In this article, we will provide a review and discuss the relevance of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was released in February 2022. It’s two years old now and yet it still has some of the best features available in a smartphone. As the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is creating a new buzz with the tech community for its AI features and advanced Camera setup, can the Galaxy S22 Ultra still hold up with the latest and greatest of what all the brands can provide? Should you keep it or go for a flagship device of 2024? Should you buy it now for its cheaper price? Or should you just leave it for other devices? Let’s find out in our detailed review below:
Performance Review of The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is equipped with two different chipsets depending on the region. It boasts the Exynos 2200 chipset built on a 4 nm process in Europe. Meanwhile, the rest of the world (ROW) receives the Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 which is also on a 4 nm architecture.
Both variants feature octa-core CPUs with varying clock speeds. In Europe, the CPU configuration consists of 1×2.8 GHz Cortex-X2, 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710, and 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. On the other hand, the ROW version offers a slightly different setup, with a 1×3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 core leading the pack alongside 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 and 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 cores. Graphics processing is handled by different GPUs in each region. Europe’s model features the Xclipse 920 GPU, while the ROW variant comes with the Adreno 730 GPU.
Furthermore, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers various memory configurations. Options range from 128GB with 8GB RAM to a spacious 1TB variant paired with 12GB RAM.
Chipset and Memory Specifications:
| Aspect | Europe | Rest of the World (ROW) |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (1×2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1×3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) |
| GPU | Xclipse 920 | Adreno 730 |
| Memory | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM |
2024 Perspective on Performance:
Now the real questions are: Do these specs hold up in 2024? Is it still buttery smooth like 2022? Is it still great for gaming? The answers to the questions are Yes, Yes, and Yes! It performs well in 2024 and can beat most of the smartphones in performance. You have to understand that even though the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was released in 2022, it was the best Android device of that time. According to the Antutu benchmark, it is still ranked 27th (For the Exynos version) and 30th (For the Snapdragon version) respectively.
You can have excellent performance in games like Genshin Impact, Call of Duty: Mobile, PUBG Mobile, or any other heavyweight game, thanks to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s still relevant CPU, GPU, and Memory configuration. According to some users, the Snapdragon version is better than the Exynos version but we cannot verify the claim in our daily use.
All the applications run smoothly and the 120Hz display gives a smooth feeling while surfing the phone. You will find no hiccup in performance in your daily use. You can expect to maintain a satisfactory level of performance with this device until 2026. So, no need to fret about the device’s performance; rest assured, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is built to remain relevant for the long run.
Display and Battery Review in 2024:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s display features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel that measures 6.8 inches. With a resolution of 1440 x 3088 pixels and a 19.3:9 aspect ratio, the display offers a pixel density of approximately 500 ppi. Additionally, it comes protected with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ and HDR10+ support. The display’s peak brightness is 1750 nits which is enough to provide excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
The device is powered by a Li-Ion 5000 mAh battery and it supports fast charging with a 45W wired charger, utilizing PD3.0 technology for efficient power delivery. Moreover, wireless charging is supported at 15W via Qi/PMA-compatible chargers. The device also supports your usual reverse wireless charging, which may help you charge your smartwatch or earbuds if you ever need them.
Now, we will try to clarify if these display and battery specifications are good enough for a 2024 smartphone in the next sections.
Display and Battery Specifications:
| Aspect | Specification |
|---|---|
| Display | |
| Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Size | 6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
| Features | 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak), Always-on display |
| Battery | |
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh, non-removable |
| Charging | 45W wired, PD3.0 |
| Wireless | 15W (Qi/PMA) |
| Reverse Wireless | 4.5W |
Display Review in 2024:
There is one thing Samsung is well known for and that is its crisp and vibrant display technology. Even Apple acknowledges the superiority of Samsung’s display technology by using Samsung’s display on their own devices. Now there is no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s display is great. But is it great for a 2024 device? The answer again is YES! The 120 Hz display of the S22 Ultra can still beat some of the flagships of 2024. The display is vibrant and if you turn on the vivid mode then it’s just gorgeous. You have to understand that there has been no major breakthrough in smartphone display technology for the last few years and the two-year-old flagship display by Samsung is still one of the best in the business.
Battery Review in 2024:
The 5000 mAh battery of the device provides sufficient power for the whole day’s use by a heavy user. For my personal use, I have rarely drained the battery to 0%. I have an average “screen on time” of 5 hours and I also have to use mobile data for my office commute. Normally, I use YouTube, Netflix, and Spotify daily, and most of the time my device is connected to WiFi and Bluetooth. I play games for an average of 2-3 hours depending on my workload and sometimes I watch videos and play games in multi-window mode. So, I can safely say that using this device in 2024 won’t make you concerned about its battery capacity even once.
Camera Review of The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024:
What’s interesting about the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is that its camera is still relevant and even exceeds expectations in some cases. Especially its back camera is still holding up and even beating some flagships of 2024 in the blind test. If your priority is a cheaper smartphone with a flagship-level camera then the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is still a great option. Let’s dive in for more details:
Camera Specifications:
| Camera Type | Specification |
|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS |
| Telephoto Camera 1 | 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm, 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS (3x optical zoom) |
| Telephoto Camera 2 | 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm, 1/3.52″, 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS (10x optical zoom) |
| Ultrawide Camera | 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF |
| Selfie Camera | 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82″, 0.7µm, PDAF |
Back Camera Setup:
The back camera setup of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the strongest features of the smartphone. It features a primary camera that boasts a 108 MP lens with f/1.8 aperture and the telephoto cameras offer a 10 MP lens with f/2.4 aperture (3x optical zoom) and 10 MP with f/4.9 aperture (10x optical zoom). The ultrawide camera rounds out the setup with 12 MP, f/2.2, and 120˚ field of view. When you open the back camera you get four zoom options (0.6x, 1x, 3x & 10x) for your standard photos.
Here’s how the zoom levels correspond to the cameras:
- 0.6x zoom: Utilizes the 12 MP Ultrawide Camera for ultra-wide shots.
- 1x zoom: Relies on the 108 MP Main Camera for standard images.
- 3x zoom: This zoom level is achieved by one of the 10 MP Telephoto Cameras. This is the best zoom mode in our personal opinion.
- 10x zoom: Utilizes the periscope lens of the other 10 MP Telephoto Camera.
You can also use up to 100x zoom to capture stunning photos from a distance. The 100x zoom is not a 100x optical though. It goes 10x optically and then zooms digitally for the remainder. We will discuss the 100x zoom in the later part of our review.
Comparison of the Four Lens:
The Ultra-wide camera (0.6x zoom) of the S22 Ultra works well for the 2024 flagship standard but it may disappoint some pro users. For normal users, it’s more than sufficient. The standard camera main camera (1x zoom) takes great photos in every situation. But the ability of this camera setup can sometimes surprise you. In certain situations, the photos of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra are aesthetically more pleasing than the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Photo Samples: 0.6x zoom (Left) and 1x zoom (Right)
The hidden gem of the camera setup is its 10 MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom. I prefer to take photos with this lens most of the time. What Samsung did with this lens is something to be proud of. The photos that this lens can take still surprise me in 2024. The other 10 MP telephoto camera with 10x zoom helps you to take vibrant closeup photos of a subject.
Photo Samples: 3x zoom (Left) and 10x zoom (Right)
The 100x zoom feature of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra can capture the photo of the moon in nice detail, but the novelty wears off pretty quickly. Yes, You can impress your friends with it. But it’s not a practical feature for photography. The actual benefit of 100x zoom is that you can read faraway posters or sign boards with it. Capturing any photos with this feature will give you low-resolution photos that you won’t be able to use in most cases.
Photo Samples: 100X zoom
Low Light Photography:
The main camera of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has solid low-light performance, with excellent detail and great dynamic range. The camera applies the night solution automatically in low-light situations, so you may not need to use the dedicated night mode. The noise levels in low-light conditions are excellent. But still, low-light photography in this setup can be a hit or miss for some people.
Photo Samples: Low light sceneries
Selfie Camera:
The selfie camera of S22 Ultra boasts a 40 MP lens with impressive specs: f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82″ sensor, 0.7µm pixel size, and PDAF. The Selfie Camera is the weakest point of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. It was never Samsung’s strongest point before. But that doesn’t mean that the selfie camera of the S22 Ultra is a slouch. It’s quite effective for taking selfie photos in daylight. The photos look good and Samsung does not overedit your face like some Chinese brands. Where the selfie Camera lacks is in low light or if there are multiple people in the frame. The nighttime selfie is average for today’s flagship standard. However, The camera blurs some of the subjects if there are multiple subjects.
Photo Samples: Selfie (Normal mode)
You can also take great portrait photos with the selfie camera. The bokeh effect is precise and visually pleasing.
Photo Samples: Selfie (Portrait mode)
Overall Verdict for the Camera Setup:
Despite its average selfie camera, The Galaxy S22 Ultra excels in overall camera performance. If you want to buy a smartphone with top-notch camera capability without breaking the bank, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024 is still an excellent choice. Check out some of the photo samples captured by the Galaxy S22 Ultra in the section below and decide for yourself.
Photo Samples: Random Sceneries
Photo Samples: Food
Video Recording Quality:
The main camera of S22 Ultra supports 8K at 24fps, 4K at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60/240fps, and 720p at 960fps. It also offers HDR10+ and stereo sound recording with gyro-EIS for stable footage. The video quality is great and still holds up in 2024. The most amazing feature of the video recording is its stable footage, thanks to the gyro-EIS sensor. There are lots of features for video recording but you won’t be using most of them in your daily use. Hyperlapse, Slow Motion, and Super Slow-Mo recording are the most innovative features that will help you to make creative videos for vlogs or social media. Keep in mind though that, Super Slow-Mo doesn’t work well in low or medium-light areas.
The selfie camera can also capture video footage with options for 4K at 30/60fps and 1080p at 30fps. It also has the same features as the back camera. The video quality is good but we recommend capturing videos with the main camera for the best result.
Software Update:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra will receive Android software updates until 2026. This means the phone will be updated through to Android 16/One UI 8. In addition to this, Samsung has also confirmed that the S22 series will receive security updates until 2027. So, if you have the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra then you don’t have to worry about your device being obsolete before 2026. Another great point in the favor of this device is Samsung’s regular security updates and bug fixes which help it to reduce any slowdown due to time.
AI Capability:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024 doesn’t have the Galaxy AI features. The Galaxy AI was introduced with the Samsung Galaxy S24 series. It has some interesting features like live translation, chat assist, note assist, browser assist, etc. Samsung’s commitment to AI means the latest devices will get more AI-related functionality that may drastically change the functionality and relevance of the older devices. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has some basic AI features for photo editing and other stuff, but the probability of the latest AI functions coming to this device is still not clear. If AI capability is one of your biggest concerns when choosing a smartphone then our suggestion is to skip this one.
Pricing and Availability:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is currently unavailable at Samsung.com. But you can still find brand-new options in online stores like Amazon. As of February 27, 2024, the renewed option starts at $470. The base configuration of the device offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, with 12GB variants available and storage options up to 1 TB. You can also have the option to buy used devices from various shops online.
Pros and Cons of The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024:
Now let’s review the Pros and Cons of The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024 in the table below:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. The overall Camera Setup is still great for 2024. | 1. Selfie Camera and Night mode can be hit or miss sometimes. |
| 2. Battery and Display are still flagship level. | 2. No latest AI features will be available in this device. |
| 3. Great pricing due to the older model. | 3. Curved display may not be suitable for all users. |
| 4. Gaming and day-to-day performance is great. | 4. The device has a noticeable weight when held. |
| 5. Software update until 2026, Security update until 2027. | 5. Hard to find it in online or physical shops. |
Final Verdict:
So, what’s the final verdict? Should you buy it now? The answer depends on your needs. If you want flagship-level features, a great camera, and a great display for a cheaper price then yes; The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is your device. It may not be the latest and greatest but it’s still one of the great Android devices to consider. In my personal opinion, it’s still not time to buy a new device if you have a Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. If you want to buy a cheaper phone with great features then it’s a great option too. But keep in mind that, you may lose some of the latest features of 2024 flagships.
If you are still confused about buying or keeping the device then hopefully the table below will help you to decide. This table shows for which reasons or features should you buy or keep the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024:
Note: If a certain feature is your priority and it has a Tick Mark ✔ under it then you can consider buying/keeping it.
Conclusion:
In our 2024 review of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra two years after its debut, we explored the enduring relevance of the device. It still provides powerful performance, impressive camera capabilities, a stunning display, and satisfactory battery life. it’s still relevant in 2024 and remains a good choice. While newer models may come with AI advancements, the S22 Ultra holds its ground with flagship features at a discounted price.
This article was last updated on February 27, 2024, so some of the content’s relevance may change as time passes. Stay with InfoGad for more updates and reviews.
