Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra SM-S908UGRP 5G Unlocked Cell Phone 6.8" Graphite 256GB
A 6.8” Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and 108MP quad-camera with 3x/10x optical zoom define the Galaxy S22 Ultra, powered by a 2.99GHz octa-core chip and 5000mAh battery. The 12GB RAM and 8K video recording support heavy multitasking, though its 228g build is less rugged than rivals. Best for users who want a large-screen phone with versatile zoom for casual photography and video capture, not for extreme durability.
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The S22 Ultra is a glorified Galaxy Note with a camera that can see into next week. Buy it for the S Pen and the zoom, not for speed or battery life.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The S Pen is tucked inside the phone. No case needed, no charging required for basic use. 96th
- 10x optical zoom is still a party trick that rivals can't match. 82nd
- The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen is big, bright, and beautiful for media. 66th
- 5000mAh battery easily gets through a full day of mixed use.
Cons
- It's a heavy, boxy brick at 228g. You'll feel it in your pocket.
- Charging speeds are slow compared to OnePlus and Xiaomi.
- The chip runs hot under load and battery life takes a hit during gaming.
- Software updates won't last as long as a Pixel or newer Galaxy.
The proof
Performance
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 and 12GB of RAM keep things moving, but it's not the speed demon it once was. In our database, it lands in the 44th percentile for performance, which is solidly middle of the pack now. Apps open fast, and multitasking is smooth, but you'll feel a bit of warmth during extended gaming sessions. What surprised us is how well the camera holds up. That 108MP main sensor and the dual telephoto lenses put it in the 96th percentile for camera quality, which is best-in-class territory even against 2025 flagships. The 10x optical zoom shots are still shockingly crisp.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Display
| Screen Size | 6.8" |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED |
| Resolution | 3088 x 1440 |
Performance
| Processor | Octa-core |
| Processor Model | Octa-core |
| CPU Cores | 8 |
| CPU Speed | 2.99 |
| RAM | 12 MB |
| Storage | 256 GB |
Camera
| Main Camera | 108 |
| Camera Count | 4 |
| Ultrawide | 12 |
| Telephoto | 10 |
| Front Camera | 40 |
| Optical Zoom | 3x and 10x |
| Video | 8K@24fps |
Battery & Charging
| Battery | 5000 Wh |
| Connector | USB-C |
Connectivity
| 5G | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 |
Design & Build
| Form Factor | bar |
| Weight | 0.2 kg / 0.5 lbs |
| Fingerprint | Yes |
| Face Recognition | No |
| OS | Android |
| Headphone Jack | No |
vs Competition
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the smarter buy for most people. It takes more consistent photos, has a cleaner Android experience, and gets seven years of updates. The S22 Ultra only wins if you need that S Pen or the 10x zoom. The OnePlus 13 is the performance champ here with a newer chip and insanely fast charging, making the Samsung feel dated. And the iPhone 16 Pro Max is the video king with better battery life, but you're locked into iOS. The S22 Ultra's only real superpower is being a productivity and zoom photography beast in a world that's moved on.
| Spec | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra SM-S908UGRP 5G Unlocked Cell Phone 6.8" | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | Motorola Razr ultra 2025 | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | OnePlus 13 13 | Xiaomi 14 Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.8 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 6.9 | 6.8 | 6.7 |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED | LTPO OLED | OLED | Super Retina XDR | Super Retina XDR | LTPO AMOLED |
| Refresh Rate | - | 120 | 165 | 120 | 120 | 120 |
| Processor | Octa-core | Google Tensor G4 | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM (GB) | 12 | 16 | 16 | 8 | 16 | 16 |
| Storage (GB) | 256 | 128 | 512 | 256 | 512 | 512 |
| Rear Camera Mp | 108 | 50 | 50 | 48 | 50 | 50 |
| Front Camera Mp | 40 | 42 | 50 | 12 | 32 | 32 |
| Battery Capacity Mah | 5000 | 5060 | 4700 | 4685 | 6000 | 5000 |
| Charging Wattage | - | 37 | 68 | 30 | 80 | 90 |
| Wireless Charging | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Five (g) | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Water Resistance | - | IP68 | IP48 | IP68 | IP68 | IP68 |
| Operating System | Android | Android | Android | iOS | Android | Android |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Build | Camera | Battery | Display | Feature | Performance | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra SM-S908UGRP 5G Unlocked Cell Phone 6.8" | 41 | 96.2 | 65.9 | 56 | 26.8 | 44.3 | 81.9 | 52.2 |
| Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Compare | 79.7 | 94.6 | 93.5 | 99.5 | 73.8 | 89.3 | 96.4 | 97.6 |
| Motorola Razr ultra 2025 Compare | 59.3 | 79.9 | 95.5 | 98.2 | 93.1 | 98.9 | 83.8 | 91.4 |
| Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Compare | 97.4 | 90.2 | 83.7 | 94 | 73.8 | 87.4 | 98.9 | 89.9 |
| OnePlus 13 13 Compare | 79.7 | 96.2 | 99.6 | 98.2 | 45.3 | 98.9 | 55.3 | 99.3 |
| Xiaomi 14 Ultra Compare | 79.7 | 99.2 | 97.9 | 99.5 | 58.9 | 98.1 | 98.9 | 73.4 |
Price
Value & Pricing
At $1100, the S22 Ultra is a tough sell if you're paying full price. You're paying a premium for the S Pen and the zoom lens, not raw speed or battery life. For the same money, a OnePlus 13 or Pixel 9 Pro XL will feel faster and last longer on a charge. But if you can find it on sale or refurbished for a few hundred less, it becomes a killer deal for a very specific type of user.
Read more
Overview
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the last of its kind in the best way possible. It's the final Samsung flagship that truly feels like a Galaxy Note, complete with the built-in S Pen silo. And honestly, that alone might be the reason to buy it in 2025. The 6.8-inch screen is still gorgeous, the camera system is a zoom monster, and it's got a premium heft that newer, lighter phones sometimes lack. The one thing to know? You're buying this for the S Pen and the 10x optical zoom. If those don't matter to you, newer phones do almost everything else better.
Common Questions
Q: Is the S22 Ultra still worth buying in 2025?
Only if you absolutely need the built-in S Pen or that 10x optical zoom. For everything else, a Pixel 9 Pro XL or OnePlus 13 is a better phone for the same money. If you find it heavily discounted, it's a great deal for a specific kind of power user.
Q: How long will the S22 Ultra get software updates?
Samsung promised four major Android updates and five years of security patches. It launched with Android 12, so it'll get up to Android 16. After that, you're on your own. A Pixel 9 will be supported until 2031, so keep that in mind.
Q: Does the S22 Ultra have good battery life?
It's average. The 5000mAh cell gets most people through a full day, but it's not class-leading. Heavy gaming or 5G use will drain it faster. The 66th percentile battery score in our database means it's fine, but phones like the OnePlus 13 leave it in the dust.
Who Should Skip This
If you don't care about the S Pen or taking zoom photos at a concert, skip this phone entirely. You're better off with a Pixel 9 Pro XL for a cleaner software experience and longer updates, or a OnePlus 13 for way faster performance and charging. The S22 Ultra is heavy, runs warm, and feels its age unless you're using its two niche features.
Verdict
Don't buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra at full price in 2025. But if you find it for a steep discount and you're a die-hard S Pen fan or a zoom photography nerd, it's still a fantastic, unique phone. For everyone else, the Pixel 9 Pro XL or OnePlus 13 are better daily drivers. The S22 Ultra is a niche icon, not a mainstream recommendation anymore.
