The thing about the Samsung S22 Ultra camera is that it basically changed how we look at zoom on a phone. When it dropped, people were obsessed. They still are. It was this massive slab of glass and metal that promised you could see the moon. Literally. But honestly, if you’re holding one right now or thinking about picking up a used model, you’ve gotta wonder if that 108-megapixel sensor actually holds its ground against the newer 200-megapixel beasts we’re seeing today.
It’s a beast.
Let's get real for a second. The tech world moves fast, and in phone years, the S22 Ultra is practically a senior citizen. Yet, the physics of those lenses hasn't changed. You still get that dedicated periscope zoom which, frankly, handles distance better than some of the "AI-enhanced" crops on newer mid-range phones.
Why the Samsung S22 Ultra camera still feels like magic (mostly)
When Samsung packed the HM3 sensor into this thing, they weren't playing around. It’s a 1/1.33-inch sensor. That sounds like nerd talk, but basically, it means it can grab a ton of light. You've probably noticed that in broad daylight, the photos are punchy. Maybe a bit too punchy? Samsung has always had this "vibrant" look—some call it oversaturated—where the grass looks greener than it does in real life and the sky is a deep, impossible blue.
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If you’re into that "ready for Instagram" look without editing, it’s perfect.
But the real MVP is the 10x optical zoom. Most phones do digital zoom, which is basically just cropping a photo and making it look like a blurry mess. The Samsung S22 Ultra camera uses a literal prism to fold light inside the phone body. This allows for a 10x true optical magnification. Even in 2026, finding a phone that does 10x optical without breaking the bank is tough.
The 108MP "Detail" Trap
Here is something most reviewers won't tell you: you probably shouldn't be shooting in 108MP mode most of the time. Samsung uses a process called "nona-binning." It takes nine pixels and squishes them into one giant "superpixel."
Why? Because bigger pixels catch more light.
When you force the 108MP mode, you need a massive amount of light. If you're indoors? Forget it. The image gets noisy, and the file sizes are huge—like 20MB or more per photo. Stick to the default 12MP output. It’s smarter, faster, and actually handles dynamic range better because the software can do more heavy lifting on the smaller file.
What people get wrong about Nightography
Samsung pushed the "Nightography" branding hard with the S22 series. It wasn't just a marketing gimmick, but it wasn't magic either. The phone uses a glass lens with an ultra-low reflection nano-coating. Basically, it reduces those annoying lens flares you get when you’re trying to take a photo of a streetlamp at night.
If you’re coming from an older iPhone or a base model Galaxy, the night mode here will blow your mind. It takes a few seconds to "expose," and you have to hold still.
However, there is a catch.
The shutter lag. It's the one thing that still bugs people. If you’re trying to take a photo of a moving dog or a kid who won't sit still, the Samsung S22 Ultra camera sometimes pauses just long enough to turn your subject into a blurry ghost. It’s a trade-off. You get incredible static low-light shots, but it struggles with motion. Professional photographers like Marques Brownlee and the team over at DXOMARK have pointed this out repeatedly—Samsung prioritizes a bright, sharp image over a fast shutter speed.
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Real-world video performance
Video is where things get interesting. You’ve got 8K at 24fps. Does anyone actually use 8K? Probably not. It takes up a ridiculous amount of storage and most people don't have a screen that can even display it.
But 4K at 60fps? That’s the sweet spot.
The stabilization—Samsung calls it Super Steady—uses a mix of OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and VDIS (Video Digital Image Stabilization). It’s rock solid. If you’re walking and filming, it looks like you’re using a gimbal. The transition between lenses is a bit "jumpy" compared to the newest S24 or S25 models, but it’s miles ahead of any budget phone.
Expert tips for getting the most out of your shots
If you want your photos to look less like a "phone pic" and more like a "camera pic," you have to stop using the stock Auto mode for everything.
- Download Expert RAW. This is a separate app from the Samsung Store. It lets you shoot multi-frame 16-bit RAW files. It gives you so much more data to work with in Lightroom.
- Clean your lenses. This sounds stupidly simple. But the S22 Ultra has those huge individual lens rings. They are magnets for fingerprint grease. A quick wipe with your shirt will literally make your photos 20% sharper.
- Use the "Focus Enhancer" wisely. When you get close to an object, the phone automatically switches to the Ultrawide lens to act as a macro. It's helpful, but sometimes it makes the edges look weird. You can toggle this off if you want a more natural bokeh (that blurry background).
- Lock your exposure. Tap the screen and hold down on the yellow circle. Slide the brightness bar down a tiny bit. Samsung tends to overexpose shots to make them look bright, but lowering it manually makes the colors look deeper and more "pro."
The Hardware vs. Software Reality
In 2026, the software is doing more work than the glass. Samsung’s One UI updates have actually improved the Samsung S22 Ultra camera since its launch. They’ve tweaked the skin tone processing and made the HDR (High Dynamic Range) less aggressive.
But we have to talk about the competition.
If you compare this to a Google Pixel, the Pixel usually wins on "realness." Samsung still smooths skin a bit too much for some people's taste. If you go into the camera settings, look for "Picture Softening." Turning this off or setting it to medium can actually make portraits look much more realistic and less like a porcelain doll.
The telephoto lenses are the real reason to buy this phone. You have two zoom lenses: a 3x and a 10x.
The 3x is perfect for portraits. It gives a natural compression to faces that makes everyone look better. The 10x is for the "creepers" (kidding!)—it’s for concerts, sports, and wildlife.
Actionable Steps for Owners and Buyers
If you’re looking to maximize this hardware today, don’t just point and shoot.
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For better portraits: Switch to Portrait Mode, but use the 3x zoom option rather than the 1x. It forces you to stand back a few feet, but the perspective is way more flattering for the human face.
For moon shots: Yes, you can do it. Use the 100x Space Zoom. You need a tripod or a very steady hand. Once the AI recognizes the moon, it will stabilize the frame. Just know that the phone is "enhancing" the texture of the moon using data it already has. It's a bit of a cheat, but it looks cool.
For better color: Go into the Camera Settings -> Advanced Picture Options and toggle on "High Efficiency Pictures" to save space, but if you're going to edit, keep "HDR" on.
The Samsung S22 Ultra camera isn't the absolute king of the hill anymore, but it's still a top-tier performer. It’s one of the few phones that can truly replace a point-and-shoot camera for 95% of people. The combination of that massive 108MP main sensor and the periscope zoom makes it a versatile tool for anyone from a casual parent taking photos at a recital to a content creator on a budget.
Don't get caught up in the "megapixels mean everything" hype. The S22 Ultra proves that good glass and solid software updates can keep a device relevant for years. Just keep those lenses clean and don't be afraid to dive into the Pro mode. You'll be surprised at what this "old" phone can still do.