Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: SIM-free buyers get the lower entry price from Samsung Galaxy S22 rather than Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The page lists £149.99 against £899.00. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the display edge, pairing a 6.9" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with 498 PPI while Samsung Galaxy S22 uses a 6.1" Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen at 422 PPI. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the higher-resolution rear camera figure at 200MP versus Samsung Galaxy S22's 50MP, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers more headroom at up to 512GB rather than Samsung Galaxy S22's 256GB. Samsung Galaxy S22 is lighter at 167g, compared with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at 214g, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra lists the larger battery capacity, 5,000 mAh against Samsung Galaxy S22's 3,700 mAh. Choose Samsung Galaxy S22 for the lower spend, but pick Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if its display, storage, or ecosystem advantages are the parts you will notice every day.

Over a full contract, the S22 5G works out around £397 all-in, about £543 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.3
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
Dynamic AMOLED 2X Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
422 498
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 2200 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Android Android
SIM Type
Triple SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.2, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
46 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
167 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£13.99/mo (£39.00 upfront) £16.00/mo (£545.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£149.00 £879.00

Prices updated 25 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy S22 Samsung Galaxy S22 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.3
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display Dynamic AMOLED 2X Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 422 498
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 10 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 2200 Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,700 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Android Android
SIM Type Triple SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 46 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 167 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £13.99/mo
£39.00 upfront
£16.00/mo
£545.00 upfront
SIM-free £149.00 £879.00
Prices updated 25 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy S22
Samsung Galaxy S22

24 Months

128GB

Phantom Black

Refurbished

200GB

Data

£13.99 per month, £39 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

White

300GB

Data

£16 per month, £545 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S22 is cheaper on contract at £397.16 over the life of the deal from £13.99 per month with £39.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 422, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 uses a Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £149.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is available in 128GB, 256GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is powered by the Exynos 2200, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the more portable of the two: it's 47g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 46 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, and is slimmer at 7.6mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy S22 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?

Both phones run Android.