Samsung S22 Ultra Vs S20 Fe Is The Upgrade Really Worth It

For users holding onto a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE, the allure of upgrading to the S22 Ultra is understandable. After all, three years in smartphone time is an eternity. But does the leap from the S20 FE to the S22 Ultra justify the cost? The answer depends on your priorities—whether you're chasing top-tier performance, a professional-grade camera, or simply a longer-lasting device. This breakdown compares both phones across key categories to help you decide if the upgrade makes practical sense.

Design and Build Quality

The S20 FE and S22 Ultra occupy opposite ends of Samsung’s design philosophy. The S20 FE, released in 2020, prioritizes affordability without sacrificing style. It features a plastic back with colorful options and a smooth matte finish. While durable, the polycarbonate build feels noticeably lighter and less premium than flagship models.

In contrast, the S22 Ultra exudes sophistication. With its aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both front and back, and seamless integration of the S Pen, it’s built like a luxury tool for power users. The flat-edged design gives it a more modern, almost iPhone-like presence, while the flush camera housing improves pocketability over earlier Note-style bumps.

Tip: If you value durability and long-term resale value, the S22 Ultra’s materials will age better than the S20 FE’s plastic body.

Display and Usability

The display is one area where the generational gap becomes obvious. The S20 FE sports a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate—a standout feature at its price point when launched. However, peak brightness caps at around 800 nits, which can make outdoor visibility challenging under direct sunlight.

The S22 Ultra goes further with a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display boasting up to 1750 nits peak brightness. This isn’t just incremental—it’s transformative for outdoor use. Colors pop, HDR content shines, and the adaptive refresh rate (1–120Hz) enhances battery efficiency by lowering the rate during static content.

Additionally, the S22 Ultra supports advanced touch responsiveness and stylus input via the integrated S Pen, reducing latency to 2.8ms. For note-takers, artists, or multitaskers, this turns the phone into a hybrid tablet-device, something the S20 FE cannot match.

Performance and Software Experience

Under the hood, the difference is stark. The S20 FE runs on either the Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 (depending on region), both of which were high-end chips in 2020. Today, they still handle daily tasks well but struggle with intensive gaming, multitasking, or future software updates beyond Android 14.

The S22 Ultra, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (or Exynos 2200 in select markets), delivers significantly faster CPU and GPU performance. Apps launch quicker, animations are smoother, and demanding games like Genshin Impact run at higher settings without throttling—though thermal management was a known early issue, later mitigated via firmware.

Samsung promises four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security patches for the S22 Ultra. The S20 FE, meanwhile, is nearing the end of its update cycle. Longevity matters: choosing a device with ongoing support ensures access to new features, security fixes, and app compatibility.

“Flagship-tier phones today aren’t just about specs—they’re long-term investments in software support and ecosystem integration.” — David Kim, Mobile Analyst at TechInsight Asia

Camera Comparison: Night Photography and Zoom Capabilities

If photography drives your upgrade decision, the S22 Ultra offers compelling advantages. The S20 FE has a solid triple-camera setup: 12MP main, 12MP ultrawide, and 8MP telephoto (3x optical zoom). It performs well in daylight but falters in low light and lacks versatility beyond 3x magnification.

The S22 Ultra redefines mobile imaging with a quad-camera system: 200MP main sensor, dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x periscope zoom), and a 12MP ultrawide. The 10x periscope lens enables crisp 100x Space Zoom (digital), useful for distant subjects. More importantly, the larger sensors and improved pixel binning produce dramatically better night shots, dynamic range, and detail retention.

Consider this real-world scenario:

Mini Case Study: Maria, a travel blogger using her S20 FE, often struggled with blurry concert photos and poor zoom quality at landmarks. After switching to the S22 Ultra, she captured clear images from across auditoriums and posted gallery-quality nightscapes without editing. The upgrade directly enhanced her content quality and audience engagement.

Feature	Samsung S20 FE	Samsung S22 Ultra
Main Camera	12MP, f/1.8	200MP, f/1.7
Telephoto Zoom	3x optical	3x & 10x optical, up to 100x digital
Low-Light Performance	Average; noise visible	Excellent; advanced Night Mode
Video Recording	4K@60fps	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps with pro-grade stabilization
Front Camera	32MP	10MP, auto-focus, better low-light

Battery Life and Charging

The S20 FE packs a 4,500mAh battery, sufficient for a full day with moderate use. Fast charging at 25W helps, but wireless charging tops out at 15W, and there's no reverse wireless charging.

The S22 Ultra steps up with a 5,000mAh cell, optimized by the more efficient display and processor. Real-world usage shows it consistently lasts a day and a half under average loads. It supports 45W wired fast charging (charger sold separately), 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging—handy for powering earbuds or sharing charge with another device.

While neither phone leads the pack in charging speed compared to some Chinese rivals, the S22 Ultra’s combination of larger capacity and smarter power management gives it a tangible edge in endurance.

Upgrade Checklist: Is It Time?

Before committing to the upgrade, ask yourself the following:

• Is my S20 FE slowing down or failing to receive updates?
• Do I need better photo quality, especially in low light or for distant subjects?
• Am I interested in using an S Pen for productivity or creativity?
• Does screen brightness and clarity matter for outdoor use or media consumption?
• Can I benefit from longer software support (4 OS upgrades)?

If three or more apply, the S22 Ultra likely offers meaningful improvements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the S22 Ultra last longer than the S20 FE despite being newer?

Yes. Thanks to Samsung’s extended software support policy introduced in 2021, the S22 Ultra will receive updates until at least 2026. The S20 FE, launched before this program, stops at Android 14, limiting its lifespan.

Is the 200MP camera on the S22 Ultra a gimmick?

Not entirely. While most shots use pixel-binning to output 12MP images, the high resolution benefits cropping and large prints. In ideal lighting, fine details—like text on a sign or facial features at a distance—are preserved far better than on the S20 FE.

Should I wait for the S23 or S24 series instead?

If budget allows immediate purchase, the S22 Ultra remains powerful and fully supported. However, used or refurbished S23 Ultra models now offer better thermals and slightly improved cameras at competitive prices. Waiting isn't necessary, but exploring newer generations may yield better value.

Final Verdict: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

For casual users who primarily browse, message, and take occasional photos, the S20 FE remains functional. If it still meets your needs and holds a charge well, upgrading solely for prestige won’t deliver proportional returns.

But for professionals, creatives, frequent travelers, or anyone who relies on their phone as a primary tool, the S22 Ultra represents a substantial leap. The superior display, versatile camera system, S Pen integration, and longer software commitment transform the user experience. You’re not just buying a faster phone—you’re investing in a device designed to stay relevant for years.

💬 Have you upgraded from the S20 FE to the S22 Ultra? Share your experience—did the camera, battery, or S Pen make the difference? Your insights could help others decide.