It’s been five (5) years since Samsung introduced its Ultra line of smartphones. Now on its fifth generation with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Samsung has come a long way since 2020.
Despite encountering initial obstacles, Samsung has continuously refined its Ultra series, which has become synonymous with comprehensive technological advancements in the smartphone world. As we eagerly anticipate the release of the latest Ultra phone, let us reflect on the progressive changes witnessed in its predecessors.
Galaxy S20 Ultra — A challenging beginning
The Galaxy S20 Ultra faced hurdles in living up to its name. Its design failed to meet the high standards set by Samsung’s previous models. Unlike the sleek and stylish Galaxy S6 to Galaxy S10, the S20 Ultra appeared lackluster, with limited color options and an unappealing camera bump. The highly touted 100x space zoom feature, prominently displayed on the camera bump, created a distasteful aesthetic.
Furthermore, the camera’s performance fell short of expectations, with the 108MP sensor lacking laser autofocus, resulting in difficulties capturing sharp images. The zoom capabilities also proved underwhelming beyond 8x. Despite these drawbacks, the S20 Ultra showcased a remarkable display with a central punch-hole design and introduced 120Hz refresh rate.
Unfortunately, it struggled with performance issues, particularly in international markets where the Exynos 990 processor’s thermal problems hampered its functionality. These flaws, combined with its hefty starting price of $1,400 (Php69,990 in PH), resulted in a disappointing debut for Samsung’s Ultra phones.
Galaxy S21 Ultra — A promising improvement
The Galaxy S21 Ultra marked a significant improvement over its predecessor, boasting the most visually appealing design Samsung has ever produced. Rectifying the previous camera bump design, the S21 Ultra integrated it seamlessly into the frame, showcasing superior aesthetics. Notably, the Phantom Silver color option further enhanced its appeal, displaying a captivating range of hues. The camera system also showcased significant advancements, with the introduction of dual 10MP sensors enabling optical flexibility at 3x and 10x zoom levels.
The primary 108MP sensor now benefits from laser autofocus, enhancing image sharpness. The display and performance aspects also underwent notable enhancements. The Exynos 2100, though slightly inferior to the Snapdragon 888 used in the US, exhibited minimal differences in speed and efficiency. Additionally, the adaptive refresh rate capability dynamically adjusted between 10Hz and 120Hz, optimizing power consumption.
The introduction of S Pen support, albeit without a dedicated slot, further elevated the S21 Ultra’s appeal. Moreover, the price reduction to a more reasonable $1,200 (Php69,990 in PH) solidified its success in the market.
See also: One UI 6.1 camera features coming to older Samsung smartphones
Galaxy S22 Ultra — New design, mixed reactions
The Galaxy S22 Ultra introduced notable changes, departing from its predecessor’s design with the removal of rounded corners and the integrated camera bump. The adoption of the Galaxy Note’s design language provided a fully integrated S Pen, compensating for the loss of the distinctive camera bump.
While the camera system remained largely unchanged, improvements in image processing and the integration of the S Pen were well-received. However, the phone suffered from performance issues, particularly with the Exynos 2200 processor, which exhibited thermal flaws similar to the Exynos 990 in the S20 Ultra. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 version also experienced thermal challenges, to a lesser extent.
Despite the positive aspects of the S22 Ultra, these issues overshadowed its merits. Nevertheless, Samsung’s commitment to providing four Android updates and five years of security patches, retroactively applied to the S21 Ultra, garnered appreciation.
In PH, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra was priced at Php68,990 for the base 8GB + 128GB model.
Galaxy S23 Ultra — Samsung’s best phone yet
Regarded by many as Samsung’s best smartphone to date and the pinnacle of 2023’s phone releases, the S23 Ultra left an indelible mark. While its design remained largely similar to its predecessor, the device focused on internal enhancements. Samsung exclusively utilized the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor in all S23 Ultra models, a strategic move that delivered remarkable thermal management and exceptional battery life.
The primary camera received an upgrade to 200MP, while the other sensors remained unchanged. Impressively, Samsung managed to reduce shutter lag, further enhancing the camera’s usability. Although some shutter lag persisted, minor adjustments to post-processing settings mitigated its impact, but with a slight compromise in visual quality.
The S23 Ultra provided the necessary stability and performance improvements, prioritizing these aspects over gimmicky software features Samsung is known for.
During its launch, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra had an SRP of Php81,990 for the 12GB + 256GB variant.
Galaxy S24 Ultra — Aesthetic and under the hood improvements
The forthcoming S24 Ultra represents a significant refresh, albeit with modest year-over-year upgrades. Notably, Samsung is transitioning to a flat display and incorporating a titanium frame, distinguishing it from the previous iterations. While the 3x telephoto lens remains unchanged, the 10MP 10x lens has been replaced with a 50MP 5x sensor, aligning it with competitors such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max and Pixel 8 Pro. Though these incremental enhancements may seem unexciting, they contribute to an overall improved product.
In the Philippines, Samsung priced the new Galaxy S24 Ultra at Php84,990 for the base 12GB RAM + 256GB model.
If you are intrigued by the Galaxy S24 Ultra or any other announcements at the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event, you may check out our coverage of the new Samsung Galaxy S24 series here.
Samsung’s Ultra phones have progressed significantly across their various generations, overcoming initial challenges and incorporating valuable improvements. Through the years, Samsung’s commitment to refining its flagship devices and delivering exceptional user experiences remains evident.