Without a doubt, the biggest and most talked-about change between S22+ and S22 Ultra is the noteworthy design – sorry, I couldn’t resist. Fans of the Samsung Galaxy Note series were heartbroken when a year passed without an entry to their favorite phone series, only to be surprised that all the Note features fans loved had been wrapped into the S22 Ultra.

This is easily the biggest difference between the two phones.  The Ultra’s new design features the flat top and bottoms and curved edged design of recent Note phones. The camera design is also different from the S22+. Each camera lens juts out right from the phone and there is no protective piece like on the S22+. Samsung has received some criticism because of this choice. The camera bumps stop the phone from lying flat, so it is awkward when sitting on a flat surface. Also, there is seemly no protection for each lens and some users are concerned that this makes the phone more susceptible to serious damage.

The most talked-about Note feature making a return is the S Pen. Love it or hate it, the S Pen is an integral part of the S22 Ultra experience. The Ultra has a built-in column that neatly houses the S Pen in-between use. A major sigh of relief for Note die-hards who thought they may have to resort to buying the Z Fold3 and S Pen separately for the Note-style features. The S Pen is a major selling point for the S22 Ultra. It has all the features you would expect from a Note like smart select, draw to text, and lock screen notes, as well as the Bluetooth functionality that allows you to use the Pen as a remote for the camera.  The new S Pen has improved latency from nine milliseconds to 2.8 milliseconds from action to reaction. The improved latency is a noticeable upgrade and basically feels like you are writing in real-time.

The legacy Note style design and smooth S Pen integration are major factors that set these two phones apart. People who miss the Galaxy Note are almost certainly going to find better value in the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But that isn’t the only rubric that users are looking at and to some android users, the design of the Ultra is a drawback, not a boon. While the design is the most obvious difference between the two models, some features you have to squint a little harder to see.

The Samsung S22+ comes in four different colors. However, if ordering via Samsung, there are four online-exclusive colors.

Camera

On paper, the S22 Ultra has the better camera system. And if you are only comparing specs between the S22+ and S22 Ultra that is true. But there are some important drawbacks and differences that are worth pointing out. At the end of the day, it comes down to the price point. Are the features you find on the S22 Ultra worth the higher price tag? First, let’s take a look at the specs:

Galaxy S22+Galaxy S22 Ultra
Ultra-Wide Camera 12 MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (120°FoV)Ultra-Wide Camera 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide (120°FoV)
Wide-angle Camera 50MP f/1.8 PrimaryWide-angle Camera 108MP f/1.8 Primary
Telephoto Camera 10MP f/2.4 3x optical zoom sensor, 30x digital zoom (Space Zoom)2 Telephoto Cameras 10MP f/2.4 3x optical zoom, 30x digital zoom 10MP f/4.9 10x optical zoom, 100x digital zoom (Space Zoom)
Front Camera 10MP f2.2Front Camera 40MP f/2.2 with autofocus

As you can see, from a pure specs standpoint the S22 Ultra takes the cake. But in practice, it is usually a different story. The biggest difference is in the primary camera which has 50 MP on the S22+ and 108MP on the S22 Ultra. But when used side-by-side, most users, including me, can barely spot a difference in the resolution between the two primary Wide-angle cameras.

Only when you crop does the differences become clear. At 300% scale, the phones seem to keep pace with the S22 Ultra slightly clearer. But at 1000% scale the S22+ is pixelated past the point of usability and the S22 Ultra is still very clear. The question at this point becomes – do I need that out of my camera? Ultimately, the extra megapixel count on the S22 Ultra doesn’t necessarily mean a clearer picture if you aren’t cropping the image or sizing it up to display.

That said, there are a few features on the S22 Ultra you can’t find on the S22+. If you are a fan of macro photography, there is a macro mode on the S22 Ultra. Some users find this mode invaluable, although, it does a lot of the work for you in setting up and composing your shots. However, the same basic effect is possible on the S22+ by taking a wide-angle photo at a close distance and then cropping it 3x times. The results will get you very close to what you can do on the Ultra.

There are also a few minor gripes about the S22 Ultra’s camera features. Shutter lag is very present when using the S22 Ultra and it can lead to difficulty with moving shots or missing shots altogether. Like the rest of the S22 lineup, the S22 Ultra has the capability to shoot 8K video. Unfortunately, it automatically crops in the image 2x making it difficult to compose shots.

If it all comes down to price, the S22 Ultra has some solid features and an all-around more advanced camera system. But does that really justify the extra $200 starting price? It is hard to imagine that the camera details of the S22 Ultra will justify the higher price on their own. But with S Pen integration and a sharper display that may be the thing to put some users over the edge.

Display

When it comes to mobile displays, it doesn’t get much better than Samsung. And that is no different for the S22+ and S22 Ultra. Both phones feature a 1440p AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 240 Hz touch sample rate. But there are a few differences to be made aware of when comparing these two phones.

Most obviously is the size. The S22+ has a 6.6” Flat FHD+ display and the S22 Ultra has a 6.8 Edge Quad HD+ or curved screen. So, the S22 Ultra has a larger screen but due to the design, the edges of that screen are curved. This means that the resolution between the two phones is slightly different. Not enough to really make a difference in picture quality but aesthetically some users don’t care for the edge curve.

There is also a slight difference in refresh rate. They both have refresh rates of 120Hz but the S22 Ultra has an LTPO 2 panel which means it can drop the refresh rate as low as 1HZ when you are not using the phone which helps conserve battery life.

So, which is better the S22+ or S22 Ultra? Well, the S22 Ultra delivers a lot of value for those willing to pay for it. It has some amazing camera features, and it is a must-have for fans of the Note series and specifically the S Pen. But if those things aren’t as important to you The S22+ is a great phone with some killer features and a much more forgiving price point. 

Samsung Galaxy S22+

SAMSUNG Galaxy S22+ Cell Phone, Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 8K Camera & Video, Brightest Display Screen, Long Battery Life, Fast 4nm Processor, US Version, Green
$547.40
  • 8K Video Recording: Shoot stunning 8K videos with the highest recording resolution on a smartphone
  • Night Photography: Capture clear photos and videos in any lighting condition with Night Mode
  • 50MP Photo Resolution: Capture vivid detail with 50MP resolution for epic photos and videos
  • Adaptive Color Contrast: Optimize color and brightness for outdoor and indoor viewing
  • Long Battery Life: Power through the day and night with an intelligent, long-lasting battery
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 10:46 am GMT
Pros!Cons!
Reasonably pricedPoor battery life
Flat-screenSmaller screen
Great cameraFewer camera options

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

SAMSUNG Galaxy S22 Ultra Cell Phone, Factory Unlocked Android Smartphone, 128GB, 8K Camera & Video, Brightest Display Screen, S Pen, Long Battery Life, Fast 4nm Processor, US Version, Phantom Blac...
$999.99
  • 8K Video: Shoot videos with 8K resolution for epic quality
  • Adaptive Color: Auto adjusts color and brightness for outdoor and indoor viewing
  • Long Battery Life: 5000mAh battery provides all day power
  • S Pen Included: Use the S Pen for precise editing on the go
  • Premium Design: Glass and metal build with aluminum frame for durability
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
03/11/2024 10:46 am GMT
Pros!Cons!
Huge displayExpensive
Powerful camera systemAwkward camera bumps
S Pen integrationShutter lag

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