We’ve already tested the camera of the Exynos-powered international version of the Samsung flagship Galaxy S22 Ultra. In this review, we take a close look at the version that is marketed primarily in North America and China and uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chipset.
Camera specs between the two versions are identical, offering a primary module with 108MP sensor, a 12MP ultra-wide camera and two dedicated tele cameras. Medium-range tele range is covered by a 3x lens with 10MP resolution. For longer distances a 10x periscope-style module is on board.
In video mode, the S22 Ultra is capable of recording 8K footage at 24 frames per second or 4K resolution files at up to 60 fps. With such an impressive spec sheet the S22 Ultra competes with heavy weights such as the Apple iPhone 13 Pro, Huawei P50 Pro or Xiaomi 12 Pro. Let’s see how it did in the DXOMARK Camera test.
Key camera specifications:
- Primary: 108 MP 1/1.33″ sensor, 0.8μm pixels, 24mm-equivalent, f/1.8-aperture lens, OIS, PDAF, Laser-AF
- Ultra-wide: 12MP 1/2.55″ sensor, 1.4μm pixels, 13mm-equivalent, f/2.2-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF
- Tele 1: 10MP 1/3.52″ sensor, 1.12μm pixels, 230mm-equivalent, f/4.9-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF, 10x optical zoom
- Tele 2: 10MP 1/3.52″ sensor, 1.12μm pixels, 70mm equivalent, f/2.4-aperture lens, Dual Pixel AF, 3x optical zoom
- 8K up to 24fps, 4K up to 60fps, 1080p at 60fps (tested at 4K/30fps)
About DXOMARK Camera tests: For scoring and analysis in our smartphone camera reviews, DXOMARK engineers capture and evaluate over 3000 test images and more than 2.5 hours of video both in controlled lab environments and in natural indoor and outdoor scenes, using the camera’s default settings. This article is designed to highlight the most important results of our testing. For more information about the DXOMARK Camera test protocol, click here. More details on how we score smartphone cameras are available here.
Test summary
Scoring
Sub-scores and attributes included in the calculations of the global score.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
135
camera
103
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (130)
117
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 16 Pro (130)
105
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (125)
109
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Best: Xiaomi 15 Ultra (125)
86
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (117)
68
Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G
Best: Xiaomi Redmi 12 5G (82)
70
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (85)
71
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 16 Pro (93)
102
Xiaomi 15 Ultra
Best: Xiaomi 15 Ultra (128)
98
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (122)
91
Oppo Find X8 Pro
Best: Oppo Find X8 Pro (116)
101
Oppo Find X8 Pro
Best: Oppo Find X8 Pro (120)
110
Huawei Pura 70 Ultra
Best: Huawei Pura 70 Ultra (120)
102
Oppo Find X6 Pro
Best: Oppo Find X6 Pro (118)
106
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 16 Pro (120)
73
Xiaomi 12S Ultra
Best: Xiaomi 12S Ultra (86)
109
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Best: Apple iPhone 16 Pro (119)
Use cases & Conditions
Use case scores indicate the product performance in specific situations. They are not included in the overall score calculations.
Outdoor
Photos & videos shot in bright light conditions (≥1000 lux)
Indoor
Photos & videos shot in good lighting conditions (≥100lux)
Lowlight
Photos & videos shot in low lighting conditions (<100 lux)
Friends & Family
Portrait and group photo & videos
Please be aware that beyond this point, we have not modified the initial test results. While data and products remain fully comparable, you might encounter mentions and references to the previous scores.
Position in Global Ranking
51
st
4. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
157
10. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
154
22. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
147
25. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
146
25. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
146
25. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
146
31. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
144
33. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
141
33. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
141
37. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
140
42. Tecno Camon 40 Pro 5G
138
44. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
137
51. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
135
51. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
135
58. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S24+ (Exynos)
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S24 FE
133
58. Samsung Galaxy S24 (Exynos)
133
68. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
132
69. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
131
69. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
131
80. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
128
82. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
127
82. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
127
82. Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
127
87. Vivo X70 Pro (MediaTek)
126
91. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
125
91. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
125
96. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
124
99. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
122
104. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus 5G
121
105. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
120
105. Samsung Galaxy S22 (Exynos)
120
105. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro 5G
120
110. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G
118
113. Apple iPhone 12 mini
117
113. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
117
113. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G (Snapdragon)
117
113. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Snapdragon)
117
119. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Snapdragon)
116
122. Motorola Edge 50 Neo
115
122. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Snapdragon)
115
122. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
115
132. Crosscall Stellar-X5
113
132. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G
113
136. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
112
138. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
111
138. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Exynos)
111
138. Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (Exynos)
111
143. Samsung Galaxy A55 5G
108
143. Vivo X60 Pro 5G (Exynos)
108
148. Samsung Galaxy A54 5G
107
149. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G
106
152. Samsung Galaxy A35 5G
104
153. Motorola Edge 40 Neo
103
153. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 5G
103
155. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro 5G
102
157. Motorola Edge 30 Pro
101
159. Apple iPhone SE (2022)
100
161. Motorola Moto g75 5G
96
167. Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
92
167. Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
92
171. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 5G
91
173. Motorola Moto g85 5G
88
173. Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G
88
173. Samsung Galaxy A52 5G
88
177. Motorola moto g54 5G
85
177. Samsung Galaxy A33 5G
85
177. Samsung Galaxy A16 LTE
85
180. Honor Magic6 Lite (5300 mAh)
84
180. Xiaomi Redmi Note 14
84
183. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
83
185. Samsung Galaxy A15 LTE
81
186. Samsung Galaxy A53 5G
79
188. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 5G
78
190. Samsung Galaxy A16 5G
77
192. Motorola Moto G35 5G
75
192. Xiaomi Redmi Note 13
75
195. Honor Magic5 Lite 5G
74
197. Samsung Galaxy A23 5G
70
198. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 5G
69
201. Motorola moto g34 5G
67
201. Samsung Galaxy A14 5G
67
203. Motorola Moto G62 5G
66
204. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11S 5G
65
206. Xiaomi Redmi Note 12
63
211. Honor Magic4 Lite 5G
61
213. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11
60
215. Crosscall Stellar-M6
59
222. Xiaomi Redmi 10 2022
51
224. Samsung Galaxy A22 5G
48
Position in Ultra-Premium Ranking
42
nd
4. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
157
10. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
154
20. Honor Magic4 Ultimate
147
22. Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max
146
22. Motorola Edge 50 Ultra
146
22. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
146
27. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
144
29. Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max
141
29. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
141
33. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
140
37. Vivo X80 Pro (Snapdragon)
137
42. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon)
135
42. Vivo X80 Pro (MediaTek)
135
47. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
133
47. Samsung Galaxy S24+ (Exynos)
133
52. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6
132
53. Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max
131
53. Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos)
131
60. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5
128
62. Asus Smartphone for Snapdragon Insiders
127
62. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5
127
67. Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra
125
67. Samsung Galaxy S22+ (Exynos)
125
70. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4
124
72. Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
122
75. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G
120
80. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Snapdragon)
117
82. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Snapdragon)
115
82. Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G (Exynos)
115
88. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4
112
89. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G
111
89. Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (Exynos)
111
Pros
- Accurate white balance and good detail
- Good exposure and wide dynamic range
- Nice color and good exposure in flash-off night shots
- Accurate subject isolation and blur gradient in bokeh mode
- Accurate exposure and wide dynamic range in bright light and indoor video
- Nice color and skin tones in video
- Accurate face tracking in video
- Effective video stabilization when walking while recording
Cons
- Luminance noise in photo and video
- Slow autofocus
- Image artifacts, including ringing, fringing and fusion artifacts
- Strong texture instabilities in tele shots
- Strong ringing and loss of fine detail in video
- White balance casts in bright light and indoor videos
With a DXOMARK Camera score of 131 the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) achieves the same result as the Exynos-powered international model. Overall, the camera delivers a solid performance and some improvements over its predecessor the S21 Ultra, especially for zoom and video, but it isn’t up there with the very best in the Ultra-Premium segment. This is particularly true for night photography and in terms of texture/noise trade-off.
This outdoor image shows good exposure on the subject and a wide dynamic range. The white balance is neutral and the level of detail is high.
When taking still images, the camera does overall well and shines, especially in the color category, thanks to accurate and pleasant color rendering. Compared to the Exynos variant, luminance noise is less intrusive but still noticeable. Texture is slightly better as well. Our testers observed ringing artifacts in all conditions and fusion artifacts can appear in high-contrast scenes. Ghosting is better controlled than on the Exynos device, though.
Target exposure is usually good in all conditions and in this indoor scene, we can see that the Snapdragon device produces slightly better detail and lower noise levels than the Exynos version.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon), indoor scene
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon), crop: good texture and fairly low noise
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos), indoor scene
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos), crop: slight loss of detail, fine luminance noise
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, indoor scene
Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max, crop: slight loss of detail, fine luminance noise
Pictures recorded on the ultra-wide camera show good detail at the center of the frame, but detail gets noticeably softer towards the edges. Color rendering tends to be neutral, but noise is noticeable, even in bright outdoor light.
Crop: good detail at the center of the frame but drop-off towards the edges
When shooting at tele settings, the S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) suffers from resolution instabilities, especially at close-range settings when light gets dimmer. In comparison, the Exynos model and iPhone 13 Pro Max deliver a more consistent resolution across light levels and zoom factors.
In video mode, the Snapdragon phone’s performance is close to the Exynos device, particularly the good exposure and wide dynamic range in bright light and indoors, as well as the good autofocus system. This said, oversharpening results in strong ringing on high-contrast edges. This has a negative impact on detail rendering and is especially noticeable when videos are viewed on a large display. Our testers also observed higher noise levels in low light, especially in lab conditions.
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon), video still, 1000 lux
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon), crop: loss of fine detail, ringing, moiré
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos), video still, 1000 lux
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Exynos), crop: similar detail, less ringing
_________________________________________
Correction:
Because of a bug in the measurement of image detail preservation, the Zoom score of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra (Snapdragon) has been updated to 85 from 82, and the Tele score to 109 from 105. These changes had no visible effect on the overall score.
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