Apple iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes the lead in this showdown against the Apple iPhone 14, primarily due to its notable camera system and display size. While the iPhone 14 is a budget-friendly entry into the iPhone ecosystem, the S22 Ultra's standout features—like a 6.8" display and 108MP camera—make it a powerhouse. On the flip side, the iPhone 14's 3279mAh battery lasts around 20 hours, which is decent but falls short for users. If you prioritize display quality and camera capabilities, the S22 Ultra is the no-brainer choice. Key specs: Display: 6.1" vs 6.8" and Refresh: 60 Hz vs 120 Hz.
Why compare these? The Apple iPhone 14 (mid-range) and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (premium flagship) represent different approaches to smartphones. While they may appeal to different budgets, many buyers consider both options. This 2026 comparison helps you decide if the differences justify the price gap.
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Key Differences at a Glance
| Aspect | Apple iPhone | Samsung Galaxy |
|---|---|---|
| User Rating | ✓4.8★ (1,511 reviews) | 4.7★ (1,325 reviews) |
| Top Strength | Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem | Integrated S Pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms) |
| Main Drawback | Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C | Large, heavy, and boxy design can be unwieldy |
| Market Position | Mid-range | ✓Flagship |
Apple iPhone 14
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic)
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Qualcomm Adreno 730
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 14 vs Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Apple iPhone 14
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 14 | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.8(1,511)Best Buy | ★4.7(1,325)Best Buy |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform |
Graphics | Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic) | Qualcomm Adreno 730 |
RAM | 6 GB (LPDDR4X) | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1) |
Display Size | 6.1" (6.06" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display |
Resolution | 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) | 3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi |
Refresh Rate | 60 Hz | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 800 nits max (typical); 1200 nits peak (HDR) | 1,750 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 12MP Main (26 mm, f/1.5), sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, Photonic Engine for better low-light performance | 108MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.4, 120° field of view) | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | No dedicated telephoto lens; Digital zoom only beyond 1x | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS |
Optical Zoom | 0.5x, 1x (2x optical zoom out range) | 3x, 10x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 5x | Up to 100x Space Zoom |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps; Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | 40MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), PDAF |
Battery | 3279 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 20 hours video playback (16 hours streamed) | 5,000 mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Lightning; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 15W; Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (First-generation); NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; UWB |
USB | Lightning connector with USB 2 speeds (up to 480 Mb/s) | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield front; Aerospace-grade aluminum; Glass back | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+ |
Dimensions | 5.78" x 2.82" x 0.31" (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.80 mm) | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm) |
Weight | 6.07 oz (172 g) | 8.08 oz (229 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition |
Extras | Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Dual eSIM (US models); Ring/Silent switch | Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox |
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Apple iPhone 14
iOS
Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Apple A15 Bionic chip (5nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Apple 5-core GPU (A15 Bionic)
6 GB (LPDDR4X)
128GB / 256GB / 512GB (NVMe)
Pros
- Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem
- Reliable A15 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU still performs well
Cons
- Uses the older Lightning port instead of USB-C
- Display limited to 60 Hz (no ProMotion)
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Android
4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Qualcomm Adreno 730
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)
Pros
- Integrated S Pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms)
- Versatile camera system with dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical)
Cons
- Large, heavy, and boxy design can be unwieldy
- Battery life is average despite 5,000mAh capacity
Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 108MP camera crushes the iPhone 14's 12MP setup. That said, grab the iPhone 14 if you want a lighter, more compact phone - it weighs 6.07 oz compared to the S22 Ultra's 8.08 oz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 14 if: you want a lighter phone at 6.07 oz, prefer a compact size for easy handling, or are looking for a budget-friendly option.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra if: you take a lot of photos, need a larger display for gaming, or want a phone with longer video playback capabilities. (6.8" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Quality Seekers
Higher user rating (4.8★ vs 4.7★) indicates better overall satisfaction
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Premium Buyers
Higher-tier option with more premium features and build quality
→ Choose Samsung Galaxy
Value Seekers
Better value proposition for buyers who don't need top-tier features
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Affordable entry point Priority
Affordable entry point into the modern mainline iPhone ecosystem
→ Choose Apple iPhone
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Bottom line: The Apple iPhone 14 edges ahead with a 4.8★ rating compared to 4.7★. However, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra remains a strong contender if its strengths align better with your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which is better: Apple iPhone 14 or Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Apple iPhone 14 is the better choice if you prioritize affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra wins if you value integrated s pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms). Both are rated highly (4.8★ vs 4.7★), so consider your specific needs and budget.
+What are the main differences between Apple iPhone 14 and Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra?
Key differences: Apple iPhone 14 offers affordable entry point into the modern mainline iphone ecosystem, while Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra stands out with integrated s pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms). Consider that Apple iPhone 14 uses the older lightning port instead of usb-c. Meanwhile, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra large, heavy, and boxy design can be unwieldy. Check the detailed specs table above for a complete comparison.
+Where can US buyers get the best price?
For US buyers, Amazon typically offers competitive pricing with Prime shipping, easy returns, and reliable warranty support. We recommend comparing prices on both products using our affiliate links above—prices fluctuate regularly, and you may find sales or deals.
+Is this comparison up to date?
Yes, this comparison is current for 2026. We regularly verify specs, ratings, and availability. Last verified: January 27, 2026. PageBen uses affiliate links for monetization, but our recommendations are research-driven and independent.
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