Galaxy S21 5G • Unlocked vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, launched in February 2022, represent different generations within Samsung's flagship smartphone series. While both offer a premium Android experience, the S22 Ultra introduces a more advanced camera system, a larger display, and integrates the S Pen, distinguishing it as a successor with enhanced capabilities. Both devices run on the Android operating system, offering a consistent software experience with Samsung's One UI overlay.

Evaluating the practical lifespan of these devices involves considering their release timelines and ongoing software support.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy S21 5G, released in January 2021, launched with Android 11 and is eligible for four generations of Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its software support until approximately early 2026 for OS and early 2027 for security. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, released in February 2022 with Android 12, benefits from Samsung's updated policy, receiving four OS updates (up to Android 16) and five years of security updates, pushing its support timeline further into 2027 for OS and 2028 for security.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in up to 1.5 meters of fresh water for 30 minutes. The S21 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the front and a plastic back, while the S22 Ultra 5G upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S21 5G generally receives a moderate repairability score, with some sources indicating it is relatively easy to disassemble, though the battery can be challenging to remove. The S22 Ultra 5G, with its more complex design and integrated S Pen, tends to be more challenging to repair, often receiving lower scores due to extensive use of adhesive and intricate component placement.

Performance differences between the Galaxy S21 5G and S22 Ultra 5G are notable, reflecting the generational leap in hardware and optimization.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S21 5G is equipped with a processor that delivers strong performance for everyday tasks, smooth app navigation, and capable handling of demanding applications and mobile gaming. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a newer generation processor, providing a noticeable boost in overall speed and efficiency. This translates to faster app loading times, more seamless multitasking, and enhanced performance in graphically intensive games and professional-grade applications.
• Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices offer ample RAM for efficient multitasking. The S21 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users. The S22 Ultra 5G often includes 8GB or 12GB of RAM, with some configurations offering up to 12GB, providing additional headroom for power users who frequently switch between many applications or engage in heavy productivity tasks.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S21 5G houses a 4000 mAh battery, generally providing a full day of moderate use. The S22 Ultra 5G is equipped with a larger 5000 mAh battery, which, combined with a more efficient processor and adaptive display technology, aims to deliver extended usage times, often lasting beyond a full day for many users.

The display experience on both devices is premium, though the S22 Ultra 5G offers several enhancements.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both smartphones feature a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The S21 5G has a 6.2-inch Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) display, offering sharp visuals for everyday content consumption. The S22 Ultra 5G boasts a larger 6.8-inch Quad HD+ (3088 x 1440 pixels) display, providing a higher pixel density and greater detail, particularly noticeable when viewing high-resolution media or detailed documents.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S21 5G reaches a peak brightness of 1300 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions. The S22 Ultra 5G significantly increases this to a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it exceptionally bright and easy to view even in direct sunlight.
• Design and Viewing Experience: The S21 5G features a flat display, while the S22 Ultra 5G incorporates a curved edge display, contributing to a more immersive viewing experience and a sleeker aesthetic. The larger screen size of the S22 Ultra 5G also provides more screen real estate for productivity and media consumption.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S21 5G and S22 Ultra 5G are capable, with the S22 Ultra 5G offering a more versatile and advanced setup.

• Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S21 5G features a triple-camera setup with a 12MP wide-angle, 12MP ultrawide, and a 64MP telephoto lens capable of 3x hybrid optical zoom. This configuration delivers strong performance in various scenarios, including detailed everyday photos and decent zoom capabilities. The S22 Ultra 5G significantly upgrades to a quad-camera system, including a 108MP main wide-angle sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, respectively, with up to 100x digital 'Space Zoom'. This provides greater flexibility and detail, especially at longer zoom ranges.
• Photography and Video Quality: Both devices excel in capturing high-quality photos and videos. The S21 5G offers 8K video recording at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps. The S22 Ultra 5G enhances low-light photography with its larger main sensor and improved processing, resulting in clearer and more vibrant images in challenging conditions. Its video capabilities also include 8K at 24fps and 4K at 30/60fps, with advanced stabilization features.
• Front Camera and Audio: The S21 5G has a 10MP front camera for clear selfies and video calls. The S22 Ultra 5G features a higher-resolution 40MP front camera, providing more detail for selfies and improved quality for video conferencing. Both phones offer stereo speakers for an immersive audio experience during media consumption and clear microphone quality for calls and recordings.