Fresh out of the box: 10 ways to make your new Samsung Galaxy S22 better. Samsung Galaxy s22 stores

08.06.2023 Gralbine Gadgets

Fresh out of the box: 10 ways to make your new Samsung Galaxy S22 better

Not sure what to do first with your brand-new device? Here are some Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks to get you started.

Samsung’s latest flagships have arrived. On the surface, the Galaxy S22 series might not look too different from its predecessor, but there are plenty of changes. From updated software to an improved camera, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. The only question is where to start. We’ve had some time to test the devices, so here are 10 Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks to boost your smartphone experience.

Before we get into the tips themselves, make sure to check for software updates. The Galaxy S22 has been on the market for a while now and has received quite a few updates. Make sure that you’re on the latest version before you dive in.

Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks

Buy a case

Before you set about customizing your software, it might be a good idea to invest in a bit of protection. Samsung has moved back to glass back panels for its Galaxy S22 devices, ending the brief experiment with glasstic. Of course, the Gorilla Glass Victus Plus that Samsung used should be plenty durable, but we all know that accidents happen.

Luckily for you, there are already plenty of Galaxy S22 cases on the market. If you pre-ordered your device, you might have also received some Samsung store credit — a perfect way to get a case at essentially no cost. At least, that’s what we used our store credit on here at Android Authority.

If you’re not interested in one of Samsung’s expensive first-party cases, don’t worry. There are even more third-party options from case giants like Spigen, Otterbox, and many more. Check out our top picks for each Samsung Galaxy S22 device below.

Customize your color theme

Our first software-based Samsung Galaxy S22 tip is an easy way to make your phone feel a little more unique. We’ve already seen Google implement tons of customization options as part of Material You, and now it’s Samsung’s turn with One UI. You’ve always been able to customize your wallpaper and certain features like your clock, but now you can bring many of the default apps into your custom color scheme.

The first thing you’ll have to do is choose your wallpaper — either from your own images or from Samsung’s gallery. Since the steps to customize your Galaxy S22 theme are so similar, we’ll walk through all of the basics. Here’s what to do:

Long-press on your wallpaper to open the customization menu.
Tap the Wallpaper and style icon on the left side of the screen.
Choose your wallpaper using the My wallpapers option or the Gallery option.
Once you’re happy with your wallpaper, select the Color palette option.

From the Color palette menu, you can choose the default option, which shows up as a blue, white, and black bar, or select one of Samsung’s curated profiles. These will change with your wallpaper, so don’t be afraid to try a few different designs before you decide.

Add some widgets (on your lock screen, too)

Widgets may not be a new Android feature, but they’re better than ever on One UI 4. You can customize certain shapes and background colors to your liking, especially in the Google Photos widget. However, Samsung has gone above and beyond Google’s standard set and added a new type of widget — the Smart Widget.

Essentially, the Smart Widget is a stackable widget that offers quick access to whatever you need. It might be slightly Apple-inspired, but we’re not complaining. You can add and subtract some of your most-used four-by-one widgets (the long, skinny ones) and swipe back and forth between them. As you can see above, I have mine set to include Spotify controls as well as my weather and clock since I rarely need all three at once.

Beyond the home screen widgets, you can check on some handy widgets from your Galaxy S22 lock screen. Simply tap on the clock to open your widgets, which you can customize from the Settings menu. Lock screen widgets include music controls, weather, your daily schedule, and Bixby routines.

Fine-tune your keyboard

You might not think about your phone’s keyboard too often, but Samsung has a few ways to change that. One UI 4 is all about customization, and our next Galaxy S22 tip is to give your keyboard a kick. You might have noticed the small set of tools perched above your keyboard, but did you know that you can change them? If you’re not big on emojis, you can swap that keyboard for a quick translation feature. Here’s all you have to do:

Open your keyboard on any page.
Tap the three dots icon to the right of the screen — not the Settings cog.
Press and drag new keyboard features from the menu into the bar. You can also press and drag features to remove them.

There doesn’t seem to be a limit to how many keyboard features you can add, though it does get crowded after five or six.

Grammarly now powers Samsung’s Writing assistant feature if you want even more help with your composition. You can toggle it on or off in the Samsung Keyboard section of the Settings menu under Suggest text corrections.

Remap your side button

Remember the good old days when you could press and hold the side key to turn your phone off? For some reason, those days are gone by default. Now, a long press opens Bixby while a quick double-tap opens your camera app. The good news is that you can change both of these settings. Your options aren’t unlimited, but at least it’s much easier to ignore Bixby if you prefer Google Assistant or Alexa. Here are the steps to follow:

Open the Settings app and head to Advanced features.
Scroll down to the Side key menu and tap on it.
Now you can remap both the Double press and Press and hold features.

For the Double press feature, your first option is to toggle it on or off. If you choose to keep the feature, it can either quickly launch your camera, or you can set it to open an app. You can choose from any app you’ve installed, though some — like the flashlight or Samsung Notes — make more sense than others.

As for the Press and hold function, you’re a bit more limited. Your options are either Wake Bixby or the Power off menu.

Test out the new camera

Samsung finally gave its wide camera a boost on both the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus, but that’s only the tip of the iceberg. The 50MP wide lens has taken over as the sharpest of the bunch, along with a 40MP selfie shooter on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Our first camera-focused Galaxy S22 tip is to get out there and shoot. There are plenty of powerful modes like Night, Hyperlapse, and Single Take that you just have to sit down and try.

Once you’re comfortable with Samsung’s basics, you can give Expert RAW a try. It’s essentially a pro-level camera app that gives you much deeper manual control over settings like ISO, aperture, and shutter speed. As the name suggests, Expert Raw lets you export RAW files, which are much easier to edit in programs like Lightroom.

Create some new routines

Routines aren’t brand-new for the Galaxy S22 series, but there’s no better time to give them a try. The easiest way to find your Bixby Routines is to head to the SmartThings app and open the automation tab. Samsung’s routines work on an IFTT basis, which means they can activate automatically to make your life easier. They look for a specific trigger, like a location or a time of day, and then run through a certain set of actions.

For example, the suggested Going out routine says that if your location is no longer your home, you can set your SmartThings devices to turn off (or turn down low in the case of an air conditioner).

If you’re not sold on Samsung’s suggested routines, you can always create your own. You just have to press the Add routine button at the bottom, which will let you choose an If trigger and a Then action.

Pick up a compatible charger

Samsung made some interesting choices as far as charging support for its latest flagships is concerned. It’s no surprise that all three Galaxy S22 devices still rely on USB Power Delivery PPS to reach their top speeds, but not all models are created equal. The vanilla Samsung Galaxy S22 tops out at 25W wired speeds, while the Galaxy S22 Plus and Ultra can handle much more impressive 45W rates. Add the fact that there’s no charger bundled in the box, and you’re looking at spending a little more money to complete your setup.

However, grabbing a compatible charger is sometimes easier said than done. Some chargers might mention 25W or 45W speeds, but if they don’t mention USB Power Delivery 3.0 or, more specifically, Power Delivery PPS, they won’t charge your new phone at top speeds. You can learn more about USB Power Delivery right here, and then check out some of your best charging options while you’re here.

Choose your Edge panels

The Galaxy S22’s Edge panel isn’t a new feature — it’s been around in one form or another since the Galaxy S6 Edge. However, the current iteration of the Edge panel is much more refined than in the early days. It no longer bleeds into a waterfall display, so there’s no more distortion. Even still, it seems like lots of users tend to leave the Edge panel in the dust.

All we’re suggesting for this Galaxy S22 tip is to give it a try. It’s an easy way to access some of your most popular apps without opening the app drawer, or you can change its purpose entirely. Other Edge panel functions include a customizable list of contacts — sort of like a speed dial. You can try Smart select, which lets you capture screenshots or create GIFs, or even add the tools menu for an easily accessible compass.

Best of all, it’s easy to change your Edge panel at any time. Just follow these steps:

Swipe in from the handle on the side of your display to open the Edge panel.
Tap on the Settings cog to open the Panels menu.
Select your preferred Edge panel from the scrolling menu (you can choose more than one).

You can also use the Edge panels menu to change the position of your handle. It’s on the right side by default, but you can move it to the left side or lower it for easier access.

Keep track with Offline finding

After you’ve just spent upwards of 800 on a new Samsung Galaxy S22, the last thing you want to do is lose your phone. Samsung has had a SmartThings app for a while, which can help find lost devices as long as they’re still connected. However, you’d have been out of luck if your phone had been disconnected from the network. Now, there’s a new way to find your lost phone, and it works a lot like a Bluetooth tracker.

Samsung’s Offline finding feature relies on other nearby Samsung devices to detect your phone, much like a Tile or Samsung Galaxy SmartTag would do. If you’re worried about privacy risks, Samsung also offers an Encrypt offline location feature. This hides your device’s location when sent to another device so that only you can unlock it again. Here’s how to activate Offline finding:

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down to the Biometrics and security option and tap on it.
Locate and select the Find My Mobile section.
Choose from security options like Remote unlock, Send last location, or Offline finding.

Remote unlock is reasonably self-explanatory, offering the ability to remotely open and control a lost phone. Send last location automatically transmits your phone’s last known location to the Find My Mobile server once it reaches a certain battery level. Finally, Offline finding works as explained above.

Those are our favorite Galaxy S22 tips to customize your new Samsung phone out of the box. If you have any other tricks to share, be sure to let us know in the Комментарии и мнения владельцев below!

Fresh out of the box: 10 ways to make your new Samsung Galaxy S22 better

Not sure what to do first with your brand-new device? Here are some Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks to get you started.

Samsung’s latest flagships have arrived. On the surface, the Galaxy S22 series might not look too different from its predecessor, but there are plenty of changes. From updated software to an improved camera, there’s a lot to sink your teeth into. The only question is where to start. We’ve had some time to test the devices, so here are 10 Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks to boost your smartphone experience.

Before we get into the tips themselves, make sure to check for software updates. The Galaxy S22 has been on the market for a while now and has received quite a few updates. Make sure that you’re on the latest version before you dive in.

Samsung Galaxy S22 tips and tricks

Buy a case

Customize your color theme

Our first software-based Samsung Galaxy S22 tip is an easy way to make your phone feel a little more unique. We’ve already seen Google implement tons of customization options as part of Material You, and now it’s Samsung’s turn with One UI. You’ve always been able to customize your wallpaper and certain features like your clock, but now you can bring many of the default apps into your custom color scheme.

Long-press on your wallpaper to open the customization menu.
Tap the Wallpaper and style icon on the left side of the screen.
Choose your wallpaper using the My wallpapers option or the Gallery option.
Once you’re happy with your wallpaper, select the Color palette option.

Add some widgets (on your lock screen, too)

Fine-tune your keyboard

Open your keyboard on any page.
Tap the three dots icon to the right of the screen — not the Settings cog.
Press and drag new keyboard features from the menu into the bar. You can also press and drag features to remove them.

There doesn’t seem to be a limit to how many keyboard features you can add, though it does get crowded after five or six.

Grammarly now powers Samsung’s Writing assistant feature if you want even more help with your composition. You can toggle it on or off in the Samsung Keyboard section of the Settings menu under Suggest text corrections.

Remap your side button

Open the Settings app and head to Advanced features.
Scroll down to the Side key menu and tap on it.
Now you can remap both the Double press and Press and hold features.

As for the Press and hold function, you’re a bit more limited. Your options are either Wake Bixby or the Power off menu.

Test out the new camera

Create some new routines

Routines aren’t brand-new for the Galaxy S22 series, but there’s no better time to give them a try. The easiest way to find your Bixby Routines is to head to the SmartThings app and open the automation tab. Samsung’s routines work on an IFTT basis, which means they can activate automatically to make your life easier. They look for a specific trigger, like a location or a time of day, and then run through a certain set of actions.

For example, the suggested Going out routine says that if your location is no longer your home, you can set your SmartThings devices to turn off (or turn down low in the case of an air conditioner).

Pick up a compatible charger

Choose your Edge panels

Best of all, it’s easy to change your Edge panel at any time. Just follow these steps:

Swipe in from the handle on the side of your display to open the Edge panel.
Tap on the Settings cog to open the Panels menu.
Select your preferred Edge panel from the scrolling menu (you can choose more than one).

You can also use the Edge panels menu to change the position of your handle. It’s on the right side by default, but you can move it to the left side or lower it for easier access.

Keep track with Offline finding

Open the Settings app.
Scroll down to the Biometrics and security option and tap on it.
Locate and select the Find My Mobile section.
Choose from security options like Remote unlock, Send last location, or Offline finding.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Launches Today—Here’s Where You Can Find The Best Savings

Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

The much-anticipated Samsung Galaxy S22 smartphones have officially been released and are now available from Samsung.com. Most cellular service providers (including ATT, Verizon, T-Mobile and US Cellular) and many smartphone retailers are also releasing stock today.

Three models of Samsung’s new flagship phone (each with multiple configuration options) are available. However, one thing the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Ultra all have in common is that there are some great deals to be had right now—whether you’re looking to upgrade your existing phone (and have a trade-in), activate a new phone and purchase it outright, finance the new smartphone, or switch your cellular service provider.

Meanwhile, if you need help deciding whether to switch from an Apple iPhone to one of the new Galaxy S22 smartphones, we have the head-to-head comparison for you right here. And if you’re curious whether the massive Galaxy S22 Ultra is worth its chart-topping price tag, the official Forbes review is right here.

Purchase Or Finance Your New Phone Now And Save Big

Samsung Galaxy S22

Samsung and its authorized retailers are offering some impressive rebates and incentives on its latest smartphone, along with generous trade-in deals, so whether you’re upgrading your smartphone or activating a new device, be sure to check out the latest offers.

Upgrade With These Galaxy S22 Deals

Right now, when you purchase any new Galaxy S22 smartphone, Samsung is offering a 100 Google Play Promotional Balance (which you can use to purchase any apps or content from the Google Play Store) along with up to 850 in trade-in credit toward your purchase when you relinquish an old device.

Each Galaxy S22 purchase from Samsung also includes a three-month Spotify Premium subscription, a four-month YouTube Premium subscription, six months of SiriusXM streaming and a six-month subscription to OneDrive that includes 100GB of online storage. Additional discounts (up to 90) are being offered through Samsung’s Offers Program to teachers, military personnel and first responders.

Galaxy S22: What the pros think about Expert RAW | Samsung

Samsung.com Offers Exclusive Casing Colors

You’ll discover that Samsung is offering the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 in exclusive casing colors, including graphite, cream, sky blue and violet. This is in addition to phantom black, phantom white, green and pink gold—which are available everywhere.

If you’re looking to get a Galaxy S22 Ultra directly from Samsung, the exclusive casing color options include graphite, red and sky blue. This is in addition to burgundy, phantom black, phantom white and green, which are also standard for other retailers.

You’ll Find Great Galaxy S22 Deals Elsewhere

All of the major cellular service providers have also announced their own Galaxy S22 offers. Here’s a quick overview:

ATT — Whether you’re upgrading or activating a new phone, get a base model Samsung Galaxy S22 for free with any Galaxy phone trade-in. In other words, you’ll get up to 800 off any Galaxy S22 device when you trade in any Note, S series or Z series phone—from any year and in any condition. This means the base model Galaxy S22 is free, while the Galaxy S22 will have a starting cost of 200, or the Galaxy S22 Ultra will have a starting cost of 400. For this deal, you must sign up for a 36-month installment plan and any Unlimited service plan.
Verizon — Verizon is offering up to 1,000 off any Galaxy S22 model with a qualifying trade-in. If you switch to Verizon, you’ll get an additional 500 prepaid virtual Mastercard.
T-Mobile — Switch to T-Mobile and start off with an 800 bonus. However, you can get up to 1,000 off (over 24 months in bill credits) on any Galaxy S22 smartphone when you trade an eligible device and sign up for a Magenta MAX service plan. Meanwhile, you can get the Samsung Galaxy S22 for free (via 24 monthly bill credits) when you trade in an eligible device and have or switch to a Magenta MAX service plan. Also from T-Mobile, if you purchase one Galaxy S22, you’ll get a second one for free (via 24 monthly bill credits when you trade in an eligible device and have or switch to a Magenta MAX service plan). With many new smartphone activations (based on the plan you choose), T-Mobile is offering a free 12-month subscription to the Paramount streaming service.
US Cellular — Get any model of the Galaxy S22 smartphone for free (after monthly bill credits for 30 months) with zero percent financing and no down payment.

What’s New In The Samsung Galaxy S22?

Samsung is once again offering a choice between three Galaxy S22 smartphone models—including the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22, and Galaxy S22 Ultra. The main things that set these three models apart are their respective screen sizes, weight, the overall dimensions of the smartphone, battery life and the resolution of the cameras. All run Android 12 and support 5G, Wi-Fi 6e and feature Bluetooth v5.2 connectivity. But there are enough differences between the three models to warrant consideration for each.

Breaking Down The Galaxy S22 and S22

When looking at Samsung’s two “entry-level” offerings, the company played things safe a bit. You’ll still enjoy vibrant OLED displays with ultra-fast 120Hz refresh rates. And even the camera hardware has been slightly improved over last year’s model. However, by in large, these are more minor upgrades compared to last year’s Galaxy S21 and S21.

Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 CPU provides all of the power that you’ll need, and there are different storage configurations for you to pick from. But, as expected, there’s no microSD card slot built into the phone, so you’ll need to make sure you get enough storage to last you for as long as you plan on owning the device.

One area where there is a bit of improvement comes directly to the Galaxy S22, with its larger 6.6-inch display. Samsung not only packed a 4,500mAh battery into this middle-of-the-road offering, but it also marks the first of two major changes for the Galaxy S line when it comes to charging. Both the Galaxy S22 and S22 Ultra are capable of reaching peak wired charging speeds of up to 45W, compared to the 25W available with the smaller Galaxy S22.

Moving to the cameras, it may not seem like Samsung really swung for the fences with this year’s release. Instead, it appears the company focused much more on shoring up its software to further optimize image processing to make your photos and videos look their best. Both phones are equipped with triple camera setups, headlined by a 50MP wide-angle lens that will handle much of the heavy lifting. This is complemented by a 12MP ultra-wide lens with a 120-degree field of view and a 10MP telephoto sensor that provides up to 3x optical zoom.

When combining the versatility offered by the camera hardware, Samsung has also implemented a new feature—known as Adaptive Pixel. This, along with Samsung’s pre-existing “Nightography” feature, essentially allows for more light to be used by the camera sensors. The end result offers brighter pictures that have even more detail.

With Google’s Pixel 6 leading the way in AI photography prowess, thanks to its Tensor chip, Samsung has also included AI enhancements with the Galaxy S22 lineup. This includes the addition of the new AI Stereo Depth Map. Gone are the days when you find blurry edges around a subject, especially for those heart-warming pictures of your family’s pets.

GALAXY S22 ULTRA: First 10 Things to Do!

What About The Galaxy S22 Ultra?

Thinking back to the good ol’ Galaxy Note days, Samsung would throw all of the company’s latest and greatest innovations into the device. Add in the fact that you get a built-in S Pen without needing a separate carrying case, and it was a slam-dunk for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

While the Note line is no more, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung has infused the Galaxy Note’s DNA, providing a smartphone that is a truly complete mobile device package for anyone that doesn’t want a foldable phone (like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3). Not only is the S Pen back with a housing silo located at the bottom of the casing, but this is Samsung’s most advanced Galaxy S device that we’ve ever seen.

The display measures in at 6.8-inches and sports a variable 120Hz refresh rate that rivals only that of the iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max. There’s also plenty of power under the hood, with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor paired with either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. You can even get up to 1TB of storage without needing an external storage solution.

Samsung knew there was a lot riding on the line with the S22 Ultra, so it pulled out all of the stops. The included S Pen offers up to 70 percent better response time (compared to the S Pen with the Galaxy S21 Ultra). This is made possible thanks to tweaks in the software that allow for your phone to essentially guess where you’re next pen-stroke will go.

All of that, and we haven’t even touched on the camera yet. While the Galaxy S22 and S22 share the same triple camera setup, the Galaxy S22 Ultra offers a totally different camera configuration. Samsung’s “true” flagship device for 2022 features a 108MP main lens that uses nona-binning to turn those 108 megapixels into just 12MP. This results in a much brighter and more accurate images than what can be achieved with other sensors.

Alongside the Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung is also releasing a separate app, called Expert RAW, which essentially turns your smartphone into a DSLR camera. This includes providing all of the exposure controls you would expect to see on a traditional camera—all in the palm of your hand. Adjust things like ISO on the fly and immediately see the results. Plus, you can snap a 16-bit RAW image, which opens the door to a world of editing options that isn’t otherwise possible.

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review: All the phone you’ll need for years

Is the Galaxy S22 Ultra for productivity-focused people who miss the Galaxy Note, or for people who loved the Galaxy S21 Ultra and its incredible camera? Or is it for both, or an entirely new set of people? The S22 Ultra combines much of what we love about the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and the Galaxy S21 Ultra, so getting confused about it is understandable, but don’t be. Think of this heavyweight technology powerhouse as practically all the phone you’ll need for the next few years regardless of what you want to do with it, and you’ll have it figured out. There’s a lot to talk about here, so let’s dig in.

Design

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is very serious, especially in the Phantom Black color you see in our photos. It’s not quirky or a bit playful like the Galaxy S21 Ultra or even its other S22 family members, the Galaxy S22 or S22 phones, which share no design similarities with it apart from being smartphones. It’s all business with its flat end caps, sharp lines, and squared-off corners. Its overall design has definitely been influenced more by the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra than the S21 Ultra.

It’s as tall as the Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google Pixel 6 Pro, but several millimeters wider than both, and at 228 grams, it’s one of the heaviest smartphones you can get. The sides are sharply curved, the square corners are unforgiving in the way they dig into your palm, and the nearly 9mm thick body all mean it’s really not the most comfortable phone to hold, especially with one hand. A year ago, we probably never considered that the Galaxy S21 Ultra — a giant of a phone — would be more hand-friendly than any sequel, but it absolutely is.

You’ll have to make it even bigger if you want it to last. The flat screen and (mostly) flat rear panel mean it’s quite slippery, and due to the size and weight, I do think it’ll take a few potentially damaging tumbles, so wrap it in a case if you plan to keep it for a few years. The matte black finish doesn’t attract fingerprints, but if it’s anything like the S21 Ultra, it’ll be prone to scuffs and marks, which affect its attractiveness over time.

The integrated camera module from the Galaxy S22 and S22 has not been included in the design here, and the camera lenses are all individually set in the back panel. It’s minimalist and quite pretty, but also prone to being messy as dust and lint gather around each one.

Does it sound like I’m coming down hard on the S22 Ultra? I’m not really. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is beautifully made, every panel and line is millimeter perfect in its fit and finish, and if you choose it in one of the other colors — burgundy is beautiful — it does lose some of its seriousness. But I do think it’s important for anyone considering this phone to understand how it’s not the friendliest of designs, and not the easiest of phones to wrangle on a daily basis either.

S Pen

The Galaxy S22 Ultra comes with an S Pen stylus inside a special storage slot on the bottom of the phone, and it’s identical to the system used on the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. The S Pen is shaped the same too, in that it’s quite small and thin, and isn’t especially comfortable to hold if you have big hands. It connects to the phone using Bluetooth, and its internal battery is charged when it’s docked inside the phone.

You have to make a point of extracting the S Pen, so there’s no chance of doing it accidentally, and when you do take it out, the corresponding menu immediately appears on the screen. You can do various different things with it, including creating notes, scribbling on the screen, automatically translating text, and creating fun, artistic images for use in things like Instagram Stories. It can also double as a remote shutter for the camera.

Samsung has reduced the S Pen’s latency to 2.8 milliseconds, and it really does feel instantaneous. Comparing it directly with the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra’s S Pen, which has a 9ms latency, you can actually tell the difference. There’s a delicate immediacy to the S22 Ultra’s S Pen, and it means you take neater notes and interact with the stylus and the screen more naturally. I’m no artist, but I imagine anyone with talent here will find it a joy to use.

I haven’t come across a situation where the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera won’t do the job. The variety of high-quality optical zoom modes makes it hugely versatile, the main and wide cameras take beautiful photos with vibrant colors and excellent balance, and the newly updated portrait mode is very effective. The app is simple and easily customized, so you can quickly access the features you use most.

Where does it stunble? Work still needs to be done on the color accuracy and exposure at the 3x and 10x zoom settings, the selfie camera can produce soft photos and isn’t particularly good in lowlight, and there is evidence of edge enhancement when you look closely at the zoom photos. But none of these things take much away, and many people won’t examine the photos so carefully that they’ll even notice because when it comes to taking shareable photos quickly, the S22 Ultra is an excellent partner.

Single Take mode is a great example of why. You take a short video up to 15 seconds long, which on the S22 Ultra can be extended by another five seconds if you need it, and the phone’s A.I. generates multiple images and videos from it. For example, you get a highlight video, a few filtered images, a fast-forward or slow-motion video, and a boomerang video of a highlight. It takes seconds for these clips to be generated, and they can all be edited and shared.

I like Single Take because you concentrate on shooting the scene, not what mode to use to best capture it. Samsung has also worked with social networks Snapchat and Instagram to include its camera tools in their apps, so you can directly use the different cameras and modes without shooting in the S22 Ultra’s camera app and then losing quality when importing them.

I doubt you’ll come across a time where the Galaxy S22 Ultra won’t take a brilliant photo.

For the more technically minded, Samsung has a Pro mode for stills and video, plus a new Expert RAW app available to download from the Galaxy Store. Expert RAW provides control over the telephoto cameras, supports HDR capture, and allows data to be saved as lossless files ready to edit in apps like Adobe Lightroom. In the same way, the S Pen takes the Galaxy S22 Ultra beyond being just a big-screened phone, a variety of pro-level camera modes provide more opportunities for those happy to get to grips with the intricacies of photography.

The 108MP mode has gained a little more functionality with the Detail Enhancer. It uses Samsung’s A.I. to increase detail, sharpness, and color in these gigantic photos, and it’s very effective. The 108MP photos are huge at 12,000 x 9000 pixels and take up about 25MB each, but the Detail Enhancer makes cropping down to a good-quality smaller image very easy. Take a look at the examples above. Do remember the main photos have been reduced in size to make them web-friendly.

I doubt you’ll come across a time where the Galaxy S22 Ultra won’t take a brilliant photo, regardless of your own personal skill level. There’s also great potential for growth due to the Expert RAW mode,and the overall versatility of the different modes and cameras. You can see a gallery of photos taken with the Galaxy S22 Ultra above, and for more in-depth examination of its skills, take a look at our comparison with the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro.

Screen

The Galaxy S22 Ultra has a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a maximum resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels. It supports HDR10 and is covered in Gorilla Glass Victus, plus it has a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. For reference, most phones hover around the 1,000 nits of brightness level. This is enabled by a feature Samsung calls Vision Booster, and it’s designed to improve outdoor viewing, especially in sunshine.

A comparison doesn’t reveal much difference when viewing straight ahead, perhaps it’s a little brighter with slightly crisper whites, but there’s a definite improvement when viewing at an angle in bright conditions. It’s hard to capture, but the photo on the right in the gallery below shows it next to the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and it’s quite clear the S22 Ultra’s screen is more legible.

This aside, I can’t see any real difference between the S22 Ultra’s screen and the S21 Ultra’s, but this isn’t a negative. The Galaxy S22 Ultra’s massive screen is glorious, showing stunning colors, deep blacks, and all the features you need — including HDR10 and Dolby Atmos — for a wonderful multimedia experience. Sound is delivered through stereo speakers, and there’s a helpful equalizer feature to tune the audio to your liking. I found switching it to Pop most effective, but while there’s plenty of volume and clarity, plus very little distortion even at full volume, there’s not much bass at all.

Software and performance

I’m using the U.K. version of the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which means it has Samsung’s Exynos 2200 processor, while versions purchased in the U.S. use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. The cheapest model comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB storage space, but we’d recommend buying at least the next model up with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage space. The phone does not have space for a MicroSD card, so the only way to add storage otherwise will be to use a Cloud-based service.

Call quality has been good, but the vibration alert for incoming notifications is quite weak, and I found myself missing calls and messages with the volume off. There’s an option to increase the level of vibration, but it’s at maximum by default. I have also noticed the signal strength, according to the reception bars, isn’t as strong as I’d expect. It has failed to connect to a 4G network in poor coverage areas, where other phones have still managed to pull in a signal. It’s something I’ll continue to monitor, as it may change after release with a software update from Samsung or my carrier.

Battery and charging

The battery inside the S22 Ultra is rated at 5,000mAh, and Samsung has equipped the phone with support for 45-watt fast charging, but does not include the relevant charging block inside the box. Buy one from Samsung and it’ll cost 50, but what if you use another charger? I’ve used the more versatile 40 Elecjet X21GaN Pro charger, which supports the correct Power Delivery PPS standard needed for Samsung’s Super Fast Charging system to activate.

Sure enough, the phone’s screen shows Super Fast Charging is active, and the S22 Ultra took 59 minutes to reach 100% capacity from 3%. This is fast, but nothing special, considering OnePlus will halve that charge time on the OnePlus Nord CE 2, which costs much less than the Galaxy S22 Ultra. If you use a charger without Power Delivery PPS or a smaller wattage, expect the charge time to increase, but not by much. Tests show it’ll be around 70 minutes, so there’s little need to rush out and buy a new charger in the hope of lightning-fast charging. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also supports 15W wireless charging.

How long does the battery last? So far, after a rocky first couple of days while the phone adjusted itself to my use, it has leveled out to have enough power for a full day of heavy use, and two days of moderate use. By moderate, I mean not playing games, streaming video or music for hours, or constantly switching between a 4G and 5G connection. I have been testing the phone with its screen at full resolution and the dynamic refresh rate active, so if you drop the resolution down to FHD, you may improve results.

Price and availability

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs 1,199 for the 8GB/128GB version. If you want more storage, you’ll pay 1,299 for a 12GB/256GB model, 1,399 for a 12GB/512GB model, or 1,599 for the top 12GB/1TB version. We’d suggest choosing carefully as there is no expandable storage space, so should you run out, you’ll have to delete content or apps, or transfer them to Cloud storage.

You can see the Phantom Black model in our photos here, but it’s also available in burgundy, green, or Phantom White. Order from Samsung, and there’s a further choice of three exclusive colors: Graphite, Sky Blue, or red.

In the U.K., the S22 Ultra costs 1,149 British pounds for the 8GB/12GB model, 1,249 pounds for the 12GB/256GB model, 1,329 pounds for the 12GB/512GB model, and 1,499 pounds for the 12GB/1TB version. It’s available in the same color choices as above.

Our take

Unquestionably, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the most multipurpose smartphone you can buy today, and regardless of what you want to do with your phone today, tomorrow, or in two years time, its astonishing ability and varied feature set will have you covered. There’s real value in buying a phone so capable, as although the initial outlay for the Galaxy S22 Ultra is high, there won’t be any real need to replace it for the foreseeable future.

The evidence is there in our comparisons between it, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. Upgrading to the S22 Ultra from either of these is unnecessary. Because the three are still so close in ability, that’s unlikely to drastically change this time next year either, and as the Galaxy S22 Ultra combines what’s great about both these phones, expect it to be even longer-lasting.

Yes, you’ll have to manage a massive, heavy phone with charging that isn’t as fast as the competition, and buying a version with the most storage you can afford is prudent, but otherwise, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is one of the safest, most forward-looking tech purchases you can make at the moment.

Is there a better alternative?

Want a big smartphone with a brilliant camera? If you’re sticking with Android, the Google Pixel 6 Pro ticks those boxes, and if you don’t mind switching to Apple, then take a look at the iPhone 13 Pro Max.

What if you own the Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra? Is it worth upgrading? Probably not, unless there is something wrong with your phone. The camera is not a huge advancement over the S21 Ultra’s, and while the S Pen has lower latency than the one in the Note 20 Ultra, if you’re satisfied, there’s little reason to move on. We’d suggest waiting.

How long will it last?

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is going to last you years. First off, it’s tough. The same Armor Aluminum metal used on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 has been used for the metal chassis, while Gorilla Glass Victus covers the rest. The phone also has an IP68 water resistance rating. It’s very good news on the software side, too, as Samsung promises four Android version updates and five years of security updates.

That’s before you consider the technology inside it, which is as up-to-date as you can get. Then there’s its massive ability, whether it’s taking photos, playing games, or using it for work. It’s an expensive smartphone, but you could easily use it for the next three or four years and not worry about upgrading.

Should you buy it?

Yes. This immensely powerful smartphone will last you for years.

Sources:

https://www.androidauthority.com/Samsung-Galaxy-s22-tips-3113881/
https://www.androidauthority.com/Samsung-Galaxy-s22-tips-3113881/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2022/02/25/Samsung-Galaxy-s22-ultra-pre-order/amp/
https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/Samsung-Galaxy-s22-ultra-review/?amp