Should You Upgrade to Galaxy S22 Ultra? See How It Compares to Older Samsung Phones

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Samsung S22 Ultra

Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra.


Lisa Eadicicco/ CNET.

With its huge screen, four-lens video camera system, superior zoom lens and an S Pen stylus that you can stow inside the phone, Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra is an appealing option. But at $1,200, it’s likewise among the most costly phones Samsung offers.

That’s why it is necessary to believe thoroughly about whether it’s time to update to the Galaxy S22Ultra In numerous cases, the most crucial aspects to think about will be video camera quality and the SPen If you have a reasonably current phone like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or Note 20 Ultra, you do not require to update right now. The S22 Ultra is more of an iterative upgrade to those gadgets, and you’ll get more for your cash by keeping your gadget for a longer amount of time.

Read more: The Exciting Gadgets We Want From Samsung This Year

You’re far more most likely to see the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s brand-new functions when originating from a phone that’s at least 3 years of ages. That stated, it’s likewise worth keeping in mind that the older your phone is, the less most likely it is to continue getting the current software application updates. Samsung is ensuring 4 generations of Android os updates on phones in its households of Galaxy S22, S21 and Z gadgets, in addition to specific Galaxy A phones. It formerly devoted to 3 years of updates, suggesting some older phones like the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 may be near completion of their software application upgrade cycle.

You’ll likewise wish to think about a few of the functions present on older phones that Samsung has actually gotten rid of on more recent designs. Samsung’s brand-new phones do not have expandable storage, for instance, however the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, S20 Ultra and Note 10 Plus do. Samsung likewise phased out MST assistance for Samsung Pay, the innovation that makes it possible for the payment service to deal with older terminals that do not support NFC, beginning with the Galaxy S21 line in the United States. (MST is still readily available in choose international markets.)

Read on to find out more about how the Galaxy S22 Ultra compares to Samsung’s older high-end phones.

S21 Ultra vs. Note 20 Ultra

The Galaxy S21 Ultra.


Lexy Savvides/ CNET.

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra

If you have a Galaxy S21 Ultra, there’s no requirement to update yet. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is an iterative upgrade to its predecessor. It includes a more recent processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Samsung’s newest Exynos chip depending upon the marketplace), a cam that can carry out much better in low light and an S Pen that you can keep inside the gadget.

But those factors alone aren’t enough to invest in a brand-new gadget, particularly considering that you can acquire an S Pen for the Galaxy S21 Ultra independently. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s enhanced low-light photography works, however its video camera system is otherwise really comparable to the Galaxy S21Ultra’s Both gadgets have a 108- megapixel primary sensing unit, a 12- megapixel ultrawide video camera and 2 10- megapixel telephoto lenses that supply a 10 x optical zoom. Their screens are equivalent in size and both support refresh rates of approximately 120 Hz for smoother scrolling.

That’s a comprehensive method to state the general experience is basically the exact same on the S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra, with some iterative upgrades to the video camera and consisted of SPen

The bottom line: There’s no significant factor to update to the S22 Ultra if you have the Galaxy S21Ultra The updates are primarily iterative and will be more visible when updating from an older phone. If you’re a Galaxy Note fan seeking to keep your S Pen inside the Galaxy S21 Ultra, you’re much better off purchasing a case that consists of a storage slot for the stylus.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.


Angela Lang/ CNET.

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20 Ultra

The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is less than 2 years of ages, which indicates it must have a lot of mileage left in it. There isn’t much to be gotten from the S22 Ultra aside from its video camera enhancements, which are valued however most likely aren’t enough to validate updating for the majority of people.

Both phones have a 108- megapixel primary video camera and a 12- megapixel ultrawide video camera, although the S22 Ultra has a more recent variation of the primary sensing unit with much better autofocus and vibrant variety. Where they actually vary, nevertheless, remains in their zoom abilities. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has 2 10- megapixel telephoto lenses, while the Note 20 Ultra just has one 12- megapixel telephoto lens. As an outcome, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can accomplish a more detailed zoom both optically and digitally (10 x optical zoom and approximately 100 x digital zoom), compared to the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (5x optical zoom, approximately 50 x digital zoom).

And obviously, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is missing out on Samsung’s current enhancements to low-light photography that debuted with the Galaxy S22 series. The S22 Ultra likewise takes much better pictures than the Note 20 Ultra considering that it’s much better at differentiating great information, my coworker Lexy Savvides composed in her current contrast of the 2 phones

The Galaxy S22 Ultra likewise has a sharper 40- megapixel front video camera than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s 10- megapixel selfie video camera. That may not matter to everybody, however it might be an essential factor to consider if you invested a great deal of time on video calls.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra likewise includes a more recent processor and a bigger battery, although the distinction does not appear to be game-changing. Both phones can lasting a whole day, according to CNET’s S22 Ultra and Note 20 Ultra contrast The Galaxy S22 Ultra would generally have 20% of its battery left by the end of the day, while the Note 20 Ultra would have 10% to 15% of its battery staying. Our test uses to the Qualcomm Snapdragon- powered variation of these phones, so it’s possible that the Exynos variations might vary. And both phones included Samsung’s S Pen stylus for bearing in mind, drawing and increasing files.

There are likewise a number of little compromises to be made by updating from the Note 20 Ultra to the S22Ultra Samsung’s latest high-end phone has a somewhat smaller sized screen than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (6.8 inches versus 6.9 inches). It likewise does not have a microSD card slot for expandable storage, unlike the Note 20 Ultra, which can support approximately 1 terabyte of extra area.

The bottom line: You can hold on to your Galaxy Note 20 Ultra for a bit longer. Unless you actually desire a 100 x digital zoom and somewhat longer battery life.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Note 20.

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 20

Once once again, the greatest distinction in between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 remains in its video camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra likewise has a bigger and sharper screen, a larger battery and a more recent processor than the Galaxy Note20 Most individuals most likely do not need to update right now. But there’s a more powerful case for updating from the Note 20 than from the Note 20 Ultra considering that the routine design likewise has a smaller sized screen and less capable video camera than its larger brother or sister.

The Galaxy Note 20 has 3 rear cams: a 12- megapixel primary sensing unit, a 12- megapixel ultrawide sensing unit and a 64- megapixel telephoto lens. You get a 3x optical zoom on the Galaxy Note and approximately a 30 x digital zoom. The Galaxy S22 Ultra enhances on this in numerous methods. It includes 4 rear cams: a 108- megapixel primary sensing unit, 2 10- megapixel telephoto lenses and a 12- megapixel ultrawide lens.

Since it has 2 telephoto lenses, the S22 Ultra can zoom approximately 10 x optically and 100 x digitally. And do not forget: Samsung’s Galaxy S22 lineup likewise boasts enhanced low-light photography In basic, the Galaxy S22 lineup likewise has actually enhanced color and contrast compared to other phones, as I discovered throughout my screening.

For the majority of people, the Galaxy Note 20’s triple-lens video camera will most likely suffice. In my own usage, I’ve discovered that image quality ends up being too blurred and loud when zooming past 30 x. But if photography is a primary concern and you regularly utilize your phone for expert work, the S22 Ultra might be worth thinking about for its enhanced video camera. The selfie video camera is likewise sharper (40 megapixels versus the Note 20’s 10 megapixels), which might be crucial for those who take a great deal of video calls.

Otherwise, you’ll likewise get a somewhat bigger screen (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches) that’s likewise sharper considering that it loads 500 pixels per inch compared to the Note 20’s 393 pixels. You likewise have the choice to set the screen to a greater refresh rate of approximately 120 Hz on the S22 Ultra for smoother scrolling, unlike the Note20 Both phones feature Samsung’s S Pen stylus. But the Note 20 does have a less superior plastic building and construction than the costlier Note 20Ultra So updating to the Galaxy S22 Ultra likewise indicates you’ll get a style that feels more refined and high-end.

The bottom line: You most likely do not require to update, however doing so makes more sense than updating from the Note 20Ultra The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings video camera enhancements and a bigger battery that may make a significant distinction to those who utilize their phones for pro-grade photography. If you satisfy that requirements and can likewise score an excellent trade-in offer, the S22 Ultra would deserve it. If you primarily desire a much better video camera and do not mind compromising the S Pen and a little screen area, I’d likewise advise taking a look at the Galaxy S22Plus

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Samsung’s Galaxy S20 Ultra.


Andrew Hoyle/ CNET.

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S20 Ultra

The Galaxy S20 Ultra is 2 years of ages, however it still has plenty to provide. The greatest distinctions in between the S20 Ultra and S22 Ultra are the latter’s addition of Samsung’s S Pen stylus, its more recent processor and some moderate video camera modifications. These are incremental enhancements that make the Galaxy S22 Ultra much better than its predecessors. However, there’s absolutely nothing that makes this phone feel extremely various from the Galaxy S20 Ultra

Both phones are around the exact same size, however the S20 Ultra is somewhat bigger at 6.9 inches compared to the S22 Ultra’s 6.8-inch screen. The S20 Ultra likewise loads more pixels per inch, and each phone can improve its screen’s refresh rate approximately 120 Hz for a more fluid experience. Both gadgets likewise both have a 40- megapixel selfie video camera and the exact same battery capability. Both phones likewise have 45- watt fast-charging, although you’ll need to acquire the needed adapter independently.

The Galaxy S22 Ultra and S20 Ultra have comparable video camera systems, although there are some distinctions when it pertains to their zooming abilities. Both phones have a 108- megapixel primary sensing unit and a 12- megapixel ultrawide sensing unit. But the Galaxy S22 Ultra has 2 10- megapixel telephoto lenses, while the S20 Ultra has one 48- megapixel telephoto lens and a depth sensing unit.

That double telephoto video camera offers the S22 Ultra some benefits when it pertains to quality and ease of usage. You get a real optical zoom at either 3x or 10 x on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, whereas the S20 Ultra has a hybrid optic zoom system that utilizes some digital cropping to accomplish the preferred zoom level. Zooming in must likewise feel consistent and more smooth on the Galaxy S22 Ultra compared to the S20Ultra The Galaxy S22- lineup phones can likewise take clearer and brighter pictures in the dark and are typically much better with color and contrast.

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All of these changes make the S22 Ultra feel like a step forward, but the Galaxy S20 Ultra already has an excellent camera. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s changes improve photo quality rather than adding drastically different features and shooting modes. However, if you’ve been frustrated by the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s autofocus issues, you might find yourself in more of a hurry to upgrade.  

What you’ll really have to ask yourself is whether it’s worth upgrading for the S Pen. That’s the key distinction between the S22 Ultra and the S20 Ultra. The S Pen feels like a nice bonus rather than a necessity for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. But given the popularity that Samsung’s Galaxy Note has cultivated over the last decade, I imagine there are plenty of people who might disagree. The S Pen lets you jot down notes (even when the screen is turned off), sketch, mark up screenshots and other documents and translate text, among other tasks. The stylus can even function as a remote control for the phone’s camera.

The bottom line: Unless you really want the S Pen, there isn’t a major reason to upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra from the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Both phones have a giant screen with a high refresh rate for smoother scrolling, and they have similar cameras. They also have the same battery capacity. The Galaxy S22 Ultra does get some camera improvements, particularly when zooming or taking low-light photos. But the changes aren’t drastic enough to encourage most people to upgrade just yet.

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Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 Plus.


Angela Lang/CNET

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy Note 10 Plus

Just as with the other phones on this list, the biggest reason to upgrade from the Galaxy Note 10 Plus to the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its camera. But the upgrades are more than incremental this time. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus’ triple-lens camera has a much more limited zoom range than the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s, and it’s also missing the 108-megapixel main sensor that debuted on the Galaxy S20 Ultra. 

For the purposes of this article, we’ve decided to compare the Note 10 Plus because it has a noticeably larger screen than the regular Note 10 (6.8 inches versus the standard model’s 6.3-inch display). That makes it a more straightforward comparison against the Galaxy S22 Ultra.  

Samsung’s new top-of-the-line phone has four main camera lenses: a 108-megapixel main sensor, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. The Galaxy Note 10 Plus, comparatively, has a 12-megapixel wide camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera and a depth sensor. 

For casual photographers, the Note 10 Plus‘ triple camera might be adequate enough. But those who prioritize camera quality will find a lot to love about the S22 Ultra. It can zoom up to 10x optically and 100x digitally, while the Galaxy Note 10 Plus only has a 2x optical zoom and 10x digital zoom. That’s a big difference that will feel significant to anyone who frequently takes photos from a distance, as perhaps at sporting events or concerts.

Otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra brings extras like a 120Hz refresh rate screen, a sharper 40-megapixel selfie camera, support for 8K video recording, a much newer processor and a larger battery. That said, both phones have large and vibrant 6.8-inch screens that are ideal for reading and watching video, and they both come with the S Pen. But the Galaxy S10 Plus also has more memory and storage at the base level than the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and there’s no microSD card slot on Samsung’s newest Ultra phone.

The bottom line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is worth the upgrade if you have the Galaxy Note 10 Ultra, particularly if you can find a good trade-in deal. But the answer will depend on your needs and preferences. If photography is a huge priority, the S22 Ultra’s upgraded camera will feel like a major improvement. The drastically improved zoom, better low-light performance and overall improvements to color and contrast make it a more versatile and capable camera overall. But if you mostly just care about having an attractive phone with a big screen, you can probably get by with your Note 10 Plus for a bit longer. If you have the non-5G model, the S22 Ultra gives you even more of a reason to upgrade. 

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Samsung’s Galaxy S10 5G.


Angela Lang/CNET

Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. Galaxy S10 5G

The Galaxy S10 5G was Samsung’s high-end flagship phone from 2019, and it has a lot in common with the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. With that in mind, similar advice applies if you have a Galaxy S10 5G. It’s worth the upgrade, particularly if you love taking photos and prioritize having a phone with top-notch zooming capabilities. But you can also probably get by with your current phone if you don’t necessarily care about having the best camera and purchased the S10 5G mostly for its giant screen.

The Galaxy S10 5G has a 12-megapixel wide camera, a 12-megapixel telephoto camera, a 16-megapixel ultrawide camera and a depth sensor, just like the Note 10 Plus. As such, all of the benefits mentioned above apply to those upgrading from the Galaxy S10 5G, too. Samsung’s newest premium phone brings significantly better zoom, improved photos in low light, a sharper selfie camera and better overall image quality compared with the S10 5G, plus 8K video recording and a larger battery. The difference in performance is also likely to be more noticeable when upgrading from a 3-year-old phone like the S10 5G. 

The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s screen is also slightly larger than the S10 5G’s (6.8 inches versus 6.7 inches). But more importantly, you can increase the refresh rate up to 120Hz to make scrolling feel more seamless. And of course, it also comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus to make better use of that large screen.

The bottom line: Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is worth upgrading if you own a Galaxy S10 5G. The Galaxy S22 Ultra brings features that are legitimately new rather than incremental upgrades, such as an included S Pen and an overhauled camera with significantly better zoom. If you don’t care about these features, you can get by with your Galaxy S10 5G for a little while longer. But for those who prioritize photography in a camera and are ready for something new, the S22 Ultra won’t disappoint.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs. older Samsung phones

Galaxy S22 Ultra Galaxy S21 Ultra Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Galaxy Note 20 Galaxy S20 Ultra Galaxy Note 10 Plus Galaxy S10 5G
Display size, resolution 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 (shipped at launch) Android 12 Android 11 Android 10 Android 10 Android 10 Android 9 Android 9
Camera 108MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) 10MP (3x telephoto) 10MP (10x telephoto) 108MP (wide), 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 camera 12MP (wide-angle), 16MP (ultrawide-angle), 12MP (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA) 12MP (wide-angle), 16MP (ultrawide-angle), 12MP (telephoto), 3D depth (HQVGA)
Front-facing camera 40MP 40MP 10MP 10MP 40MP 10MP 10MP, 3D depth (HQVGA)
Video capture 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 features 5G (mmw/Sub6), bundled S Pen, IP68 rating, 120Hz display, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom, 45W charging support (sold separately) 5G (mmw/Sub6), S Pen support (not included), IP68 rating, 120Hz display, UWB, Wireless Power Share, 100x Space Zoom (digital), 10x optical zoom 5G (mmw/Sub6), 5x optical zoom, 120Hz display; UWB sharing, S Pen included, Wireless PowerShare, IP68 rating 5G (mmw/Sub6); S Pen included; Wireless PowerShare; water-resistant (IP68) 5G (mmw/Sub6); 120Hz refresh rate; 100X zoom (digital); Wireless PowerShare; IP68 rating 5G (mmw/Sub6 on 5G model); S Pen included; Wireless PowerShare; IP68 rating 5G (mmw/Sub6); Wireless PowerShare; 3D depth cameras (not for face unlock); IP68 rating