Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T vs Galaxy S23 Ultra • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, launched in February 2023, represent different tiers and generations within Samsung's flagship smartphone offerings. While both run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, the S23 Ultra introduces a larger form factor, an integrated stylus, and notable advancements in camera technology and overall performance. These differences cater to distinct user preferences, from those seeking a more compact device to those prioritizing a comprehensive, feature-rich experience.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support are key factors. The Galaxy S22 5G was released in February 2022, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra followed in February 2023.

• OS Support Duration: The Galaxy S23 Ultra is expected to receive software support for approximately one year longer than the Galaxy S22 5G, offering extended access to new features and security enhancements. The S23 series was promised 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates, extending support until 2028. The S22 series also received 4 years of Android software updates and an additional year of security updates.
• Physical Durability: Both models feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, providing protection against immersion. The Galaxy S22 5G uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for both its front and back. The Galaxy S23 Ultra upgrades to Gorilla Glass Victus 2, offering enhanced resistance against drops and scratches.
• Repairability: The Galaxy S23 Ultra shows improvements in repairability, with features like battery pull tabs making certain components easier to replace compared to its predecessor. The S22 Ultra, for instance, received a repairability score of 3/10 from iFixit, indicating it can be challenging for DIY repairs.

The performance of the Galaxy S22 5G and Galaxy S23 Ultra varies, particularly in how they handle demanding applications and manage power consumption throughout the day.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a more efficient and powerful processor, resulting in smoother app loading, more fluid multitasking, and improved overall system responsiveness. This translates to a snappier user experience, especially when switching between numerous applications or running intensive tasks. The S22 5G, while capable, may exhibit slight delays in certain situations compared to the S23 Ultra.
• Battery Endurance: The Galaxy S23 Ultra demonstrates significantly better real-world battery life, often lasting through a full day of heavy use and sometimes extending to 1.5 days with average usage. This is attributed to its more efficient processor. The Galaxy S22 5G, with its 3700 mAh battery, generally requires more frequent charging for heavy users and has been noted by some users to cause battery anxiety.
• Storage and Multitasking: Both models offer various storage options. The Galaxy S23 Ultra utilizes faster UFS 4.0 storage technology for quicker data access and app loading in its 256GB and larger variants, while the 128GB version uses UFS 3.1. The Galaxy S22 5G uses UFS 3.1 storage. Both devices typically come with 8GB of RAM, with the S23 Ultra also offering a 12GB RAM option for higher storage configurations.

Both devices feature high-quality displays, but there are differences in size, resolution, and peak brightness that impact the viewing experience.

• Display Technology and Size: Both the Galaxy S22 5G and S23 Ultra utilize Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 5G has a 6.1-inch display, offering a compact form factor. The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a larger 6.8-inch display, providing more screen real estate.
• Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 5G offers a 2340 x 1080 pixel resolution. The Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a higher 3088 x 1440 pixel resolution, resulting in a sharper image, especially noticeable on its larger screen.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 5G can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits. The Galaxy S23 Ultra offers a peak brightness of 1750 nits, which can improve visibility in bright outdoor conditions. Both devices feature an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.

The camera systems on the Galaxy S22 5G and Galaxy S23 Ultra offer distinct capabilities, with the S23 Ultra introducing significant upgrades.

• Main Camera System: The Galaxy S22 5G features a triple camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultrawide lens. The Galaxy S23 Ultra significantly upgrades its main sensor to 200 MP, alongside a 12 MP ultrawide, a 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and another 10 MP telephoto with 10x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S23 Ultra's 200MP sensor, combined with an improved processor, enhances low-light photography, producing more natural skin tones and better detail compared to the S22 series. Its zoom capabilities are also more extensive, offering up to 100x digital zoom. While the S22 5G offers good camera performance, the S23 Ultra generally captures more detail and better color, especially in challenging lighting.
• Video and Selfie Cameras: Both devices can record 8K video, with the S23 Ultra supporting 8K at 30 frames per second, an improvement over the S22's 8K at 24fps. The Galaxy S22 5G has a 10 MP selfie camera. The S23 Ultra features a 12 MP selfie camera with improved low-light performance and better portrait features.