Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Should you upgrade?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: the Galaxy S21 Ultra is good, and the latest S22 Ultra is here to perfect the goodness. If you have the S21 Ultra, buying the S22 Ultra is more of a good “want” rather than a proper “need”.

By the way, the S22 Ultra is a worthy successor. In this comparison, you’ll get to know the similarities and differences between these two devices. And make sure to read to the end for our verdict.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra

Specifications	Galaxy S22 Ultra	Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display	6.8-inch, 120Hz	6.8-inch, 120Hz
RAM	12GB	12/16GB
Storage	128 – 512GB	128 – 512GB
Back Camera	108 + 10 + 10 + 12MP	108 + 10 + 10 + 12MP
Front Camera	40MP	40MP
Chipset	Exynos 2200 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1	Exynos 2100 Snapdragon 888
Software	Android 12	Android 11
Battery	5,000mAh (45W)	5,000mAh (25W)
IP68 Rating	YES	YES
S PEN	YES (Built-in)	YES (External)

Display and Durability

Both smartphones have a 6.8-inch QHD+ 2x Dynamic AMOLED with 120 Hz refresh rate support. The screen refresh rate is adaptive and on the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it can go between 1Hz – 120Hz. In terms of durability, both are protected by corning Gorilla Glass Victus and have IP68 water and dust resistant certification.

However, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the only one with an inbuilt house for the S-pen which makes it looks more like a Galaxy Note series than ever. The S21 Ultra does support S-pen too, but you’ll have to charge and carry it separately Which sometimes could disrupt productivity.

Camera

The camera lineups are similar – quad rear cameras and a single front camera in the center cutout hole. On both devices, you have 108MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, and 10MP 10x optical telephoto. Although the setup is similar, the S22 Ultra is more advanced thanks to the new-gen sensors. While upfront is a 40MP selfie camera. The camera features include PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, gyro-EIS, and periscope lenses.

You can conveniently record video in 8k resolution with the rear camera, while the selfie camera can do 4k resolution. Both smartphones are great when it comes to camera quality.

Performance | Storage | RAM | 5G

When it comes to Samsung’s flagship smartphones, your region determines which version you will get (Snapdragon or Exynos). In terms of performance, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 / Exynos 2200 5G chipset. These SoCs are built on a 4nm process which has an edge over the Snapdragon 888 / Exynos 2100 processors.

Also, your region determines which memory and storage capacity you get. For example, in some regions, the S22 Ultra will be available in 12/16 GB RAM, and storage capacity goes from 128 GB up to 1TB. While the Galaxy S21 Ultra with 12/16 GB RAM is available in 128 GB – 512 GB (no 1TB version)

Software

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra boots Android 12 out of the box, while S21 Ultra booted Android 11. The good news is that Samsung has promised 4 years of major OS updates for both and up to 5 years of security patches.

Battery

In terms of battery, both pack 5,000 mAh capacity but with different charging speed technology. The S21 Ultra supports a 25W super fast charge. While Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra gets 45W fast charge support.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Price

Galaxy S21 Ultra is cheaper, currently, it is selling for about $849, while the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra price starts at $1,199.

Buy Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S21 Ultra

Galaxy S22 Ultra	Price	Galaxy S21 Ultra	Price
Buy on Amazon	$1,199	Buy on Gazelle	$749

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S21 Ultra: Verdict

For one thing, the latest Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a worthy successor. It makes mobile productivity easier than ever before. While the Galaxy S21 Ultra was the go-to Android phone of 2021, there is now every possibility that the S22 Ultra will be the go-to Android phone of 2022.

That’s back-to-back the championship for Samsung. If you have the Galaxy S21 Ultra already, don’t break a neck to get the S22 Ultra. But if you have the cash readily available, why not.

So if I’m to score both smartphones by percentage. I’ll score the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (55%) while the Galaxy S21 Ultra gets (45%).