Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Note20 Ultra: A Flagship Showdown

Samsung consistently delivers top-tier Android experiences, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Note20 Ultra are prime examples. Both offer premium features, but cater to slightly different needs. This comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one is right for you.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The S22 Ultra is the clear winner, boasting a significantly brighter display, a more powerful processor, a vastly improved camera system, and longer battery life. While the Note20 Ultra remains a capable device, the S22 Ultra represents a substantial upgrade across the board.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - SM-N986U
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International2, 5, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - SM-N986U
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA41, 66, 71 Sub6 - SM-N986W
Launch
Announced2022, February 092020, August 05
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2020, August 21
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), stainless steel frame
Dimensions163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)164.8 x 77.2 x 8.1 mm (6.49 x 3.04 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)208 g (7.34 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised) Stylus, 2.8ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus, 9ms latency (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus
Resolution1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~496 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.9 inches, 116.7 cm2 (~91.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display 120Hz@FHD/60Hz@QHD refresh rate
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.8 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.8 GHz Cortex-A510) - EuropeOcta-core (1x3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) - ROWOcta-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M5 & 2x2.50 GHz Cortex-A76 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) - GlobalOcta-core (1x3.0 GHz Kryo 585 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55) - USA
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWExynos 990 (7 nm+) - GlobalQualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G+ (7 nm+) - USA
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWMali-G77 MP11 - GlobalAdreno 650 - USA
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8Android 10, upgradable to Android 13, One UI 5
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 UFS 3.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad108 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video-
Single-3.15 MP
Triple-108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.33", 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/3.0, 120mm (periscope telephoto), 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom, 50x hybrid zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 120˚, 13mm (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82", 0.7µm, PDAF10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoFM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent)
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
 Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportSamsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) ANT+ Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
Battery
Charging45W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, Red, Sky Blue, Bora PurpleMystic Bronze, Mystic Black, Mystic White
ModelsSM-S908B, SM-S908B/DS, SM-S908U, SM-S908U1, SM-S908W, SM-S908N, SM-S9080, SM-S908E, SM-S908E/DSSM-N986B, SM-N986B/DS, SM-N986U, SM-N986U1, SM-N986W, SM-N9860, SM-N986N, SC-53A
Price€ 397.07 / $ 269.98 / £ 304.99 / ₹ 63,899€ 381.00 / $ 248.44
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.71 W/kg (head)     1.18 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.05 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)0.34 W/kg (head)     1.47 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 108h Endurance rating 88h
CameraPhoto / Video Photo / Video
DisplayContrast ratio: Infinite (nominal) Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker-27.3 LUFS (Good) -27.8 LUFS (Good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 968359 (v9) GeekBench: 3657 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen) AnTuTu: 508760 (v8) GeekBench: 2603 (v5.1) GFXBench: 42fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Brighter, more vibrant display
  • Significantly faster performance
  • Superior camera system
  • Longer battery life
  • S Pen integration
  • Modern design

  • Higher price
  • Can be bulky

Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G

  • Integrated S Pen
  • More compact design (compared to S22 Ultra)
  • Still a capable camera

  • Older chipset
  • Lower brightness display
  • Shorter battery life
  • Less impressive camera

Display Comparison

The S22 Ultra's display is a standout feature, reaching a measured peak brightness of 1266 nits compared to the Note20 Ultra's 1024 nits. Both have excellent contrast ratios (infinite nominal), but the S22 Ultra's higher brightness makes it significantly better for outdoor visibility. The S22 Ultra also features a more modern display technology, offering smoother scrolling and more vibrant colors.

Camera Comparison

The S22 Ultra's camera system is a major upgrade. It features a higher resolution main sensor, improved zoom capabilities, and enhanced image processing. The Note20 Ultra's camera is still capable, but it lacks the S22 Ultra's advanced features and overall image quality. Low-light performance is significantly better on the S22 Ultra.

Performance

The S22 Ultra's Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW) chipset provides a substantial performance boost over the Note20 Ultra's Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865+. The newer chipsets offer faster processing speeds, improved graphics performance, and better power efficiency. Expect smoother multitasking and more responsive gaming on the S22 Ultra.

Battery Life

The S22 Ultra offers significantly better battery life, with an endurance rating of 108 hours compared to the Note20 Ultra's 88 hours. This translates to noticeably longer usage times between charges. Both support 45W wired charging (S22 Ultra) and 25W wired charging (Note20 Ultra), but the S22 Ultra charges faster.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is ideal for power users, photography enthusiasts, and those seeking the latest technology. The Note20 Ultra is a good option for those on a tighter budget who still want a premium Samsung experience with the S Pen, but are willing to compromise on performance and camera quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S Pen experience significantly different between the two?
While both phones feature the S Pen, the S22 Ultra benefits from a slightly improved S Pen with lower latency, making for a more responsive writing and drawing experience. The software integration is also more refined on the S22 Ultra.
❓ Which phone is better for mobile gaming?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the clear winner for mobile gaming due to its significantly more powerful processor and improved cooling system. It can handle demanding games at higher settings with smoother frame rates.