Review · Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Review (2026): Three Generations Old, Now Heavily Discounted
Runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2022 Smartphone Awards — and the first Galaxy S Ultra to integrate the S Pen housing. Now $399–$499 used. Three generations old in 2026 but still genuinely capable for buyers who want a big-screen Galaxy on a budget.
By SmartphoneAwards Editorial · Published · Updated
Pros
- Runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2022 awards
- Now $399–$499 used
- First S Ultra with integrated S Pen housing
- 5,000 mAh battery still holds up
Cons
- Updates only through 2027 (~1.5 years left)
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 thermals are notable
- Battery degradation likely on used units
- Dim display vs current Ultras
Why it placed at MKBHD's 2022 awards
Runner-up Phone of the Year in 2022 — Samsung's best big phone of its generation. The S22 Ultra was the first to bring the Note's S Pen housing to the S line, which has continued through every Ultra since.
Display & build
6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 120Hz. Aluminum frame with the integrated S Pen. Heavy at 228g.
Performance
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) — the first 4nm Qualcomm chip and infamous for thermal throttling. Day-to-day fine; sustained workloads reveal limits.
Camera
Quad: 108MP main + 12MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x telephoto + 10MP 10x periscope. The 10x periscope reaches further than current Ultras' 5x but processing trails.
Battery & support
5,000 mAh battery. Real-world (used): 5–6 hours screen-on. Updates through 2027 — roughly 1.5 years remaining.
Verdict · 4.5 / 5
Buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra used at $399–$499 only if you specifically want a Galaxy Ultra under $500. The S24 Ultra at $899–$999 (MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year) is the much smarter long-term buy — same camera array, S Pen, and 7-year update commitment for a few hundred more.
🛒 Buy the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra on AmazonAlternatives to consider
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Galaxy S22 Ultra still worth buying in 2026?
Only as a sub-$500 used budget pick. The Galaxy S24 Ultra at $899–$999 (MKBHD's 2024 Phone of the Year) is a much smarter long-term buy.
How long will the Galaxy S22 Ultra be supported?
Through 2027 — Samsung's pre-S24-era 4-year update commitment. Roughly 1.5 years remaining from mid-2026.
Galaxy S22 Ultra vs S23 Ultra — which to buy used?
S23 Ultra — same period of remaining updates, same camera array but better processing, and meaningfully better Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip vs S22's notorious 8 Gen 1.
How we rate
Our editorial score is anchored to outcomes from MKBHD's annual Smartphone Awards (2014–2025), then refined for everyday usability. Phone of the Year winners earn 5/5; category winners 4.5/5; runners-up 4/5; otherwise we score on merit. We earn a commission on purchases via our retailer links — at no extra cost to you.