Alternatives create dilemmas, and that is no less true for mobile phones. You cannot list the three best phones in 2022 and miss Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Ultra. Next to iPhone 14 Pro Max, S22 Ultra is arguably the most sophisticated both in design and functionality.
However, in a few weeks from now, Samsung will release its latest flagship, S23 Ultra, with improved hardware and software capabilities. A new phone release means the price of the former will drop – at least a bit – to transfer the attention to the new.
So, whether you are a first-time Samsung user or an existing one seeking an upgrade, your choice will be between choosing a stale flagship with great deals and shopping for the latest flagship with up-to-date functionality, although more expensive.
What you need is an informed buying guide or advice based on your needs and personality. Be assured that you will get this and even more on this topic as you continue to read this article. Let’s approach this question by considering some parameters.
How Much Are You Willing To Spend?
When Samsung first released the S22 Ultra in March 2022, it sold for between $900 and $1,500, depending on the variants you choose. The 128GB version is the least expensive, while its 2TB option is the priciest. We don’t expect a price drop in the upcoming S23 Ultra, and based on precedence, each option might add between $100 and $150 increments.
On the contrary, the current S22 Ultra is witnessing a significant price cut, thanks to Black Friday deals and the fact that many carriers want to quickly sell it off for the new S23 Ultra. Therefore, if you are price-conscious and would want to save some bucks while getting one of the best smartphones around, the S22 Ultra is OK. But if your budget can accommodate whatever price increment comes with the new S23 Ultra, you can move to the next point below.
How Intensive Is Your Smartphone Usage?
It doesn’t make much economic sense to spend so much on a device you wouldn’t use up to 50% of its features. If you only use your phone for calls, web surfing, social media chatting, photography, and entertainment, the S22 Ultra is already a great device for this. You don’t need to wait for the S23 Ultra.
However, let’s say you do a bit of designing with your phone or you regularly play graphics-intensive games, an upgrade might be in order. A new phone release always comes with better software and hardware improvements. And as for the forthcoming S23 Ultra, we are already in the know of some of the features it packs. I will briefly touch on a few of them.
1. Design
If what we are hearing about the S23 design is anything to go by, there won’t be any difference in design from its S22 predecessor. Samsung is likely to retain the 6.8 inches size and the rectangular look, with most of the changes occurring at the software level. Therefore, design alone does not suffice as a reason to wait for the new flagship.
2. Improved Camera
Many leaks reveal that Samsung will probably abandon its 40MP front camera sensor for a less-megapixel alternative. The S23 Ultra will most likely come with a 12MP front camera sensor, but with a higher quality than the former. As such, even though S23 Ultra will not have as many pixels as its predecessor, you will be able to take a clearer and better selfie with it.
Besides, the main or rear camera is to witness a significant upgrade from its current 108MP to 200MP. This improvement portends a significant boost to the new flagship’s ability to take breathtaking images. Therefore, if photography is one thing you use your phone for, it’s worth waiting for the new Galaxy S22 Ultra.
3. Better Chips
Samsung is unlikely to repeat its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 in the S23 Ultra. Samsung will most likely want to match the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s A15 Bionic chipset by introducing an upgrade to its current processor. The reports available from multiple leaks suggests an upgrade that could see the Android phone giant ramp up its chipset to Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in its new release. Of course, the new chipset will outperform the current one in almost every department, making it a significant reason to wait for it if you are an intensive user.
4. Better Battery Performance
Battery longevity is one of Samsung’s biggest challenges in the mobile smartphone space. There was a tremendous improvement in the S22 version, and there are no pointers to an upgrade of its existing 5,000mAh battery size. However, because of the CPU upgrade in the S23 Ultra, we expect to witness a longer battery performance in the new release.
5. Longer OS Update
Samsung is arguably the best Android smartphone player when it comes to updates. The current Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra began on Android 12-based One UI 4.1, and will be eligible for Android 16 updates in 2025. From projections, the S22 Ultra won’t be able to support further updates beyond 2027.
However, with the new S23 Ultra scheduled to hit the market in February or March, you can push its update support beyond 2027 to 2028. It will get an Android 16 update in 2026 and continues to support updates for up to two years after.
Final Verdict
From all indications, Galaxy S23 Ultra isn’t going to be a sharp innovation from its predecessor. At best, one can describe it as an iterative upgrade. It only upgrades a part of the former, resembling its predecessor in so many ways.
If you are purchasing an Android flagship for the first time and would want to experience the most sophisticated option, waiting for the S23 Ultra is worth it. You are treating yourself to the most advanced processor, a massive front camera, and longer support for updates.
Beyond these, an existing user may the upcoming release boring as it is only iterative and not bringing up many innovations.
