Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Vs iPhone 13 Pro

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

Refurbished price:350.00

Versus €1,445.00 new

See options
iPhone 13 Pro
iPhone 13 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:313.00

Versus €1,149.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, released in February 2022, and the Apple iPhone 13 Pro, launched in September 2021, represent flagship smartphones from their respective manufacturers. While both devices offer premium experiences, they cater to different user preferences through distinct operating systems and hardware philosophies. The Galaxy S22 Ultra integrates a stylus and a larger display, emphasizing productivity and an expansive viewing experience, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro focuses on a streamlined user interface and a compact form factor with robust camera capabilities.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines, software support, and repairability.

  • Release Timeline: The iPhone 13 Pro was released in September 2021, making it several months older than the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, which launched in February 2022. This difference in release date can influence the duration of future software support.
  • OS Support: Apple typically provides iOS updates for approximately 5-7 years from a device's release. The iPhone 13 Pro is expected to receive major iOS updates until at least 2027, with security updates potentially extending further. Samsung, for the Galaxy S22 Ultra, committed to four years of major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates. This means the Galaxy S22 Ultra is expected to receive major Android updates until 2026 and security updates until 2027.
  • Repairability: The iPhone 13 Pro received a repairability score of 5 out of 10 from iFixit, noting that display and battery replacements are prioritized in its design, though software limitations can complicate third-party repairs. In contrast, the Galaxy S22 Ultra scored a lower 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, which makes battery and screen replacements challenging.

Year of Release

2022

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver robust performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Processor Capabilities: The iPhone 13 Pro features a powerful processor that handles intensive tasks, such as advanced gaming and video editing, with smooth responsiveness. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is equipped with a current-generation processor designed to manage complex operations, including high-resolution gaming and multi-application workflows, efficiently.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The iPhone 13 Pro, with its 6GB of RAM, offers a fluid experience for switching between applications and maintaining several active processes. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G provides more RAM options, starting from 8GB and going up to 12GB, which can offer additional headroom for extensive multitasking and running numerous applications simultaneously without slowdowns.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer a range of internal storage capacities, typically from 128GB up to 1TB, allowing users to choose based on their needs for apps, photos, and videos.
  • Battery Behavior: The iPhone 13 Pro is noted for its improved battery life compared to its predecessors, often lasting a full day for many users. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, with its larger battery capacity, generally provides extended usage times, often accommodating heavy use throughout a day.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

6 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is a highlight, with each offering a high-quality display tailored to different preferences.

  • Display Technology and Resolution: The iPhone 13 Pro features a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display, providing deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a resolution of 2532 x 1170 pixels. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a higher QHD+ resolution of 3088 x 1440 pixels, offering a more expansive and detailed viewing area.
  • Refresh Rate: Both phones incorporate adaptive refresh rate technology, allowing them to dynamically adjust from 10Hz to 120Hz. This ProMotion technology on the iPhone 13 Pro and the adaptive 120Hz on the Galaxy S22 Ultra contribute to smoother scrolling and more fluid animations.
  • Brightness Levels: The iPhone 13 Pro can reach a typical maximum brightness of 1000 nits and a peak HDR brightness of 1200 nits. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers a higher peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, which can enhance visibility in bright outdoor conditions.
  • Viewing Experience: The iPhone 13 Pro's smaller screen size offers a more manageable one-handed experience, while the Galaxy S22 Ultra's larger display is well-suited for media consumption, gaming, and productivity tasks, especially with its integrated stylus.

Resolution

1440 x 3088

1170 x 2532

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Super Retina XDR OLED

Audiovisual

Both devices are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality images and videos, though they approach photography with slightly different strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The iPhone 13 Pro features a triple 12MP camera system, including wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses with 3x optical zoom. It excels in low-light performance and offers sensor-shift optical image stabilization for the wide lens. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G comes with a versatile quad-camera setup, highlighted by a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, providing extensive zoom capabilities.
  • Photography Performance: The iPhone 13 Pro is praised for its consistent image quality across its lenses, improved low-light photography, and the introduction of a macro mode. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is known for its detailed high-resolution shots, particularly from its 108MP main sensor, and its impressive long-range zoom capabilities.
  • Video Recording: Both phones offer advanced video recording features. The iPhone 13 Pro supports 4K video recording at up to 60 frames per second and introduced Cinematic mode for shallow depth-of-field effects. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G can record video at up to 8K resolution at 24 frames per second, along with various other modes.
  • Front Camera: The iPhone 13 Pro has a 12MP front camera, suitable for high-quality selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a higher-resolution 40MP front camera, which can capture more detailed self-portraits.

Main camera

108 megapixels

12 megapixels

Front camera

40 megapixels

12 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core performance and display, several other features contribute to the overall user experience and practical utility of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity: Both devices support 5G connectivity for faster mobile data speeds. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G includes Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.2, offering advanced wireless capabilities. The iPhone 13 Pro supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0.
  • Ports and Biometrics: The iPhone 13 Pro utilizes Apple's proprietary Lightning port for charging and data transfer, and relies on Face ID for secure facial recognition. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a USB-C port, a more universal standard, and incorporates an under-display fingerprint sensor for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The iPhone 13 Pro has a stainless steel frame and Ceramic Shield front, weighing 204 grams and measuring 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is larger and heavier at 228 grams, with dimensions of 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm, featuring an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back. The Galaxy S22 Ultra also uniquely integrates an S Pen stylus, enhancing its functionality for note-taking and drawing.
  • Durability Features: Both phones carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating they can withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes.

Weight

228 g

203 g

Screen size (in)

6.8

6.1

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

Lightning

User feedback for the iPhone 13 Pro often highlights its excellent camera system, particularly its low-light performance and macro capabilities, as well as its significantly improved battery life compared to previous iPhone models. Common criticisms have included the continued use of the Lightning port instead of USB-C and some initial software glitches related to Face ID and touch responsiveness that were later addressed. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is frequently praised for its expansive and vibrant display, the versatility of its camera system with impressive zoom, and the integrated S Pen, which offers a unique productivity experience. Some users have noted concerns regarding its repairability due to the extensive use of adhesive and potential battery drain issues for very heavy users.

Users prioritizing a compact device with a highly refined operating system, strong video capabilities, and consistent camera performance, especially in varied lighting conditions, may find the iPhone 13 Pro well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a larger display for media consumption and multitasking, advanced zoom photography, and the integrated functionality of a stylus for creative or professional tasks, may lean toward the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G. Both devices offer robust performance and features, making the choice dependent on individual priorities. For those seeking a more sustainable choice, considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can provide an excellent way to extend the life cycle of these advanced smartphones.

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