Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S22
Verdict
Our overall take, at a glance
Key takeaways
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S22 overall by 5 points (77 vs 72 out of 100).
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra stands out on Chip Model: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, Memory RAM capacity: 16 GB, Storage capacity: 1,024 GB.
- Best value: Samsung Galaxy S22 (from $799) — the strongest score-per-dollar of the two.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads overall
$1,300 at launch
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
77
Samsung Galaxy S22
72
Best value: Samsung Galaxy S22 ($799)
Why it stands out
- Chip Model: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Memory RAM capacity: 16 GB
- Storage capacity: 1,024 GB
In-depth analysisAI
AI-generated from the cited sources — may be incomplete or inaccurate; verify important details before deciding · generated Jul 2026.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a flagship smartphone engineered for high-end productivity and premium performance. It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor and comes equipped with an integrated S Pen stylus. Key features include a robust 5000 mAh battery, fast 60W wired charging, and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage.
Best for Mobile productivity and document editing with an integrated stylusBest for High-performance tasks and gaming that demand the latest hardware
Pros
- Equipped with the top-tier 3 nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor
- Built-in S Pen stylus enables precise drawing and handwriting input
- Supports faster 60W wired and 25W wireless charging compared to standard models
- Generous internal storage options scaling up to 1TB
Cons
- High premium pricing makes it a very expensive investment
- Heavy slate design weighing in at 214 grams
Samsung Galaxy S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series was released in 2022 and consists of models including the regular, Plus, Ultra, and a smaller core device. It is marketed as a premium smartphone offering flagship features for its time.
Best for primary smartphone useBest for users preferring a compact size
Pros
- Features an armor aluminum frame with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back
- The display measures 6.1 inches and has a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth animations
- It includes IP68 rated water and dust resistance
- The dedicated ultrasonic fingerprint reader is reliable for waking the device
- The camera setup included a 50-megapixel main sensor and three times optical telephoto lens
Cons
- The design featured some curved sides compared to newer devices (Source 4)
- A performance throttling controversy was noted in early reports (Source 1)
Value for Money
Which is the better deal for the price
Pre-filled with launch prices where known — enter today's price for an up-to-date check. Use the same currency for both.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S22
Battery capacity
Larger cell — a hardware spec, not battery life
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra5,000 mAh
Samsung Galaxy S223,700 mAh
Capacity is the raw battery size. Real-world battery life depends just as much on the processor, software and display.
Physical Comparison
Weigh them up, then compare real dimensions in 3D
Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung Galaxy S22
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 45 g (27%) heavier than Samsung Galaxy S22.
Review Videos
Hand-picked expert reviews for each product
Detailed Specifications
The full spec sheet, side by side