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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the flagship option here, boasting an incredible 108MP camera that excels in low light. In contrast, the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) delivers solid performance with its A15 Bionic chip but has a much smaller 4.7-inch display and a dated design with thick bezels. If you're serious about photography and performance, the S22 Ultra is worth every penny in 2026.
📱 Display: 6.8" vs 4.7"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 60 Hz🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh
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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
★4.7
(1,325)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 730
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5
(225)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4.7"
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
1–120Hz (Adaptive)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
60Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
8GB / 12GB LPDDR5Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
4GB
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
108MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OISWinner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
No (Not supported)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
5,000 mAh (Typical)Winner
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
8.08 oz (229 g)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.09 oz (144 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm)
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Android
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
iOS
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; UWB
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
+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: Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra vs Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
★4.7(1,325)Best Buy
Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
★4.5(225)Best Buy
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra | Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(1,325)Best Buy | ★4.5(225)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | iOS |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022) |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform | Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 730 | Apple GPU (4-core graphics) |
RAM | 8GB / 12GB LPDDR5 | 4GB |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1) | 64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe |
Display Size | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 4.7" |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display | Retina HD LCD (IPS) |
Resolution | 3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi | 1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) | 60Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1,750 nits (Peak) | 625 nits (Typical) |
Main Camera | 108MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS | 12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) | No (Not supported) |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS | No (Not supported) |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 10x Optical Zoom | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x Space Zoom | Up to 5x |
Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps | 4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps |
Front Camera | 40MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), PDAF | 7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps |
Battery | 5,000 mAh (Typical) | 2,018mAh (Approximate) |
Wired Charging | Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately) | 20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare | 7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; UWB | 5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds) |
Durability | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+ | IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass |
Dimensions | 6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm) | 5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm) |
Weight | 8.08 oz (229 g) | 5.09 oz (144 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button) |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox | Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support |
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Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
Rating:★4.7(1,325)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 730
RAM:8GB / 12GB LPDDR5
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display
Resolution:3088 x 1440 pixels (QHD+), 500 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,750 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:108MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Laser AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4) + 10MP Periscope (10x optical, f/4.9); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x, 10x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 100x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps
Front Camera:40MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), PDAF
Battery:5,000 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+
Dimensions:6.43" x 3.07" x 0.35" (163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:8.08 oz (229 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Integrated S Pen (2.8ms latency); Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox
✓ Pros:
- • Integrated S Pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms)
- • Versatile camera system with dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical)
- • Bright, sharp QHD+ display with adaptive 120Hz refresh rate
- • Excellent build quality with Armor Aluminum and Gorilla Glass Victus+
- • Long software support commitment (4 OS upgrades)
✗ Cons:
- • Large, heavy, and boxy design can be unwieldy
- • Battery life is average despite 5,000mAh capacity
- • 45W charging speed does not significantly outperform 25W in real-world tests
- • No microSD card slot or headphone jack
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can throttle performance under heavy sustained load
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Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen)
Rating:★4.5(225)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Typically 6+ years of OS updates from release (2022)
Processor:Apple A15 Bionic (5nm)
Graphics:Apple GPU (4-core graphics)
RAM:4GB
Storage:64GB / 128GB / 256GB NVMe
Display Size:4.7"
Screen Type:Retina HD LCD (IPS)
Resolution:1334 x 750 pixels (326 ppi)
Refresh Rate:60Hz
Peak Brightness:625 nits (Typical)
Main Camera:12MP Wide, f/1.8, OIS, Digital Zoom up to 5x
Ultra-Wide Camera:No (Not supported)
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported)
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 5x
Video Recording:4K @ 60fps; 1080p @ 60fps; Slo-mo 1080p @ 240fps
Front Camera:7MP FaceTime HD, f/2.2, 1080p @ 30fps
Battery:2,018mAh (Approximate)
Wired Charging:20W Fast Charging (50% in 30 min) via Lightning
Wireless Charging:7.5W Qi Wireless (No MagSafe magnetic alignment)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6 GHz only - No mmWave), Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
USB:Lightning Connector (USB 2.0 speeds)
Durability:IP67 (Dust/Water Resistant up to 1m for 30 min); Ion-strengthened glass
Dimensions:5.45 x 2.65 x 0.29 in (138.4 x 67.3 x 7.3 mm)
Weight:5.09 oz (144 g)
Biometrics:Touch ID (Fingerprint sensor in Home button)
Extras:Stereo speakers, Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM), Dual eSIM support
✓ Pros:
- • Most affordable entry point into the new iPhone ecosystem
- • Compact and lightweight design is easy to use with one hand
- • A15 Bionic chip provides flagship-level performance for the price
- • Retains the classic Touch ID Home button (preferred by some users)
- • IP67 water resistance rating is rare in the budget category
✗ Cons:
- • Dated design with thick top and bottom bezels
- • Small 4.7-inch LCD screen lacks the vibrancy of OLED competitors
- • Base storage starts at a low 64GB
- • No Night Mode for the camera (struggles in low light)
- • Lacks 5G mmWave support (Sub-6 GHz only) unlike main iPhone models
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its stunning 108MP camera crushes the iPhone SE's 12MP sensor.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of video, need top-tier performance for gaming, or want a high-quality photography experience. (6.8" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) if: you need a budget-friendly smartphone, prefer a compact design for one-handed use, or want a solid entry into the iPhone ecosystem without breaking the bank. (4.7" display, 60 Hz refresh)
Conclusion
With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra excels if you value integrated s pen with ultra-low latency (2.8ms). Apple iPhone SE (3rd Gen) is better if you prioritize most affordable entry point into the new iphone ecosystem. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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