The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the latest flagship smartphone in Samsung’s lineup, following the highly successful Galaxy S22 Ultra from 2022. As a premium device, the Galaxy S22 Ultra set a high benchmark with its powerful processor, S Pen integration, high-end camera system, and exceptional display quality. However, technology evolves rapidly, and the S24 Ultra brings several enhancements that may tempt users to upgrade.
In this comprehensive comparison, we will analyze key aspects of both smartphones, including their design, display, performance, battery life, camera capabilities, and new AI-powered features. If you are wondering whether upgrading from the Galaxy S22 Ultra to the S24 Ultra is worth the investment, this detailed breakdown will help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
At first glance, the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S24 Ultra appear quite similar, but there are some important distinctions. The S22 Ultra features a sleek aluminum frame with curved edges, whereas the S24 Ultra transitions to a more modern titanium frame. While the use of titanium might suggest a reduction in weight, the S24 Ultra is actually slightly heavier than the S22 Ultra.
One of the most noticeable changes is the shape of the phone. The Galaxy S24 Ultra has straighter, flatter edges, making it feel more solid and professional. The buttons on the new model are also slightly thicker, providing better tactile feedback. Additionally, the S Pen on the S24 Ultra is designed with a squarer shape compared to the more rounded “squircle” design of the S22 Ultra’s stylus.
From a durability standpoint, the S24 Ultra is also superior. Samsung has upgraded the scratch-resistant glass to Corning Gorilla Armor, which is tougher and more resilient than the Gorilla Glass Victus+ used in the S22 Ultra. For users who prioritize longevity and durability in their devices, this enhancement could be a compelling reason to upgrade.
Display Technology and Visual Experience
Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S24 Ultra boast a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring a smooth and vibrant viewing experience. However, the S24 Ultra offers significant improvements in brightness, resolution, and power efficiency.
The S22 Ultra’s display maxes out at 1,750 nits of peak brightness, while the S24 Ultra steps up to an impressive 2,600 nits. This increased brightness makes the S24 Ultra easier to use in direct sunlight, ensuring clearer visibility outdoors. Additionally, the S24 Ultra’s screen resolution has been refined slightly, from 1440 x 3088 pixels on the S22 Ultra to 1440 x 3120 pixels, delivering a sharper and more immersive viewing experience.
Another crucial advancement in the S24 Ultra’s display is the integration of LTPO technology, allowing the refresh rate to drop to as low as 1Hz when the screen is idle. This adaptive refresh rate significantly conserves battery life without compromising performance.
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Performance and Processing Power
When it comes to processing power, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is a clear winner. The S22 Ultra is equipped with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200 in certain regions), while the S24 Ultra is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. This newer chipset delivers improved speed, efficiency, and AI capabilities, making the S24 Ultra a much faster and smoother device overall.
In real-world usage, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 enhances gaming performance, app multitasking, and overall responsiveness. Benchmarks also reveal a significant leap in power efficiency, meaning the S24 Ultra runs cooler and more efficiently, leading to better battery longevity.
Additionally, the S24 Ultra comes with a minimum of 12GB of RAM across all storage variants, whereas the base model of the S22 Ultra includes only 8GB. This difference ensures more seamless multitasking and better handling of resource-intensive applications.
Battery Life and Charging Capabilities
Both smartphones house a 5,000mAh battery, but the S24 Ultra significantly extends battery life due to its power-efficient processor. The combination of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and LTPO display allows the S24 Ultra to last nearly two days with moderate usage, whereas the S22 Ultra typically lasts just over a day under similar conditions.
Charging speeds remain the same, with both devices supporting 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. While this may be disappointing for those expecting faster charging speeds, the improved battery efficiency of the S24 Ultra compensates for the lack of advancements in this area.
Camera System and Photography Enhancements
Samsung has always been a leader in smartphone photography, and the Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to push boundaries. The S22 Ultra features a 108MP main camera, 10MP periscope telephoto with 10x optical zoom, 10MP telephoto with 3x zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide sensor.
The S24 Ultra upgrades the main camera to a staggering 200MP, allowing for even more detailed and vibrant shots. The periscope telephoto lens is now 50MP with a 5x optical zoom, providing better resolution and clarity even at high magnification levels. Despite the removal of the 10x optical zoom, the AI-powered image processing compensates for any loss in quality, ensuring excellent zoom capabilities.
Color accuracy has also been improved in the S24 Ultra, with Samsung reducing excessive saturation for more natural-looking photos. The selfie camera has been reduced from 40MP on the S22 Ultra to 12MP on the S24 Ultra, but the enhanced AI algorithms ensure that selfie quality remains top-tier.
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Galaxy AI Features: A Game Changer?
One of the biggest differentiators between the S22 Ultra and the S24 Ultra is the introduction of Galaxy AI. These AI-powered features enhance productivity, communication, and creativity. Key functionalities include:
- Circle to Search: Enables instant Google searches by circling text or objects in images.
- Live Translate: Provides real-time translation and transcription during conversations.
- Notes Assist: Helps in organizing and summarizing notes efficiently.
- Generative Editing: Offers AI-powered photo editing tools for improved customization and image manipulation.
Samsung has confirmed that Galaxy AI features will not be backported to the S22 Ultra, making the S24 Ultra a necessary upgrade for those wanting the latest AI advancements.
Price and Value for Money
At launch, the Galaxy S22 Ultra was priced at $1,200, whereas the S24 Ultra starts at $1,300. While this marks a slight increase, the additional features and improvements justify the price difference. Moreover, Samsung frequently offers trade-in deals that can significantly reduce the upgrade cost for S22 Ultra owners.
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Final Verdict: Should You Upgrade?
For users who already own the Galaxy S22 Ultra, upgrading to the S24 Ultra depends on personal priorities. If you seek better performance, longer battery life, AI-driven features, and an improved camera system, then the S24 Ultra is well worth the investment. However, if your S22 Ultra is still serving you well and your usage needs remain unchanged, you may opt to hold onto it for another year.
Ultimately, the S24 Ultra represents a substantial leap forward in smartphone technology, making it a future-proof choice for those looking for the best Android experience available today.
