1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 x 75.6 x 8.9 mm | 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm | The S21 Ultra is significantly larger and bulkier, potentially less comfortable for one-handed use. The S22 is more pocketable and ergonomic. |
| Weight | 227g | 167g | The S22 is considerably lighter, making it more comfortable to hold for extended periods. The S21 Ultra feels heavy in comparison. |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | The S21 Ultra offers a much larger viewing area, ideal for media consumption and multitasking. The S22 is more compact, better for single-hand use and portability. |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3200 | 1080 x 2340 | The S21 Ultra has a significantly sharper display with more detail. Text and images appear crisper. |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 515 | 425 | Higher pixel density on the S21 Ultra means a clearer, more defined image with sharper text and graphics. |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Both use vibrant AMOLED technology, expect great color accuracy and deep blacks. |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Both offer smooth scrolling and animations, resulting in a more fluid user experience. |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1300 nits | The S21 Ultra gets noticeably brighter, enhancing outdoor visibility in sunny conditions. |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | The S22's newer chipset (Exynos 2200) generally provides improved performance and efficiency, which translates to slightly faster app loading and smoother multitasking. However, real-world difference is minor for most use cases. |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,022,200 | The S22 outperforms the S21 Ultra significantly in benchmarks, indicating faster processing speeds. |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Xclipse 920 | The S22's Xclipse 920 GPU offers better graphics processing capabilities, which is beneficial for gamers and demanding graphic-intensive apps. |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33" sensor | 50MP, f/1.8, 1/1.57" sensor | The S21 Ultra has higher resolution for more detail in good light. The S22's larger pixels on the main sensor may perform better in low-light situations. |
| Telephoto + Portrait Camera | 10.8MP, f/2.4 | Not Present | The S21 Ultra has a dedicated telephoto lens for optical zoom and better portrait mode results, whereas S22 relies more on digital zoom. |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2 | 10MP, f/2.2 | The S21 Ultra has a much higher resolution front camera, capturing more detail in selfies. However, S22's pixels are larger, possibly doing better in low-light. |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9 | 12MP, f/2.4 | The S22's Telephoto lens has a wider aperture, which will gather more light for better zoom in low light conditions. |
| Wide Angle Lens | Not Present | 12MP, f/2.2 | The S22 offers a wide angle lens for capturing more landscape or group shots, which is not present in S21 Ultra. |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2 | Not Present | The S21 Ultra provides a dedicated macro lens for close-up shots, which the S22 lacks. |
| Video Recording | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Both offer similar high-resolution recording, suitable for video enthusiasts. |
| DxOMark - Mobile | Main Score: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Main Score: 120, Photo: 119, Video: 116 | The S22 slightly outperforms the S21 Ultra overall in main camera performance, particularly in video. However, the S21 Ultra edges out slightly in photo score. |
| DxOMark - Selfie | Main Score: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Not Tested | The S21 Ultra provides much better selfie camera performance based on DxOMark testing. |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3700 mAh | The S21 Ultra has a significantly larger battery, which should translate to much longer battery life, especially for heavy users. |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 25W Fast Charging | Both support 25W fast charging, which provides a reasonable recharge speed. |
| Features | Reverse Charging, 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless | Bypass Charging, 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless | S21 Ultra offers faster reverse wireless charging. S22 offers bypass charging which allows powering the phone directly without charging the battery. |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Larger, Sharper Display: The 6.8" QHD+ display provides a more immersive viewing experience for media, gaming, and multitasking.
- Larger Battery: The 5000mAh battery offers significantly longer battery life, ideal for heavy users and those who need all-day power.
- Higher Resolution Selfie Camera: The 44MP front-facing camera captures more detailed selfies and provides better overall front camera quality.
- Dedicated Telephoto + Portrait Camera A dedicated telephoto lens enables better zoom and portrait photos.
- Wide Angle + Macro Camera: A dedicated macro lens allows for highly detailed close-up shots.
- Faster Reverse Wireless Charging: Provides 9W reverse wireless charging.
- More RAM: Available with 12GB or 16GB of RAM, which can be beneficial for heavy multitasking.
- Higher internal storage options: Available with up to 512GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G Advantages:
- More Compact and Lighter: The smaller size and lower weight make it much more comfortable for one-handed use and portability.
- Newer Chipset: The Exynos 2200 provides better overall performance and graphics capabilities compared to the Exynos 2100 of S21 Ultra.
- Better Main Camera Pixel Size: Larger pixels on the main sensor potentially improve low-light image quality.
- Wider Aperture Telephoto Lens: The S22 has a wider aperture for better zoom in low light.
- Wide Angle Lens: Offers wider angle shots compared to S21 Ultra which does not have a dedicated wide angle lens.
- Higher DxOMark scores: Higher overall and video scores compared to S21 Ultra.
- Bypass Charging: Ability to directly power the phone without charging the battery.
- eSIM Support: The S22's eSIM provides more flexibility for international travel.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra has better battery life, screen sharpness, and camera versatility, but is bulkier and heavier.
- The S22 is more pocketable and powerful, but has a smaller battery and lacks the multi-camera features and battery capacity of the S21 Ultra.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - Ideal for:
- Power Users: Individuals who demand long battery life and often use demanding apps or games.
- Media Enthusiasts: Users who prioritize a large, high-resolution display for video streaming, gaming, and browsing.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Those who appreciate a versatile camera system with multiple focal lengths and a high-resolution selfie camera.
- Multitaskers: Users who run several applications at the same time, and need a large RAM for that purpose.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - Use Cases:
- Watching movies and shows on a large, crisp display
- Playing graphically intense mobile games for extended periods
- Capturing photos and videos in various scenarios, including telephoto zoom and macro photography
- Working on documents and emails on a larger screen
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G - Ideal for:
- General Consumers: Those looking for a well-rounded smartphone with a compact design and good performance.
- Everyday Users: Individuals who prioritize portability, one-handed use, and reliable performance.
- Casual Photographers: Users who appreciate improved main camera performance and wide-angle capability.
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G - Use Cases:
- Taking photos and videos of everyday moments
- Consuming social media and web browsing
- Playing less graphically demanding games
- Easy everyday use thanks to its more compact design.
Price-to-Value Ratio:
- The S21 Ultra may offer better value for users who need all the best camera features, large display, large battery and prefer to have the maximum amount of RAM and storage.
- The S22 may provide a good price-to-value for users who are looking for a compact phone with very good performance and who prioritize portability.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions for Buyers:
- Do you prioritize a large screen and long battery life, or a compact, pocketable phone?
- Is camera versatility (multiple focal lengths, macro lens) crucial, or do you prefer better main camera performance and wide angle lens?
- Do you need the maximum performance and want more RAM/Storage, or are you ok with slightly less performance?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
Scenario 1: Heavy User/Media Consumption: If you primarily use your phone for video streaming, gaming, and extensive multitasking, and need a large screen and long battery, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is the better choice.
Scenario 2: Portability and Everyday Use: If you value a lightweight, compact phone that's easy to carry around and use one-handed, and still enjoy great performance and good camera quality, the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is the better choice.
Scenario 3: Photography Enthusiast: If you want a versatile camera with excellent zooming capabilities, including optical zoom and a macro mode, and a higher resolution front camera, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a better choice. If you value low-light performance and prefer to take wide angle photos then the Samsung Galaxy S22 5G will be better for you.
My Choice
If I were to choose, I would pick the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G. The primary reason is the significantly larger battery, which is a key factor for me as I use my phone heavily throughout the day. The larger display is also a major plus, I greatly enjoy a better media consumption and multitasking. The versatile camera system also appeals to me, as I appreciate having dedicated lenses for telephoto zoom and macro photography. While the S22 offers a newer chipset, the advantages of the S21 Ultra’s display, battery, and camera system outweigh that for my use case. I also value the extra RAM, and higher internal storage. The S21 Ultra is a more "all-in" device for a power user like me.
