The new Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the flagship smartphone of the South Korean manufacturer for the first half of 2022. In this review we are going to get to know in depth the mobile heir to the Galaxy Note range, which integrates an S Pen stylus in its body, in addition to specifications of the highest level.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a superlative smartphone in almost every aspect : a large 6.8-inch screen, the powerful Exynos 2022 processor and four cameras with a 108 MP main sensor, ultra wide angle and 3x and 10x optical zoom.
It is easily placed among the best Samsung phones to buy in 2022, although its price from 1,259 euros makes it available to few. Now we will delve into its strengths and weaknesses, although we can already advance that the Galaxy S22 Ultra has left us satisfied.
Table of Contents
Premium finishes, large size and new style
The first impression generated by the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra when holding it is of a forceful mobile , with dimensions of 16.3 cm high and 7.8 cm wide that make it difficult to handle with one hand. On the other hand, the thickness of 8.9 mm is not very high, and the weight of 228 g is what is expected in a smartphone of these dimensions.
Of course, this large size is necessary for the advanced features of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra: the S Pen stylus integrated into the body and the two cameras with optical zoom take up considerable space, to which is added a generous battery.
The finishes are very premium, with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on the front and back , surrounded by an aluminum frame. The design is minimalist and very rectilinear, in the style of the Galaxy Note, that is, a different look from the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22+.
About 90% of the front is occupied by the large 6.8-inch screen, with a hole in the upper central area for the selfie camera:
The rear opts for a new design where the cameras protrude directly from the body:
On the right side we find the power/lock and volume buttons (the left one is empty of elements):
This image allows you to appreciate the smooth curvature of the screen on both sides:
The lower edge houses the S Pen stylus housed inside the mobile, the USB C port, the corresponding microphone for calls and a speaker (of the two available):
Apart from the unit in Phantom Black (black) that we received for the review, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is also sold in the colors Burgundy (bronze pink), Phantom White (white) and Green (green) that we see in this image:
Samsung markets three exclusive colors for the Galaxy S22 Ultra on its official website , under the names of Graphite (grey), Sky Blue (pastel blue) and Red (red) :
The IP68 resistance to water and dust of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is remarkable. It allows an immersion of up to 30 minutes under 1.5 m of fresh water, although it is designed to withstand accidents with liquids and not to put the phone under water on a regular basis.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, specifications
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a super premium range mobile , both specifications and price are at the highest level. Let’s see its advanced technical sheet in full:
- Screen : 6.8″ AMOLED (3,088 × 1,440 px), adaptive refresh rate 1 Hz – 120 Hz, brightness up to 1,750 nits
- Processor: Exynos 2200, 8 cores up to 2.8 GHz, manufactured at 4nm.
- RAM memory: 8 GB or 12 GB LPDDR5.
- Storage: 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB or 1 TB UFS 3.1 (without MicroSD slot).
- Rear camera: 108 MP main + 12 MP ultra wide angle + 10 MP zoom x3 + 10 MP zoom x10.
- Front camera: 40 MP.
- Connectivity: 5G SA/NSA, 4G, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, UWB and NFC.
- Ports and sensors: USB C 3.2 and fingerprint reader on the screen.
- Extras: IP68 resistance and integrated touch pen.
- Battery: 5,000 mAh with fast charging (45 W), wireless charging (15 W) and reverse wireless charging (4.5 W).
- Operating system: Android 12 with Samsung One UI 4.1 customization.
- Dimensions and weight: 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm and 228 g.
- Price: from 1,259 euros.
Buy: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Fnac)
Buy: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Amazon)
Luxury photography with x10 optical zoom
In the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra we have a photograph of the highest level , it is one of its key aspects. The main sensor of 108 MP with optical stabilization stands out, but also the two cameras with optical zoom of x3 and x10, the latter available in very few smartphones.
Samsung’s marketing speaks of a “Nightography” camera, because nighttime performance has been boosted . The 108 MP of the main sensor are joined in groups of 9 if the lighting is low, taking images of 12 effective MP. This creates 2.4 µm pixels capable of capturing more ambient light.
These are the rear camera sensors that are included:
- 108 MP f/1.8 : 1/1.33″ main sensor (0.8 µm pixel), with optical stabilization (OIS).
- 12 MP f/2.2 : 120º ultra wide angle, 1/2.55″ size (1.4 µm pixel).
- 10 MP f/2.4 : x3 optical zoom, 1/3.52″ size (1.12 µm pixel), with OIS
- 10 MP f/4.9 : x10 optical zoom, 1/3.52″ size (1.12 µm pixel), with OIS.
In the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra there is neither a depth sensor nor a macro sensor , two components of limited utility. They are common in the mid-range due to the marketing of offering 3 or 4 cameras, but they really do not contribute almost anything at the photographic level.
Let’s start with the example photos , the first one taken with the main sensor:
Let’s compare the different sensors and zoom levels of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, starting with the ultra wide angle and the main camera (x1 magnification):
When we go up to x3 and x10 optical zoom , optimal quality is still maintained, largely thanks to OIS stabilization:
It is possible to enlarge the image digitally, we have tried 30x and 100x zoom with mixed results , the latter being more of a marketing claim than a useful feature.
The image with x30 magnification is simply acceptable, but going up to x100 loses sharpness and the stabilization suffers many problems, so it makes more sense as a “binoculars” than as a camera:
For its part, the main camera in night mode plays a great role , capturing a lot of light and avoiding unwanted reflections:
We have also tried the night mode in the ultra wide angle , again the captures have convinced us:
Even the x3 optical zoom behaves well in the dark , without excessive noise:
Finally, the x10 optical zoom is very remarkable at night , although logically enough photographic quality is lost with so much magnification:
Samsung’s camera app is possibly the most complete on the market , with good photo optimization using artificial intelligence, numerous filters, framing assistance, and a “Single Capture” mode that takes photos on its own with a single press of the button. button and move around the subject a bit.
As for video, night video recording has also been reinforced , optimizing the frame rate and reducing image noise with post-processing. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is capable of recording video in HDR, and stabilization has been improved.
On the front is the 40 MP f/2.2 selfie camera , with a 0.7 µm pixel, which has also convinced us during the review:
Since it is the only camera available, it is used for face unlock. In general, it works well and quickly, but it is not as safe as when it is supported by an infrared or depth sensor.
The camera has a kind of wide-angle mode that allows you to capture more elements, something suitable for group selfies. It doesn’t cover as much space as a dedicated ultra-wide sensor, but it doesn’t apply its characteristic edge distortion in return.
Excellent display, Samsung style
Samsung has accustomed us to excellent screens, and innovations such as the curved panels of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, and this time it does not disappoint. The Galaxy S22 Ultra mounts a 6.8-inch screen of the Dynamic AMOLED X2 type that plays a great role.
The 3K resolution of 3,088 × 1,440 pixels means a very high sharpness of 500 dots per inch, there is the option to reduce it if we want to save battery life at the cost of less visual definition.
The adaptive refresh between 1 Hz and 120 Hz stands out, which changes intelligently depending on the use we make of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. For example, 120 Hz offers high fluidity in video games, while 1 Hz allows you to read comfortably while spending a minimum of energy, and in the middle we have other frequencies depending on the task.
The panel offers a very rich color, with deep blacks and various calibrations, in case we prefer natural or more saturated tones. It covers 100% of the DCI-P3 color space , and its high peak brightness of 1,750 nits ensures visibility outdoors.
The sides of the screen draw a slight curvature , which we quite liked, because it does not hinder control nor does it imply a loss of image quality in those areas.
In the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra we find a good quality double stereo speaker , the size of the mobile affects considerable power and depth. The 3.5mm jack is missing, which is common on premium phones, and we have Samsung’s Scalable codec for Bluetooth headsets, but no other high-end options like aptX HD.
High performance, but without Snapdragon in Europe
The Galaxy S22 Ultra provides us with a very high power , although Samsung continues with its policy of using its own processors in Europe, instead of the Qualcomm ones that it mounts in the models of the USA and other countries.
Therefore, the Galaxy S22 Ultra opts for a Samsung Exynos 2200 chip, very powerful and with graphics developed together with AMD, but somewhat below the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 that they enjoy in other markets.
This is the internal hardware of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra:
- Samsung Exynos 2200 as 8-core processor (1 x Cortex-X2 at 3 GHz + 3 x Cortex-A710 at 2.4 GHz + 4 x Cortex-A510 at 1.70 GHz), manufactured at 4 nm.
- Samsung Xclipse 920 as graphics card, based on AMD RDNA2.
- 8 GB or 12 GB of LPDDR5 RAM.
- 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of UFS 3.1 storage (not expandable).
We have passed GeekBench , a performance test or benchmark. The Galaxy S22 Ultra reaches 1,154 points in processor performance with one core, 3,527 points in multi-core, and 8,693 in graphics performance. These are the results:
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers plenty of power for any task, and we will obtain a very high fluidity in any app . Regarding gaming, we have tried Fortnite, Genshin Impact and League of Legends: Wild Rift with more than satisfactory results.
In addition, the Game Center app allows us to configure gaming performance, notifications, gameplay recording and other aspects, through a floating bar that we can display without interrupting the game.
Connectivity includes 5G, 4G, the current WiFi 6E and UWB (ultra wide band) for locating nearby devices, such as the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag, so it also scratches the surface.
S Pen as a differential element
The integration of the S Pen pencil inside the Galaxy S22 Ultra places the smartphone as a direct successor to the Galaxy Note range, which is not clear that it will receive new models. Samsung may now dedicate its big launch in the second half of each year to the Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip foldables.
The experience with the stylus or touch pen is very good , the latency (response time) has been reduced and it is generally comfortable to hold. It allows us to take handwritten notes, make drawings and diagrams, annotate screenshots and other tasks.
The S Pen is integrated into many aspects of the system, on the one hand we have a floating menu to access various functions , such as the translation of the selected text with the pencil, screen clippings or the creation of animated messages to send to our contacts.
For its part, the Penup app offers us a fun drawing studio, where it is possible to create quite beautiful illustrations thanks to the included tutorials Gestures are held in the air with the pencil , called Air Actions, as configurable shortcuts to perform actions in the camera and other apps.
At the hardware level, the S Pen mounts an internal battery that is charged directly when you insert it into the phone , and includes a side button that you can press with your thumb.
Including a slot for the S Pen in the body of the Galaxy S22 Ultra means taking up valuable internal space that could be dedicated to a larger battery , but in general it does not significantly compromise any part of the phone.
Let us remember that in the Galaxy S21 Ultra you had to buy the S Pen separately, and it was stored in the mobile case, so a clear step forward has been taken.
Good battery with not very fast charging
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra mounts a 5,000 mAh battery , a good figure, which guarantees us a day of use. Given the high level of specifications, to extend autonomy we can deactivate functions such as refreshing at 120 Hz or lowering the resolution of the screen.
The new 45W fast charge is not too significant an advance. Since the serious problems of the Galaxy Note 7, Samsung prioritizes security over speed, and it shows: in about 15 minutes we reach 25% , a figure that is only correct, while 100% takes approximately 65 minutes , far from the fastest phones on the market.
Following the example of Apple’s iPhone, the Galaxy S22 Ultra does not come with a charger , just a USB cable and the “skewer” to remove the SIM tray. Therefore, we will need to buy a 45 W charger to take full advantage of fast charging, if we have an old one it will probably be of less power.
Nor do we find the typical basic rubber cover that usually comes in cheap mobiles, from Samsung they have created a selection of accessories with an attractive design, which we have to buy separately.
Android 12 in the style of Samsung
In command of the Galaxy S22 Ultra we have Android 12, the latest version of the operating system , which many mobile phones launched in 2022 do not yet integrate. It comes with Samsung’s One UI 4.1 customization layer, following the company’s tradition.
Instead, it does not adopt the new Material You design released in Android 12, but really almost no manufacturer is implementing it at the moment. Everything indicates that we will have to wait for Android 13 to see the visual improvements of Material You outside the Google Pixel range.
Samsung customizes many aspects, such as the settings menu, and adds many pre-installed apps . Luckily, most of them can be uninstalled if we don’t use them, because some are really useful, and others are more self-advertising.
In One UI 4.1 we find, for example, the Galaxy Store (in addition to the Google Play Store), Samsung TV Plus online television, the Bixby voice assistant and apps for its accessories: SmartThings (home automation), Galaxy Wearable (headphones and smartwatches) and Samsung Health (health and sport).
Samsung offers synchronization functions between its devices that are superior to those that are possible between different manufacturers, in the case of the mobile we have extras when using it with the company’s headphones, watches and tablets (depending on the models).
The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers deep integration with Windows 10 and 11 , directly through Microsoft’s Your Phone app, with better support than other manufacturers, so Samsung’s own software is unnecessary.
We are not only talking about synchronizing files between the computer and mobile, or cloning the screen, but we can even individually manage the phone’s apps from the PC . In return, the Galaxy S22 Ultra comes pre-installed with several Microsoft apps and services, including OneDrive, Office, LinkedIn, and Outlook.
The Samsung DeX mode is also missing, which allows us to connect the smartphone to a screen, managing Android and its apps in a desktop interface similar to a computer.
Finally, the entire Galaxy S22 range includes the promise of 4 years of major Android updates , that is, they will receive up to Android 16 in 2025. Surprising news, which puts Samsung ahead of the 3 years of updates that Google itself offers in its Pixel range.
Galaxy S22 Ultra is a worthy successor to the Note
Our review of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has left us with some good impressions, it is a recommended super premium mobile , if we are willing to make the outlay, and the addition of the S Pen integrated into the body itself makes it a worthy heir to the Galaxy Note range .
The Galaxy S22 Ultra starts at a price of 1,259 euros (8 GB + 128 GB model), although it is to be imagined that we will begin to see offers shortly. In fact, until the launch of February 24, 2022, the pre-purchase included free Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro headphones and discounts when delivering our previous mobile, even with a broken screen.
Buy: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Fnac)
Buy: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Amazon)
Strengths of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in our review
- Excellent photographic section.
- High quality screen and generous size.
- Plenty of power for any task.
- S Pen integrated into the body.
- Premium finishes with an attractive new design.
- Android 12 pre-installed and 4 years of major updates.
Weak points of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra in our review
- No Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor in Spain or Europe.
- Not too fast charging.
Our assessment
- Layout: 9
- Display: 9
- Hardware: 8
- Autonomy: 7
- Camera: 9
- Software: 10
- Price: 8
- Overall Score: 8.6
