Every year, technology improves with new iterations of smartphones coming out. These include updates to designs, new processors, enhanced graphic processing units, and camera lenses. If you’re someone who likes to stay up-to-date with the latest features, it can end up getting expensive.
If you want to balance price with performance, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra refurbished is a great cost-effective choice. The S22 Ultra was first released back in 2022, being the premium, high-end choice for the Galaxy S22 lineup.
The other models in the S22 lineup, the base model and Plus, are also fantastic choices if you’re looking to buy refurbished. In this article, we’ll be breaking down if a refurbished Samsung S22 is worth it, the major differences between the S22 series of phones and S23, and the S22 features.
Along with being a great way to save money and cut down costs, buying refurbished is also gaining traction as it contributes to a circular economy. It’s a more sustainable practice, adding to the reuse, recycle, and refurbish models—reducing the environmental impact the smartphone industry has.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup was first announced at their Unpacked event on February 9th, 2022. The phones launched a few weeks later, on February 25th. The devices are all still being actively updated and feature cutting-edge tech.
Features Of The Samsung S22
The Samsung Galaxy S22 series features three different models: the S22 base model, the S22 Plus, and the S22 Ultra. The specs of the base model, Plus, and Ultra, are similar, offering similar performance. The major key differences are the screen size and extra features.
In this article, we’ll be focusing on the features of the S22 Ultra device. If you’re interested in the features and specifications of the S22 base or Plus models, you can find them on websites like GSM Arena. Below, we’ve outlined everything you need to know about the S22 Ultra.
- Premium build with a Gorilla Glass Victus+ glass front and back, as well as an aluminium frame.
- 6.8-inch screen powered by a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display supporting 1440 x 3088 pixel resolution.
- The S22 Ultra screen also has a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1750 nits. It supports HDR10+ for enhanced colour and contrast.
- The S22 Ultra features the Exynos 2200 processor in Australia, backed by Xclipse 920 for graphics. It is ideal for heavy tasks and gaming.
- The S22 Ultra has various storage and RAM settings. It can have 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB internal storage, and it has the option of 8 GB or 12GB RAM.
- The Ultra model features a quad-camera setup. It has a 108MP wide lens, a 10MP telephoto lens, a 10MP periscope telephoto lens, and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
- The large battery capacity, at 5000 mAh, supports fast charging up to 45W wired. This means it can reach about 50% in 20-30 minutes.
The S22 Ultra is also available in a range of different colours. The Ultra model also supports the S Pen stylus, Samsung DeX, and extra security features like facial recognition.
Is The Samsung S22 Still Worth Buying?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 lineup of phones is still worth buying in 2024. Most recently, Samsung has pledged that all its devices, including its Galaxy flagships, will receive five years of support.
So, at the time of writing, the S22 devices are only halfway through their planned 5 years of support. Users and potential buyers can still expect 2-3 more years of major software and security updates.
The Galaxy S22 phones are still packed with cutting-edge tech. The processors used in the phones can still handle the latest 3D games, multitasking, and intensive apps. So, if you want great bang for your buck, the S22 devices are ideal.
The display in the S22 phones, especially the Ultra, is still one of the best on the market. The 6.8-inch DYNAMIC AMOLED 2X screen's 1440p resolution and HDR10+ support make it excellent for entertainment, whether gaming or streaming.
The S22 Ultra model's quad-camera setup is one of the best in the entire Android ecosystem. It’s also one of the very few devices capable of 8K video recording.
The S22 Ultra is also one of the few newer Galaxy flagship models that supports the S Pen stylus. The S Pen stylus is perfect for productivity. It’s great for drawing, taking notes, and making navigation easier.
What Are The Differences Between The S22 and S23?
The Galaxy S23 range was an annual, incremental increase over the S22 lineup of phones. Below, we’ve outlined the main differences between the S22 and its successor—the S23.
S22 vs S23
The base models for the Galaxy S22 and S23 share many similarities in design and specifications. They both feature a similar build, but the S22 utilises Gorilla Glass Victus+ for the glass front and back, while the S23 uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
The base model S22 and S23 phones feature the same 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display. The only key difference is that the base model S23 allows for a greater peak brightness at 1750 nits.
The biggest difference between the S22 and S23 base models is in the chipset. In Australia, the S22 features the Exynos 2200, whereas the S23 is powered by the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 has a more powerful and efficient processor, offering improved performance and heat management. The S23 also has a slightly bigger battery and a higher-quality camera setup.
S22 Plus vs S23 Plus
Similar to the base model, the S22 Plus and S23 Plus models feature many similarities, with slight upgrades. The main difference between the Plus models is the S23 version features a larger battery capacity, at 4700 mAh versus 4500 mAh.
The S23 Plus model features the same multi-lens camera setup as the S22 Plus but has an improved front camera. The selfie camera was upgraded to 12MP (f/2.2) with an enhanced low-light performance and AI improvements.
Similarly to the comparison between the S22 and S23 base models, the S23 Plus model also features a better processor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is faster than the processor used in the S22 Plus.
S22 Ultra vs S23 Ultra
The S22 Ultra and S23 Ultra are both premium models for their respective Galaxy flagship devices. The S23 Ultra variant builds on its predecessor with several upgrades. We’ve outlined them all below.
- The S23 Ultra’s glass front and back is improved with the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for improved durability.
- Like the other phones in the S23 lineup, the Ultra variant is powered by the improved Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for improved performance and heat management.
- The rear camera setup in the S23 Ultra variant has also been upgraded compared to its predecessor. It features a 200MP wide sensor, which is a major upgrade.
Shop Samsung S22 Refurbished at OzMobiles
If you’re shopping for a Samsung Galaxy S22, buying refurbished is a fantastic choice if you want the best price. Here at OzMobiles, we stock a range of refurbished phones and pride ourselves on providing good deals. So, if you find a better price elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10 (terms and conditions apply).
All the devices we sell, including our refurbished Samsung Galaxy devices, go through an extensive refurbishment process in our local, Melbourne headquarters. A qualified technician will look through the phone, ensuring it is running like-new. So, everything is fully functional and optimal.
The devices we sell also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return policy. At OzMobiles, we’re confident in our phones and stand behind them. So, if you run into any problems or you have a change of heart, our team will be there to support you.