NEWS
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Should you upgrade?
The awaited Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra smartphone has finally arrived with several advancements over the Galaxy S22 Ultra smartphone of 2022. The flagship phone comes with a bigger display, enhanced camera quality and features, the latest Snapdragon processor, and more.
Galaxy S25 Ultra vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: What are the benefits of upgrading?
This year, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra follows the unique design and is getting rid of the Galaxy Note-like boxy design that it has used for the Galaxy S22 Ultra models since 2022. This is a welcome change, as the lack of curves and square corners on the Galaxy S Ultra’s display made it uncomfortable to use with one hand.
On the other hand, the new device comes with an advanced 200MP primary camera and a 50MP ultra-wide camera which is way better than the S22 Ultra’s 108MP camera and 12MP ultra-wide camera. Additionally, it offers a lot of new camera features including AI Virtual Aperture, Galaxy Log, and more.
Another major change can be seen on the processor side. The Galaxy S22 Ultra comes in two processor variants, which users in some countries had to settle for a low-performance chipset. But the Galaxy S25 Ultra only has the Snapdragon 8 Elite worldwide and that too is Galaxy-specific.
Considering the software, the S25 Ultra phones arrive with Android 15-based One UI 7 software. Although the S22 Ultra will get this update very soon, it will only be upgraded until Android 16 while the S25 Ultra will be upgraded until Android 22.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Specs
At a glance, you can see other differences and similarities between the two Galaxy Ultra models through the comparison table below:
| Specs | Galaxy S22 Ultra | Galaxy S25 Ultra |
| Display | 6.8-inch Edge QHD+*Dynamic AMOLED 2X DisplaySuper Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz)Vision BoosterEye comfort shieldCorning Gorilla Glass Victus+. | 6.9-inch* QHD+Dynamic AMOLED 2X DisplaySuper Smooth 120Hz refresh rate (1~120Hz)Vision boosterAdaptive color toneCorning Gorilla Armor 2 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200 (4 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| RAM | 8GB or 12GB | 12GB or 16GB in Korea, China |
| Storage | (8GB+128GB) 12GB+ 256GB/512GB/1TB | 256GB/512GB/1TB |
| Battery | 5,000mAh45W wired charging15W wirelessWireless PowerShare | 5,000mAh45W wired charging15W wirelessWireless PowerShare |
| Camera | 108 MP Wide Camera: F1.8, FOV 85˚12MP Ultra-Wide Camera: F2.2, FOV 120˚10MP Telephoto Camera: 3x Optical Zoom, F2.4, FOV 36˚ 10MP Telephoto Camera: 10x Optical Zoom, F4.9, FOV 11˚ 40MP Front Camera: F2.2, FOV 80˚ | 200 MP Wide Camera: OIS F1.7, FOV 85˚50MP Ultra-Wide Camera: F1.9, FOV 120˚50MP Telephoto Camera: 5x Optical Zoom, OIS F3.4, FOV 22˚10MP Telephoto Camera: 3x Optical Zoom, OIS F2.4, FOV 36˚ 12MP Front Camera: F2.2, FOV 80˚ |
| Connectivity | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v 5.2 | 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct Bluetooth v 5.4 |
| Water resistance | IP69 | IP69 |
| OS | Out of the box: One UI 4.1 | Android 12Currently running: One UI 6.1 | Android 14Next: Android 15 | One UI 7Last: Android 16 | One UI 8 | Out of the box: One UI 7 | Android 15Next: Android 16 | One UI 8Last: Android 22 | One UI 14 |
| S Pen support | Yes-Built-in Bluetooth capacity | Yes-With out Bluetooth capacity |
| Security | Samsung Knox, Samsung Knox Vault | Maximum Restrictions settings, enhanced Theft Protection, and a new Knox Matrix dashboard |
| Colors | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green and Burgundy | Titanium Silverblue, Titanium Black, Titanium Whitesilver and Titanium Gray |
| Dimensions and weight | 77.9 X 163.3 X 8.9mm, 229g | 77.6 X 162.8 X 8.2mm, 218g |
| Software support: | Up to 4 major Android upgrades | Up to 7 major Android upgrades |
If, after reading this article, you decide that the Ultra models are too expensive for you, why not consider Samsung’s base models? Galaxy S25 vs OnePlus 13R is another worthwhile conversation.
Would you upgrade from the S22 Ultra to the S25 Ultra?
Samsung has reportedly commenced Android 17-based One UI 9 testing for the Galaxy S26 series. The first-ever Android 17 build has surfaced on Samsung’s firmware server, suggesting an early debut of the next One UI version.
An alleged Android 17 firmware has been listed on CheckFirm (via TarunVats) for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That said, Samsung kicked off its work on the One UI 9 system for the latest flagship nearly two months earlier than usual.
Based on available information, Samsung is currently testing the BZC5 build on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Samsung will take its time to refine this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the release of the firmware.
Although testing for One UI 9 has commenced early, this does not imply that it will become available to customers any sooner. Samsung will take the necessary time to optimize this new operating system for Galaxy devices and will not rush the firmware release.
On February 25, Samsung launched the Galaxy S26 series, and these phones will be available starting March 11. A day later, the company began rolling out Beta 6 for the Galaxy S25 series, but it seems this may not be the last beta before the stable version is released. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 series is still receiving updates through the One UI 8.5 beta program.
Samsung One UI 8.5 beta 7
A reliable tipster, @TarunVats, spotted a new One UI 8.5 beta build for the Galaxy S25 series on testing systems. The build ending in ZZC3 indicates that Samsung is preparing the seventh beta update for the S25 phones. It’s worth noting that this build began rolling out in March, but the patch level is still February 2026.
The new build suggests that the beta program is still active even after the Galaxy S26 series launched with One UI 8.5 features and improvements. Galaxy S25 Users may have to wait a little longer for the final stable update.
The latest One UI 8.5 Beta 6 update fixed many problems and improved the phone’s performance, including Bixby, Gallery, Now Bar, Now Brief, Display settings, Modes, and Routines.
At this time, Samsung hasn’t officially confirmed how many more beta updates will arrive or when the stable One UI 8.5 version will be released for the Galaxy S25 series and older phones. However, the new beta build is a strong indication that at least one more beta update is on the way. Galaxy S25 users who are part of the beta program should keep an eye out for new updates.
At the Galaxy Unpacked 2026 event on February 25, 2026, Samsung unveiled its new Galaxy S26 series. The series includes the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Galaxy S26+, and Galaxy S26. These new smartphones come with smarter AI features that help simplify everyday tasks. Now, we are talking about four hidden Galaxy S26 Ultra camera improvements, helping improve image and video quality.
Notably, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features Samsung’s most advanced camera system to date. Samsung has integrated its 200MP primary camera and 50MP telephoto camera into the Galaxy S26 Ultra, with a wide aperture to allow more light to reach the sensor.
Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra features the powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor, allowing Samsung to improve camera performance, even though the phone uses the same sensor as the previous Galaxy S series Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra gets four camera improvements
1. Improved 200MP images
The Galaxy S26 Ultra feature a mutltiframe HDR processing, so that it may now capture the better 200MP images. The company says these 200MP photos deliver clearer, more detailed, and greater dynamic range than 200MP shots taken on earlier Galaxy S series models.
2. New 24MP mode in the stock camera app
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a new 24MP resolution option in the stock camera app. This new mode combines a 12MP multi-frame processed image with a 50MP high-resolution image using a system called AI Fusion. The resulting 24MP photo offers more detail than a 12MP image to reach the sensors, resulting in brighter, cleaner, and sharper images.
3. Virtual Aperture in Portrait Mode
The Galaxy S25 Ultra launched with a virtual aperture feature, but it was limited to the Expert RAW app. Now, Samsung adds a virtual aperture feature to the Portrait mode of the stock camera app on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, allowing users to digitally adjust the aperture.
4. Auto option for Motion Photo
As the name suggests, a motion photo is a short video clip captured alongside a still image. It includes a few seconds before and after the shutter button is pressed.. Now, on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, when the Auto option is on, Motion Photos are only recorded when significant movement is detected in the scene. If you capture a static scene, such as a…. landscape, with no visible motion, the Motion Photo will not be saved.
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