Smartphone Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster phone

Head-to-head specifications

MetricSamsung Galaxy S22 UltraSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraDifference
AnTuTu v10 score1,131,5443,515,964-67.8%
ChipsetExynos 2200Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Display6.8" 120 Hz6.9" 120 Hz
Battery (mAh)5,0005,200-3.8%
Rear cameras108+10+10+12 MP200+50+50+50 MP
Front camera (MP)4024
RAM / storage (base)8 GB / 128 GB16 GB / 256 GB
Max configuration12 GB / 1024 GB24 GB / 1024 GB
Weight (g)228215+6.0%
Connectivity / unlock5G · Under-display5G · Under-display
Launch price (USD)$1,149–$1,499$1,349–$1,649-14.8%
  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 68% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2200 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
  • Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.

Verdict: Galaxy S22 Ultra or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Our recommendation
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall edge, though Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra wins in specific areas worth weighing.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra advantages

  • Affordability (+15%)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantages

  • Raw performance (+68%)
  • Camera resolution (+46%)
  • Memory (+50%)
  • Lightness (+6%)

Which should you choose?

  • Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra if you want the best value for money.
  • Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.

Value for money

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you choose?

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — Samsung Android 12 smartphone (2022) with a 6.8-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Exynos 2200, 5000 mAh battery and 108MP main camera, scoring about 1,131,544 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,149.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — Samsung Android 16 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 5200 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 3,515,964 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,349.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 68% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2200 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.

Performance and everyday use

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,515,964 vs 1,131,544 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Exynos 2200. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.

Display and battery

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra carries a 6.8-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Batteries are 5,000 and 5,200 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.

Cameras, storage and price

Rear arrays are 108+10+10+12 MP versus 200+50+50+50 MP, with 40 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 8 GB / 128 GB and 16 GB / 256 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the more affordable at about $1,149 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.

The verdict

Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall edge, though Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 68% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2200 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).

What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 68% on AnTuTu v10 (Exynos 2200 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 4 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.

Which is better value?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.

Which should I choose?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra if you want the best value for money. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.

Methodology

Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.

ER
EquivalentTo Research
Data & Benchmarks Team

We compile published benchmark results (Cinebench 2024, Geekbench 6, AnTuTu v10, 3DMark), manufacturer specifications and market pricing from nine regions into normalized, comparable datasets. Every figure traces to a named public source listed on each page.

Benchmark leaderboard compilationMulti-market pricing normalizationUnit & currency conversion
✓ Reviewed by EquivalentTo Editorial Review, Data Quality & Methodology.
Last updated 2026-07-01
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra profile → Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra profile → Compare something else

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