Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: The comparison between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the Ultra battle of Samsung smartphones. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is the king since its debut two years back. But, do we now have a new king or will the Note 20 Ultra still rule supreme?
While for many, choosing between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra might seem like an easy choice, actually it’s not that simple. Price, user experience amongst other things are also to be considered. So, between these two phones which is better to buy in 2022? Well, let’s find out.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
| Specifications | Galaxy S22 Ultra | Note 20 Ultra |
| Display | 6.8-inch, 120Hz | 6.9-inch, 120Hz |
| RAM | 8 / 12GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 128 – 512GB | 128 – 512GB |
| Back Camera | 108 + 10 + 10 + 12MP | 108 + 12 + 12MP |
| Front Camera | 40MP | 10MP |
| Chipset | Exynos 2200 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Exynos 990 Snapdragon 865+ |
| Software | Android 12 | Android 10 |
| Battery | 5,000mAh (45W) | 4,500mAh (25W) |
| IP68 Rating | YES | YES |
| Stylus (S PEN) | YES | YES |
Display and Design
The display of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is 0.1-inch smaller than that of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This means that practically, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra offers more room in the display to work with.
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However, the display of both phones has the same AMOLED panel, same 120Hz refresh rate, same HDR10+ support. But, the Galaxy S22 Ultra has a brighter screen and features the new LTPO 2.0 display technology.
As per the design, both come with curved edges and a punch hole at the center screen. While the rear design is subject to user preference as some will like the camera bump of the Note 20 Ultra better than that of the S22 Ultra.
See Also: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Google Pixel 6 Pro: Which is better
Camera
Although the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is a beast camera smartphone, it still falls short when compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. For one thing, the S22 Ultra uses the latest camera sensors and a new ISP to process images. This has improved the overall photo and video experience.
Although both phones have the same 108MP main camera, that camera sensor inside the Note 20 Ultra is two years older than the one inside the S22 Ultra. Aside from that, the cameras of the Galaxy S22 Ultra can perform more functions.
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For instance, while the telephoto lens of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra can do 5x optical zoom and 50x hybrid zoom, the telephoto camera of the Galaxy S22 Ultra can do 10x optical zoom and 100x hybrid zoom. So, you’re getting some extra zoom features with the S22 Ultra.
Both phones can shoot video in 8K resolution and you also get the same level of stability. The extra feature, latest camera sensor, and new ISP are the key reasons why some might prefer the Galaxy S22 Ultra as the better camera smartphone here.
Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G
Both phones might be Samsung phones but the performance level inside both phones are not the same. The chipsets used inside the Galaxy S22 Ultra are two generations ahead of the chipset used inside the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra.
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Truth is, it won’t be fair for the Note 20 Ultra if you try to compare the performance of both phones. Now, this does not mean that the performance of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is bad. In fact, the Snapdragon 865+ chipset used in the Note 20 Ultra is the first chipset to feature a 5G MODEM onboard an SoC. It sets the benchmark for other SoC to follow. But there have been improvements made over the years to chipsets.
The RAM and storage options of both phones are very similar. Both phones have 12GB of RAM and 128 – 512GB of internal storage. The only difference is that the Galaxy S22 Ultra uses the latest LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.1 storage technology. While the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra uses the older LPDDR5 RAM and UFS 3.0 storage technology.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is 5G enabled regardless of your country. But the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has 4G and 5G versions depending on your region. As for performance, the new technology inside the Galaxy S22 Ultra makes it better than the Note 20 Ultra.
See Also: Samsung Exynos 2200 vs Apple A15 Bionic: chipset comparison
Software
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra boots Android 12 out of the box while the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra boots Android 10 out of the box. Samsung has promised 4 years of major software updates for its smartphones.
Even with the 4 years software update, the S22 Ultra is still 2 software updates ahead of the Note 20 Ultra. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will get software updates up to Android 14 while the S22 Ultra will get software updates up to Android 16.
See Also: Samsung Galaxy S21 vs Galaxy S21 FE: Which offers better value for money
Battery
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is powered by a 5,000mAh battery with a 45W fast charge. While the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is powered by a 4,500mAh battery with a 25W fast charge. Both phones have support for wireless charge technology.
The battery of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is bigger and lasts longer than that of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This is because its chipset is bigger, better optimized, and requires less battery when it’s working.
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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: Price
The price of the Galaxy S22 Ultra 12 + 256GB storage option is about $1,199 while the 8 +128GB storage option of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra cost about $1,099. But, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has been around for about two years and it has a better discount price now.
Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
| Galaxy S22 Ultra | Price | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | Price |
| Buy on Amazon | $1,199 | Buy on Gazelle | $959 |
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: Verdict
To answer the question asked in the title above, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is better than the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. This is because the S22 Ultra offers more latest stuff like the latest chipset, latest RAM and storage tech, latest camera sensor, and bigger battery.
But, when it comes to productivity the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra gives you an extra 0.1-inch screen to be creative. Both phones have support for S PEN and the S PEN is built in. It’s safe to call the Galaxy S22 Ultra a hybrid Samsung phone (combination of Galaxy S and Note series).
While the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the better device here, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra has some good deal that makes it offer incredible value that is difficult to just brush aside. If I’m to score both phones, I’ll score the Galaxy S22 Ultra (55%) and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (45%). The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the new King in the world of Android smartphones.
No SD card support, instant lose for the newer phones. I’ll keep my Note20 ultra.
Seems like Samsung is keeping right up with Appl*’s worse decisions… non removable battery, 3.5mm connection – gone, no SD card slot, no adapter in the box… c’mon Samsung! Do better! 😡
Why is there always a trade off with phones these days? Is the s22 ultra faster with latest ram? Yeah probably but will I even notice? Probably not! Meanwhile, what I will notice is no longer having an sd card slot. In my mind, I’d be downgrading from my note 20 ultra to something that I just think looks a little better because of the camera bump redesign. Might finally be leaving Samsung for the pixel this time around. Not that there’s an SD card on that but at least I’d feel like I’m getting a new phone. Instead of the same phone minus a major feature.