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

The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, released in January 2021, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, launched in February 2022, are both premium Android smartphones from Samsung. While the S21 Ultra was the top-tier model of its generation, the S22 Plus sits a step below the Ultra model in its own series. They share the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, but differ in screen size, camera capabilities, and overall design philosophy, catering to slightly different user preferences. Both devices offer a robust Android experience, but key distinctions in their hardware and features aim to serve varying user priorities.

When considering the longevity of these devices, both offer robust software support, though the newer model has a slight advantage in its update timeline. Both phones feature premium glass and aluminum constructions, contributing to their physical resilience.

• Software Updates: The Galaxy S21 Ultra, released in early 2021, received major Android OS updates until Android 15 in May 2025 and security updates until January 2026, transitioning to a quarterly schedule in early 2025. The Galaxy S22 Plus, from early 2022, received OS updates until Android 16 in late 2025 and is expected to receive security updates until the first quarter of 2027, also moving to a quarterly schedule.
• Physical Durability: The S21 Ultra uses Gorilla Glass Victus on its front and back, while the S22 Plus upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus+ for slightly enhanced scratch and drop resistance. Both models also carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing similar protection against environmental elements.
• Practical Lifespan: Users can expect both devices to remain fully functional and capable for several years, with the S22 Plus having a marginally longer official software support window. The S21 Ultra's software support has largely concluded, while the S22 Plus still receives security patches.

Both smartphones deliver strong performance for daily tasks and demanding applications, though the S22 Plus benefits from a newer generation of internal components, offering incremental improvements in raw processing power and graphics performance. The amount of RAM available also differs between the two models, impacting multitasking capabilities.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S21 Ultra handles multitasking, app switching, and general navigation with fluidity, ensuring a smooth user experience for most applications and games. The Galaxy S22 Plus, equipped with a newer generation processor, offers slightly faster app loading and smoother transitions, particularly noticeable in more intensive scenarios.
• Demanding Applications and Gaming: While the S21 Ultra performs well, the S22 Plus shows improved thermal efficiency and sustained performance during extended gaming sessions or when running very demanding applications. However, some users have reported that the S22 Plus can still experience heating and lagging during prolonged heavy gaming.
• Storage and Multitasking: The S21 Ultra was available with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB of internal storage, providing ample space and robust multitasking capabilities. The S22 Plus typically comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, which is sufficient for most users but offers less headroom for extreme multitasking or very large media libraries compared to the S21 Ultra's higher-end configurations.

Both devices feature Samsung's Dynamic AMOLED 2X technology, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. However, there are notable differences in their size, resolution, and peak brightness that affect the overall viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Resolution: The Galaxy S21 Ultra boasts a larger 6.8-inch display with a higher QHD+ resolution (3200 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a very sharp and immersive viewing experience with a pixel density of 515 PPI. The S22 Plus has a slightly smaller 6.6-inch display with an FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels) and a pixel density of 393 PPI, which is still clear for everyday use but less sharp than the S21 Ultra.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both phones feature adaptive 120Hz refresh rates for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The S21 Ultra offers a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing good visibility outdoors. The S22 Plus surpasses this with a peak brightness of 1750 nits, offering even better visibility in bright sunlight.
• Screen Design: The S21 Ultra features a curved display, which contributes to a more expansive feel, while the S22 Plus has a flat display, which some users may prefer for ease of use and reduced accidental touches.

The camera systems on both the Galaxy S21 Ultra and S22 Plus are designed to capture high-quality images and videos, but they differ in their sensor configurations and zoom capabilities, catering to different photographic needs.

• Rear Camera System: The S21 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, providing extensive flexibility for various shooting scenarios. The S22 Plus comes with a triple-camera system, comprising a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S21 Ultra is highly praised for its camera capabilities, especially its zoom and overall image quality. The S22 Plus generally performs well in good lighting, but some users have noted that its camera can struggle with moving objects and in low-light conditions, sometimes producing less-than-ideal results.
• Video and Selfie Cameras: Both devices are capable of recording high-resolution video. The S21 Ultra features a high-resolution 40MP front-facing camera, suitable for detailed selfies and video calls. The S22 Plus has a 10MP front camera, which delivers clear images for everyday use.