We’ve seen it described online as the worst kept secret, but we can’t say we disagree. There have been so many Samsung Galaxy S22 series leaks that you probably know what to expect if you keep up with the rumors.
So, we’re just here to offer a better look at the devices (a separate S22 & S22+ post is up now), which we got to check out briefly ahead of tonight’s launch.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra gets a new look inspired by what we now believe to be the discontinued Note series. The camera hardware is similar to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, but the camera module is redesigned. The company took out the contour cut design and kept the back mostly flat, with the lenses sticking out a bit instead.
The phone is also a bit more rectangular/boxier, which we’ve seen in past Galaxy Note devices. With a 6.8-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a large device. It is a bit tougher to hold with a smaller hand. But the feel of it is solid, premium. Its finish seems mostly repellent to fingerprints. At times, you will still see fingerprints, but we could easily wipe them away.
The phone is protected by Armor Aluminum, which it claims is 10% stronger than the previous model. It is made sturdier with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+, which it says is 12.5% tougher than its predecessor. And it gets IP68 water and dust resistance rating.
There are four colors available for the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It comes in Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, and the hero color, Burgundy. We love this hero color, but the emerald green is also quite striking in person. The black comes out a bit too basic for us, while the white does look pretty clean.
Of course, the other standout feature on this phone is Samsung finally made space for the S Pen. When it launched the Galaxy S21 Ultra, S Pen support was there, but you had to rely on a case to keep it safe. Now, the S Pen gets a slot in the phone. You just pop it out when you need it, as you used to with the Galaxy Note phones.
As mentioned, the camera hardware is the same as its predecessor. You get a 108-megapixel main, 12-megapixel ultra-wide, and two 10-megapixel telephoto sensors. Except for the ultra-wide, all lenses offer OIS. These cameras are also protected by Super Clear Glass (Gorilla Glass DX), which Samsung claims cuts out glare and reflections for clearer shooting. There are features like 10x optical zoom plus 100x “space zoom,” brighter and more detailed photos (even in low light) with the help of software enhancement called Adaptive Pixel, always-stable video, cinematic portrait videos, among others.
As for the display, it is a 120Hz adaptive panel with 1,750 nits of brightness. Those specs mean you can scroll or game smoothly on this phone, and you don’t have to worry about not being able to see anything when you’re out in the sun. It curves slightly to the edge, but not too much that you worry about accidentally tapping on the screen. And it has a cutout at the top center for the 40-megapixel selfie camera.
The phone runs on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. This 5G-capable handset has up to 12GB of RAM and up to 512GB of storage (or up to 1TB in some markets). This model has a 5,000mAh battery with 45W super-fast charging. Samsung estimates you can record a 50-minute video with just a 10-minute charge. You can expect to get the most out of this device for a longer period, with Samsung promising up to four generations of Android upgrades.
Starting tonight, February 9, until March 3, 2022, customers who pre-order the Galaxy S22 Ultra through Samsung.com can get freebies and discounts worth up to PHP 13,200 (around USD 258 converted). Customers can enjoy a PHP 10,000 (USD 195) e-voucher which can be used to purchase select mobile products in the Samsung Online Store, a Silicone Case with Strap worth PHP 1,999 (USD 39), and a Lucky Box Strap worth PHP 1,299 (USD 25).
Customers can also pre-order through Samsung Experience Stores, select Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, and MemoXpress Online from February 10 – March 3, 2022, to get as much as PHP 13,200 (USD 258) worth of freebies, including a pair of Galaxy Buds Pro worth PHP 9,990 (USD 195), a Silicone Case with Strap worth PHP 1,999, and a Lucky Box Strap worth PHP 1,299.
Starting March 4, 2022, the Galaxy S22 Ultra will be available at Samsung.com, Samsung Experience Stores, select Authorized Samsung Stores, Lazada, Shopee, Abenson.com, MemoXpress Online, and telco partners. The Galaxy S22 Ultra will retail at PHP 68,990 (USD 1,346) for the 128GB variant, PHP 72,990 (USD 1,424) for the 256GB variant, and PHP 80,990 (USD 1,580) for the 512GB variant.