Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy A02s vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy A02s | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 164.2 × 75.9 × 9.1 mm | 163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm | S22 Ultra is slightly wider and thinner; both are similar in height. |
| Weight | 196g | 228g | A02s is significantly lighter, more comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.5" | 6.8" | S22 Ultra offers a slightly larger viewing area. |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 1440x3088 | S22 Ultra's display is much sharper, with significantly more detail. |
| PPI | 270 | 500 | S22 Ultra's higher pixel density results in clearer, crisper visuals. |
| Technology | PLS LCD | AMOLED | S22 Ultra has superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors. |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 120Hz | S22 Ultra has much smoother scrolling, animations, and gaming. |
| Brightness | 0 nits | 1750 nits | S22 Ultra is much more visible in bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Qualcomm SDM450 Snapdragon 450 (14 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | S22 Ultra has a much faster and more efficient processor. |
| AnTuTu Score | 74,800 | 1,023,311 | S22 Ultra offers dramatically faster app loading, multitasking, and gaming. |
| GPU | Adreno 506 | Xclipse 920 | S22 Ultra has a significantly more powerful graphics processing unit. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life; however, S22 Ultra's processor is more efficient. |
| Charging | 15W fast charging | 45W fast charging | S22 Ultra charges significantly faster. |
| Features | Non-removable | Bypass Charging, Reverse charging, Non-removable, Wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W | S22 Ultra offers more versatile charging options. |
| Camera | |||
| Standard Camera | 13MP, f/1.8 | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor, 0.80 µm pixel | S22 Ultra captures vastly more detail and performs better in low light. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | N/A | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52" sensor, 1.12 µm pixel | S22 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto camera for optical zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 5MP, f/2.2 | 40MP, f/2.2, 0.70 µm pixel | S22 Ultra takes much higher-resolution selfies. |
| Telephoto Lens | N/A | 12MP, f/4.9, 1/3.52" sensor, 1.12 µm pixel | S22 Ultra has an additional telephoto lens for enhanced zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55" sensor, 1.40 µm pixel | S22 Ultra offers a wider field of view for capturing more in a shot. |
| Portrait Mode (depth) | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A02s has a depth sensor; S22 Ultra uses computational photography instead. |
| Macro Lens | 2MP, f/2.4 | N/A | A02s can take dedicated macro shots, while S22 Ultra lacks this hardware. |
| Video | 1080p@30fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 720p@960fps | S22 Ultra can record professional-quality videos, has advanced stabilization. |
| DXOMark (Mobile) | N/A | 131 (Photo: 127, Video: 131) | S22 Ultra has been tested and performs exceptionally well according to DXOMark. |
| DXOMark (Selfie) | N/A | 135 (Photo: 130, Video: 144) | S22 Ultra has been tested and performs exceptionally well according to DXOMark. |
| Camera Features | Digital zoom, Triple camera, Autofocus, Touch focus, PDAF, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, ISO settings, Scene mode, Self-timer | 4K Video, 8K Video, Digital zoom, Optical zoom, Quadruple camera, Digital image stabilization, Optical Stabilization (OIS), Ultra stable video, Autofocus, Touch focus, Manual focus, PDAF, LAF, Continuous shooting, Geotagging, Panorama, HDR, Face detection, White balance settings, ISO settings, Exposure compensation, Scene mode, Self-timer, RAW, Night Mode | S22 Ultra has advanced features such as 8k recording, optical zoom, and professional manual modes. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 10, upgradable to 12 | Android 12, upgradable to 16 | S22 Ultra offers a newer OS and more future updates. |
| Connectivity | |||
| WiFi | 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n | 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11n 5GHz, 802.11ac, WiFi 6 (802.11ax) | S22 Ultra supports the latest Wi-Fi standards for faster and more reliable connections. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 4.2 LE | Bluetooth 5.2 LE | S22 Ultra has a newer Bluetooth version with improved performance and range. |
| GPS | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, GPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (L1), BeiDou (B1), Galileo (E1+E5a) | S22 Ultra offers more precise location tracking. |
| SIM | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + Nano SIM) | Dual SIM Dual Standby (Nano SIM + eSIM) | S22 Ultra has eSIM support for flexible carrier switching. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal | 32 GB or 64 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1024 GB | S22 Ultra offers significantly more storage space for apps, media, and files. |
| RAM | 3 GB or 4 GB | 8 GB or 12 GB | S22 Ultra has much more RAM, enabling smoother multitasking and better performance. |
| Expandable | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Quality | Basic audio features | Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio, Noise cancellation microphone, Stereo Speakers | S22 Ultra offers a premium audio experience. |
| Security | |||
| Features | Basic security features | Basic fingerprint sensor | S22 Ultra offers more advanced biometric security. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Protection | Unknown | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ | S22 Ultra has superior screen protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer | Biometric: Fingerprint; Proximity: Proximity; Motion: Accelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope; Environmental: Barometer | S22 Ultra has a more comprehensive suite of sensors, supporting advanced features. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy A02s Advantages:
- Lower Price: Significantly more affordable, making it accessible to budget-conscious users.
- Lighter Weight: More comfortable for extended periods of use.
- Macro Lens: Dedicated macro lens for capturing close-up details.
- Portrait mode (depth): Dedicated depth sensor for portrait mode photos.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Display: Much higher resolution, pixel density, and AMOLED technology for exceptional visual quality.
- Higher Refresh Rate: 120Hz refresh rate for smoother scrolling and animations.
- Significantly Faster Performance: Powerful processor and GPU for smooth app usage, multitasking, and gaming.
- Much Better Camera System: Advanced sensors, higher resolution, versatile zoom capabilities, and significantly better low-light performance.
- Professional Video Recording: Capability to record videos in 8K resolution, plus advanced stabilization features.
- Faster Charging: Much faster charging speeds.
- Wireless Charging: Supports wireless charging and reverse wireless charging.
- Latest Software: Comes with a newer operating system and is guaranteed more software updates.
- Premium Audio: Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio and Stereo Speakers for great audio experience.
- eSIM: For flexible carrier switching.
- Comprehensive Sensor Suite: For advanced features and accurate tracking.
- Superior Build: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ for enhanced screen protection.
Trade-offs:
- Samsung Galaxy A02s: While more affordable, it sacrifices display quality, performance, camera quality, and advanced features.
- Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G: Higher price and heavier weight. Lacks a dedicated macro lens. Lacks a dedicated depth sensor, but makes up for it with computational photography.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy A02s Ideal Users:
- Budget-Conscious Buyers: Prioritize affordability over top-tier specs.
- Basic Smartphone Users: Need a phone for calls, texts, social media, and light browsing.
- First-Time Smartphone Owners: Don't require a lot of features and want a simple and easy-to-use device.
- Users who prioritize light weight and comfort
Specific Use Cases:
- Daily communication: Making calls, sending text messages, and checking social media.
- Casual browsing: Looking at websites and light video streaming.
- Basic photography: Capturing everyday moments for social media.
- Simple apps: Using basic applications like a calculator or email.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Need top performance for demanding tasks and multitasking.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Require exceptional camera quality and advanced video features.
- Gamers: Want the smoothest gaming experience.
- Professionals: Need a reliable and versatile device with premium features.
- Those who consume lots of media: Want the best display and audio quality for movies, videos, etc.
- Users who want a phone that has the best technology available
Specific Use Cases:
- Professional photography and video recording: Creating high-quality content.
- Mobile gaming: Playing graphics-intensive games with smooth performance.
- Productivity: Multitasking with demanding apps, running presentations, and editing documents on the go.
- Media consumption: Watching movies, videos, and gaming with high-quality audio and visuals.
- Heavy social media usage: Posting content, browsing through social networks, and using social media apps with great performance.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions:
- What is your budget? Are you looking for the most affordable option, or are you willing to invest in a premium device?
- What are your primary use cases? Do you need a basic device for communication, or do you require advanced features for demanding tasks, photography, or gaming?
- How important is the camera quality and display? Do you need a top-tier camera for photography and videography, or will a basic camera suffice? Do you need a premium display experience or are you happy with a standard one?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Budget-conscious user: If your main priority is affordability, the Samsung Galaxy A02s is a suitable entry-level phone.
- Scenario 2: Basic user: If you need a device for calls, texts, and basic browsing, the Samsung Galaxy A02s will suffice, but the S22 Ultra will be better in the long run.
- Scenario 3: Multimedia Enthusiast: If you frequently watch videos, play games, or take high-quality photos, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the clear choice.
- Scenario 4: Power User/Professional: If you require high performance for demanding tasks, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the preferred option.
My Choice
If I were choosing, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. While it's significantly more expensive, the sheer difference in performance, display quality, and camera capabilities makes it a superior device for my usage needs. I often use my phone for photography, and the 8K video recording capabilities with the advanced stabilization would be a great tool. The higher refresh rate display would be also great for my eyes. The added security of the fingerprint scanner and the fact that it would be supported longer with software updates and security patches make it a wiser investment in the long run, despite the higher upfront cost. I also value being able to charge faster with 45W and have the flexibility of wireless and reverse wireless charging. While the A02s is lighter, I would still pick the S22 Ultra because the other advantages significantly outweigh that for me.
