The "1-Minute" Review
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.What's good
- Fast charging
- Superior camera
- Improved S-pen
- Long term software support
- Bright and vibrant display
What's bad
- Less RAM than the last model
- Lackluster battery life
- Expensive
- Heavy and awkward
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 the Critics Are Saying...
- DxOMarkThe Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) performs on a similar level as other Ultra-Premium devices in our database, such as the Xiaomi Mi 11 Ultra, and the Google Pixel 6 Pro. For the most part, it placed in average territory in playback and was on par with other Galaxy smartphones. There were no glar...
- DxOMarkWith a DXOMARK Camera score of 132, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos) does not quite make it into the top flight in our smartphone camera ranking but performs overall well and delivers some improvements over its predecessor, the S21 Ultra, for example in video and zoom. But it cannot quite keep...
- Megan Ellis, GearburnThe S22 Ultra is definitely the flagship to beat for 2022. Its camera capabilities and performance make it one of the best (if not the best) smartphones to come out in South Africa this year. However, the price keeps it inaccessible to loyal Samsung fans who would love to experience the camera capab...
- Alex Hernandez, TechaerisIf you’re looking for the absolute best Android phone in nearly every category, that phone is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. The price of admission is high, but you wouldn’t be reading this review if you were not already aware of the cost.
- Mark Spoonauer, Tom's GuideThe Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an amped-up Galaxy Note with a faster S Pen built in, lots of camera improvements, a brighter display and faster charging. This is a stellar phone overall, but it's also pretty pricey and the battery life could be better.
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Samsung's suggested retail price is $1199.99. You can compare Galaxy S22 Ultra prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra user manual here.
Samsung backs up the Galaxy S22 Ultra with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Galaxy S22 Ultra has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Samsung support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Samsung's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.
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