Smartphone Comparison: OnePlus 9 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
Here's a detailed comparison of the key specifications for both phones, focusing on the practical implications of the differences:
Design
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 163.2 × 73.6 × 8.7 mm | 163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm | S22 Ultra is slightly taller, wider, and thicker making it less comfortable for one-handed use and pocket fit |
| Weight | 197g | 228g | OnePlus 9 Pro is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. S22 Ultra is noticeably heavier |
| Build | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22 Ultra has more durable screen protection, offers better resistance to scratches and drops |
Display
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.7" | 6.8" | Negligible difference, both offer immersive viewing experience |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3216 | 1440 x 3088 | Very similar pixel density. Both provide sharp and detailed visuals, minor difference is negligible |
| PPI | 525 | 500 | OnePlus 9 Pro has slightly sharper display, though the difference is unlikely noticeable in typical use |
| Technology | N/A | AMOLED | S22 Ultra offers superior display tech with deeper blacks, higher contrast, better power efficiency for dark themes and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations on both devices. Both offer similar experience |
| Brightness | 1300 nits | 1750 nits | S22 Ultra has significantly better outdoor visibility, especially in bright sunlight. Easier to see under bright conditions |
Performance
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 5G (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) - Europe | Different processors. S22 Ultra’s Exynos offers a newer architecture. S22 Ultra should offer better power efficiency. The real-world difference may vary |
| Antutu Score | 877,600 | 1,023,311 | S22 Ultra is more powerful in benchmarks, likely translating to smoother performance in demanding apps and games. |
| GPU | Adreno 660 | Xclipse 920 - Europe | Different GPUs. S22 Ultra’s Xclipse is newer and potentially offers superior graphics performance, particularly in gaming. |
Battery
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4500mAh | 5000mAh | S22 Ultra is likely to offer better battery life, providing extra hours of use for demanding users |
| Charging | 65W fast charging | 45W fast charging | OnePlus 9 Pro charges faster, reducing the time spent waiting for the phone to be fully charged |
| Features | 50W Wireless Charging, Reverse Charging | 15W Wireless Charging, Bypass Charging, Reverse Charging | OnePlus 9 Pro has faster wireless charging, while S22 Ultra includes bypass charging. These features are beneficial for specific use cases |
Camera
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 48MP, f/1.8, 1/1.43", 1.12µm | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", 0.80µm | S22 Ultra offers more detailed images due to higher resolution, OnePlus has slightly larger sensor, both perform well in different light settings |
| Telephoto/Portrait Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S22 Ultra has dedicated telephoto lens for portraits and zoom. Offers more flexibility in shooting scenarios, better zoom capabilities |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP, f/2.4, 1/3.13", 0.70µm | 40MP, f/2.2, 0.70µm | S22 Ultra offers significantly higher resolution for more detailed selfies and wider aperture allows more light, better low-light selfie quality |
| Telephoto Lens | 8MP, f/2.4, 1/4.4", 1.00µm | 12MP, f/4.9, 1/3.52", 1.12µm | S22 Ultra has better image quality and better zoom capabilities thanks to bigger sensor and better pixel size. OnePlus has a wider aperture for low light |
| Wide Angle Lens | 50MP, f/2.2, 1/1.56", 1.00µm | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", 1.40µm | OnePlus 9 Pro has much higher resolution and larger sensor for better wide angle image quality, S22 Ultra has bigger pixel sizes |
| Black & White | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | OnePlus has a dedicated monochrome sensor. Might be a desirable feature for some users for artsy pictures |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@30fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both support high-resolution video, S22 Ultra has stereo sound and 960 fps slow motion vs 480 in OnePlus |
| DXOMark Score | Mobile: 122 | Mobile: 131, Selfie: 135 | S22 Ultra camera performs significantly better in real-world testing, both mobile and selfie cameras |
Software & Connectivity
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| OS | Android 11, Upgradable to 14 | Android 12, Upgradable to 16 | S22 Ultra offers newer software out of the box and longer software support, which translates to more features and updates over time. |
| WiFi | WiFi 6 | WiFi 6 | Both offer fast Wi-Fi speeds, ideal for streaming and downloading. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Bluetooth 5.2 | Both offer similar Bluetooth, S22 Ultra has more connectivity profiles for wider device compatibility |
| SIM | Dual Nano SIM | Dual SIM (Nano + eSIM) | S22 Ultra offers eSIM for convenient digital carrier switching, OnePlus 9 Pro supports two physical SIM cards |
Storage & Audio
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal | 128/256 GB | 128/256/512/1024 GB | S22 Ultra has higher storage options up to 1TB, suitable for users with extensive media collections, but both don't support microSD cards. |
| RAM | 8/12 GB | 8/12 GB | Both offer plenty of RAM for smooth multitasking and running demanding applications. |
| Audio | Dolby Atmos, Stereo speakers, 3 mics | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Stereo speakers | Both offer great sound quality, S22 Ultra supports Hi-Res audio, while One Plus has 3 microphones |
Security & Sensors
| Feature | OnePlus 9 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Security | Fingerprint sensor | Fingerprint sensor | Both offer fingerprint recognition. Convenient for unlocking and secure authentication. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Gravity | Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, Barometer, Hall, Geomagnetic | S22 Ultra includes Barometer sensor useful for weather app and advanced features. Both phones have necessary sensors for common uses |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Here's an analysis of the major advantages of each phone and their practical implications:
OnePlus 9 Pro Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: Easier to handle for extended periods and fits comfortably in pockets.
- Faster Charging: Significantly reduces charging time, great for users on the go.
- Wider Aperture on Telephoto Lens: Better in low light situations for telephoto.
- Higher Resolution Wide Angle Lens Higher resolution on the wide angle lens, capturing more details
- Dedicated Monochrome Sensor : Suitable for artsy Black and white photos
- 50W Wireless Charging: Faster wireless charging capability
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: AMOLED technology with higher brightness, ensuring excellent outdoor visibility and enhanced visual experience.
- More Powerful Performance: Faster processor and newer GPU. Better for demanding tasks, including gaming and video editing.
- Better Camera System: Higher resolution main and front cameras, dedicated telephoto lens, and better overall DXOMark scores mean a more versatile camera experience.
- Larger Battery: Better battery life, ideal for power users who need a phone that lasts through a full day.
- Hi-Res Audio: Superior audio experience when listening to higher quality audio files.
- More Storage Options: Offers up to 1TB of storage, beneficial for users with extensive media libraries.
- eSIM Support: Convenient for international travelers or users who switch between carriers.
- Newer Software & Longer Support: S22 Ultra has a newer version of Android and will be supported longer by software updates
- Bypass Charging: Feature to reduce heat when gaming while plugged in.
- More Connectivity Profiles Wider bluetooth device compatability
Trade-offs:
- OnePlus 9 Pro is lighter but has a slightly less durable screen.
- Samsung S22 Ultra offers better performance and camera but it is bigger and heavier
- OnePlus 9 Pro has faster charging but a smaller battery.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Ideal User for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Users Prioritizing Comfort and Ergonomics: Individuals who prefer a lightweight phone that is easy to handle.
- Users who value fast charging Users who need to charge their phones often but want a very quick turnaround time.
- Photographers that want artsy black and white photos Users that use their phone for photography and like the ability to capture artistic monochrome images
- Users Who Want Great Wide Angle Photography: Users that use their wide angle lens a lot and want the highest image quality possible.
- Budget-conscious buyers: Looking for a high-performance phone at a lower cost.
Ideal Use Cases for OnePlus 9 Pro:
- Everyday use, browsing social media, watching videos.
- Mobile gaming, though the S22 Ultra offers superior graphics performance.
- Travelers that prioritize speed of charging
- Users looking for a more artsy photography setup
Ideal User for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G:
- Power Users: Individuals who need a device that can handle demanding applications, extensive multitasking, and heavy gaming.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize camera quality and versatility, especially those interested in telephoto capabilities.
- Content Creators: Those who need a reliable phone for capturing high-quality photos and videos, particularly in bright outdoor conditions.
- Users Who Need a Long Lasting Battery: Those who use their phones for most of the day and need the phone to last
- Users Who need a lot of Storage: Suitable for users with large media libraries that need a lot of storage
- Users who like the latest software and want long term software support
- Users that like to plug their phone in while they play games: With the bypass feature, the device can be charged while preventing excess heat.
Ideal Use Cases for Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G:
- Professional photography and videography.
- High-end mobile gaming.
- Extensive multitasking and productivity tasks.
- Heavy media consumption
- Users who need to use their phone as a daily driver for long periods without the ability to charge.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The OnePlus 9 Pro offers strong performance and a great display at a more competitive price point, appealing to those who value value for money.
- The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is a premium device with top-of-the-line features, justifying its higher price for users who require the best available technology.
4. Decision Framework
Here are three key questions buyers should consider before making a choice:
- How important is portability and ease of handling?
- If you prioritize a lighter, more compact phone, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a better choice. If you are comfortable with a heavier device, consider the S22 Ultra for better features.
- How important is camera performance and versatility?
- If you need a phone for high-end photography and videography, the S22 Ultra offers a more comprehensive camera system with better image quality. OnePlus 9 Pro has a great camera, but lacks the superior telephoto system and overall quality found in the S22 Ultra.
- How important is battery life and charging speed?
- If you need all-day battery life, the S22 Ultra's larger battery is preferable. If you prefer quicker charging times, the OnePlus 9 Pro is a better choice.
- How important is long term software support?
- If you prefer the device you buy to receive software updates for a long time, the S22 Ultra is preferable.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1 (Casual User): If you use your phone primarily for social media, browsing, and basic tasks, the OnePlus 9 Pro offers excellent value and comfort.
Scenario 2 (Mobile Gamer/Power User): If you need a phone for demanding tasks, heavy gaming, and want the best overall performance, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the better option.
Scenario 3 (Photography Enthusiast): If you are a photography enthusiast that needs a lot of flexibility, the S22 Ultra is the preferable choice due to better sensor quality and a better telephoto system, but if you prefer a more artistic approach, the monochrome sensor in OnePlus 9 Pro can be desirable.
Scenario 4 (Budget-Conscious Buyer): If you are looking for a top performance phone while also being more conscious of cost, then the One Plus 9 Pro is a good choice.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. While the OnePlus 9 Pro is a very capable phone with a lighter form factor and faster charging, my priorities lean towards a superior camera system, particularly the more versatile telephoto system, a larger battery, and a better display, which I find essential for a premium phone experience. Although it's heavier and more expensive, the S22 Ultra offers better overall features for my needs, especially the ability to do demanding tasks and take high quality photos. The long term software support is also a big draw for me.
