Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra? We Compare 6 Older Samsung Phones to Find Out

Android

Should You Upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra? We Compare 6 Older Samsung Phones to Find Out

Micheline Lykke

March 23, 2022

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with an enormous display, a four-lens digital camera 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 consider carefully about whether or not it is time to improve to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In many circumstances, an important elements to contemplate can be digital camera high quality and the S Pen. If you’ve 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 to your cash by holding onto your system for an extended time period.You’re more likely to note the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s new options when coming from a telephone that is a minimum of 3 years previous. That stated, it is also value noting that the older your telephone is, the much less probably it’s to proceed getting the newest 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 likely to be near the tip of their software program replace cycle.You’ll additionally need 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 cost service to work with older terminals that do not help NFC, beginning with the Galaxy S21 line. (Samsung’s product web page for the Galaxy S22 nonetheless mentions MST help. We’ve requested the corporate for clarification.)Read on to be taught extra about how the Galaxy S22 Ultra compares with Samsung’s older high-end telephones. Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S21 UltraThe Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
If you’ve 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 recent processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung’s newest Exynos chip relying available on the market), a digital camera 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 digital camera system is in any other case similar to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s. Both units have a 108-megapixel essential sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera 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 approach to say the general expertise is actually the identical on the S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra, with some iterative upgrades to the digital camera and included S Pen. The backside line: There’s no main cause to improve to the S22 Ultra when you’ve got the Galaxy S21 Ultra. The updates are largely 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.Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 UltraSamsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
Angela Lang/CNET
The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is lower than 2 years previous, which implies 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 digital camera enhancements, that are appreciated however probably aren’t sufficient to justify upgrading for most individuals. Both telephones have a 108-megapixel essential digital camera and a 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera, though the S22 Ultra has a more recent 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 outcome, 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 after all, 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 advantageous 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 digital camera than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 10-megapixel selfie digital camera. That won’t matter to everybody, but it surely may very well be an necessary consideration when you spent loads of time on video calls. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally comes with a more recent processor and a bigger battery, though the distinction does not appear to be game-changing. Both telephones are able to lasting a whole day, in response to CNET’s S22 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra comparability. The Galaxy S22 Ultra would sometimes 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 check applies to the Qualcomm Snapdragon-powered model of those telephones, so it is potential that the Exynos variations might 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 might help as much as 1 terabyte of extra area. The backside line: You can grasp on to your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for slightly longer. Unless you actually desire a 100x digital zoom and barely longer battery life. Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20.Once once more, the largest distinction between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 is in its digital camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra additionally has a bigger and sharper display, an even bigger battery and a more recent processor than the Galaxy Note 20. Most individuals most likely do not need to 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 digital camera than its larger sibling.The Galaxy Note 20 has three rear cameras: a 12-megapixel essential 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 essential 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 remember: Samsung’s Galaxy S22 lineup additionally boasts improved low-light images. In basic, the Galaxy S22 lineup additionally has improved colour and distinction in contrast with different telephones, as I discovered throughout my testing. For most individuals, the Galaxy Note 20’s triple-lens digital camera will most likely 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 essential precedence and also you ceaselessly use your telephone for skilled work, the S22 Ultra may very well be value contemplating for its improved digital camera. The selfie digital camera can also be sharper (40 megapixels versus the Note 20’s 10 megapixels), which may very well be necessary for individuals who take loads of 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 fee 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 building 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 most likely need not improve, however doing so makes extra sense than upgrading from the Note 20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings digital camera 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 also can rating a terrific trade-in deal, the S22 Ultra could be value it. If you largely need a greater digital camera and do not thoughts sacrificing the S Pen and slightly display area, I’d additionally suggest trying out the Galaxy S22 Plus. Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S20 UltraSamsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra.
Andrew Hoyle/CNET
The Galaxy S20 Ultra is 2 years previous, but it surely nonetheless has lots to supply. The largest 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 average digital camera adjustments. 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 completely different from the Galaxy S20 Ultra.Both telephones are across the identical 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 increase its display’s refresh fee as much as 120Hz for a extra fluid expertise. Both units additionally each have a 40-megapixel selfie digital camera and the identical battery capability. Both telephones even have 45-watt fast-charging, though you may need to buy the required adapter individually.The Galaxy S22 Ultra and S20 Ultra have related digital camera techniques, though there are some variations in terms of their zooming capabilities. Both telephones have a 108-megapixel essential 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 digital camera 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 attain the specified zoom degree. Zooming in must also really feel regular and extra easy on the Galaxy S22 Ultra in contrast with the S20 Ultra. The Galaxy S22-lineup telephones also can take clearer and brighter pictures at nighttime and are usually higher with colour and distinction.

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All of those adjustments make the S22 Ultra really feel like a step ahead, however the Galaxy S20 Ultra already has a wonderful digital camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s adjustments enhance picture high quality moderately than including drastically completely different options and taking pictures modes. However, when you’ve been pissed off by the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s autofocus points, you may end up in additional of a rush to improve. What you may actually need to ask your self is whether or not it is value upgrading for the S Pen. That’s the important thing distinction between the S22 Ultra and the S20 Ultra. The S Pen seems like a pleasant bonus moderately than a necessity for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But given the recognition that Samsung’s Galaxy Note has cultivated over the past decade, I think about there are many individuals who may disagree. The S Pen helps 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 digital camera.The backside line: Unless you really need the S Pen, there is not a significant cause to improve to the Galaxy S22 Ultra from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Both telephones have an enormous display with a excessive refresh fee for smoother scrolling, and so they have related cameras. They even have the identical battery capability. The Galaxy S22 Ultra does get some digital camera enhancements, notably when zooming or taking low-light pictures. But the adjustments aren’t drastic sufficient to encourage most individuals to improve simply but.Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 10 PlusSamsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus.
Angela Lang/CNET
Just as with the opposite telephones on this listing, the largest cause to improve from the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its digital camera. But the upgrades are greater than incremental this time. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ triple-lens digital camera has a way more restricted zoom vary than the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s, and it is also lacking the 108-megapixel essential 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 essential digital camera lenses: a 108-megapixel essential sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus, comparatively, has a 12-megapixel broad digital camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide digital camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto digital camera and a depth sensor. For informal photographers, the Note 10 Plus’ triple digital camera is likely to be sufficient sufficient. But those that prioritize digital camera high quality will discover quite a bit 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 can really feel vital to anybody who ceaselessly takes pictures from a distance, as maybe at sporting occasions or live shows.Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings extras like a 120Hz refresh fee display, a sharper 40-megapixel selfie digital camera, help for 8K video recording, a a lot newer processor and a bigger battery. That stated, each telephones have massive 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 degree 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’ve got the Galaxy Note 10 Ultra, notably if yow will discover trade-in deal. But the reply will rely in your wants and preferences. If images is a large precedence, the S22 Ultra’s upgraded digital camera will really feel like a significant enchancment. The drastically improved zoom, higher low-light efficiency and general enhancements to paint and distinction make it a extra versatile and succesful digital camera general. But when you largely simply care about having a pretty telephone with a giant display, you’ll be able to most likely get by along with your Note 10 Plus for a bit longer. If you’ve the non-5G mannequin, the S22 Ultra offers you much more of a cause to improve. Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S10 5GSamsung’s Galaxy S10 5G.
Angela Lang/CNET
The Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung’s high-end flagship telephone from 2019, and it has quite a bit in widespread with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. With that in thoughts, related recommendation applies when you’ve got a Galaxy S10 5G. It’s definitely worth the improve, notably when you love taking pictures and prioritize having a telephone with top-notch zooming capabilities. But you may as well most likely get by along with your present telephone when you do not essentially care about having the perfect digital camera and bought the S10 5G largely for its big display.The Galaxy S10 5G has a 12-megapixel broad digital camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto digital camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide digital camera and a depth sensor, similar 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 pictures in low gentle, a sharper selfie digital camera and higher general picture high quality in contrast with the S10 5G, plus 8K video recording and a bigger battery. The distinction in efficiency can also be prone to be extra noticeable when upgrading from a 3-year-old telephone just like the S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s display can also be barely bigger than the S10 5G’s (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches). But extra importantly, you’ll be able to improve the refresh fee as much as 120Hz to make scrolling really feel extra seamless. And after all, 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 value upgrading when you personal a Galaxy S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings options which can be legitimately new moderately than incremental upgrades, reminiscent of an included S Pen and an overhauled digital camera with considerably higher zoom. If you do not care about these options, you will get by along with your Galaxy S10 5G for a short while longer. But for individuals who prioritize images in a digital camera 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 (1,440×3,088 pixels)

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

6.9-inch Edge Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X 3,088×1,440 pixels

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

6.9-inch Quad HD+ 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; 229 g

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 9

Camera

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

108MP (broad), 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 digital camera

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

Front-facing digital camera

40MP

10MP

40MP

10MP

10MP, 3D depth (HQVGA)

Video seize

8K, 4K

Processor

Snapdragon 8 gen 1

Qualcomm Snapdragon 888

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+

Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G

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

Up to 1TB

None

Up to 1TB

None

Battery/charger

5,000 mAh

4,500 mAh

4,300 mAh

5,000 mAh

4,300 mAh

4,500 mAh

Fingerprint sensor

In-display

Connector

USB-C

Headphone jack

Yes

Special options

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

5G (mmw/Sub6), S Pen help (not included), IP68 ranking, 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 ranking

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

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

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

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