Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G vs Galaxy S23+: The Ultimate Showdown

Samsung consistently delivers top-tier Android experiences, and the S22 Ultra and S23+ are prime examples. But which one offers the best value and performance? This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their features, specs, and overall user experience to help you decide.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The Galaxy S23+ edges out the S22 Ultra thanks to its significantly improved Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, offering smoother performance and better efficiency. While the S22 Ultra boasts a built-in S Pen and slightly brighter display, the S23+'s overall package makes it the more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Samsung Galaxy S23+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 - SIM 1 & SIM 2 (Dual SIM model only)
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, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)HSPA, LTE-A (up to 7CA), 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 - USA1, 7, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 092023, February 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2023, February 17
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 mm (6.21 x 3.00 x 0.30 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)Nano-SIM and eSIM or Dual SIM (2 Nano-SIMs and eSIM, dual stand-by)
Weight228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)196 g (6.91 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) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)
Size6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~87.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (HBM), 1750 nits (peak)
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
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 (1x3.36 GHz Cortex-X3 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A715 & 2x2.8 GHz Cortex-A710 & 3x2.0 GHz Cortex-A510)
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWQualcomm SM8550-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWAdreno 740
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8Android 13, One UI 5.1
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
 UFS 3.1 UFS 4.0
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLED 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-
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRDual video call, Auto-HDR, HDR10+
Single40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82", 0.7µm, PDAF12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), Dual Pixel PDAF
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNo-
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, LE5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
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/6e, tri-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 DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) 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 wireless45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min (advertised) 15W wireless (Qi/PMA) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 5000 mAhLi-Ion 4700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, Red, Sky Blue, Bora PurplePhantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
ModelsSM-S908B, SM-S908B/DS, SM-S908U, SM-S908U1, SM-S908W, SM-S908N, SM-S9080, SM-S908E, SM-S908E/DSSM-S916B, SM-S916B/DS, SM-S916U, SM-S916U1, SM-S916W, SM-S916N, SM-S9160, SM-S916E, SM-S916E/DS
Price€ 397.07 / $ 269.98 / £ 304.99 / ₹ 63,899$ 780.00 / C$ 1,399.99 / £ 919.08 / € 1,185.89 / ₹ 94,999
SAR1.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)0.95 W/kg (head)     1.04 W/kg (body)
SAR EU1.05 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)0.77 W/kg (head)     1.45 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery lifeEndurance rating 108hEndurance rating 111h
CameraPhoto / VideoPhoto / Video
DisplayContrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker-27.3 LUFS (Good)-26.5 LUFS (Good)
PerformanceAnTuTu: 968359 (v9) GeekBench: 3657 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 1234077 (v9) GeekBench: 5073 (v5.1) GFXBench: 110fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Integrated S Pen
  • Brighter Display (slightly)
  • Versatile Camera System
  • Excellent Zoom Capabilities

  • Older Chipset (Exynos in Europe)
  • Slightly less efficient than S23+
  • Larger and heavier

Samsung Galaxy S23+

  • Latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Chipset
  • Improved Performance and Efficiency
  • Enhanced Image Processing
  • More Modern Design

  • No S Pen
  • Slightly less bright display than S22 Ultra

Display Comparison

Both phones feature stunning Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with a 120Hz refresh rate and excellent color accuracy. The S22 Ultra achieves a peak brightness of 1266 nits, slightly exceeding the S23+'s, but the S23+ benefits from improved display panel technology resulting in better overall viewing experience. Both offer infinite contrast ratios.

Camera Comparison

Both phones offer versatile camera systems. The S22 Ultra has a 108MP main sensor and impressive zoom capabilities. The S23+ features improved image processing and low-light performance thanks to the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. While both capture excellent photos and videos, the S23+ generally produces more natural-looking images.

Performance

This is where the S23+ truly shines. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 provides a substantial performance boost over the Exynos 2200 (Europe) or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (ROW) in the S22 Ultra. Expect faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and improved gaming performance on the S23+. The S23+'s Cortex-X3 core also contributes to better single-core performance.

Battery Life

The S23+ demonstrates slightly better battery endurance, achieving an endurance rating of 111h compared to the S22 Ultra's 108h. This is largely due to the improved efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. Both support 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is ideal for users who prioritize the integrated S Pen for note-taking and creative tasks, and appreciate a slightly brighter display. The Galaxy S23+ is best suited for those seeking the latest and greatest performance, improved efficiency, and a more modern design without the S Pen.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S Pen worth it?
If you frequently take notes, sketch, or use a stylus, the S Pen on the S22 Ultra is a significant advantage. Otherwise, the S23+'s improved performance might be a better trade-off.
❓ Which phone has better gaming performance?
The Galaxy S23+ with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 offers noticeably better gaming performance due to its more powerful chipset and improved thermal management.