Samsung Electronics' launch of the Galaxy S22 series marked the end of the Note era, but the world's biggest mobile phone manufacturer made sure to integrate the latter's best features in the high-end Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G.
Samsung has consistently topped global smartphone market share rankings, but rival Apple overtook the Seoul-based brand in the fourth quarters of both 2020 and 2021, according to Counterpoint Research.
Samsung is hoping its latest premium device will ensure it retains the top spot.
S22 Ultra 5G Form: a repackaged Note
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
At first glance, the S22 Ultra 5G resembles the Note 20. But flip it over and you'll see the main difference: the camera block has been removed, with all the lenses embedded within the rear. Otherwise, the device is a repackaged Note 20 — buttons on the right side, and card tray and USB-C port below.
The S Pen is in its usual lower-left bottom slot. More on that to come.
The unique build of the S22 Ultra 5G is highlighted by its curved sides, flat top and bottom, armour aluminium metal frame and Corning Gorilla Victus Glass — Corning's strongest by far — on the front and back. It does look really solid and is quite heavy, but at 228 grams, it weighs 10g less than the iPhone 13 Pro Max.
And then there's the quad-HD+ screen, a generous 6.8 inches that's edge-to-edge in an almost bezel-less design. The Infinity O display gives a hint of the Galaxy Edge phones, albeit not in an obvious way.
Performance: what you would expect
You normally won't have any problems with a high-end Samsung device in terms of speed and flow, and the S22 Ultra 5G is no exception. Inside is Qualcomm's 4-nanometre Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, which promises better and faster CPU and graphics performance while also increasing efficiency. This new processor is also being used in other flagships, including those from Motorola, OnePlus, Oppo, Realme and Xiaomi.
Samsung's own 4nm chip, the Exynos 2200, will be made available for devices in some international markets. Areas including the UAE, Australia, India, North America, South Africa and South Korea get Snapdragon, while devices sold in Europe and the UK will use Exynos.
What is odd, however, is that Samsung decided to go with lower RAM: the S22 Ultra 5G only has 8GB and 12GB to choose from, compared to its predecessor, the S21's 12GB and 16GB.
Overall, there weren't any issues with using the device. It's 120Hz refresh rate guarantees a smooth graphics flow. If that's not enough, you can push it up to 240Hz — but that's only available for gaming and you need to set the device to Game Mode.
Camera: 'nightography' takes centre stage
The S22 Ultra 5G has four cameras, the biggest being a 108MP wide-angle sensor.
Samsung has heavily marketed the device's “nightography” abilities, promising more clarity for shots taken in dim-light situations. So we decided to test that using night mode — our sample photos follow.
The details on lights are good and the overall results aren't overexposed. If you look closely, however, there is some blur with moving subjects or objects.
The device also comes with the Space Zoom feature that allows you to zoom up to 100 times, but pound-for-pound it's pretty much still a novelty.
A sample video below also shows that it can hold up pretty well at night, although there is some grain in some of the darker areas.
Battery: not fully charged
In our one-hour YouTube-at-full-brightness test, the device lost only 6 per cent. Any flagship that's in the single digits in this category is already very good, but Samsung has upped the ante.
However, its 5000mAh battery — at par with its S21 counterpart and above the Note 20's 4500mAh — doesn't really translate into actual use. We found ourselves down to less than 30 per cent by night, and even lower than 20 per cent when we pushed it further. Many factors are at play here, including its huge screen, brightness, refresh rate and others.
The phone supports both 25W and 45W fast charging, but you'll have to buy these chargers separately as Samsung's S devices no longer come with charging cables. The package continues to include a USB-C-to-C cable.
The device charged 52 per cent (25W) and 61 per cent (45W) in half an hour. Not a huge difference, but 50 per cent in 30 minutes is good enough, especially if you're in a hurry.
S Pen: glide with 70% faster latency
The biggest feature of the S22 Ultra 5G is, without a doubt, the S Pen, especially since it has now has been fully integrated into the device, unlike last year's S21 Ultra that did not offer a built-in option.
The integration of the S Pen in the Galaxy S22 Ultra played well
Osman Albora,
head of Samsung Gulf Electronics' mobile experience division
“The integration of the S Pen in the Galaxy S22 Ultra played well,” Osman Albora, the head of Samsung Gulf Electronics' mobile experience division, told The National.
Anyone who's used to the S Pen would notice a key improvement: its latency — the time delay between input and output — has been whittled down to a mere 2.8 milliseconds from the previous iteration's 9ms. That's a huge improvement of almost 70 per cent for response time.
The S Pen retains its bag of tricks and is a boon for note-taking, scribbling and even some art, but that means it's still meant for a specific set of users.
Verdict
Generally speaking, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is a revamped version of the Note. The company didn't go for a more unique look to distinguish the combined abilities of both series, but what matters is what's inside, and what it gives to the user. The main things we were not convinced about is the battery life, which is unbecoming of a flagship, and the hefty price.
But the launch of the new device also gives Samsung the ability to consolidate its focus on its flagship models, with a clear line drawn between regular smartphones and foldables.
The S22 Ultra 5G has the best of both the S and the Note, and honestly, clubbing the two lines should've been done a long time ago.
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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UAE tour of Zimbabwe
All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – UAE won by 36 runs
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
Sunday, Oct 5 – First T20I
Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Adele: The Stories Behind The Songs
Caroline Sullivan
Carlton Books
EA Sports FC 26
Publisher: EA Sports
Consoles: PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox Series X/S
Rating: 3/5
Key figures in the life of the fort
Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.
Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.
Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.
Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.
Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.
Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.
Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae
Traits of Chinese zodiac animals
Tiger:independent, successful, volatile
Rat:witty, creative, charming
Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
Rabbit:gracious, considerate, sensitive
Dragon:prosperous, brave, rash
Snake:calm, thoughtful, stubborn
Horse:faithful, energetic, carefree
Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
Rooster:honest, confident, pompous
Dog:loyal, kind, perfectionist
Boar:loving, tolerant, indulgent
UAE finals day
Friday, April 13
Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
3pm, UAE Conference: Dubai Tigers v Sharjah Wanderers
6.30pm, UAE Premiership: Dubai Exiles v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
Du Football Champions
The fourth season of du Football Champions was launched at Gitex on Wednesday alongside the Middle East’s first sports-tech scouting platform.“du Talents”, which enables aspiring footballers to upload their profiles and highlights reels and communicate directly with coaches, is designed to extend the reach of the programme, which has already attracted more than 21,500 players in its first three years.
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THE BIO: Mohammed Ashiq Ali
Proudest achievement: “I came to a new country and started this shop”
Favourite TV programme: the news
Favourite place in Dubai: Al Fahidi. “They started the metro in 2009 and I didn’t take it yet.”
Family: six sons in Dubai and a daughter in Faisalabad
Company%C2%A0profile
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A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Reputation
Taylor Swift
(Big Machine Records)
Honeymoonish
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Elie%20El%20Samaan%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENour%20Al%20Ghandour%2C%20Mahmoud%20Boushahri%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
WHAT%20MACRO%20FACTORS%20ARE%20IMPACTING%20META%20TECH%20MARKETS%3F
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Bullet%20Train
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%E2%80%98FSO%20Safer%E2%80%99%20-%20a%20ticking%20bomb
%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20has%20been%20moored%20off%20the%20Yemeni%20coast%20of%20Ras%20Issa%20since%201988.%3Cbr%3EThe%20Houthis%20have%20been%20blockading%20UN%20efforts%20to%20inspect%20and%20maintain%20the%20vessel%20since%202015%2C%20when%20the%20war%20between%20the%20group%20and%20the%20Yemen%20government%2C%20backed%20by%20the%20Saudi-led%20coalition%20began.%3Cbr%3ESince%20then%2C%20a%20handful%20of%20people%20acting%20as%20a%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.ae%2Furl%3Fsa%3Dt%26rct%3Dj%26q%3D%26esrc%3Ds%26source%3Dweb%26cd%3D%26ved%3D2ahUKEwiw2OfUuKr4AhVBuKQKHTTzB7cQFnoECB4QAQ%26url%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.thenationalnews.com%252Fworld%252Fmena%252Fyemen-s-floating-bomb-tanker-millions-kept-safe-by-skeleton-crew-1.1104713%26usg%3DAOvVaw0t9FPiRsx7zK7aEYgc65Ad%22%20target%3D%22_self%22%3Eskeleton%20crew%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%20have%20performed%20rudimentary%20maintenance%20work%20to%20keep%20the%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20intact.%3Cbr%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%20is%20connected%20to%20a%20pipeline%20from%20the%20oil-rich%20city%20of%20Marib%2C%20and%20was%20once%20a%20hub%20for%20the%20storage%20and%20export%20of%20crude%20oil.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EThe%20%3Cem%3ESafer%3C%2Fem%3E%E2%80%99s%20environmental%20and%20humanitarian%20impact%20may%20extend%20well%20beyond%20Yemen%2C%20experts%20believe%2C%20into%20the%20surrounding%20waters%20of%20Saudi%20Arabia%2C%20Djibouti%20and%20Eritrea%2C%20impacting%20marine-life%20and%20vital%20infrastructure%20like%20desalination%20plans%20and%20fishing%20ports.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
Our legal advisor
Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation.
Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.
Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
SPEC SHEET
Display: 6.8" edge quad-HD dynamic Amoled 2X, Infinity-O, 3088 x 1440, 500ppi, HDR10 , 120Hz
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1/Exynos 2200, 8-core
Memory: 8/12GB RAM
Storage: 128/256/512GB/1TB
Platform: Android 12
Main camera: quad 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2, 108MP wide f/1.8, 10MP telephoto f/4.9, 10MP telephoto 2.4; Space Zoom up to 100x, auto HDR, expert RAW
Video: 8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, full-HD@60fps, HD@30fps, super slo-mo@960fps
Front camera: 40MP f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh, fast wireless charging 2.0 Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity: 5G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC
I/O: USB-C
SIM: single nano, or nano and SIM, nano and nano, eSIM/nano and nano
Colours: burgundy, green, phantom black, phantom white, graphite, sky blue, red
Price: Dh4,699 for 128GB, Dh5,099 for 256GB, Dh5,499 for 512GB; 1TB unavailable in the UAE
