Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S22 Ultra: The generation gap is too wide to ignore
Most people who bought the Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2022 knew exactly what they were getting: one of Samsung’s best phones and the first Galaxy S model with a built-in S Pen slot.
Four years later, it’s no longer the best S Pen phone. Not even close. Samsung’s Ultra series hasn’t slowed down, and the S22 Ultra is now a few generations behind.
If you’re holding on to yours, however, the new Galaxy S26 Ultra might be tempting enough to make you switch. Let’s compare the two sides and see if upgrading your 2022 model makes sense.
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Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S22 Ultra: Almost too different?
At first glance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra and S22 Ultra look like they are separate teams. Yes, both have the Ultra name, the S Pen, and a quad camera system. But they were clearly designed at different times.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has completely flat glass panels and a flat frame. No more curved edges. And while the S22 Ultra has sharp, Note-like corners, the S26 Ultra leans back to the classic Galaxy S with soft, rounded edges.
Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile
Abhijeet Mishra / SamMobile
The IS Pen remains, but this is where the S22 Ultra has a slight advantage. Its IS Pen still supports Bluetooth and Air Actions – features Samsung dropped with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and kept absent from the S26 Ultra.
Other than that, the S26 Ultra wins in build quality and, arguably, design. The flat screen alone is very practical for S Pen fans.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S22 Ultra: everything else is new
Apart from design and build quality, the new Galaxy S26 Ultra excels in almost every other category. Here’s a summary of all the new and improved features.
- Gorilla Glass Armor 2 with anti-reflective coating, steps up from Victus+.
- Strong Armor Aluminum 2 frame.
- Slim profile (the thinnest of any Ultra), clocking in at 7.9mm, down from 8.9mm.
- Enhanced stereo speakers.
- A bright 2,600-nit display, up from 1,750 nits.
- LTPO panel with full veiled Always On wallpaper support.
- Privacy Display technology that limits side angle visibility when enabled. Here’s a deeper dive into how it works.
- High-resolution rear sensors and a new AI ISP for the selfie camera.
- New camera features, including the mind-bending Horizon Lock enhancement.
- Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 globally, from Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 or Exynos 2200.
- 256GB storage and 12GB RAM as standard, up from 128GB and 8GB.
- The full Galaxy AI suite, including tools that the S22 Ultra can’t use, like Creative Studio.
- Up to seven OS upgrades, while the S22 Ultra is approaching its final upgrade – One UI 8.5.
- Faster 60W and 25W wireless charging, compared to 45W and 15W.
A real opportunity to improve by trading where appropriate
All things considered, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is better than the S22 Ultra in almost every measurable way. The only loss is Bluetooth S Pen and Air Actions.
Is the gap between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and S26 Ultra big enough to warrant this year’s upgrade? We think so. The S26 Ultra is more powerful, more refined in its design, backed by a consumer-friendly software policy, and packed with advanced or new AI and display technology.
Even better, if you’re in a market with strong trading systems, the upgrade makes more sense. In the US, for example, a Galaxy S22 Ultra trade-in can shave up to $500 off the price of the S26 Ultra, making the four-year jump even more compelling.
