Samsung S21 Ultra vs S22 Ultra – Check Which One Is Best & Why?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra & Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra share many similarities, but there are also important differences, such as quality, performance, features, design, and connectivity. If you want the best one between them, I Would recommend the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra rather than the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. 

Why Do I Recommend The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

  • The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor that delivers faster multitasking, improved power efficiency, and better gaming performance, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra has Snapdragon 888 processor.
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra supports a peak display brightness of 1750 nits that enhances screen visibility in bright outdoor conditions, compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s 1500-nit display.
  • It features a built-in S Pen that enables seamless note-taking, air gestures, and precision input without external accessory, unlike the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra includes 45W wired charging that significantly reduces charging time to power up more quickly than the 25W charging on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra features a newer ultra-wide camera sensor that improves edge clarity and low-light wide-angle shots compared to the Galaxy S21 Ultra’s ultra-wide lens.
  • It has an improved vapor chamber cooling system that helps maintain consistent performance during prolonged gaming or intensive tasks to reduce overheating more effectively than the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
  • The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with Gorilla Glass Victus+ that increases durability and scratch resistance on both front and back, compared to the Gorilla Glass Victus on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra includes a 1TB storage to store significantly more apps, high-resolution videos, and RAW images without relying on cloud storage, while the Galaxy S21 Ultra has 512GB maximum.

Maybe the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra price can make you comfortable because it’s a little bit cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. But you have to compromise all the above-mentioned features. Now the Decision is Yours. I hope it was helpful to choose the right one.

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Side By Side Comparison

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Operating System at LaunchAndroid 12, One UI 4.1Android 11, One UI 3.1
Chipset (Global)Exynos 2200Exynos 2100
Chipset (US)Snapdragon 8 Gen 1Snapdragon 888
GPU (Global)Xclipse 920Mali-G78 MP14
GPU (US)Adreno 730Adreno 660
RAM Options8GB / 12GB12GB / 16GB
Storage Options128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB128GB / 256GB / 512GB
S Pen SupportBuilt-in with slot, Bluetooth Air ActionsSupported (external), no slot
S Pen Latency2.8ms9ms
Design StyleBoxy Note-style, flat top and bottomRounded Galaxy S design
Rear Camera LayoutSeparate lenses, no camera bumpContour-cut integrated camera module
Display Peak Brightness1750 nits1500 nits
Display GlassGorilla Glass Victus+Gorilla Glass Victus
Frame MaterialArmor AluminumAluminum
Cooling SystemAdvanced vapor chamber coolingStandard heat pipe cooling
Front Camera40MP f/2.240MP f/2.2
Ultrawide SensorNewer generation sensorPrevious generation sensor
Video StabilizationImproved Super SteadyStandard Super Steady
Battery Charging Speed45W wired, 15W wireless25W wired, 15W wireless
Battery PerformanceSlightly less enduranceSlightly more endurance
Dimensions163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm
Software Support Promise4 OS + 5 years security updates3 OS + 4 years security updates
Color OptionsPhantom Black, White, Burgundy, Green, Graphite, etc.Phantom Black, Silver, Navy, Titanium, Brown, etc.
PriceCheck S22 Ultra PriceCheck S21 Ultra Price

What Common Both Can Do?

  • Display Technology and Size: Both phones use a stunning 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, providing deep blacks, rich contrast, and vivid colors at QHD+ resolution, delivering a premium visual experience.
  • High Refresh Rate: They support a smooth adaptive refresh rate up to 120Hz, ensuring fluid scrolling and responsive touch performance for gaming and multitasking.
  • Camera System: Both devices share the same core camera setup – a 108MP primary sensor, dual 10MP telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), a 12MP ultra-wide lens, and a 40MP front camera, allowing versatile high-resolution photography and zoom capabilities.
  • Video Capabilities: Each phone can shoot in up to 8K resolution at 24fps, record 4K at 60fps, and utilize HDR10+ for dynamic video output.
  • Battery and Charging: They are equipped with a 5000mAh battery, support 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging at 4.5W, suitable for charging accessories like Galaxy Buds or another phone.
  • Security and Biometrics: Both models feature an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, providing fast and secure unlocking.
  • Audio: Stereo speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos support on both models provide an immersive audio experience, especially when streaming movies or gaming.
  • Durability: With an IP68 rating, both phones are resistant to water (up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes) and dust, offering peace of mind in everyday use.
  • Connectivity: They both support 5G networks, Wi-Fi 6E for ultra-fast internet, Bluetooth 5.2 for low-latency wireless connections, and USB Type-C 3.2 for fast data transfer and charging.
  • No microSD Slot / No Charger in Box: Neither phone includes a microSD card slot for storage expansion or a charger in the box, aligning with Samsung’s modern packaging approach.

Common Features

FeatureSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Display Size6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution3088 × 1440 (QHD+), 500+ ppi3200 × 1440 (QHD+), 500+ ppi
Refresh RateAdaptive 1–120HzAdaptive 10–120Hz
Main Camera108MP (f/1.8, OIS, PDAF, Laser AF)108MP (f/1.8, OIS, PDAF, Laser AF)
Periscope Telephoto Camera10MP, 10x optical zoom10MP, 10x optical zoom
Telephoto Camera10MP, 3x optical zoom10MP, 3x optical zoom
Ultra-wide Camera12MP, f/2.2, 120˚ FOV12MP, f/2.2, 120˚ FOV
Front Camera40MP, f/2.240MP, f/2.2
Video RecordingUp to 8K @ 24fps, 4K @ 60fps, HDR10+Up to 8K @ 24fps, 4K @ 60fps, HDR10+
Battery Capacity5000mAh5000mAh
Wireless Charging15W15W
Reverse Wireless Charging4.5W4.5W
Fingerprint SensorUltrasonic under-displayUltrasonic under-display
Stereo SpeakersYesYes
IP RatingIP68 water & dust resistanceIP68 water & dust resistance
5G ConnectivityYesYes
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 6EWi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth VersionBluetooth 5.2Bluetooth 5.2
USB-C PortUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2
No microSD SlotNoNo
No Charger in BoxYesYes
Price Check S22 Ultra Price Check S21 Ultra Price

FAQ

Does the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra have a built-in S Pen like the Note series?
Yes, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the first Galaxy S series phone to include a built-in S Pen with a dedicated slot, offering features like ultra-low 2.8ms latency, Air Actions, and screen-off memos, similar to the Note experience.

Is the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera setup the same as the S21 Ultra?
Both phones have a very similar quad-camera setup featuring a 108MP main sensor, 12MP ultra-wide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses with 3x and 10x optical zoom, but the S22 Ultra includes improved software optimization and a newer ultra-wide sensor for better low-light and wide-angle performance.

What chipset powers the Galaxy S22 Ultra and how does it compare to the S21 Ultra?
The S22 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 depending on the region, which is a performance and efficiency upgrade over the Snapdragon 888 or Exynos 2100 in the S21 Ultra, delivering faster processing and better GPU handling.

Is there a difference in display quality between the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra?
Both have 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays with adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, but the S22 Ultra offers a higher peak brightness of 1750 nits compared to 1500 nits on the S21 Ultra for better outdoor visibility.

Do both phones support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E?
Yes, both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra support full 5G capabilities as well as Wi-Fi 6E, enabling high-speed wireless internet and future-proof connectivity options.

Is the battery capacity the same in the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra?
Yes, both phones come with a 5000mAh battery, but the S22 Ultra may have slightly reduced endurance due to the newer, more power-demanding chipset and display brightness.

Do either of these phones support microSD card expansion?
No, neither the S22 Ultra nor the S21 Ultra includes a microSD card slot, meaning users must rely on internal storage options only.

What is the maximum charging speed supported on both devices?
The Galaxy S22 Ultra supports 45W wired fast charging, while the S21 Ultra maxes out at 25W. Both support 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

Do the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra come with a charger in the box?
No, both phones follow Samsung’s newer eco-conscious approach and do not include a charger in the box—only a USB-C cable is provided.

Which phone has better software support in the long term?
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is eligible for 4 years of Android OS updates and 5 years of security patches, while the S21 Ultra receives 3 years of OS updates and 4 years of security patches.

Are both phones water and dust resistant?
Yes, both the S22 Ultra and S21 Ultra are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, offering protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.

Do both phones support S Pen Air Actions?
Only the Galaxy S22 Ultra supports S Pen Air Actions by default since it has Bluetooth integration in the built-in S Pen. The S21 Ultra can support it, but only when using the optional Bluetooth-enabled S Pen Pro or Fold Edition.

Is there any difference in audio quality between the two phones?
Both models feature stereo speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos support, delivering similar immersive sound quality for media and calls.

What storage options are available for both devices?
The S21 Ultra is available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB variants, while the S22 Ultra includes a 1TB option in addition to 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, offering more flexibility for power users.

Do both phones support the same biometric features?
Yes, both phones use an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure biometric unlocking and support face recognition for added convenience.

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