Samsung Galaxy S22 vs S22 Plus vs S22 Ultra: Which One Should You Get?

Compare the Samsung Galaxy S22 models to see what each of them brings to the table

Curious about the Samsung Galaxy S22 line up? We’ve broken it down with our very own comparison guide. Check out which phone best fits your needs.

Specifications

Design

The S22 and S22 Plus models look similar to the S21 series, but are flatter around the edges. They're available in a matte finish and a range of colours, which we'll get to in a moment. All three models have a similar look with their narrow edges, glass backs and metal frames.

However, the cameras on the S22 Ultra are split and no longer housed in the same module as on the S21 Ultra predecessor. It also has a much boxier design that is known for being uncomfortable to hold. In this case, we'd recommend buying a proper phone case to increase comfort.

The S22 is lighter and more compact than its siblings at 5.93 oz compared to 6.91 oz for the S22 Plus and 8.07 oz for the S22 Ultra. The phones feature a rugged Armour aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ panels, so you can expect them to be as durable as you'd hope.

If you're wondering what colour options are available: The S22 and S22+ are available in black, white, pink, and phantom green, while the S22 Ultra is available in black, white, burgundy, and green. In addition to these colours, you can also opt for exclusive colours like cream, purple, sky blue, and graphite via the Samsung website itself.

All three models are waterproof and dust-proof and have an IP68 rating.

Display / Screen

When it comes to displays, Samsung always does a good job. The S22 series is no exception when it comes to display capabilities. The S22 has a peak brightness of 1300 nits, while the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra can reach up to 1750 nits, making it one of the brightest displays on the market.

The S22 has a 6.1-inch display, while the S22 Plus has a slightly larger 6.5-inch display. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has a larger 6.8-inch display and a more advanced camera setup with a quad rear camera and an S Pen built into the design. All devices feature AMOLED 2X technology, which ensures stunning colours and deep blacks. The S22 and S22 Plus have a full HD plus resolution, while the S22 Ultra has a Quad HD + resolution that delivers even sharper details.

All units support the maximum refresh rate of 120 hertz for smooth scrolling and transitions, making them the ideal choice if you like to game. Even more impressive is that the S22 Ultra can drop down to 1 Hertz when the phone is idle, saving battery life when needed.

Performance

All 3 phones share the same processor, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1.

The S22 and S22 Plus both have 8GB RAM and storage options of 128GB and 256GB.

The S22 Ultra, on the other hand, is available with 8 GB and 12 GB RAM and 128 GB of storage for the 8 GB model and 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB for the 12 GB model. We'd opt for the 12 GB option if you want good storage management in the long run.

In terms of everyday performance use, the S22 Ultra performs the best and offers solid performance. It ran multiple apps seamlessly, without the expected lags or lag. The phone ran YouTube/Netflix and multi-gigabyte games without issue.

As for battery life, the S22's battery has a smaller capacity of 3,700 mAh compared to its previous capacity of 4,000 mAh on the S21. The battery life averaged almost 8 hours, which is honestly not great, but also not a cause for concern if you aren't a frequent phone user or have a charger nearby most of the time.

The S22 Plus also has a 300 mAh lower battery capacity. Fortunately, the reduction in battery capacity doesn't significantly affect battery performance on both the S22 and S22 Plus, as the new models only last 10 minutes less than the previous S21 series models. Considering the prices of these phones, however, we'd have liked to see a more impressive battery life.

On the other hand, the S22 Ultra has a battery capacity of 5,000 mAh, which lasts over 14-15 hours. Both the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra support the fast charging feature, which is especially handy when travelling and using the phone heavily.

Camera specs / review

The S22 and S22 Plus both have the same cameras. That is, they have a 50 MP primary camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle, and a 10 MP telephoto camera. The S22 Ultra has a four-camera module on the back with an impressive 108-MP primary camera, two telephoto lenses, and an Ultrawide camera.

The S22 Ultra undoubtedly has the best camera features, not only in this range but also in the market, especially with its 10x optical zoom. All 3 phones have 8k video recording, 12MP Ultrawide f/2.2 lenses, an impressive portrait mode with AI stereo depth map, and the ability to control different camera aspects, making it hard to resist. There's also new pixel adaptive technology that allows the cameras to capture brighter and even more detailed images, as well as a new feature called Auto Framing that helps detect up to 10 subjects within 16 feet. We especially liked the fact that you can take photos in Expert RAW mode, which is perfect if you're looking for more flexibility when editing photos in-camera.

Price and availability

We’re happy to say that you can get phones from the Samsung Galaxy S22 series at more than affordable prices through Back Market. You can get the S22 starting at $583.10 (at time of writing), which is almost half the official retail price. The S22 Plus is also available from $588, while it costs $1,549 on the official website. The S22 Ultra costs $1,849, but is available from $747.52 on Back Market (at time of writing).

Back Market offers the phones in this line up cheaper than any other retailer because they're refurbished products. Although these products are second-hand, they work just as well as new ones without compromising on performance. Plus, when you choose used products, you're helping to reduce e-waste too! 

At Back Market, you have a hassle-free return policy of up to 30 days, so you don't have to worry if something is wrong with your device. All purchases come with a 1-year warranty, so we’ve got you covered!

Overall verdict

If we pit the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus vs. S22 Ultra, the S22 Ultra clearly wins. It's the best choice mainly because of the S Pen stylus and the camera with 10x optical zoom. The S Pen is perfect if you draw or take notes a lot in everyday life, while the 10x optical zoom is a great camera feature to have if you’re keen on photography. Since the price difference between the S22 Plus and the S22 Ultra isn't that big, it's worth paying the extra and buying the device.

As the middle child of the range, the S22 Plus is the right choice if you want the best of both the S22 and S22 Ultra. It's still a solid phone with a consistent user experience and is great if you don't want to spend the premium on the S22 Ultra. It still has a lot of features that are very likeable, such as a solid camera and a battery that supports fast charging at 45W.

However, if you don't need fancy features and want something more compact, we recommend the S22. It has the best grip and a lot of great features. Don't forget that it still has strong camera capabilities with its 3x optical zoom lens.

Overall, we think each phone will appeal to different audiences, but we'd recommend the S22 Ultra if it's within your budget!