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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize overall camera quality and battery life and don't mind spending more, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the better option with higher quality in both areas. However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra still offers a good camera and satisfactory battery life at a lower price. Both phones have the same screen size and resolution, but the S22 Ultra's display is slightly brighter. The S21 Ultra and S22 Ultra both lack a 3.5mm headphone jack and have similar storage options, but the S22 Ultra comes with a newer processor which can offer better performance. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Good battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.8
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has very good overall camera quality, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands out with a selfie camera that is judged to be very good, complemented by strong performance in dynamic range, low light conditions, and camera versatility; it builds upon the capabilities of the Galaxy S21 Ultra, which also has a good selfie camera and performs well in the same categories but to a slightly lesser extent. While both phones offer robust photo and video experiences, if you prioritize the very best in selfie quality and overall camera performance, the S22 Ultra may justify its potentially higher price.
Photo Quality
7.8
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes very good photos, while the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers improved photo quality, with enhanced software processing features for a better experience over the S21 Ultra, and it also provides a higher quality of selfies which can be a deciding factor for selfie enthusiasts.
Battery
6.7 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 6.7 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has 7.8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
7.1
7.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra both have good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra offers excellent video stabilization, dynamic range, and software experience alongside robust low light performance and microphone quality, which ensures crisp, stable, and vivid videos even in challenging conditions. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra also delivers high-quality videos with good stabilization and low light capabilities, but it excels particularly due to its top-tier video resolution and frame rate, capturing highly detailed and smooth footage.
Screen Size
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a screen size of 6.8 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$423
$446
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has a price of $423 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs $446.
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How the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$423 | $446 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 3200 x 1440 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 515 | 500 | |
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 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.1/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 108 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.7 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 5000 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 8.01 oz | 8.04 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, 248 | |
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, Burgundy, 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 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | February 2023
"The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a bit of a “greatest hits” compilation of Samsung’s best ideas from former devices. Moreover, it packs much of the same productivity-enabling software as previous Note devices coupled with the power of the S Pen while keeping the total package reasonable in terms of cost. The phone has more features, more cameras, and more software to put to use than many competing phones. It’s a hardcore device that nearly has it all."
Get a great deal on the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
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.
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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.
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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.
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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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