Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs S22 Ultra: are they “very” different?
Everything new, everything beautiful, this is the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Is it really different from its predecessor? We have the answer.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is finally official and replaces the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The question now is whether this new model brings enough new features to make its predecessors forget. We compared the two models to highlight the differences and similarities between the S23 Ultra and S22 Ultra.
| Galaxy S23Ultra | Galaxy S22Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | – 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X – Curved edge display in 20:9 format – Definition of WQHD+ – HDR10+ – 1-120Hz – 240Hz Touch Sensor -Gorilla Glass Victus 2 – Hit the middle |
– 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X – Curved edge display in 20:9 format – Definition of WQHD+ – HDR10+ – 120Hz – 240Hz Touch Sensor – Gorilla Glass Victus – Hit the middle |
| designing | – Reinforced aluminum surround – Gorilla Glass Victus 2 is back -IP68 – Storage space for the S Pen |
– Aluminum surround – Rear glass -IP68 |
| SoCs and GPUs | -Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 – GPU Adreno 740 |
– Exynos 2200 – Engraving in 4nm |
| Storage | -12GB of RAM – 256GB, 512GB or 1TB storage – No Micro-SD port |
– 12GB or 16GB of RAM – 128GB, 256GB or 512GB storage – No Micro-SD port |
| Color | – Black Ghost – Silver Ghost |
– Black Ghost – Silver Ghost |
| Camera | – Main sensor 200 MP – Output in 12 MP, 50MP or 200MP – Aperture f/1.7, Optical Stabilization and Phase Detection Autofocus – 10 MP 3x n°1 telephoto sensor – F/2.4 Aperture, Optical Stabilization and Dual Pixel Autofocus – 10 MP 10x n°2 telephoto sensor – F/4.9 Aperture, Optical Stabilization and Dual Pixel Autofocus – 12 MP ultra wide angle sensor – 120° FoV, F/2.2 Aperture and Dual Pixel Auto Focus – Auto HDR photos – 8K video recording at 30fps – Single shot mode – 12 MP front sensor |
– Main sensor 108 MP – Nona-binning technology (9 pixels in 1) 12.4 MP – Aperture f/1.8, Optical Stabilization and Phase Detection Autofocus – 10 MP 3x n°1 telephoto sensor – F/2.4 Aperture, Optical Stabilization and Dual Pixel Autofocus – 10 MP 10x n°2 telephoto sensor – F/4.9 Aperture, Optical Stabilization and Dual Pixel Autofocus – 12 MP ultra wide angle sensor – 120° FoV, F/2.2 Aperture and Dual Pixel Auto Focus – Laser auto focus – Auto HDR photos – 8K video recording at 24fps – Single shot mode – 40 MP front sensor |
| audios | -AKG stereo speakers -Dolby Atmos – no 3.5mm plug |
-AKG stereo speakers -Dolby Atmos – no 3.5mm plug |
| Battery | – 5000mAh – 45W Super Fast Charging – USB-C port – Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 – Wireless Power Sharing |
– 5000mAh – 45W Super Fast Charging – USB-C port – Fast Wireless Charging – Wireless Power Sharing |
| Connectivity | – Ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen -Bluetooth 5.3 – Wi-Fi 6E – Ultra Wide Band – 2x nano-SIM – 5G sub-6 – S Pen Holder |
– Ultrasonic fingerprint reader under the screen -Bluetooth 5.2 – Wi-Fi 6E – 2x nano-SIM – 5G sub-6 – S Pen Holder |
| Software | -Android 13 – One UI 5.1 -Samsung DeX |
-Android 12 – One UI 4.1 -Samsung DeX |
| Tall and heavy | – 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm – 234g |
– 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9mm – 229g |
| Price | – 1419 € (256 GB / 8 GB) – 1599 € (512 GB / 12 GB) – 1839 € (1 TB / 12 GB) |
– 1259 € (128 GB / 8 GB) – 1359 € (256 GB / 12 GB) – 1459 € (512 GB / 12 GB) – 1659 € (1 TB / 12 GB) |
| availability date | – February 17, 2022 (pre-order from 01/02 to 16/02) |
Also read:
@journaldugeek We put the Samsung Galaxy S23 to the test! #samsung #galaxys23 #galaxys23ultra #smartphone #tech #journaldugeek
♬ original sound – Journal du Geek
Big difference
Processor
It’s impossible to mention the Galaxy S23 Ultra without mentioning the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. The new chip from Qualcomm equips the latest smartphone from Samsung and it’s a small revolution… in Europe. In some countries, you will be properly informed that the manufacturer is happy to update its SoC. In France, we used to see the Galaxy S with the Exynos SoC arrive. The latest iteration suffers comparisons to models below Snapdragon, with half-mast performance (especially on the graphics front) and poor optimization.
So we move on from the Exynos 2200 on the S22 Ultra to the promising Snapdragon 8 Gen 2. As a complement, Samsung has teamed up with Qualcomm to offer a personalized version. Compared to the S22 Ultra running Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the CPU (processor) increase is 36%. generated. We even went up to 48% in the graphics (GPU) section and 60% in the NPU. Note that the SoC will be overclocked with a frequency of 3.36 GHz, compared to the base’s 3.2 GHz.
Main photo sensor
If you follow the announcements and read our handling of the Galaxy S23, one element will not escape your attention. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a homemade 200 megapixel photo sensor. The ISOCELL HP2 will almost complicate the 108 megapixel camera of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. We can’t help but think that manufacturers have joined the “megapixel wars”. The recent changes made by Apple to its iPhones and China’s attempt to offer a device halfway between smartphone and camera (read our Xiaomi 12S Ultra test) are undoubtedly not related to these changes.
The presence of a 200 megapixel main sensor is not just a marketing stunt by the manufacturer. The number of megapixels supports “pixel binning”, which improves image quality and makes it possible to capture more light. For Samsung, the interest is to get ahead at detail levels in broad daylight and especially to get ahead in low light. The manufacturer also emphasizes night photography. Note that it is possible to capture 12.5, 50 or 200 megapixel snapshots if necessary.
Another novelty is the presence of “dual pixel” autofocus to improve focusing. This helps with image sharpness and helps in portrait mode. On the video side, the S23 Ultra is capable of recording up to 8K at 30 fps, against 8K at 24 fps for the S22 Ultra. In addition, there is an increase in the level of optical stabilization.
Selfie sensor
On its smartphone front, Samsung switched from the 40-megapixel camera on the S22 Ultra to a 12-megapixel sensor. The choices may seem odd, especially if you look at the choices made on the back of the device. Definition is not the be-all and not the only element that must be taken into account, but it is still an important criterion. The test will help to see more clearly.
Price
Inflation is hitting smartphones and Samsung is no exception. Like other manufacturers, you have to pay more to get the best brand. With the same configuration (256 GB), we go from 1,359 euros for the S22 Ultra to 1,419 euros for the Galaxy S23 Ultra (+ 60 euros).
Galaxy S23 Ultra 8/256 GB at the best price Base price: €1,419
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The difference is even greater in the 512 GB (1,599 euros against 1,459 euros, +140 euros) and 1 TB (1,839 euros against the previous 1,659 euros, +180 euros) versions. Older, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is now more affordable.
Galaxy S22 Ultra 8/128 GB at the best price Base price: €1,259
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Small difference
designing
The Galaxy S23 Ultra brings a lot to its predecessor, but there’s still room for development. As such, the screen is slightly less curved than the S22 Ultra and the edges are flatter. Even more surprising, the ring around the photo module is thicker and more reflective. The S Pen has also evolved to differentiate itself from the S22 Ultra.
Regarding dimensions, the Galaxy S23 Ultra measures 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm for 233 g of weight, compared to 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm and 228 g for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. In short, you have to be familiar with the brand’s smartphones to understand these physical differences.
Secondary sensor
If the main sensor evolves, Samsung hasn’t really changed its formula for the other sensors. Among the four modules, we find a 12-megapixel ultra-wide-angle and two 10-megapixel telephoto lenses. The former offers 3x optical zoom while the latter, periscopic, allows 10x optical zoom. The S22 Ultra features the same settings except for the main sensor.
Storage
Coming off the 128GB version, Samsung started this year with 256GB for the S23 Ultra. A significant advantage, especially if you take a lot of photos and videos. There are also 512GB and 1TB storage versions.
Autonomy
Even if Samsung doesn’t review its copy regarding battery and fast charging (see below), autonomy may develop. Indeed, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 presented by Qualcomm is 40% more efficient than its predecessor. To this must be added software optimizations from the manufacturer, just enough to help the S23 Ultra perform better than its predecessors.
Similarity
screen
There are no significant changes at this level. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s screen is very similar, on paper, to its predecessor and it’s no surprise. Last year, Samsung offered one of the best screens on the market… and this is still the case in 2023. We find a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a (maximum) brightness of 1,750 nits and a speed-adaptive refresh rate (1 to 120 Hz). Even if Samsung makes adjustments, we shouldn’t expect any difference at this point.
fast charging
Samsung is still not trying to compete with Chinese manufacturers in this regard. The Galaxy S23 Ultra remains stuck at 45 W wired and 15 W wireless. It also offers 4.5 W reverse wireless charging. The battery capacity is also unchanged and remains at 5,000 mAh.
