Samsung’s latest flagship, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, is a bold statement, bringing together the best of the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note series into one powerful device. With its S Pen stylus integration, pro-grade camera system, and powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, the S22 Ultra aims to be the ultimate Android flagship. But does it deliver on its promise? This in-depth review explores the S22 Ultra’s design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life to help you decide if it’s worth its premium price tag.
A Familiar Yet Refined Design
While the Galaxy S22 and S22+ largely adhere to the design philosophy introduced with the S21 series, the S22 Ultra takes a different path, drawing heavily from the Galaxy Note 20 series. The S22 Ultra boasts a familiar silhouette, with a large display that curves sharply into the curved metal frame, giving it a distinctive look. Despite its size, the S22 Ultra is surprisingly comfortable to hold, with the curves helping to mask its width when gripped.
The S22 Ultra’s sleek design is further enhanced by the inclusion of a dedicated silo for the S Pen, a first for a Galaxy S series smartphone. This seamless integration, despite taking up space, allows Samsung to also pack in a 5,000mAh battery, similar in capacity to the Galaxy S21 Ultra. While the S22 Ultra supports 45W fast charging, you’ll need to purchase a charger separately. The phone weighs in at a hefty 229g, but Samsung has managed to balance the weight well. Both the S22 Ultra and S Pen are IP68 rated for dust and water resistance, offering peace of mind.
A Display Made for Content Consumption
The S22 Ultra features a stunning 6.8-inch quad-HD+ display that is HDR10+ certified and boasts a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, scaling down to 1Hz for optimal power efficiency. The display is a visual feast, delivering deep blacks and vibrant colors, thanks to its 1750nits peak brightness, making it readable even under direct sunlight. Complementing the impressive display are the stereo speakers, further enhancing the overall multimedia experience.
Camera System Reinvented
The S22 Ultra‘s camera system is a testament to Samsung’s commitment to photographic excellence. It features a quad-camera setup with five distinct circles protruding from the back panel, one of which houses the laser autofocus hardware. The system comprises a 108-megapixel primary camera with PDAF, a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle camera with a 120-degree field of view, a 10-megapixel telephoto camera capable of 10x optical zoom, and another 10-megapixel telephoto camera that delivers 3x optical zoom. On the front, a 40-megapixel selfie camera captures detailed and vibrant self portraits.
Samsung claims to have significantly improved low-light camera performance by using larger sensors in the S22 Ultra, introducing its "Nightography" technology. This promises to revolutionize nighttime photography, allowing users to capture stunning images even in low-light conditions. While the initial impressions are promising, a thorough evaluation of the S22 Ultra’s camera performance will be provided in the full review.
Power and Performance at Its Peak
While India has been accustomed to Exynos-powered Samsung flagships, the Galaxy S22 series marks a shift, with Samsung opting for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. This currently stands as Qualcomm’s most powerful processor, delivering exceptional performance. The S22 Ultra is further equipped with 12GB of RAM and a choice of 256GB or 512GB of storage, catering to users with different storage needs.
The S22 Ultra’s performance in benchmark tests should be impressive, thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC. However, it remains to be seen if the phone will be able to manage thermals effectively under intense workloads, as seen in other devices using the same processor. The full review will delve deeper into the S22 Ultra’s performance, providing insights into its real-world usage experience.
Software: OneUI 4.1 Optimized for Android 12
The S22 Ultra runs OneUI 4.1, a streamlined and intuitive interface built upon Android 12. Samsung has made a strong commitment to software updates, providing four years of OS upgrades and five years of security updates, ensuring a longer lifespan for the device. The S22 Ultra’s user interface feels familiar to long-time Samsung users, offering a seamless experience.
A Flagship Price Tag, but with Value
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is available in three elegant colors: Phantom White, Phantom Black, and Burgundy. The base variant with 256GB of storage is priced at Rs. 1,09,999, while the 512GB variant costs Rs. 1,18,999. Pre-booking offers can significantly reduce the price, making it more attainable. Additionally, Samsung is offering a heavily discounted Galaxy Watch 4 with pre-orders, further sweetening the deal.
Final Thoughts: A Promise of Innovation
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is a compelling proposition for those seeking the best of the best in the Android flagship space. Its sleek design, stunning display, powerful performance, pro-grade camera system, and seamless integration of the S Pen make it a top contender for the top spot. While the price is undeniably high, the S22 Ultra offers a compelling value proposition, especially with pre-booking offers. Its extensive software support further adds to its long-term appeal.
The full review of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, deeper into its performance, camera capabilities, and battery life, is coming soon. Make sure to stay tuned to find out if it lives up to its promise of being the ultimate Android flagship.
