Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a powerhouse of a smartphone that checks all the boxes for fans of the now-discontinued Galaxy Note series. With its cutting-edge AMOLED display, top-notch chipset, and killer cameras, this device is sure to impress even the most discerning users. One of the standout features of the S22 Ultra is its stunning display, which offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and a high refresh rate for a seamless viewing experience. The phone's performance is also lightning-fast, making it perfect for heavy users who demand speed and efficiency. The camera system on the S22 Ultra is another major highlight, with a quad-camera setup that includes a 108MP primary sensor, a 40MP front camera, and support for 8K video recording. The phone's cameras deliver impressive results in various lighting conditions, from bright sunlight to low-light environments. In terms of usability, the S22 Ultra features a large 6.8-inch screen, making it ideal for those who want a device that can double as a mini tablet. The phone also supports S-Pen stylus, which offers precise and responsive input experience, making it perfect for artists, writers, and students. The battery life on the S22 Ultra is also noteworthy, with Samsung claiming up to 12 hours of video playback on a single charge. Additionally, the phone's fast charging capabilities ensure that you can top up your juice in no time. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a premium smartphone experience that combines the best features of the Note series with the latest innovations from Samsung. With its stunning display, powerful performance, and impressive cameras, this phone is sure to please even the most discerning users.
Build Quality and Design
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a true flagship device that sets the bar high for other smartphones. From its premium build quality to its sleek design, this phone exudes an air of sophistication and luxury. The moment you hold it in your hands, you can feel the attention to detail that has gone into crafting this device. The first thing that catches your eye is the stunning AMOLED display, which is not only breathtakingly beautiful but also incredibly vibrant and crisp. The color accuracy is spot on, making for an immersive viewing experience whether you're watching videos or browsing through photos. But it's not just about the screen - the entire build quality of the phone is top-notch. The metal frame feels solid and sturdy in your hand, while the glass back adds a touch of elegance and sophistication. The weight distribution is perfect, making the phone feel comfortable to hold for extended periods. The design itself is a masterclass in minimalism. Samsung has avoided cluttering the device with unnecessary features or embellishments, instead opting for clean lines and a seamless user experience. The S22 Ultra's curves and edges are precision-cut, giving it a premium feel that's hard to find in other smartphones. Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a testament to what can be achieved when design and engineering come together in perfect harmony. Whether you're a seasoned tech enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates great craftsmanship, this phone is sure to impress.
Battery Life
One aspect that didn't quite live up to expectations was the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Despite its large 5000mAh capacity, the device's power efficiency wasn't as impressive as I had hoped. In moderate use, with a mix of social media browsing, email checking, and some light gaming, the S22 Ultra easily lasted a full day without needing to be recharged. However, when put through more demanding tasks like intense gaming or video streaming, the battery life began to suffer. On average, I found that the device would drain around 10-15% per hour of heavy usage, which isn't too shabby considering the power-hungry nature of these activities. Nevertheless, it's still a bit disconcerting to see such a large battery being used up so quickly. Charging times were decent, with the S22 Ultra taking around 1.5-2 hours to reach 80% capacity using the included fast charger. This is certainly faster than some other flagships on the market, but it's still not as swift as I would have liked. Overall, while the battery life of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was satisfactory in most scenarios, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. With more aggressive use, the device may require recharging mid-day, which is something to consider if you plan on using your phone extensively throughout the day. A decent, but not exceptional battery life experience, which might be a concern for some users who rely heavily on their smartphones.
Display
The Galaxy S22 Ultra's display is a true marvel, boasting some of the best visuals I've ever seen on a smartphone. This cutting-edge AMOLED screen is a treat to behold, delivering vibrant colors and crisp details that will leave you mesmerized. One of the standout features of this display is its ability to produce incredible contrast ratios, making it perfect for watching movies or browsing through your favorite photos. The blacks are truly black, while the whites are as white as can be, creating a stunning visual experience that's hard to put into words. But what really sets the S22 Ultra's display apart is its remarkable brightness and color accuracy. Whether you're using it indoors or outdoors, this phone's screen is always easy on the eyes, even in direct sunlight. And with its support for HDR10+, you can enjoy a wider range of colors and contrasts that will make your movies and TV shows look like they were made specifically for this device. In addition to its impressive specs, the S22 Ultra's display is also incredibly responsive, making it perfect for gamers or anyone who loves to use their phone as a portable gaming console. Whether you're playing games, watching videos, or simply browsing through your favorite apps, this phone's screen will keep up with your every move. Overall, the Galaxy S22 Ultra's display is an absolute must-have for anyone looking for a top-notch smartphone experience. It's a true visual masterpiece that will leave you wanting more.
Camera
The camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of its standout features. The phone boasts a quad-camera setup with a 108MP primary sensor, a 12MP front camera, and two telephoto lenses. While the cameras are capable of producing excellent images, they do have some limitations. In good lighting conditions, the primary sensor takes stunning photos with excellent detail, accurate colors, and impressive dynamic range. The pictures are sharp, well-exposed, and have minimal noise. However, when shooting in auto mode in low light, the camera automatically applies night mode processing, which can result in impressive images with a high level of detail and well-preserved colors. The dedicated night mode takes this processing even further, brightening up the image and reducing noise. While the effect on dynamic range is minimal, the overall look of the image is improved. The ultrawide camera also benefits from night mode processing, producing good-quality images with wide dynamic range and lively colors. However, when shooting at longer focal lengths (3x or 10x), the cameras struggle to produce sharp images in low light. The auto night mode applied can result in soft images, but toggling the dedicated night mode makes a significant difference, improving sharpness, noise levels, and detail in the shadows. The selfie camera on the S22 Ultra is a 40MP front-facing sensor that takes excellent photos with plenty of detail, accurate colors, and wide dynamic range. The autofocus feature ensures that selfies are always sharp. In terms of video recording, the primary camera can capture up to 4K at 60fps, as well as 8K at 24fps. While 8K footage looks good on paper, it's not significantly better than 4K footage in terms of detail. The ultrawide and telephoto cameras also offer 4K video recording capabilities. One notable feature is the availability of electronic stabilization (EIS) on all camera resolutions, although it can be a bit overaggressive when panning. A Super Steady mode smooths out footage further but is only available in 1080p resolution. While there are some limitations to the camera system on the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, particularly at longer focal lengths and in low light conditions, the phone's cameras are still capable of producing excellent images and video. With a bit more fine-tuning and adjustment of settings, users can get the most out of this impressive camera system.
Price and Value
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is an exceptional device that offers top-notch features, including a cutting-edge AMOLED display, powerful chipset, and impressive cameras. However, one crucial aspect to consider when evaluating this phone is its price and value. The Galaxy S22 Ultra's high-end specifications and premium design come at a cost, with prices starting at around $1,199 for the base model. While this may seem steep to some, it's essential to consider what you get in return. The phone's display, for instance, is one of its standout features, offering vibrant colors and crisp visuals that rival those found on more expensive TVs. When comparing the S22 Ultra to other high-end smartphones, it becomes clear that Samsung has indeed created a device that justifies its premium price tag. The camera system, in particular, is one of the best on any phone, with capabilities that can take stunning photos and videos even in low-light conditions. Furthermore, the S22 Ultra's design and build quality are exceptional, making it feel like a true flagship device. While some may argue that the phone's price is too high for its incremental improvements over previous models, I'd counter that this device represents a significant step forward in terms of technology and innovation. Ultimately, whether or not the Galaxy S22 Ultra offers good value depends on your individual needs and budget. If you're looking for the best smartphone experience money can buy, with top-of-the-line features and exceptional performance, then this phone is well worth considering. Just be aware that it comes with a price tag to match its impressive specifications. In terms of overall value, I'd give the S22 Ultra 4 out of 5 stars. While it may seem expensive at first glance, its superior camera system, stunning display, and exceptional build quality make it a worthwhile investment for those who want the best smartphone experience available today.
Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a powerhouse of a smartphone, boasting impressive performance capabilities that make it a joy to use. At its core, the device is powered by a top-notch chipset that delivers lightning-fast speeds and seamless multitasking. Whether you're running demanding apps, editing high-resolution photos, or simply browsing the web, the S22 Ultra handles everything with ease. One of the standout features of this phone is its ability to provide an exceptional gaming experience. With rapid processor performance and a smooth display, games run without lag or stutter, making it perfect for gamers on-the-go. In addition to its impressive processing capabilities, the S22 Ultra also boasts ample storage options, ensuring that you have plenty of space to store your files, photos, and apps. The phone's performance is further enhanced by its advanced cooling system, which keeps the device running smoothly even during prolonged use. This ensures that the S22 Ultra stays cool and quiet, even when pushed to its limits. In everyday usage, the phone feels incredibly responsive, with snappy app launches and smooth transitions between tasks. Whether you're a heavy user or just looking for a reliable device, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra delivers on performance. Overall, the S22 Ultra's performance is one of its strongest selling points. With its powerful chipset, efficient cooling system, and seamless multitasking capabilities, this phone is perfect for anyone looking for a high-performance device that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
Pros
1. Cutting-edge AMOLED display
2. Top-notch chipset
3. Killer camera setup
4. Superb selfie cam
5. 4K and 8K video recording capabilities
6. Extra-responsive and dockable stylus
7. Premium design and build quality
8. Latest software support
Cons
1. Soft 8K video footage
2. Underexposed nighttime videos with ultrawide cam
3. Soft telephoto camera clips at night
4. Trade-off between dynamic range and detail in some camera modes