Samsung S22 Ultra vs S25 Ultra: Big Leap or Small Step?

When Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Ultra, fans instantly began to ask the obvious question: is it really worth upgrading from the Galaxy S22 Ultra? On paper, both devices share a lot, but as always, it’s the small refinements that make a difference. After testing both side by side, here’s a clear, human look at what’s new, what’s missing, and who should actually consider upgrading.

Design and Comfort

At first glance, the two phones look similar both large, premium slabs of glass and metal. But when you hold them, you’ll notice the S25 Ultra feels different. Samsung finally listened to complaints about the sharp edges on the S22 Ultra that used to dig into your palm. The newer model now has slightly rounded corners, making it much more comfortable to hold.

Both phones are IP68 rated for water and dust resistance, and both look equally elegant with that satin matte finish that resists fingerprints. However, one surprising change is with the S Pen. The S25 Ultra’s stylus no longer supports Bluetooth features like remote camera control or air gestures. It’s lighter and simpler which some users may not mind, but for others, it’s a step backward.

Display

Samsung’s displays are always top-tier, and both of these phones prove it. The S22 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel, while the S25 Ultra stretches slightly to 6.9 inches. The major difference? The new one ditches the curved edges for a completely flat screen.

Brightness takes a noticeable leap too; the S25 Ultra reaches up to 2,600 nits compared to the S22 Ultra’s 1,750. That makes a real difference when you’re outdoors under harsh sunlight. The S25 also features Gorilla Glass Armor protection, stronger and more resistant to scratches than the Victus+ glass on the S22 Ultra.

Colors, however, feel a bit different. Many users say the S22 Ultra’s panel still looks slightly more vivid, despite the new “vividness” setting Samsung added this year. Overall, though, the S25 Ultra’s flatter design and higher brightness make it the more practical and modern screen.

Performance

Under the hood, this is where things get technical. The S22 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, while the S25 Ultra is powered by the much newer Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. On paper, the benchmarks show a big jump in raw power, but in daily use, the difference isn’t huge unless you’re a power user.

For light tasks like browsing, texting, and watching videos, both phones feel equally fast. Apps open quickly, and animations remain smooth. But when you push harder playing high-end games, running emulators, or editing 4K videos the S25 Ultra pulls ahead. It stays cooler and sustains high performance without throttling.

The base model of the S25 Ultra also comes with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, compared to 8GB and 128GB on the older model. That helps it multitask better, especially if you like to keep several apps open.

Cameras

Samsung has been refining its camera system for years, and the S25 Ultra steps things up again. It replaces the S22 Ultra’s 108MP main sensor with a 200MP one. The telephoto setup has changed too; a 50MP periscope lens replaces the older 10MP version, while a 10MP 3x optical lens remains for closer zooms.

In good lighting, photos from both phones look impressive. The S25 Ultra captures sharper detail, especially when cropping or zooming in. Its night photos also benefit from improved processing and better noise handling. However, many users still find the S22 Ultra’s images more colorful and dramatic, something Samsung fans love.

Video recording is excellent on both 8K at up to 30fps, or 4K at 60fps. The S25 Ultra’s stabilization feels slightly smoother, especially when walking or panning. On the front, Samsung downsized the selfie camera from 40MP to 12MP, which might sound like a downgrade, but thanks to improved processing, the selfies still look clean and well-balanced.

Audio and S Pen Changes

One area where Samsung made a clear improvement is sound. The S25 Ultra has noticeably louder and deeper stereo speakers. The audio feels fuller, especially when playing music or watching YouTube. In comparison, the S22 Ultra sounds flatter and lacks the same depth.

The S Pen, as mentioned earlier, is where Samsung made an odd decision. It no longer has Bluetooth, which means you can’t take remote selfies or use air gestures. If you only use the S Pen for writing or drawing, it won’t matter much but for power users, this is a noticeable loss.

AI Features and Software

Both phones run One UI with access to Samsung’s AI features. The S25 Ultra comes with new AI-powered tools like live translation, note summarization, and “circle to search.” But Samsung has also rolled out some of these features to older models, including the S22 Ultra, via software updates.

Samsung has hinted that some AI tools may eventually require a paid subscription, which could influence how much value you get in the long run. If you’re not interested in AI tools, this probably won’t affect your decision either way.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is one area where the S25 Ultra clearly wins. Both have 5,000mAh cells with 45W fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse charging. But thanks to the efficiency of the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip and the LTPO display, the S25 Ultra lasts longer on a single charge.

The S22 Ultra, while decent, can drain faster under heavy use, especially gaming or video recording. With the S25, you can comfortably get a full day and still have enough left for the next morning.

Final Thoughts: Should You Upgrade?

So, is the S25 Ultra worth it? That depends entirely on your needs.

If you already have the S22 Ultra and it still runs well, the upgrade isn’t essential. The performance jump isn’t massive, and the camera improvements, while real, aren’t revolutionary. You’ll also lose Bluetooth support on the S Pen, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

But if you want a brighter display, longer battery life, better speakers, and a more comfortable design, the S25 Ultra does deliver. For users coming from older models like the S21 Ultra or Note 20 Ultra, this is a much more meaningful upgrade.

At the end of the day, Samsung refined rather than reinvented. The S25 Ultra feels like a smarter, smoother version of what the S22 Ultra started with, powerful, polished, and future-ready, but not necessarily a must-have for everyone.

Verdict

The S25 Ultra wins in most categories display, comfort, battery, and audio. The S22 Ultra still holds its own with vivid colors, strong performance, and that full-featured S Pen.

If you’re buying new, go for the S25 Ultra. But if you already own the S22 Ultra, you can confidently stick with it for another year without feeling left behind.

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FAQs (Samsung S22 Ultra vs S25 Ultra)