Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review: Is It Still Worth It in 2024?

 Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review: Is It Still Worth It in 2024?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, launched in early 2022, made waves as the pinnacle of Samsung’s Galaxy series. Known for its top-notch specifications, enhanced camera capabilities, and powerful hardware, this flagship phone aimed to combine the best of both Galaxy S and Note series. But with the rapid release of newer smartphones and technology advancements, the big question is: Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra still worth it in 2024?

Let’s dive deep into the features, pros, cons, and reasons why the S22 Ultra may or may not still be a solid investment today.

Design and Build Quality: Premium with a Note Influence

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra boasts a sleek and premium design, reminiscent of the Galaxy Note series, thanks to its boxy edges and built-in S Pen. For users who loved the Galaxy Note lineup, the S22 Ultra is a perfect continuation, merging the best of Samsung's two flagship families.

The phone comes with a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), along with an aluminum frame. The curved display and minimalist design give it an ultra-premium feel. Its large 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen is protected with one of the toughest glass in the market, ensuring it holds up well over time, even against occasional drops or scratches.

Even in 2024, the design remains relevant and eye-catching. The in-hand feel is comfortable for a large phone, although the size may still be a challenge for one-handed use. However, for media consumption and productivity, it offers a fantastic experience.

Verdict: The design has aged gracefully, maintaining its premium feel. If you’re after a well-built, durable, and stylish phone, the S22 Ultra still shines.

Display: One of the Best in the Market

Samsung is known for its industry-leading displays, and the Galaxy S22 Ultra is no exception. The phone features a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The screen resolution stands at 1440 x 3088 pixels, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and crisp details. HDR10+ support enhances video playback quality, especially for streaming high-definition content on platforms like Netflix and YouTube.

Even compared to more recent releases, the S22 Ultra’s display holds its own, offering a peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it excellent for outdoor visibility, even under direct sunlight.

In terms of display quality, the Galaxy S22 Ultra can easily compete with many flagship phones in 2024. If you're into gaming, watching movies, or editing photos, this screen will not disappoint.

Verdict: The display remains one of the best on the market, making the S22 Ultra a fantastic choice for media enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Performance: Still a Powerhouse

Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with either the Exynos 2200 (in some regions) or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset, depending on the market. Both processors were top-of-the-line at the time of the phone's release. Paired with up to 12GB of RAM and storage options ranging from 128GB to 1TB, the S22 Ultra still handles multitasking, gaming, and intensive applications with ease in 2024.

Even though newer phones now sport more advanced chipsets like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, the performance difference for most daily tasks is barely noticeable. The S22 Ultra continues to excel at running demanding apps, 4K video recording, and high-end gaming, without significant slowdowns or overheating issues.

However, for tech enthusiasts who want to stay at the bleeding edge of performance, newer models with enhanced AI processing and more efficient chips might have a slight edge. But for the average user, the difference is hardly noticeable, and the S22 Ultra still performs like a champ.

Verdict: Despite being a two-year-old device, the S22 Ultra delivers top-notch performance, more than enough for most users in 2024.

Camera: A Photography Beast

One of the most significant selling points of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is its quad-camera setup:

• 108MP main sensor
• 10MP periscope telephoto (10x optical zoom)
• 10MP telephoto (3x optical zoom)
• 12MP ultrawide sensor

Even in 2024, these specs are incredibly impressive. The S22 Ultra delivers sharp, vibrant, and detailed photos across various lighting conditions. The advanced AI and image processing work together to provide superior image quality, especially in low-light settings. The Night Mode offers excellent clarity in dark environments, and the 10x optical zoom remains a standout feature, rivaling even the latest flagships.

For video enthusiasts, the phone can record in 8K at 24fps or 4K at 60fps, with excellent stabilization and vibrant colors. Whether you're capturing scenic landscapes or zooming in on distant objects, the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera is hard to beat, even in 2024.

However, with the rise of phones that specialize in AI-enhanced photography, some newer devices may offer marginally better computational photography. Still, the S22 Ultra’s versatile and powerful camera setup makes it a solid choice for both casual users and photography enthusiasts.

Verdict: The camera system is still world-class, and the 10x optical zoom remains a highlight. If photography is your priority, the S22 Ultra is worth considering.

S Pen: Productivity Powerhouse

One of the defining features of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is its integrated S Pen, making it the first S-series device to feature this. The S Pen adds another layer of functionality, allowing for note-taking, drawing, document signing, and advanced productivity tasks.

In 2024, the S Pen still provides a unique selling point that many other flagships lack. For business users, artists, or anyone who values the precision of stylus input, the S22 Ultra’s S Pen functionality continues to be a major draw.

Verdict: The S Pen elevates the phone's productivity potential and remains a valuable feature for many users.

Battery Life: Solid, But Not Revolutionary

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is equipped with a 5000mAh battery, which offers a full day's use for most users. With moderate to heavy usage, such as gaming, video streaming, and camera usage, the phone should comfortably last through a full workday, though you may need a quick top-up by the evening.

In 2024, the 45W fast charging and wireless charging options are still competitive, though newer devices might offer faster charging speeds. While the S22 Ultra’s battery life is solid, it’s not groundbreaking by today’s standards, especially with some newer phones boasting even larger battery capacities and more power-efficient processors.

Verdict: The battery life is reliable, but not exceptional compared to 2024 standards. Still, it should meet the needs of most users.

Software: Samsung's One UI and Updates

The Galaxy S22 Ultra shipped with One UI 4 based on Android 12, but by 2024, it is running One UI 6 on Android 14. Samsung’s commitment to providing long-term software updates means the S22 Ultra will continue receiving updates for at least another year or two, ensuring that it remains secure and up to date with the latest features.

Samsung's One UI remains one of the most user-friendly Android skins, offering a smooth and customizable experience. Features like DeX mode, enhanced multitasking, and advanced camera software are still highly relevant in 2024.

Verdict: With ongoing software updates and improvements, the Galaxy S22 Ultra remains a great device in terms of long-term support.

Price and Competition in 2024

When it was first launched, the Galaxy S22 Ultra was one of the most expensive smartphones on the market. However, as newer models like the Galaxy S23 Ultra and other competitors have entered the scene, the price of the S22 Ultra has dropped considerably, making it a more attractive option for those seeking a premium flagship experience without paying the latest flagship price.

Verdict: Given its drop in price and continued strong performance, the S22 Ultra is an excellent value in 2024, especially if you can find it at a discount.

Conclusion: Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Still Worth It?

In 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra remains a formidable device. Its premium design, stunning display, powerful performance, and versatile camera setup ensure it competes with the latest flagship phones. The addition of the S Pen makes it stand out for productivity-minded users, while its price drop since launch offers significant value.

While newer models offer incremental improvements in areas like performance and AI photography, for most users, these changes aren’t dramatic enough to make the S22 Ultra obsolete. If you’re looking for a premium smartphone that still performs exceptionally well in almost all areas, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is definitely worth considering in 2024.