The final cellphone
Samsung put all it had into the Galaxy S22 Ultra by way of specs and options. It has a really spectacular digital camera system, a implausible show, the {hardware} to deal with any activity, and a built-in stylus besides. This cellphone earns the Ultra title like none earlier than.
ForImprobable camerasBuilt-in stylusWill get 4 years of Android updatesExcellent in every day useAmazing show that will get tremendous brightAgainstCostlyLess RAM within the base mannequinNo MicroSD slotBoxy design
Showing its age
The Galaxy S20 Ultra has many options that helped it usher within the Ultra title with its 100x Space Zoom and spectacular inner specs. But its age is beginning to present two years later, with just one model of Android left within the tank and nagging pictures points.
ForHelps Samsung’s stylusStill has good performanceNice displayFlexible digital camera systemMore memoryAgainstCamera has focusing issuesOnly attributable to obtain Android 13 Fingerprint reader could be finicky Average battery life
When Samsung first unveiled the Galaxy S20 Ultra, it was the primary of its sort for the model. The Ultra moniker was model new and can be the place Samsung deliberate to place one of the best of every little thing it needed to supply. That has continued now two units later with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But simply because the newest model on this lineup is out does not imply the unique is out of date. Should you improve to Samsung’s newest and biggest or stick together with your older cellphone? Let’s break down that call.Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. S20 Ultra: More than only a nameWhy you’ll be able to belief Android Central
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services and products so you’ll be able to select one of the best for you. Find out extra about how we check.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)For years now, Samsung has been cranking out a number of the greatest Android telephones, and it reveals no signal of slowing down. In the previous, if you wished to get Samsung’s most technologically superior smartphone, you needed to get a Note. The Note 20 was the final in that lineup, the identical 12 months that the Galaxy S20 Ultra got here out, however its spirit endures within the Galaxy S22 Ultra.The Ultra sequence has grow to be a showcase for what Samsung can actually do in a flagship machine.With the Note line all however gone, Samsung has moved on to give attention to the Ultra sequence to point out off what it may do. When the S20 Ultra got here out in March 2020, it was undoubtedly a powerful machine, from the design to the top-tier specs and the, on the time, mind-blowing 100x Space Zoom characteristic for the cameras. The base 12GB RAM and 128GB storage supplied loads of assist for the Snapdragon 865 and the colourful 120Hz AMOLED show.For 2022, Samsung bolstered the Ultra lineup with the S22 Ultra by persevering with to push the boundaries for energy, performance, and pictures. The new cellphone makes use of Qualcomm’s newest and strongest platform with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Though the cellphone has much less RAM within the base mannequin with solely 8GB and lacks a MicroSD slot, it makes up for it in different areas. Swipe to scroll horizontallyHeader Cell – Column 0 Galaxy S22 UltraGalaxy S20 UltraChipset4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 7nm Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990Display6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display 3088×1440 120Hz refresh price (1-120Hz) with 240Hz contact sampling6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 3200×1440 120Hz refresh rateMemory8 or 12GB12GBStorage 128/256/512GB or 1TB 128GBRear Digital camera108MP, ƒ/2.2, 0.8μm 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4μm (120-degree ultra-wide) 10MP, ƒ/2.4, 1.0μm, 3x optical zoom (telephoto) 10MP, ƒ/4.9, 1.12μm, 10x optical zoom (telephoto)108MP, ƒ/1.8, 0.8μm 12MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.4μm (120-degree ultra-wide) 48MP, ƒ/3.5, .8μm, 4Xoptical zoom, 10x hybrid zoom (telephoto)Front Digital camera40MP, ƒ/2.2, 80-degree wide-angle40MP, f/2.2, wide-angleBattery5,000mAh 45W Fast Charging 15W Wireless Charging5,000mAh 45W Fast Charging 15W Wireless ChargingUpdatesUp to Android 16 Security by 2027As much as Android 13 Security by 2024SecurityUltrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensorUltrasonic in-screen fingerprint sensorConnectivityWi-Fi 6 sub-6 and mmWave 5G UWBWi-Fi 6 sub-6 and mmWave 5G UWBS Pen✔️✔️microSD card slot🚫✔️ (as much as 1TB) 3.5mm headphone jack🚫🚫Dimensions6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in6.57 x 2.99 x 0.35 inWeight8.04 oz.83 ozColorsPhantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold, Graphite, Sky Blue, Cream, VioletCosmic Grey, Cosmic Black, Cloud WhiteSafety IP68 Gorilla Glass Victus+IP68 Gorilla Glass 6Samsung took the already wonderful show within the Galaxy S20 Ultra and made it higher for the S22 Ultra with variable refresh price, higher colours, and a brightness stage as much as 1,750 nits. In comparability, the S20 Ultra maxes out at 1,342 nits. This excessive brightness stage means you can simply see the show on the newest Ultra cellphone in any surroundings. These two shows are almost the identical dimension and determination, with the S22 Ultra coming in at 6.8 inches and a 3088×1440 decision, and the S20 Ultra coming in at 6.9 inches and 3200×1440 decision. The variations listed below are fairly small, however the improved brightness and new variable refresh price make a distinction. Regardless of whether or not you select the S20 Ultra or S22 Ultra, you are going to wish to seize a display protector to maintain that show trying sharp!Speaking of battery life, the 2 telephones have the identical dimension cells and charging capabilities. The every day utilization on the S20 Ultra goes to get you thru the day simply superb — except you’ve gotten the 120Hz excessive refresh price turned on. However, when you purchase a cellphone with Ultra within the title you need all of the options on a regular basis. With the S22 Ultra and its variable refresh price, you get buttery easy scrolling everytime you need it and far much less of a battery hit. (Image credit score: Android Central)If pictures is your factor, each of those units possess some really nice cameras. While on paper, every of those telephones sports activities comparable sensors and zoom capabilities, the Galaxy S22 Ultra simply bests its predecessor in almost each approach. Aside from improved {hardware} on the brand new mannequin, the software program has additionally matured to assist produce higher photographs in nearly any lighting situations and much better zoom photographs than the S20 Ultra.The Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra has a somewhat unlucky difficulty concerning focusing. With this machine, Samsung went with a distinct system that it had been utilizing for the auto-focus {hardware}, and it did not work out too properly. The digital camera, at instances, would hunt to discover a level of focus and would trigger photos to return out blurry. However, this is not a continuing difficulty, but it surely is a matter that comes of extra typically than it ought to.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)However, in relation to carrying on the spirit of the Note, there’s a pre-requisite except for having one of the best specs — the cellphone has to have an S Pen built-in. Thankfully, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has that. Like the Galaxy Notes earlier than it, the S22 Ultra has the identical silo for Samsung’s stlyus to fit into. No matter if you wish to doodle, jot down a observe, signal a doc, or anything pen associated, the S Pen is prepared. The S20 Ultra can also be appropriate, however you may must buy it individually and discover a technique to retailer it, like in a case.Another important space of distinction between these two telephones is within the software program. Yes, each are operating the newest Android 13, however the Galaxy S20 Ultra will solely have yet one more OS replace to Android 13. Though the cellphone will proceed to get safety updates in 2024, there is no assure it’ll get Android 14. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, then again, can be up to date by 2026.(Image credit score: Android Central)Finally, there’s a distinction in design between the units. Both telephones are utilizing steel frames with the S22 Ultra going with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and the S20 Ultra utilizing the older Gorilla Glass 6. Samsung additionally modified its design language after the Galaxy S20 sequence, but it surely stored an identical type for the Galaxy S22 from the S21 sequence. Curiously although, the Galaxy S22 Ultra bought its design cues from the Note 20 Ultra in a squared-off, boxy type. Though it seems to be good, the corners make the massive cellphone much less snug to carry than the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s curved body.(Image credit score: Nicholas Sutrich / Android Central)Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. S20 Ultra: Which must you purchase?If you already personal a Galaxy S20 Ultra and are able to improve, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a implausible choice. Even when you’re contemplating selecting up both of those units, it is a straightforward alternative: the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the way in which to go for the software program updates on supply. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is newer and has seen a couple of reductions over the course of 2022, and that makes it an much more attractive deal. That mentioned, it’s nonetheless one of many costliest telephones round, so if you would like a greater worth, you could wish to have a look at the S20 Ultra or one of many units on one of the best Samsung telephones checklist for one thing newer. Do you intend to maintain this cellphone for a very long time? If so, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will final far longer from a software program perspective. The Galaxy S20 Ultra will get a minimum of yet one more Android model and safety updates by 2024, so it may get you a few years earlier than it is able to be retired.As for the cameras, each telephones can take nice photographs. But, the enhancements on the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s {hardware} and software program make it the clear winner right here. The different draw back of the Galaxy S20 Ultra, except for the older {hardware}, is the poor autofocus. So, if you would like a lower-priced cellphone that would get you thru a few years of software program updates and pictures is not a excessive precedence — the S20 Ultra will do. But the Galaxy S22 Ultra will do higher.
The final cellphone
From handwriting digital notes to taking wonderful photographs, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the powerhouse machine that followers of the Galaxy S telephones and Note units have been on the lookout for.
Showing its age
The Galaxy S20 Ultra launched the sequence for Samsung and was a powerful machine for its time. The cellphone continues to be an amazing purchase for the fitting value, however it may’t maintain up in opposition to the latest mannequin.