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The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra brings the Galaxy S flagship and the Note’s built-in S Pen together in one large, premium phone. Its integrated stylus, expansive display and long-range camera system make it distinctive; battery endurance is the clearest trade-off in Engadget’s launch-era review. Whether it is the right S22 depends largely on whether you will use the pen and its extra camera reach.
What makes the S22 Ultra different?
The defining feature is an S Pen that slides into a slot in the phone rather than living in a separate case. That integration gives the S22 Ultra a Note-like purpose as well as a rectangular, large-screen design. Engadget reviewer Cherlynn Low summed up the change in her February 17, 2022 review: “The S22 Ultra is, for all intents and purposes, a new Galaxy Note.”
The pen is useful for jotting down quick notes, signing documents, handwriting recognition, selecting part of the screen and remote-control functions. Those capabilities matter most if you regularly write or annotate on a phone. If you rarely reach for a stylus, the S Pen occupies space and helps explain why this model is not simply a larger S22+.
How good is the display?
Samsung’s launch specifications list a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a stated peak brightness of 1,750 nits. Engadget’s review lists a 120Hz refresh rate and found the screen easy to read in different lighting. The reviewer did not see a dramatic effect from Samsung’s Vision Booster feature, so the headline brightness figure should not be taken to mean every viewing situation looks transformed.
#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
The large, curved screen is well suited to reading, viewing video and using the S Pen, but it also makes this a physically substantial phone. Consider the screen size and shape as part of the choice, not just as a specification.
What do the cameras do well—and where do they fall short?
The rear system is built around focal-length variety: a 108MP main camera, a 12MP ultrawide and two 10MP telephoto cameras, including a 10x optical lens according to Samsung’s launch announcement. That combination offers more framing options than a phone with only a main and ultrawide camera.
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.
Engadget found daylight photos competitive and portraits improved, while describing the overall hardware as similar to the S21 Ultra’s with software additions such as auto-framing, video stabilization, improved portrait depth mapping and Adaptive Pixel. These are the reviewer’s launch-era findings, not a guarantee that every scene or user will get the same results.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →In the reviewer’s low-light comparisons, high-resolution shots were often difficult to distinguish from default-resolution images. Space Zoom was most useful up to about 30x in those samples; many results beyond that looked muddy. The 10x optical lens is the more meaningful long-range capability, while the farthest digital zoom levels are better treated as occasional framing tools than dependable detail capture.
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.
How is performance and battery life?
Engadget’s reviewer found everyday performance fast and did not notice the tested unit becoming warm during the described use. The reviewed launch configuration used a Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, though exact configurations can vary by market.
Battery results were less impressive in that review. Engadget measured 17 hours and 16 minutes in its video rundown test for the S22 Ultra; its S21 Ultra comparison result in the same stated test was 21 hours and 42 minutes. The reviewer also said the S22 Ultra did not last a full 24 hours in general use. These are one publication’s 2022 test and usage observations, not predicted screen-on time or a promise about an individual phone. Used-device battery condition, settings, network coverage and workload can all affect real-world endurance.
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.
What are the key specifications?
| Feature | Launch-era information |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 120Hz reported by Engadget; Samsung stated peak brightness of 1,750 nits |
| Rear cameras | 108MP main, 12MP ultrawide, two 10MP telephoto cameras; Samsung lists a 10x optical lens |
| Stylus | Integrated S Pen stored inside the phone |
| Battery | 5,000mAh capacity per Samsung’s launch announcement |
| Wired charging | 45W support per Samsung’s launch announcement |
| Other launch configuration details | Engadget lists Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, IP68, Wi-Fi 6E and 15W wireless charging; RAM, storage and connectivity options depend on variant |
These are launch-era specifications, not a statement about the condition or exact configuration of a used listing. Check the model number, storage, market variant, carrier compatibility and battery condition before buying.
How long does Samsung promise software support?
In a February 9, 2022 announcement, Samsung said eligible S22-series devices would receive up to four generations of One UI and Android OS upgrades and up to five years of security updates. This was a launch-period policy commitment; it does not establish which update a particular region or carrier is delivering now. Check the update status for the exact device and market before relying on it for a purchase.
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.
Should you choose the S22 Ultra or S22+?
The S22 Ultra is the more compelling choice if you will use the built-in pen, want the larger curved display, or value its additional telephoto reach. The S22+ may be enough if you do not need those extras, as Engadget’s review also noted. The trade is not just features versus price: it is whether the Ultra’s size and stylus-centered design suit how you use a phone.
For a used purchase today, compare the actual asking price and condition rather than relying on launch-era positioning. Also weigh battery health, current software-update status, screen size, stylus use and how often you need optical zoom. Current prices and availability vary, and were not established by the launch-era review.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
