Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G • Locked T-Mobile vs Galaxy Z Fold4 • Unlocked

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold4 benefit from Samsung's commitment to software support.

• Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Ultra was released in February 2022, making it slightly older than the Galaxy Z Fold4, which launched in August 2022.
• Software Longevity: Both models were promised four major Android OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is currently in its final year of security updates, receiving them quarterly as of February 2026, with support expected to end in 2027. The Galaxy Z Fold4, being newer, has a slightly longer runway for updates, with security patches continuing into 2027 and OS updates through Android 16.
• Repairability: The traditional design of the S22 Ultra generally offers a more straightforward repair process compared to the complex folding mechanism of the Z Fold4. While both devices feature durable materials, the Z Fold4's foldable display introduces unique considerations for long-term physical integrity.

Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold4 deliver robust performance suitable for demanding tasks, though the Z Fold4 benefits from a slightly newer generation of internal components.

• Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Ultra handles demanding applications and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for everyday use and gaming. Users report it performs well even with graphics-intensive games. The Galaxy Z Fold4, with its updated internal architecture, offers a marginal improvement in efficiency and raw processing capability, leading to slightly smoother operation and better thermal management during extended heavy use.
• Multitasking Capabilities: Both devices are well-equipped for multitasking with ample RAM. The S22 Ultra excels in running multiple apps side-by-side on its large display. The Z Fold4, however, leverages its expansive inner foldable screen to provide a more tablet-like multitasking environment, allowing for more comfortable use of three applications simultaneously or enhanced productivity with its unique Flex Mode.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a larger battery capacity, which typically provides a full day of use for most users, even with frequent camera use. The Galaxy Z Fold4, despite having a smaller battery, is noted by users to last a comfortable full day with regular usage, partly due to its more power-efficient processor and adaptive refresh rate displays.

The display experience on these two devices offers distinct advantages, catering to different preferences for screen size and form factor.

• Display Technology and Clarity: Both phones feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks, vibrant colors, and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a single 6.8-inch QHD+ display, providing a sharp and immersive viewing experience. The Galaxy Z Fold4 offers a dual-screen setup: a 6.2-inch cover display for quick interactions and a large 7.6-inch foldable inner display that opens up to a tablet-like canvas.
• Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer adaptive 120Hz refresh rates, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations while also conserving battery life by adjusting the refresh rate based on content. They also provide high brightness levels, making them comfortable to use outdoors even in bright conditions.
• Viewing Experience: The S22 Ultra's expansive, uninterrupted display is ideal for traditional smartphone use, media consumption, and productivity with its integrated S Pen. The Z Fold4's main display, while featuring a visible crease, offers a significantly larger area for immersive media viewing, detailed document work, and enhanced split-screen multitasking.

Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy Z Fold4 offer capable camera systems, but they are optimized for slightly different photographic strengths.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and an impressive 10x optical zoom. This allows for exceptional detail and flexibility in zooming. The Galaxy Z Fold4 upgrades its camera system over its predecessor, featuring a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom.
• Photography Performance: The S22 Ultra is praised for its detailed daylight shots, strong low-light performance, and its telephoto capabilities, with 30x digital zoom being usable for social media. The Z Fold4 also delivers vibrant and balanced images in good lighting, with improved low-light performance compared to previous Fold models.
• Video Recording and Front Cameras: Both phones are capable of high-quality video recording, including 8K on the S22 Ultra. The S22 Ultra has a high-resolution 40MP front camera. The Z Fold4 has a 10MP camera on its cover screen and a 4MP under-display camera on the main screen, which is primarily suited for video calls rather than high-quality selfies.

Beyond their core features, both devices offer a range of practical elements that contribute to their overall user experience.

• Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Z Fold4 support 5G connectivity for fast network speeds, along with modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6E) and Bluetooth 5.2. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional headphone jack.
• Sensors and Biometrics: For security and convenience, both phones feature reliable fingerprint sensors. The S22 Ultra also includes facial recognition. The S22 Ultra uniquely integrates an S Pen stylus directly into its body, offering precise input for notes and drawings. The Z Fold4 supports S Pen input on its main display, but the stylus is sold separately and does not have an integrated storage slot.
• Build Materials and Handling: The S22 Ultra features a premium glass and metal construction with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, and an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Z Fold4 uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its cover screen and back, with an Ultra Thin Glass main display, and an IPX8 rating for water resistance (but not dust resistance due to its folding design). The S22 Ultra is a substantial, traditional smartphone, while the Z Fold4 is heavier and thicker when folded, but offers a more compact footprint in that state.