1. Specifications Comparison
Design
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 165.1 × 75.6 × 8.9 mm | 163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm | S21 Ultra is slightly taller, S22 Ultra slightly wider, both have same thickness. May affect one-handed use depending on hand size |
| Weight | 227g | 228g | Virtually identical weight, negligible difference in hand feel |
Display
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 6.8" | 6.8" | Identical screen size for similar viewing experience |
| Resolution | 1440x3200 | 1440x3088 | Negligible difference in sharpness, both very crisp |
| PPI | 515 | 500 | Practically indistinguishable pixel density, both have very sharp displays |
| Technology | AMOLED | AMOLED | Same vibrant colors and deep blacks |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | Smooth scrolling and animations |
| Brightness | 1500 nits | 1750 nits | S22 Ultra has better outdoor visibility under direct sunlight |
Performance
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2100 (5 nm) | Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | S22 Ultra has a newer, more efficient chipset, better performance and battery efficiency |
| AnTuTu Score | 749,000 | 1,023,311 | S22 Ultra is significantly faster in benchmarks (around 37% increase) - faster app loading, smoother multi-tasking, and better gaming performance |
| GPU | Mali-G78 MP14 | Xclipse 920 | S22 Ultra's GPU is newer and more powerful, better gaming performance |
Camera
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Camera | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHM3, 0.80µm pixels | 108MP, f/1.8, 1/1.33", Samsung S5KHM3, 0.80µm pixels | Similar main camera performance, good low light performance |
| Telephoto + Portrait | 10.8MP, f/2.4, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22µm pixels | 12MP, f/2.4, 1/3.52", Sony IMX754, 1.12µm pixels | S22 Ultra has a slightly higher resolution but smaller sensor, may have different characteristics in low light |
| Selfie Camera | 44MP, f/2.2, 1/2.65", Samsung S5KGH1, 0.70µm pixels | 40MP, f/2.2, 0.70µm pixels | S21 Ultra has higher resolution, differences may not be noticeable in most use cases |
| Telephoto Lens | 10.8MP, f/4.9, 1/2.65", Samsung S5K3J1, 1.22µm pixels | 12MP, f/4.9, 1/3.52", Sony IMX754, 1.12µm pixels | S22 Ultra has slightly higher resolution but smaller sensor, may have different characteristics in low light |
| Wide Angle Lens | N/A | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm pixels | S22 Ultra has a dedicated wide-angle lens, offering more versatility when capturing landscape or group photos |
| Wide Angle + Macro | 12.2MP, f/2.2, 1/2.55", Sony IMX563, 1.40µm pixels | N/A | S21 Ultra has a wide-angle lens that can double for macro shots |
| Video | Up to 8K@24fps | Up to 8K@24fps | Similar video recording capabilities on both phones |
| DxOMark (Mobile) | Main: 115, Photo: 121, Video: 100 | Main: 131, Photo: 127, Video: 131 | S22 Ultra is significantly better in video and overall camera performance |
| DxOMark (Selfie) | Main: 135, Photo: 133, Video: 140 | Main: 135, Photo: 130, Video: 144 | Similar selfie performance, S22 Ultra performs slightly better in video |
Battery
| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G | Practical Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5000mAh | 5000mAh | Similar battery life |
| Charging | 25W Fast Charging | 45W Fast Charging | S22 Ultra charges significantly faster, less waiting time |
| Features | 15W Wireless, 9W Reverse Wireless, No charger in-box | 15W Wireless, 4.5W Reverse Wireless, Bypass Charging | Both feature wireless charging. S22 Ultra has slightly slower reverse charging but has bypass charging which charges the phone while plugged in without charging the battery, useful for gamers |
2. Key Differences Analysis
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Potentially Better Selfie Camera Photo Quality: Higher resolution on front camera may provide better detail in some cases.
- Better Reverse Wireless Charging: 9W versus 4.5W on the S22 Ultra, faster charging for your accessories.
- Wide Angle Lens with Macro: One lens for both wide angle and macro shots
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Advantages:
- Newer, More Powerful Chipset: The Exynos 2200 offers superior performance in app loading, multitasking, and gaming.
- Significantly Improved GPU: The Xclipse 920 provides better gaming experience than the Mali-G78 MP14.
- Brighter Display: 1750 nits vs 1500 nits on the S21 Ultra is very useful in direct sunlight.
- Faster Charging: 45W charging means less time plugged into the wall.
- Dedicated Wide Angle Lens: more versatile than using the wide angle lens from the S21 Ultra as a macro lens.
- Better Camera Performance: Higher DXOMark score, especially in video, demonstrates an overall better camera.
- Longer Software Support: Android 12 out of the box with upgrade to 16, gives a longer time to use a fully supported OS version.
- eSIM Support: More versatile with carrier options.
- Bypass Charging: A useful feature for gamers.
- More Storage Option: Has a 1TB model.
Trade-offs:
- The S21 Ultra offers slightly better reverse wireless charging and macro functionality but loses out on general video performance of the S22 Ultra.
- The S22 Ultra is more expensive than the S21 Ultra, especially if bought new.
- The S21 Ultra offers more RAM on the higher end (16GB), while S22 Ultra is capped at 12GB.
3. User Profiles & Recommendations
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Users Seeking Value: Those looking for a premium phone at a potentially lower price point than newer models.
- Users who prioritize the selfie camera: Users who take a lot of selfies may appreciate the slightly higher megapixel count.
- Occasional Mobile Gamers: Users who play less demanding games can still have a good experience.
- Users who need reverse wireless charging: Users who frequently charge their earbuds or other accessories.
- Users who need macro shots: User who frequently takes macro photos.
Use Cases for S21 Ultra 5G:
- Everyday Photography: Captures great photos in various lighting conditions.
- Media Consumption: Enjoying videos and movies on a beautiful screen.
- Moderate Gaming: Can handle most mobile games smoothly, just not as well as the S22 Ultra.
- General Productivity: Solid performance for everyday tasks and multitasking.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Ideal Users:
- Power Users: Those who need the absolute best performance for demanding tasks.
- Heavy Mobile Gamers: Users who play graphically intensive games and want the best experience.
- Photography and Videography Enthusiasts: Those who prioritize camera quality, especially for video recording.
- Users Who Need Long-Term Software Support: The S22 Ultra will receive more software updates over time.
- Users who prefer a dedicated wide-angle lens
- Users who want the fastest charging speeds
- Users who want more storage options
Use Cases for S22 Ultra 5G:
- High-Performance Gaming: Smooth gameplay with high frame rates on demanding titles.
- Professional Photography and Videography: Capturing high-quality images and videos for professional use.
- Intensive Multitasking: Switching between multiple apps with no lag.
- Long-Term Use: Benefit from extended software updates and support.
- Frequent Travelers: Benefit from eSIM compatibility.
4. Decision Framework
Key Questions to Consider:
- Budget: How much are you willing to spend?
- Performance Needs: How important is top-tier performance for gaming and intensive tasks?
- Camera Requirements: Do you prioritize photo or video quality?
Scenario-Based Recommendations:
- Budget-Conscious User: If budget is a primary concern and high performance isn't crucial, the Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G is a great option. It offers excellent value and still delivers a premium experience.
- Performance-Oriented User: If you need top-tier performance and gaming is a priority, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the clear choice. It provides significant improvements in processing power and GPU performance.
- Camera Enthusiast: If video quality and camera versatility are very important, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is the better option, it's also better if you value a dedicated wide angle lens.
My Choice
I would choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. While the S21 Ultra is still a capable phone, the S22 Ultra offers compelling upgrades in key areas that align with my priorities as a user who wants a phone with the best performance and camera quality. The significantly better chipset, the dedicated wide-angle lens, the enhanced GPU, faster charging, and the improved video capabilities of the camera make the extra cost worthwhile. The better screen brightness and the availability of the 1TB model is also a big plus. While the higher price point is a consideration, the S22 Ultra's improvements deliver a superior experience in the long run.
