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The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers a sharper display, a more capable zoom camera and an integrated S Pen, but the smaller S22+ lasted longer in HotHardware’s battery test. Both phones felt smooth in everyday use; sustained heavy workloads reduced performance, and the Ultra’s 45W charging requires a separately purchased charger.
How do the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S22+ compare?
| Feature | Galaxy S22 Ultra | Galaxy S22+ |
|---|---|---|
| Processor in US review units | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Display | 6.8-inch Quad HD+ Edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.6-inch FHD+ display |
| Rear cameras | 108MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP 3x telephoto and 10MP 10x telephoto; Samsung documents up to 100x Space Zoom | 50MP wide, 12MP ultra-wide and 10MP telephoto |
| Front camera | 40MP | 10MP |
| Battery capacity | 5,000mAh | 4,500mAh |
| HotHardware PCMark battery test at 120Hz | 12 hours 4 minutes | 13 hours 54 minutes |
| Built-in S Pen | Yes | No |
| Maximum wired charging | 45W; adapter sold separately | 45W; adapter sold separately |
Samsung specifies these display, camera, battery and S Pen features. The battery-test times are HotHardware’s results from its 2022 review, not guaranteed everyday runtimes. The phones share a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, while the Ultra has the larger, higher-resolution panel and the more versatile camera system.
How fast is the S22 Ultra on 5G?
In HotHardware’s February 2022 review, the US units were tested around San Francisco on T-Mobile sub-6GHz 5G and Verizon mmWave 5G. At one Verizon mmWave test location, the S22 Ultra reached 3.5Gbps downloads; the Galaxy S21 Ultra reached 2.6Gbps at that same location. These are location- and network-specific measurements, not speeds to expect everywhere. The unlocked review units also worked on AT&T 5G.
The Ultra and S22+ support both sub-6GHz and mmWave 5G, as well as CAT 20 LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC and UWB. In the review, calls sounded loud and clear. Actual coverage and throughput depend on carrier, local network deployment and signal conditions.
#1 Best Overall
- Amazon Renewed condition : May have few minor scuffs or scratches;
- Amazon Renewed condition : May have few minor scuffs or scratches
- This device is unlocked and will be compatible with all major Canadian carriers
- Network bands in regions may be different depending on the mobile operator and your location; Available storage is less due to phone software updates and apps usage
Do the phones overheat or throttle?
For ordinary productivity, communication, entertainment and gaming, HotHardware found both phones smooth, including while moving among dozens of open apps. The review reported no glitches during that use. Heavy sustained workloads are different: performance dropped by as much as 50% within 20 minutes in the reviewer’s testing.
In 3DMark Wild Life Stress, the S22+ recorded 49.8% stability and the Ultra 52.5%. Those synthetic benchmark results indicate that performance was not maintained at its initial level through the stress test; they do not translate directly into a percentage slowdown in every game or app. HotHardware also notes that benchmark scores can vary with software optimization.
Rank #2
- The S22 Ultra combines the strengths of the S‑series and the legacy of the Note lineage by including a built‑in S Pen with ultra‑low latency. That means you can write, sketch, annotate PDFs, control media, or even take photos with the pen — essentially turning the phone into a productivity and creativity tool beyond ordinary smartphones.
Which phone has better battery life?
The S22+ lasted longer in the specific PCMark battery test HotHardware ran with both screens set to 120Hz: 13 hours 54 minutes for the S22+, against 12 hours 4 minutes for the Ultra. The result is notable because Samsung lists the S22+ battery at 4,500mAh and the Ultra at 5,000mAh. Capacity alone did not predict the outcome of this test.
These are controlled review-test results, not a promise of screen-on time in normal use. Workload, reception, brightness, settings and software can change real-world endurance.
Rank #3
- The S22 Ultra combines the strengths of the S‑series and the legacy of the Note lineage by including a built‑in S Pen with ultra‑low latency. That means you can write, sketch, annotate PDFs, control media, or even take photos with the pen — essentially turning the phone into a productivity and creativity tool beyond ordinary smartphones.
Do you need a 45W charger for the S22 Ultra or S22+?
No. Both models support wired charging up to 45W, but 45W is an option rather than a requirement. Samsung says the compatible adapter and cable are sold separately, and no charger is included in the box. The phones also support 15W Qi wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The regular Galaxy S22, unlike the Plus and Ultra, is limited to 25W wired charging.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What else distinguishes the Ultra?
The S22 Ultra combines a 6.8-inch Quad HD+ display with a 108MP main camera, two telephoto cameras—including a 10x optical telephoto—and a 40MP front camera. Samsung documents 100x Space Zoom, Vision Booster and the first built-in S Pen in the Galaxy S line. The S Pen makes the Ultra the more direct choice for handwriting and stylus-led productivity; the S22+ does not include one.
Rank #4
- The S22 Ultra combines the strengths of the S‑series and the legacy of the Note lineage by including a built‑in S Pen with ultra‑low latency. That means you can write, sketch, annotate PDFs, control media, or even take photos with the pen — essentially turning the phone into a productivity and creativity tool beyond ordinary smartphones.
The S22+ is the smaller option, with a 6.6-inch FHD+ screen, a 50MP main camera, one 10MP telephoto and a 10MP front camera. Both models have AKG-tuned stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. HotHardware judged their sound solid and comparable to the S21 Ultra and Pixel 6 Pro. Bluetooth audio supports aptX HD and LDAC; wired listening requires a digital USB-C audio device or an external DAC.
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Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.8", 1440 x 3088pixels, Infinity-O FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display, 5000mAh Battery, Wireless Powershare
- 128GB ROM, 8GB RAM, No SD Card Slot, Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4nm), Octa-Core, Adreno 730
- Rear Camera: 108MP, f/1.8 + 10MP, f/4.9 + 10MP, f/2.4 + 12MP, f/2.2, Front Camera: 40MP, f/2.2, Android 12, One UI 4.1
- 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900, CDMA 800/1900, 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100, CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/46/48/66/71, 5G: 1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/41/66/71/260/261SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Single SIM
- Compatible with Most GSM and CDMA Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
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