Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a massive, flashy piece of tech. It includes an improved camera with new features, a beautiful display, and top-of-the-line performance, but it will cost you.
Key specs
Critic consensus
“The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a powerful piece of technology the competitors will have to be measured against, even if not everything runs smoothly in the beginning yet.”
“It's no secret that this reviewer has enjoyed his time with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In the months of using the phone, he rarely missed any feature. There is hardly a better phone in 2022. Sure, there's a certain iPhone with better synthetic performance and battery life, but it can't do what this Android can do - download a torrent, sign a PDF file and mail it back, run any two apps side by side, etc. Sure, there are other great Android phones that do many individual things very well. But there's no single phone that does all the things the Galaxy S22 Ultra does.”
“The Galaxy S22 Ultra is in such a market segment that the concept of value doesn't necessarily apply to it and affect purchasing decisions. So the €1250/$1200 price is little more than just a number. But the Ultra does, in fact, provide a lot of value. An upmarket phone with a stylus is essentially a Samsung-exclusive offering - competing efforts from Apple, Google, Xiaomi, Oppo, or Huawei simply do not exist. This is the latest and most powerful one and it can carry that S Pen inside it unlike the Fold or last year's Ultra, so it's unique even in Samsung's present realm too. It's not as clear cut when it comes to the camera, where we could come up with potential alternatives - as good, or maybe a touch superior in this or that. But there's no denying that the S22 Ultra is a superbly capable all-rounded cameraphone, easily Samsung's best yet.”
“The design hasn't changed much from previous years, the phone is not any faster, and the software is full of ads and crapware. The device is also very expensive and offers almost nothing over the competition.”
Testing & benchmarks
Watch before you decide
In Depth
Being one of the heavy hitters in the cellphone world isn’t easy, and Samsung has stepped up to the plate with the newest entry in its most popular phone series: the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Does it live up to the Samsung legacy?
Design
Not one to drop the ball on flair and visuals, Samsung has created yet another beautiful piece of tech.
Due to its roots in the Note, the design is sturdy and sleek. According to reviewers, aluminum and glass construction add to it being pretty heavy, though.
The color options, however, are pretty substantial. Samsung offers the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Burgundy, and Red.
Display
A 6.8-inch AMOLED screen makes for vibrant and bright colors.
It helps that it’s also WQHD ready. The default FHD+ option is supposedly easier on the battery, but they said they didn’t notice any real difference when reviewers tested it.
Gorilla Glass Victus+ from Corning sandwiches the device with the front display for a high gloss finish that should stand up to pockets full of keys or sliding across tables without issue.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra impressed reviewers across the board in all aspects involving performance.
It’s blazing fast and capable of multitasking without the slightest stutter. Gaming was also top-notch, according to reviewers.
Software & Storage
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes loaded with Android 12 and runs the OneUI over the top to make things more streamlined.
Reviewers admitted some disappointment in the messaging app but nothing truly major.
The storage options are 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB. Choose wisely, though, as there isn’t a MicroSD expansion slot in this phone.
Cameras
Reviewers couldn’t get enough of the new cameras on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, specifically the new Space Zoom feature with 100x zoom.
The most significant improvement overall is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s better ability to capture low light photos with little to no distortion.
Battery Life
When it comes to testing the battery life, reviewers were a little disappointed.
Running everything at full tilt only allowed for 10 hours of battery life, and that’s a full hour and a half below the previous model.
However, real-life results will depend on the person using the device and their habits. Still, some reviewers worry the phone won’t last heavy users a full day on a single charge.
Audio
While there was nothing explicitly mentioned about the audio abilities of the phone, one can probably assume that Bluetooth will always be the best option for audio quality with just about any smartphone.
Specs at a Glance
- Aluminum chassis
- Dynamic AMOLED display
- Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor
- 8/12/16GB of RAM
- Android 12
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB of storage
- 108+ MP camera
- 5,000mAh battery
- S-Pen stylus
Bottom Line
Being one of the most influential in the smartphone market has led to a certain amount of expectation regarding the line of Samsung phones. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is no exception. It does everything, and it does it all very well. Just remember to keep a charger handy for heavy use.
Digital Trends says, “The Galaxy S22 Ultra is astonishingly capable in almost all aspects, from camera to productivity, and you probably won’t need to consider upgrading for years.”
Tech Radar states, “The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a big, powerful, and attractive Android phone (if you like them monolithic). It’s super-versatile, ready for important work, hand-written notes, gaming, and casual big-screen web browsing – and the cameras are a clear highlight, with the Space Zoom capabilities taking you to infinity and beyond. And, yes, you’ll pay handily for all these features.”
What people actually want to know
How much does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra cost?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra launched at $1,199 USD. Street prices change, so see current deals.
When was the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra released?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was released on February 25, 2022.
How long does the battery last on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a 5,000 mAh battery.
Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra water resistant?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra carries an IP68 rating.
Note: water resistance degrades over time and manufacturer warranties typically don't cover liquid damage.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra support wireless charging?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra supports wireless charging. It supports up to 15W wireless charging.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra have a headphone jack?
No, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra does not have a headphone jack. You'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra support 5G?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra supports 5G connectivity.
Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra have NFC?
Yes, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has NFC. You can use Google Wallet, Apple Pay, and tap-to-pair with Bluetooth accessories.
Where can I get support for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Visit Samsung's official support page for warranty info, repairs, and troubleshooting.
Where can I download the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra manual?
You can view and download the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra manual on our dedicated manual page.
Questions & answers
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