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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If a top-tier camera and larger screen are priorities, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is superior, offering more megapixels in the main and telephoto lenses, a higher resolution screen, and slightly better overall camera quality. It also has a longer battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22, while generally less expensive, has a smaller screen and lower camera specifications. However, it's lighter, which might be a benefit if you prefer more compact phones. The S22 has a newer processor, potentially offering smoother performance. Both operate on Android and support 5G, wireless charging, and have no headphone jack. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
- The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S22.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22
- The Samsung Galaxy S22 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra.
Key differences
Battery
6.7 Hours
5.3 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has 5.3 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$423
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 costs $699.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S22 both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 boasts a very good camera system with a significant improvement in the selfie quality over the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and it also provides an enhanced photos software experience that contributes to better resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance. While both phones offer versatile camera features, if selfies and overall photo experience matter to you, the newer S22 might be the better choice despite the S21 Ultra's strong camera versatility and established capability in photography and videography.
Photo Quality
7.8
7.6
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S22 both have good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 takes very good selfies due to a higher selfie score, compared to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra's good selfie performance. The overall improvement in photos taken by the S22 also results from refinements in other aspects like photo resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to its better camera performance.
Video Quality
7.1
7.2
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra offers excellent video dynamic range and low light performance which results in high-quality videos even in challenging conditions, along with effective stabilization and good microphone quality for clear audio capture. The Samsung Galaxy S22, while slightly lower in dynamic range and low light performance, also provides good stabilization, microphone quality, and a very good video software experience, which makes for smooth and user-friendly video recording.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S22 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | Samsung | |
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | January 29, 2021 | February 25, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.8" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 425 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | SD888 | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 5.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 3700 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 15 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (4.5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 6.5" x 2.98" | 5.75" x 2.78" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 oz | 5.89 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)2, 5, 25, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | No | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Phantom Black, Phantom Silver, Phantom Navy, Phantom Titanium | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Bora Purple, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | No | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
David Imel | January 2023
"The Galaxy S21 Ultra is a killer combo of great design, blazing-fast performance, a wonderful display, long-lasting battery life, and one of the most versatile camera systems you can get in a smartphone today."
Samsung Galaxy S22
See more
Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 is just what smaller hands ordered, so if you find most modern mobiles too big, this is a great alternative. The Samsung’s chipset will give you loads of power for gaming, video editing or anything else that needs lots of juice."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S22
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
151,800
Recommendations made
86,020
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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