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    Is the Galaxy S22 Ultra Worth the Upgrade? Let’s Compare it to 6 Older Samsung Phones

    Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra.
    Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

    Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with an enormous display, a four-lens digicam with a top-notch zoom lens and an S Pen stylus you could stow contained in the telephone. But at $1,200, it is also probably the most costly telephones Samsung sells. That’s why it is necessary to think twice about whether or not it is time to improve to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In many instances, a very powerful components to contemplate can be digicam high quality and the S Pen. If you might have a comparatively current telephone just like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or Note 20 Ultra, you need not improve simply but. The S22 Ultra is extra of an iterative replace to these units, and you will get extra in your cash by holding onto your system for an extended time frame.You’re more likely to note the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s new options when coming from a telephone that is at the very least 3 years previous. That stated, it is also price noting that the older your telephone is, the much less seemingly it’s to proceed getting the most recent software program updates. Samsung is guaranteeing 4 generations of Android working system updates on telephones in its households of Galaxy S22, S21 and Z units, in addition to sure Galaxy A telephones. It beforehand dedicated to 3 years of updates, which means some older telephones just like the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 is perhaps near the tip of their software program replace cycle.You’ll additionally wish to think about a few of the options current on older telephones that Samsung has eradicated on newer fashions. Samsung’s new telephones do not have expandable storage, for instance, however the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, S20 Ultra and Note 10 Plus do. Samsung additionally phased out MST help for Samsung Pay, the expertise that permits the fee service to work with older terminals that do not help NFC, beginning with the Galaxy S21 line within the US. (MST continues to be obtainable in sure different world markets.)Read on to study extra about how the Galaxy S22 Ultra compares with Samsung’s older high-end telephones. The Galaxy S21 Ultra.
    Lexy Savvides/CNET
    Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S21 UltraIf you might have a Galaxy S21 Ultra, there isn’t any must improve but. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is an iterative replace to its predecessor. It comes with a more moderen processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung’s newest Exynos chip relying available on the market), a digicam that may carry out higher in low gentle and an S Pen you could retailer contained in the system. But these causes alone aren’t sufficient to spend on a brand new system, particularly since you should purchase an S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra individually. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s improved low-light images is helpful, however its digicam system is in any other case similar to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s. Both units have a 108-megapixel predominant sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses that present a 10x optical zoom. Their screens are equal in measurement and each help refresh charges of as much as 120Hz for smoother scrolling. That’s an in depth technique to say the general expertise is basically the identical on the S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra, with some iterative upgrades to the digicam and included S Pen. The backside line: There’s no main motive to improve to the S22 Ultra when you have the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The updates are principally iterative and can be extra noticeable when upgrading from an older telephone. If you are a Galaxy Note fan trying to retailer your S Pen contained in the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you are higher off shopping for a case that features a storage slot for the stylus.Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
    Angela Lang/CNET
    Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 UltraThe Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is lower than 2 years previous, which suggests it ought to have loads of mileage left in it. There is not a lot to be gained from the S22 Ultra apart from its digicam enhancements, that are appreciated however seemingly aren’t sufficient to justify upgrading for most individuals. Both telephones have a 108-megapixel predominant digicam and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam, though the S22 Ultra has a more moderen model of the primary sensor with higher autofocus and dynamic vary. Where they actually differ, nonetheless, is of their zoom capabilities. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses, whereas the Note 20 Ultra solely has one 12-megapixel telephoto lens. As a end result, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can obtain a better zoom each optically and digitally (10x optical zoom and as much as 100x digital zoom), in contrast with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (5x optical zoom, as much as 50x digital zoom).And in fact, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is lacking Samsung’s current enhancements to low-light images that debuted with the Galaxy S22 collection. The S22 Ultra additionally takes higher portraits than the Note 20 Ultra because it’s higher at distinguishing tremendous particulars, my colleague Lexy Savvides wrote in her current comparability of the 2 telephones. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally has a sharper 40-megapixel entrance digicam than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 10-megapixel selfie digicam. That won’t matter to everybody, however it could possibly be an necessary consideration if you happen to spent numerous time on video calls. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally comes with a more moderen processor and a bigger battery, though the distinction would not appear to be game-changing. Both telephones are able to lasting a whole day, based on CNET’s S22 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra comparability. The Galaxy S22 Ultra would usually have 20% of its battery left by the tip of the day, whereas the Note 20 Ultra would have 10% to 15% of its battery remaining. Our take a look at applies to the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered model of those telephones, so it is potential that the Exynos variations may differ. And each telephones include Samsung’s S Pen stylus for taking notes, drawing and marking up paperwork. There are additionally a few small trade-offs to be made by upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra to the S22 Ultra. Samsung’s latest high-end telephone has a barely smaller display than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (6.8 inches versus 6.9 inches). It additionally lacks a microSD card slot for expandable storage, in contrast to the Note 20 Ultra, which may help as much as 1 terabyte of further house. The backside line: You can cling on to your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for slightly longer. Unless you actually desire a 100x digital zoom and barely longer battery life. Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20.Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20As soon as once more, the most important distinction between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 is in its digicam. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally has a bigger and sharper display, a much bigger battery and a more moderen processor than the Galaxy Note 20. Most folks in all probability do not must improve simply but. But there is a stronger case for upgrading from the Note 20 than from the Note 20 Ultra for the reason that common mannequin additionally has a smaller display and fewer succesful digicam than its greater sibling.The Galaxy Note 20 has three rear cameras: a 12-megapixel predominant sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor and a 64-megapixel telephoto lens. You get a 3x optical zoom on the Galaxy Note and as much as a 30x digital zoom. The Galaxy S22 Ultra improves on this in a number of methods. It comes with 4 rear cameras: a 108-megapixel predominant sensor, two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens. Since it has two telephoto lenses, the S22 Ultra can zoom as much as 10x optically and 100x digitally. And do not forget: Samsung’s Galaxy S22 lineup additionally boasts improved low-light images. In basic, the Galaxy S22 lineup additionally has improved coloration and distinction in contrast with different telephones, as I discovered throughout my testing. For most individuals, the Galaxy Note 20’s triple-lens digicam will in all probability be sufficient. In my very own use, I’ve discovered that picture high quality turns into too blurry and noisy when zooming previous 30x. But if images is a predominant precedence and also you regularly use your telephone for skilled work, the S22 Ultra could possibly be price contemplating for its improved digicam. The selfie digicam can be sharper (40 megapixels versus the Note 20’s 10 megapixels), which could possibly be necessary for individuals who take numerous video calls. Otherwise, you may additionally get a barely bigger display (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches) that is additionally sharper because it packs 500 pixels per inch in contrast with the Note 20’s 393 pixels. You even have the choice to set the display to the next refresh price of as much as 120Hz on the S22 Ultra for smoother scrolling, in contrast to the Note 20. Both telephones include Samsung’s S Pen stylus. But the Note 20 does have a much less premium plastic development than the pricier Note 20 Ultra. So upgrading to the Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally means you may get a design that feels extra polished and high-end. The backside line: You in all probability need not improve, however doing so makes extra sense than upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings digicam enhancements and a bigger battery which may make a significant distinction to those that use their telephones for pro-grade images. If you meet that standards and can even rating an incredible trade-in deal, the S22 Ultra can be price it. If you principally need a greater digicam and do not thoughts sacrificing the S Pen and slightly display house, I’d additionally advocate testing the Galaxy S22 Plus. Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra.
    Andrew Hoyle/CNET
    Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S20 UltraThe Galaxy S20 Ultra is 2 years previous, however it nonetheless has lots to supply. The greatest variations between the S20 Ultra and S22 Ultra are the latter’s inclusion of Samsung’s S Pen stylus, its newer processor and a few reasonable digicam modifications. These are incremental enhancements that make the Galaxy S22 Ultra higher than its predecessors. However, there’s nothing that makes this telephone really feel wildly totally different from the Galaxy S20 Ultra.Both telephones are across the similar measurement, however the S20 Ultra is barely bigger at 6.9 inches in contrast with the S22 Ultra’s 6.8-inch show. The S20 Ultra additionally packs extra pixels per inch, and every telephone can enhance its display’s refresh price as much as 120Hz for a extra fluid expertise. Both units additionally each have a 40-megapixel selfie digicam and the identical battery capability. Both telephones even have 45-watt fast-charging, though you may must buy the required adapter individually.The Galaxy S22 Ultra and S20 Ultra have related digicam methods, though there are some variations in terms of their zooming capabilities. Both telephones have a 108-megapixel predominant sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide sensor. But the Galaxy S22 Ultra has two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses, whereas the S20 Ultra has one 48-megapixel telephoto lens and a depth sensor. That twin telephoto digicam offers the S22 Ultra some benefits in terms of high quality and ease of use. You get a real optical zoom at both 3x or 10x on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, whereas the S20 Ultra has a hybrid optic zoom system that makes use of some digital cropping to realize the specified zoom stage. Zooming in must also really feel regular and extra clean on the Galaxy S22 Ultra in contrast with the S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22-lineup telephones can even take clearer and brighter images at nighttime and are typically higher with coloration and distinction. 

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    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review: The Galaxy Note Lives…

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    All of those modifications make the S22 Ultra really feel like a step ahead, however the Galaxy S20 Ultra already has a wonderful digicam. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s modifications enhance photograph high quality quite than including drastically totally different options and capturing modes. However, if you happen to’ve been annoyed by the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s autofocus points, you may end up in additional of a rush to improve.  What you may actually must ask your self is whether or not it is price upgrading for the S Pen. That’s the important thing distinction between the S22 Ultra and the S20 Ultra. The S Pen appears like a pleasant bonus quite than a necessity for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But given the recognition that Samsung’s Galaxy Note has cultivated during the last decade, I think about there are many individuals who may disagree. The S Pen enables you to jot down notes (even when the display is turned off), sketch, mark up screenshots and different paperwork and translate textual content, amongst different duties. The stylus may even operate as a distant management for the telephone’s digicam.The backside line: Unless you actually need the S Pen, there is not a significant motive to improve to the Galaxy S22 Ultra from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Both telephones have an enormous display with a excessive refresh price for smoother scrolling, and so they have related cameras. They even have the identical battery capability. The Galaxy S22 Ultra does get some digicam enhancements, significantly when zooming or taking low-light images. But the modifications aren’t drastic sufficient to encourage most individuals to improve simply but.Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
    Angela Lang/CNET
    Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 10 PlusSimply as with the opposite telephones on this record, the most important motive to improve from the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its digicam. But the upgrades are greater than incremental this time. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ triple-lens digicam has a way more restricted zoom vary than the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s, and it is also lacking the 108-megapixel predominant sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. For the needs of this text, we have determined to check the Note 10 Plus as a result of it has a noticeably bigger display than the common Note 10 (6.8 inches versus the usual mannequin’s 6.3-inch show). That makes it a extra easy comparability in opposition to the Galaxy S22 Ultra.  Samsung’s new top-of-the-line telephone has 4 predominant digicam lenses: a 108-megapixel predominant sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide digicam and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus, comparatively, has a 12-megapixel extensive digicam, a 16-megapixel ultrawide digicam, a 12-megapixel telephoto digicam and a depth sensor. For informal photographers, the Note 10 Plus’ triple digicam is perhaps enough sufficient. But those that prioritize digicam high quality will discover rather a lot to like in regards to the S22 Ultra. It can zoom as much as 10x optically and 100x digitally, whereas the Galaxy Note 10 Plus solely has a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. That’s a giant distinction that may really feel important to anybody who regularly takes images from a distance, as maybe at sporting occasions or live shows.Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings extras like a 120Hz refresh price display, a sharper 40-megapixel selfie digicam, help for 8K video recording, a a lot newer processor and a bigger battery. That stated, each telephones have giant and vibrant 6.8-inch screens that are perfect for studying and watching video, and so they each include the S Pen. But the Galaxy S10 Plus additionally has extra reminiscence and storage on the base stage than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and there isn’t any microSD card slot on Samsung’s latest Ultra telephone.The backside line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is definitely worth the improve when you have the Galaxy Note 10 Ultra, significantly if you will discover a very good trade-in deal. But the reply will rely in your wants and preferences. If images is a large precedence, the S22 Ultra’s upgraded digicam will really feel like a significant enchancment. The drastically improved zoom, higher low-light efficiency and total enhancements to paint and distinction make it a extra versatile and succesful digicam total. But if you happen to principally simply care about having a lovely telephone with a giant display, you may in all probability get by along with your Note 10 Plus for a bit longer. If you might have the non-5G mannequin, the S22 Ultra offers you much more of a motive to improve. Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G.
    Angela Lang/CNET
    Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S10 5GThe Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung’s high-end flagship telephone from 2019, and it has rather a lot in frequent with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. With that in thoughts, related recommendation applies when you have a Galaxy S10 5G. It’s definitely worth the improve, significantly if you happen to love taking images and prioritize having a telephone with top-notch zooming capabilities. But you too can in all probability get by along with your present telephone if you happen to do not essentially care about having one of the best digicam and bought the S10 5G principally for its big display.The Galaxy S10 5G has a 12-megapixel extensive digicam, a 12-megapixel telephoto digicam, a 16-megapixel ultrawide digicam and a depth sensor, identical to the Note 10 Plus. As such, the entire advantages talked about above apply to these upgrading from the Galaxy S10 5G, too. Samsung’s latest premium telephone brings considerably higher zoom, improved images in low gentle, a sharper selfie digicam and higher total picture high quality in contrast with the S10 5G, plus 8K video recording and a bigger battery. The distinction in efficiency can be more likely to be extra noticeable when upgrading from a 3-year-old telephone just like the S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s display can be barely bigger than the S10 5G’s (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches). But extra importantly, you may enhance the refresh price as much as 120Hz to make scrolling really feel extra seamless. And in fact, it additionally comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus to make higher use of that enormous display.The backside line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is price upgrading if you happen to personal a Galaxy S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings options which might be legitimately new quite than incremental upgrades, equivalent to an included S Pen and an overhauled digicam with considerably higher zoom. If you do not care about these options, you may get by along with your Galaxy S10 5G for a short while longer. But for individuals who prioritize images in a digicam and are prepared for one thing new, the S22 Ultra will not disappoint.

    Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. older Samsung telephones

    Galaxy S22 Ultra

    Galaxy S21 Ultra

    Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

    Galaxy Note 20

    Galaxy S20 Ultra

    Galaxy Note 10 Plus

    Galaxy S10 5G

    Display measurement, decision

    6.8-inch AMOLED, 3,088×1,440 pixels

    6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3,200×1,440 pixels

    6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3,088×1,440 pixels

    6.7-inch Super AMOLED Plus, 2,400×1,080 pixels

    6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3,200×1,440 pixels

    6.8-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 3,040×1,440 pixels

    6.7-inch Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED; 3,040×1,440 pixels

    Pixel density (per inch)

    500ppi

    515ppi

    496ppi

    393ppi

    511ppi

    498 ppi

    505 ppi

    Dimensions (millimeters)

    77.9×163.3×8.9mm

    75.6×165.1×8.9mm

    164.8×77.2×8.1mm

    161.6×75.2×8.3mm

    76×166.9×8.8mm

    162.3×77.2×7.9mm

    162.6×77.1×7.94mm

    Weight (ounces, grams)

    8.07 oz; 229g

    8.07 oz; 229g

    7.33 oz, 208g

    6.84 oz, 194g

    7.76 oz; 220g

    6.91 oz; 196g

    6.98 oz; 198g

    Mobile software program (shipped at launch)

    Android 12

    Android 11

    Android 10

    Android 10

    Android 10

    Android 9

    Android 9

    Camera

    108MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide) 10MP (3x telephoto) 10MP (10x telephoto)

    108MP (extensive), 12MP (ultrawide), 10MP (3x telephoto), 10MP (10x telephoto)

    12MP (ultrawide), 108MP (wide-angle), 12MP (telephoto)

    12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (wide-angle), 64MP (telephoto)

    108MP (wide-angle), 48MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultrawide), time-of-flight digicam

    12MP (wide-angle), 16MP (ultrawide-angle), 12MP (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA)

    12MP (wide-angle), 16MP (ultrawide-angle), 12MP (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA)

    Front-facing digicam

    40MP

    40MP

    10MP

    10MP

    40MP

    10MP

    10MP, 3D depth (HQVGA)

    Video seize

    8K, 4K

    8K, 4K

    8K, 4K

    8K, 4K

    8K, 4K

    4K

    4K

    Processor

    Snapdragon 8 gen 1

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 888

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

    Qualcomm Snapdragon 855

    RAM/storage

    8GB + 128GB ; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB+512GB; 12GB+ 1TB

    16GB + 512GB; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 128GB

    12GB + 128GB; 12GB + 512GB

    8GB + 128GB

    12GB + 128GB; 12GB + 256GB; 16GB + 512GB

    12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 512GB

    8GB + 256GB; 8GB + 512GB

    Expandable storage

    None

    None

    Up to 1TB

    None

    Up to 1TB

    Up to 1TB

    None

    Battery/charger

    5,000 mAh

    5,000 mAh

    4,500 mAh

    4,300 mAh

    5,000 mAh

    4,300 mAh

    4,500 mAh

    Fingerprint sensor

    In-display

    In-display

    In-display

    In-display

    In-display

    In-display

    In-display

    Connector

    USB-C

    USB-C

    USB-C

    USB-C

    USB-C

    USB-C

    USB-C

    Headphone jack

    No

    No

    No

    No

    No

    No

    Yes

    Special options

    5G (mmw/Sub6), bundled S Pen, IP68 score, 120Hz show, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom, 45W charging help (offered individually)

    5G (mmw/Sub6), S Pen help (not included), IP68 score, 120Hz show, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom

    5G (mmw/Sub6), 5x optical zoom, 120Hz show; UWB sharing, S Pen included, Wireless PowerShare, IP68 score

    5G (mmw/Sub6); S Pen included; Wireless PowerShare; waterproof (IP68)

    5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh price; 100X zoom (digital); Wireless PowerShare; IP68 score

    5G (mmw/Sub6 on 5G mannequin); S Pen included; Wireless PowerShare; IP68 score

    5G (mmw/Sub6); Wireless PowerShare; 3D depth cameras (not for face unlock); IP68 score

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