Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Vs Galaxy S23 FE

Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:350.00

Versus €1,445.00 new

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Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:226.00

Versus €708.98 new

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Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, released in early 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, launched in late 2023, are both Android smartphones offering distinct experiences within the Samsung ecosystem. While the S22 Ultra was a flagship device integrating the S Pen, the S23 FE is positioned as a "Fan Edition" model, bringing key features to a broader audience. Both devices run on the Android operating system, with the S23 FE launching with a newer version, influencing their respective software support timelines.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical durability. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G was released in February 2022, while the Galaxy S23 FE followed in October 2023, giving the latter a later start in its lifecycle.

  • Software Updates: The Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive major Android operating system updates for a longer period than the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, due to its more recent launch date. Both devices are typically supported with four years of OS updates and five years of security updates from their respective release dates.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, offering enhanced scratch and drop resistance. The Galaxy S23 FE utilizes Gorilla Glass 5 for its display and rear panel. Both models carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G received a lower repairability score, primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive and the difficulty in replacing components. In contrast, the Galaxy S23 FE shows an improved repairability assessment, noting features like pull tabs for easier battery removal.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Evaluating performance involves considering how smoothly a device handles daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking. Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G and the Galaxy S23 FE are equipped with capable processors designed for a responsive user experience.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: Both devices offer smooth navigation, quick app launches, and efficient handling of common applications. Users will find both suitable for browsing, social media, and productivity tasks without noticeable delays.
  • Demanding Applications and Gaming: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, particularly in its higher RAM configurations, provides robust performance for graphically intensive games and heavy multitasking. The Galaxy S23 FE also handles demanding games and applications well, though the S22 Ultra may offer a slight edge in sustained peak performance during extended heavy use.
  • Storage and Multitasking: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers a wider range of storage options, including configurations up to 1TB, and up to 12GB of RAM, which benefits users who store large amounts of data or frequently switch between many applications. The Galaxy S23 FE typically comes with 8GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage, which is ample for most users.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for any smartphone, and both Samsung models offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both devices feature Dynamic AMOLED 2X displays, known for deep blacks and vivid colors. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a larger 6.8-inch display with a QHD+ resolution (3088 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a sharper image with approximately 500 pixels per inch. The Galaxy S23 FE has a 6.4-inch display with an FHD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), providing clear visuals at around 403 pixels per inch.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G can achieve a higher peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, making it exceptionally visible in bright outdoor conditions. The Galaxy S23 FE reaches up to 1450 nits, which is also bright enough for most outdoor scenarios. Both phones feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen size and higher resolution of the S22 Ultra 5G provide a more expansive and detailed viewing experience, particularly beneficial for media consumption and productivity tasks. The S23 FE's slightly smaller screen offers a more compact feel while still delivering a high-quality visual experience.

Resolution

1440 x 3088

1080 x 2340

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

Photography capabilities are a significant consideration for many users, and both the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G and Galaxy S23 FE offer versatile camera systems, with the S22 Ultra featuring a more advanced setup.

  • Main Camera Performance: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a 108-megapixel main sensor, capable of capturing highly detailed images, especially in good lighting. The Galaxy S23 FE comes with a 50-megapixel main sensor, which also produces excellent photos with good color reproduction and dynamic range. Both include optical image stabilization for clearer shots.
  • Zoom and Versatility: The S22 Ultra 5G stands out with its dual telephoto lenses, offering 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities, allowing for significant reach without loss of detail. The S23 FE includes a single 3x optical telephoto lens. Both have a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens for expansive shots.
  • Video and Front Camera: The S22 Ultra 5G supports 8K video recording and features a high-resolution 40-megapixel front camera for detailed selfies and video calls. The S23 FE records up to 8K video as well and has a 10-megapixel front camera, which provides clear and capable results for most users.

Main camera

108 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

40 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several practical features contribute to the overall user experience and device utility.

  • S Pen Integration: A key differentiator is the integrated S Pen on the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, allowing for precise note-taking, drawing, and remote control functionalities. The Galaxy S23 FE does not include S Pen support.
  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity, modern Wi-Fi standards, and Bluetooth for wireless accessories. They both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. Neither device includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G has a more angular design, weighing 228g. The Galaxy S23 FE has a slightly more rounded design, weighing 209g, making it feel a bit lighter in hand. Both feature an aluminum frame and glass construction, contributing to a premium feel.

Weight

228 g

209 g

Screen size (in)

6.8

6.4

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G's comprehensive feature set, particularly its versatile camera system with impressive zoom capabilities and the integrated S Pen, as major advantages. Many users praise its expansive and bright display for media consumption and productivity. Some common criticisms, however, have occasionally pointed to its battery life under heavy use, despite its large capacity, and its overall size and weight, which might be cumbersome for some.

The Galaxy S23 FE is frequently lauded for offering a balanced experience, bringing many flagship-level features. Users appreciate its capable camera, vibrant display, and solid performance for everyday tasks. Some feedback suggests that while its performance is strong, its camera's image processing can sometimes lead to dull colors, noise, or poor HDR in certain conditions, and its build materials are a slight step down from the Ultra models.

Users prioritizing an integrated S Pen, a larger and higher-resolution display, and a more advanced, versatile camera system with extended zoom capabilities may find the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G better suited to their needs. Conversely, users seeking a slightly more compact device with a newer software support timeline, while still offering strong performance and a capable camera for general use, might lean towards the Galaxy S23 FE. Both devices represent quality options, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new, allowing users to make an informed and sustainable choice.

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