PhoneLifespan

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra

Avoid buyingValue Score 40/100
$399
used/refurbished market price
$1199 at launch

How long will it last?

Official promise

Supported until February 2027 · Buy-by February 2025

256
days
00
hrs
00
min
00
sec
2022◆ Buy-by Feb 20252027

Samsung promises 5 years of updates for this phone, so it's supported until February 2027 — buying it today still gets you about 0.7 years of safe use.

Source: Samsung's official policy · last verified 2026-06-11 · how we compute this

TrueCost

Street price ÷ months of safe use remaining — the number that makes cheap short-lived phones expensive, and well-supported ones cheap.

$47.29/month

277% above the $300–600 median ($12.54/mo, dying phones excluded)

Our verdict

The first S-series with a built-in S Pen and dual 3x/10x zoom, still capable on the used market but nearing the end of its update window.

Pros

  • Built-in S Pen carried over from the Note line
  • Dual telephoto with 3x and true 10x periscope zoom
  • Bright 6.8-inch QHD+ 120Hz display
  • Large 5000mAh battery with 45W charging

Cons

  • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) ran hot and is now dated
  • Only one year of security updates remaining
Best for: Bargain hunters wanting an S Pen flagshipBest for: Zoom photographers on a budgetBest for: Note fans seeking a used upgradeAvoid if: You want many years of future updatesAvoid if: You need the latest performance and efficiency

Full specifications

Display

💡 Bigger numbers = smoother scrolling (Hz) and easier outdoor reading (nits).

Screen6.8-inch Edge Quad HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz
Performance

💡 The phone's brain — it decides speed today and how well it ages.

ChipsetSnapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US)
RAM8GB / 12GB
Storage128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Cameras

💡 Megapixels aren't everything — lens variety matters more day-to-day.

main108MP
ultra-wide12MP
telephoto 3x10MP
telephoto 10x periscope10MP
front40MP
Battery & charging

💡 Capacity in mAh — bigger usually means longer between charges.

Battery5,000 mAh
Charging45W wired, 15W wireless
Build

💡 Size, weight, and the materials between your phone and the floor.

Dimensions163.3 × 77.9 × 8.9 mm
Weight229 g
MaterialsArmor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+
Water resistanceIP68
Software & connectivity

💡 The software it ships with, and how far it can upgrade.

SoftwareAndroid 12 with One UI 4.1 at launch
Connectivity5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC, USB-C
Update policy4 OS upgrades · 5 years of security updates (official promise)

Better-value alternatives

Similar price, lower cost per month of safe ownership.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Galaxy S22 Ultra supported?

Four OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its 2022 launch, ending around February 2027.

Does the S22 Ultra have an S Pen?

Yes, it was the first Galaxy S with a built-in S Pen, replacing the Note line.

What is the S22 Ultra's maximum zoom?

It has a 10MP 10x optical periscope plus a 10MP 3x telephoto, with Space Zoom up to 100x digitally.

Compare it

Specs are collected from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers and change often. Support end dates follow each brand's official policy (or, for Apple, its documented historical pattern). Last verified 2026-06-11.