Smartphone Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy A22
1. Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy A22 | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | |||
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 159.3 × 73.6 × 8.4 mm | S21 Ultra is larger and bulkier, A22 is more compact and easier to handle. |
| Weight | 227g | 186g | S21 Ultra is noticeably heavier, potentially less comfortable for prolonged use. |
| Display | |||
| Size | 6.8" | 6.4" | S21 Ultra offers a larger viewing area, better for media consumption and gaming. |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 720x1600 | S21 Ultra provides much sharper and more detailed visuals. |
| PPI | 515 | 274 | S21 Ultra's higher pixel density results in crisper text and images. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both offer vibrant colors and deep blacks, but the S21 Ultra is likely to be higher quality. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 90Hz | S21 Ultra’s 120Hz refresh rate results in smoother scrolling and animations. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 0 nits | S21 Ultra provides superior outdoor visibility under bright sunlight. |
| Performance | |||
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Mediatek Helio G80 (12 nm) | S21 Ultra's chip is significantly more powerful, handling demanding tasks faster and more efficiently. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 379,800 | S21 Ultra has nearly double the performance, making it suitable for heavy gaming and multitasking. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Mali-G52 MC2 | S21 Ultra's GPU is much more capable, resulting in better graphics performance in games and apps. |
| Camera | |||
| Main Camera Resolution | 108MP | 48MP | S21 Ultra captures images with much more detail. |
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.33" | 1/2" | S21 Ultra's larger sensor captures more light, improving low-light performance. |
| Telephoto Lens | Yes (2 lenses, 10.8MP each) | No | S21 Ultra has the ability to optically zoom into the subjects without losing image quality, while the A22 relies on digital zoom. |
| Wide Angle Lens | No | Yes (5MP) | A22 offers an ultrawide lens, allowing you to capture more in your photos. S21 Ultra lacks an ultrawide lens, but features a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens. |
| Portrait Mode (Depth) | No | Yes (5MP) | A22 provides a dedicated depth sensor for better portrait mode shots. The S21 Ultra doesn't have a dedicated sensor but has great depth sensing due to its telephoto lenses. |
| Selfie Camera Resolution | 44MP | 8MP | S21 Ultra's selfie camera offers significantly more detail and better image quality. |
| Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps | 1080p@30fps | S21 Ultra records significantly higher quality video, including 8K resolution. |
| DXOMark Mobile Score | 115 | 48 | S21 Ultra has vastly superior camera quality in both photos and videos. |
| DXOMark Selfie Score | 135 | Not Tested | S21 Ultra has a much higher rated front-facing camera. |
| Battery | |||
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Both have the same battery capacity, however, the S21 Ultra will likely use more power due to the higher performance. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 15W Fast Charging | S21 Ultra charges faster than the A22. |
| Wireless Charging | 15W | No | S21 Ultra has 15W wireless charging and can reverse wireless charge. A22 doesn't. |
| Software | |||
| OS | Android 11, upgradable to 15 | Android 11, upgradable to 13 | S21 Ultra will likely get OS updates for longer than the A22. |
| Connectivity | |||
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | S21 Ultra supports a newer and faster Wi-Fi standard. |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 5.0 | S21 Ultra has a newer version with improved range and connection reliability. |
| GPS | GPS (L1+L5) | GPS | S21 Ultra offers better GPS accuracy with dual-band support. |
| Storage | |||
| Internal Storage | 128/256/512 GB | Unknown | S21 Ultra offers significantly more internal storage options. |
| RAM | 12/16 GB | Unknown | S21 Ultra has a much higher RAM capacity, resulting in smoother multitasking. |
| Expandable Storage | No | No | Neither phone supports expandable storage. |
| Audio | |||
| Audio Quality | Hi-Res Audio, Stereo Speakers, Noise Cancellation | Dolby Digital Plus | S21 Ultra offers higher quality audio output and clearer calls. |
| Security | |||
| Fingerprint Sensor | basic fingerprint sensor | side-mounted fingerprint sensor | A22 offers a potentially faster fingerprint unlock due to it being side-mounted. |
| Build Quality | |||
| Screen Protection | Corning Gorilla Glass Victus | Unknown | S21 Ultra uses the latest Gorilla Glass for superior scratch and drop protection. |
| Sensors | |||
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Compass, Barometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | Accelerometer, Proximity, Fingerprint | S21 Ultra has more sensors such as the Gyroscope, Compass and Barometer for more use cases. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Superior Performance: The Exynos 2100 chipset offers significantly higher processing power, making the S21 Ultra faster for everything from app launching to gaming.
- Premium Display: Higher resolution, pixel density, brightness, and 120Hz refresh rate make the S21 Ultra's screen much more enjoyable to use, especially outdoors.
- Advanced Camera System: The S21 Ultra boasts a more versatile camera system with higher resolution sensors, multiple telephoto lenses, a dedicated Wide Angle + Macro lens, and significantly better image processing.
- Faster Charging & Wireless Charging: The 25W fast charging and 15W wireless charging options provide convenience, while the A22 only has a 15W wired option.
- More RAM & Storage: With more RAM, the S21 Ultra can handle heavy multitasking, and its higher storage options mean more space for apps and media.
- Better Build Quality & Protection: The Gorilla Glass Victus protection makes the screen far more durable.
- Higher quality Audio: Hi-res audio, stereo speakers, and a noise cancellation microphone provides a more immersive audio experience and clearer calls.
- Latest Software: Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G will get the latest operating system updates.
Samsung Galaxy A22 Advantages:
- Lighter and More Compact: The A22 is easier to handle and more comfortable to carry around due to its lower weight and smaller dimensions.
- Lower Price: The A22 is significantly more affordable, making it a better choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens & Portrait Mode Sensor: The inclusion of these sensors can be useful for specific photographic needs, even though the overall image quality isn't as high as the S21 Ultra's.
- Side-mounted fingerprint sensor: Potentially a faster unlock method compared to the basic fingerprint sensor on the S21 Ultra.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra offers significantly better performance, display, camera, and build quality, but at a much higher price and weight.
- The A22 provides a more budget-friendly option but sacrifices performance, display quality, camera features, build quality, and many features that make the S21 Ultra a premium experience.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is ideal for:
- Power Users: Those who need the best possible performance for demanding apps, gaming, and multitasking.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Users who value a versatile camera system with high-quality image and video capabilities.
- Media Consumers: People who enjoy watching videos, browsing, and playing games on a large, high-resolution screen.
- Professionals: Those who need a reliable device with advanced features like wireless charging, reverse wireless charging, high-quality audio, and fast processing for work on-the-go.
- Users who want the latest software support: The S21 Ultra will have software support for much longer than the A22.
Samsung Galaxy A22 is ideal for:
- Budget-Conscious Users: Those who need a functional smartphone without spending a lot of money.
- Casual Users: Those who primarily use their phone for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and messaging.
- Users Who Value Portability: Those who prefer a lightweight and compact phone that's easy to carry and handle.
- Users who would like a dedicated wide angle and portrait lens: Those who specifically need these lenses will find them on the A22.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- What's Your Budget? The S21 Ultra is significantly more expensive than the A22.
- How Important is Performance & Camera? If you need top-tier performance and high-quality photos/videos, the S21 Ultra is the obvious choice. If you're mainly interested in social media or light gaming, the A22 is sufficient.
- What Are Your Display Needs? If you consume a lot of media or need a bright, sharp display for outdoor use, the S21 Ultra is much better.
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Scenario 1: Student on a Budget: The Samsung Galaxy A22 is the better option due to its affordability. It handles the basics well without breaking the bank.
- Scenario 2: Photography/Videography Enthusiast: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G will provide superior image quality and versatile zoom capabilities, with 8k video recording making it a must.
- Scenario 3: Mobile Gamer: The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the clear choice for a smoother and more immersive gaming experience due to its powerful processor, better GPU, and 120Hz refresh rate.
- Scenario 4: User who values portability: The Samsung Galaxy A22 is much lighter and compact, making it a better choice for one-handed use and portability.
My Choice
If I were choosing between these two phones, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. While it's significantly more expensive and heavier, the massive difference in performance, display quality, camera capabilities, and future software support make it a worthwhile investment for a more premium experience.
Although the Samsung Galaxy A22 has some benefits, such as the portability and the dedicated wide-angle and depth lenses, these do not outweigh the vast improvements found in the S21 Ultra. As someone who values performance and quality, the S21 Ultra is a better overall device.
