Should You Upgrade from the Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Galaxy S22 Ultra?
A spec-by-spec look at what actually changes when you move from the Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Galaxy S22 Ultra, 1 year apart.
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is 1 year newer than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and both phones land on almost the same BeastScore (87.8 vs 87.8). The biggest improvements: 20w faster wired charging, 250 nits brighter peak display.
What you gain with the Galaxy S22 Ultra
- +20W faster wired charging
- +250 nits brighter peak display
| Spec | Galaxy S21 Ultra | Galaxy S22 Ultra | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore (overall) | 87.8 | 87.8 | No real change |
| Performance score | 90 | 90 | No real change |
| Camera score | 100 | 100 | No real change |
| Battery score | 86 | 86 | No real change |
| Display score | 88 | 88 | No real change |
| Battery capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,000 mAh | No real change |
| Wired charging | 25W | 45W | +20W (80%) |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | No real change |
| Screen size | 6.8" | 6.8" | No real change |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | No real change |
| Peak brightness | 1,500 nits | 1,750 nits | +250 nits (17%) |
| Main camera | 108 MP | 108 MP | No real change |
| Optical zoom | 10x | 10x | No real change |
| RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB | No real change |
| Weight | 228 g | 228 g | No real change |
| Launch price | $1,199 | $1,199 | No real change |
Upgrade if…
- You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day
- You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen
Galaxy S21 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: Upgrade FAQ
Is it worth upgrading from the Galaxy S21 Ultra to the Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Maybe — worth it only if the new features matter to you. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is 1 year newer than the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and both phones land on almost the same BeastScore (87.8 vs 87.8). The biggest improvements: 20w faster wired charging, 250 nits brighter peak display.
What is the biggest difference between the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Galaxy S22 Ultra?
20W faster wired charging: 25W on the Galaxy S21 Ultra vs 45W on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Does the Galaxy S22 Ultra have a bigger battery than the Galaxy S21 Ultra?
No — both have about the same battery capacity (5,000 mAh vs 5,000 mAh).
Who should upgrade to the Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Upgrade if: You regularly run out of battery before the end of the day; You use your phone outdoors a lot and want a brighter, smoother screen.