Packed with amazing features and all the bells and whistles, there’s a reason these two flagship devices are among Samsung’s most popular. But how big of a difference does a year really make? We’ll compare the Galaxy 22 Ultra vs. Galaxy 23 Ultra, taking a deep dive into specs like display, battery, storage, cameras, and more.
Before we focus on what’s different between these two devices, let’s find some common ground. After all, there are still quite a few shared features to consider.
Galaxy S23 Ultra vs. Galaxy S22 Ultra
Shared Features
The new S23 Ultra keeps the same 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X display as its predecessor, as well as Quad HD+ that makes all your favorite content come to life in full, brilliant color. You may notice that the screen is not quite as curved on the S23 Ultra, but it’s barely worth mentioning as most people won’t notice the difference.
In addition, both the S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra deliver up to 12GB of RAM and up to 1TB of storage. (Although storage on the newer phone starts at 256GB vs.128GB on the S22 Ultra). Also unchanged is the ever-popular Note-style design with built-in S Pen stylus—offering you exciting ways to work, play, multitask and create, regardless of which phone you choose.
As for battery power, the S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra both share the same 5000mAh battery (with one caveat, which we’ll discuss later) and when it comes time for fast charging, both offer 45W max and require a 5amp USB cable and 45W wall adapter bundle (sold separately). Neither phone includes a charger in the box, so be prepared to purchase one of those, as well.
In addition, both models utilize Wi-Fi 6E technology that—when paired with T-Mobile's 5G Network— delivers performance, impressive download/upload speeds, as well as getting great 5G coverage.
What about price? Introductory prices on both phones start at about $1200. Realistically, though, you should be able to get a pretty sweet deal on the S22 Ultra version now that the S23s are out. To summarize, here’s a quick snapshot of the shared features:
Available on both S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra
- 6.8" Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Embedded S Pen
- 5000 mAh Battery, 45W Fast Charging (chargers/adapters sold separately)
- Up to 1TB Storage
- Up to 12GB RAM
- Initial pricing $1199.99
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Updated Features
Now that you know what's the same—it's time to look at what's new on the S23 Ultra. The device now boasts Samsung’s exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform, a big boost over the previous Gen 1 chipset on the S22 Ultra. Why? It delivers a powerful smartphone experience with desktop-level functionality and ground-breaking AI for better smartphone interactions. The new chipset makes everything more efficient, as well, including the 5000mAh battery, which delivers longer-lasting power compared to the S22 Ultra. In addition, the S23 delivers a better cooling system, up to 30% faster speeds over the previous generations, as well as Samsung’s newest Android-13 software experience right out of the box (although you can upgrade on the S22 Ultra), so you can enjoy the latest gallery and camera app features, updated widgets, and new screenshot enhancements.
At first glance, the two phones have a similar camera set-up (12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto with 3X zoom, and 10MP periscope lens with 10X Zoom). But the S23 Ultra brings with it an upgraded Ultra High-Resolution Rear Camera on the 3-lens rear camera set-up. So, the impressive 108MP sensor on the S22 Ultra is now a 200MP sensor on the S23 Ultra, which is perfect for capturing all your favorite moments, even in low light.
The S23 Ultra is also one of the first phones to offer UFS 4.0 storage, compared to the S22 Ultra’s UFS 3.1 storage. This new version is great for multitasking, even if you love to watch high-quality videos or play high-bandwidth games while juggling several other tasks. Everything loads quickly and movie files can be saved in mere seconds. Here's a snapshot of features you’ll get S23 Ultra vs. S22 Ultra:
Features Only Available on S23 Ultra
- Samsung’s exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform
- 5000mAh battery boost (from new chipset)
- Quad Camera with 200MP Main Lens
- UFS 4.0 storage
- New Android-13 out of the box
The bottom line
If you crave the pen-to-paper feeling that only a super-advanced stylus can offer—the S Pen on both phones is sure to please. Serious photographers and/or content creators may like Galaxy S23 Ultra a bit more due to the amazing 200MP camera that delivers clear, vivid pictures, even from far away and in low light. But the average person probably will be happy with the camera setup on the S22 Ultra. The impressive new chipset on the S23 Ultra won’t go unnoticed by avid gamers, movie watchers or multitaskers. While both phones offer the same battery, that new chipset on the S23 Ultra will keep you powered up for longer than on the S22 Ultra.
If price is the number-one consideration, keep in mind that the S23 Ultra will cost a bit more than the S22 Ultra because of the many deals to be had on the older model. While the price difference may be worth it to some, others who don’t need all the brand-new bells and whistles this latest phone has to offer may opt for the S22 Ultra.
Ready to trade-up for a new Samsung phone? The good news is that there are plenty of limited-time deals to be had! Still undecided?