www.makeuseof.com 6 Reaso...

The Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung's latest and greatest flagship phone for 2022. Other than its name, the device is basically a new Galaxy Note with everything you'd expect from such a device: the best processor, the best hardware, the best everything. Well, almost everything.

As great as the device is in a variety of ways, it isn't perfect. Apart from the fact that it's obviously very expensive, here are six other reasons we think the Galaxy S22 Ultra shouldn't be on your radar if you're looking to get a new phone.

1. Less RAM in the Base Model

The Galaxy S22 Ultra starts at $1199—the same price as its predecessor. Except, it doesn't. You see, the S21 Ultra comes with 12GB RAM on the base variant and can go all the way up to 16GB. But the S22 Ultra has 8GB RAM on the base variant and goes up to 12GB. That means you're getting 4GB less RAM for the same price.

Don't get us wrong, 8GB is still plenty of RAM and you probably wouldn't ever need more than that if you're a casual user. But if you are a heavy gamer or a power user, this drop is going to be noticeable and may even affect your multitasking capability.

In Samsung's defense, the higher performance and camera improvements do make up for it, so the price is kind of justified. Still, it's not a good move on Samsung's part since you have to spend more if you want the 12GB variant.

2. Uncomfortable to Hold

The new design of the Galaxy S22 Ultra is very different from its predecessor. Since the device is basically a Galaxy Note, it has sharp squared edges instead of the rounded ones that you might have seen on the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

While some people love this design, others don't because of how uncomfortable it is in hand. The sharp edges can feel very obtrusive, especially for people with smaller hands. Plus, given how big the display is—6.8 inches—you'll almost always find yourself having to shimmy your way to reach the top of the device to access the notification panel.

3. Repurposed Camera Design

The "Ultra" branding in the Galaxy S lineup is supposed to represent the best of the best. Along with the performance, specs, and special features, this also includes having an original, confident, and bold design—much like the Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Not everyone likes the contour-cut camera module design, but you have to admit that it's one of a kind. If you saw someone on the street carrying a phone with that design, you instantly knew that they have the S21 Ultra. That is not the case with the S22 Ultra.

As beautiful as the new camera design is, it's not original. Not fully, at least. Put it side-by-side with the Galaxy A52 and you'll see just how similar the two camera designs are. The latter is a mid-range device released in March 2021. Because of this, the S22 Ultra loses some of its notability and brag factor.

4. No 45W Fast Charger in the Box

At this point, not having a charger inside the box is something we've come to accept. We can thank Apple for that. Sure, you might already have a charger at home, but the best charger for any phone is always the one that was designed specifically for that phone and comes inside the box. Anything else is suboptimal.

The S22 Ultra supports 45W fast wired charging—a decent upgrade from its predecessor's 25W charging. But of course, you can't make use of that feature unless you either already have a compatible charger at home or are willing to buy one separately from Samsung.

The latter produces more waste in the process, defeating the whole purpose of eco-packaging.

Related: Battery Capacity vs. Charging Speed: Which Is More Important?

5. No MicroSD Card Slot

After headphone jacks and chargers, it seems the MicroSD card slot is the next target for smartphone companies to get rid of, which is a bummer because external cards are really convenient. Also, they're way cheaper than buying a phone with extra internal storage.

For instance, if you want to buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra (without availing of any special offers) with 256GB of storage, you have a pay a hundred dollars more compared to the price of the 128GB base variant. That's $100 extra for additional storage of 128GB.

A SanDisk MicroSD card of the same capacity, for example, costs less than $20. And for a little more than $60, you can get one with 512GB storage.

The point here is that MicroSD cards provide a lot of value for your money. Plus, when you get a new phone, you can just pop out the card from your old phone and insert it into your new phone without having to wait for the files to transfer, saving time.

6. You Don't Need Flagship Features

Companies are skilled at making you feel that your current device is dated and that you need a new one with all the latest and greatest features. In other words, they spark a sense of perceived obsolescence—a branch of the business strategy called planned obsolescence—using their flashy ads and commercials.

But as impressive as those flagship specs and features are, do you really need them? Don't get us wrong, they're nice to have especially if you're a tech enthusiast, but shelling out hundreds of dollars more to get premium features and overpowered chips that you might not even use that often is not exactly a smart purchase decision.

For instance, we agree that the S Pen looks stylish, but you won't use it while scrolling through social media, gaming, calling, texting, or watching YouTube videos. In other words, its use case is incredibly narrow. Most of what an average user needs can easily be found in a $300 mid-range phone.

Related: How to Make Your Phone Feel New Again: Tips for Android Devices

The S22 Ultra Is Great, But Do You Need It?

In many ways, having such a powerful device—from the inside and out—is no less than a treat. But unless you know for sure that you will need those flagship features on a regular basis, getting the S22 Ultra is not a smart buy.

When buying a new phone, you should consider your individual needs and not the things that the company wants you to think that you need. Most mid-range phones today are already feature-packed and powerful enough to easily last three years or more. Be a smart buyer and weigh your options to get the best value possible.

Ayush is a tech-enthusiast and has an academic background in marketing. He enjoys learning about the latest technologies that extend human potential and challenge the status quo. Besides his work life, he loves writing poetry, songs, and indulging in creative philosophies.

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