Galaxy S26 Ultra vs S22 Ultra: The generation gap got too wide to ignore

Most people who bought the Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2022 knew exactly what they were getting: one of Samsung's boxiest phones and the first Galaxy S model with a built-in S Pen slot.

Four years later, it’s no longer the best S Pen phone around. Not even close. Samsung’s Ultra series hasn’t slowed down, and the S22 Ultra now sits several generations behind.

If you’ve held onto yours, however, the new Galaxy S26 Ultra might finally be tempting enough to make you switch. Let’s compare the two side by side and see if upgrading your 2022 model makes sense.

At a glance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra and the S22 Ultra look like they belong to different lineups. Yes, both carry the Ultra name, the S Pen, and a quad-camera system. But they were clearly designed in different eras.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra has completely flat glass panels and a flat frame. The curved edges are gone. And while the S22 Ultra had sharp, Note-like corners, the S26 Ultra leans back into classic Galaxy S territory with softer, rounded edges.

The S Pen remains, but this is where the S22 Ultra has a small advantage. Its S Pen still supports Bluetooth and Air Actions — features Samsung dropped with the Galaxy S25 Ultra and kept absent on the S26 Ultra.

Beyond that, the S26 Ultra wins on build quality and, arguably, design. The flat screen alone is more practical for S Pen fans.

Apart from design and build quality, the new Galaxy S26 Ultra pulls ahead in nearly every other category. Here's a summary of all the new and improved features.

All things considered, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is better than the S22 Ultra in virtually every measurable way. The only loss is the Bluetooth S Pen and Air Actions.

Is the gap between the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the S26 Ultra big enough to justify upgrading this year? We think so. The S26 Ultra is dramatically more powerful, more refined in design, backed by a consumer-friendlier software policy, and packed with improved or newer AI and display technologies.

Better yet, if you’re in a market with strong trade-in programs, the upgrade makes even more sense. In the US, for example, trading in a Galaxy S22 Ultra can shave up to $500 off the S26 Ultra's price, making the four-year leap even more compelling.