Samsung Galaxy S22+ vs S22 Ultra: The Ultimate Showdown

Samsung's Galaxy S22 series offered compelling choices, but the S22+ and S22 Ultra stand out. Both boast premium features, but cater to different users. This comprehensive comparison dives deep into their strengths and weaknesses to help you decide which one deserves your money.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

The S22 Ultra is the clear winner for power users needing a top-tier camera system, larger display, and integrated S Pen. The S22+ offers a more manageable size and price, providing excellent performance and a beautiful display for those who don't need all the Ultra's bells and whistles.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G Samsung Galaxy S22 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, 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 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/200 Mbps, 5G (5+ Gbps DL)
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, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA
Launch
Announced2022, February 092022, February 09
StatusAvailable. Released 2022, February 25Available. Released 2022, February 25
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm (6.20 x 2.98 x 0.30 in)163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)· Nano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time)
Weight195 g / 196 g (mmWave) (6.88 oz)228 g / 229 g (mmWave) (8.04 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min) Armor aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised)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)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~393 ppi density)1440 x 3088 pixels, 19.3:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
Size6.6 inches, 105.3 cm2 (~88.3% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 114.7 cm2 (~90.2% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1750 nits (peak)Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 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 (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) - ROW
ChipsetExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROWExynos 2200 (4 nm) - EuropeQualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) - ROW
GPUXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROWXclipse 920 - EuropeAdreno 730 - ROW
OSAndroid 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1.1Android 12, up to 4 major Android upgrades, One UI 8
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
 UFS 3.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-108 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
Triple50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (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@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.82", 0.7µm, 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, LE5.2, 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, 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 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 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4500 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsPhantom Black, White, Pink Gold, Green, Graphite, Sky Blue, Violet, Cream, Bora PurplePhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, Red, Sky Blue, Bora Purple
ModelsSM-S906B, SM-S906B/DS, SM-S906U, SM-S906U1, SM-S906W, SM-S906N, SM-S9060, SM-S906E, SM-S906E/DS, SM-S906LSM-S908B, SM-S908B/DS, SM-S908U, SM-S908U1, SM-S908W, SM-S908N, SM-S9080, SM-S908E, SM-S908E/DS
Price€ 236.99 / $ 194.37 / £ 349.00€ 397.07 / $ 269.98 / £ 304.99 / ₹ 63,899
SAR1.19 W/kg (head)     1.08 W/kg (body)1.18 W/kg (head)     0.98 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.57 W/kg (head)     1.40 W/kg (body)1.05 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 97h Endurance rating 108h
Camera Photo / VideoPhoto / Video
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)
Loudspeaker -26.0 LUFS (Very good) -27.3 LUFS (Good)
Performance AnTuTu: 722495 (v8), 886916 (v9) GeekBench: 3528 (v5.1) GFXBench: 68fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)AnTuTu: 968359 (v9) GeekBench: 3657 (v5.1) GFXBench: 37fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G

  • More compact and easier to handle
  • Excellent display
  • Strong performance
  • Good value compared to the Ultra

  • Camera not as advanced as the Ultra
  • Slightly shorter battery life
  • No S Pen support

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

  • Exceptional camera system with incredible zoom
  • Larger, brighter display
  • Integrated S Pen for productivity
  • Longer battery life

  • Larger and heavier
  • Higher price
  • Can be less comfortable to use one-handed

Display Comparison

The S22 Ultra takes the display crown with a slightly brighter peak brightness of 1266 nits compared to the S22+'s 1214 nits. Both feature excellent Dynamic AMOLED 2X panels with vibrant colors and smooth 120Hz refresh rates. The S22 Ultra's larger 6.8-inch screen provides more immersive viewing, while the S22+'s 6.6-inch display is more pocketable. Both have excellent contrast ratios (Infinite nominal).

Camera Comparison

The S22 Ultra's camera system is significantly more advanced. It features a 108MP main sensor, a 10x optical zoom lens, and improved low-light performance. The S22+ has a capable camera setup, but lacks the Ultra's zoom capabilities and overall versatility. Video recording is excellent on both, but the Ultra offers more advanced features.

Performance

Performance is largely similar, both phones utilize either the Exynos 2200 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset depending on the region. The slight CPU clock speed difference (ROW versions) might offer a marginal advantage to the Ultra, but in real-world usage, the difference is negligible. Both handle demanding games and multitasking with ease.

Battery Life

The S22 Ultra boasts a larger 5000mAh battery, resulting in a longer endurance rating of 108 hours compared to the S22+'s 97 hours. While both offer 45W wired charging and 15W wireless charging, the S22 Ultra's larger battery means it will take slightly longer to fully charge.

Buying Guide

The Samsung Galaxy S22+ is ideal for users who want a premium Samsung experience without the bulk and higher price tag of the Ultra. It's perfect for those prioritizing a comfortable size and excellent all-around performance. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is for photography enthusiasts, productivity-focused individuals who value the S Pen, and those who want the absolute best Samsung has to offer, regardless of price.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Is the S22 Ultra worth the extra money?
If you're a photography enthusiast or need the S Pen, the S22 Ultra is worth the investment. Otherwise, the S22+ offers excellent value for most users.
❓ Which phone has better performance?
Both phones offer excellent performance. The slight CPU difference is negligible in real-world use.