Whether you like it or not, we've entered the era of mobile AI with the launch of the Galaxy S24 series. The S24 lineup was the first to bring Galaxy AI, and Samsung is now updating 2023 phones with One UI 6.1 and the same AI tools and features it launched on the S24.
On the other hand, Samsung said it has no plans to update older devices, like the Galaxy S22 series, with Galaxy AI. In essence, this means the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the most powerful slab-type Samsung phone you can buy that doesn't have any of these fancy AI capabilities. And if you have an aversion to AI, it might be the phone to get.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a no-nonsense phone, and it will probably go down in the history books as the last of its non-AI kind. But until that happens, the phone is still available for purchase from Samsung (in select markets) and third-party retailers. So, if you want to stock up on S22 Ultras or recommend a non-AI phone to a friend, these are your options.
How much does a Galaxy S22 Ultra cost in 2024?
In 2024, you can buy what Samsung calls a Certified Re-Newed (CRN) Galaxy S22 Ultra from the company's official online store or check out third-party retailers on sites like Amazon. Either way, the chances of finding a brand-new Galaxy S22 Ultra in the box that hasn't been refurbished are slim to none.
As for pricing, the rule of thumb is that the officially Certified Re-Newed Galaxy S22 Ultra from Samsung will be more expensive. As of this writing, you can buy a Phantom Black 128GB CRN Galaxy S22 Ultra with 128GB of storage for $829 or the 256GB model for $929.
For context, a new (non-refurbished) 256GB Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,199, and an even newer Galaxy S24 Ultra with the same amount of storage would set you back $1,299.
As for sites like Amazon, you can buy a renewed Galaxy S22 Ultra a lot cheaper. An S22 Ultra that was “inspected, tested, and refurbished, as necessary to be fully functional according to Amazon Renewed standards” can cost you somewhere between $450 and $550.
As you can see, prices can vary drastically depending on where you buy a Galaxy S22 Ultra in 2024, but you could say Samsung's stamp of approval might be worth it. In any case, you can still buy one even today and enjoy the AI-free experience if that's your goal.
