Galaxy A34 Vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

Galaxy A34
Galaxy A34
Starting at

Refurbished price:£105.00

Versus £399.00 new

See options
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£247.00

Versus £1,364.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G (2023) and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G (2022) are distinct smartphones from Samsung's lineup, catering to different user priorities. While the Galaxy A34 offers a balanced experience as a mid-range device, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G stands as a former flagship, emphasizing advanced features and premium capabilities. Both devices operate on the Android ecosystem, providing access to a wide range of applications and services.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy A34 was released in March 2023, making it a newer device compared to the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, which launched in February 2022. This difference in release date impacts their respective software support cycles.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A34 is expected to receive four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates, extending its software support further into the future. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G also received four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates, but as of early 2026, it has transitioned to quarterly security updates and is past its major OS update cycle.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy A34 features a plastic back and frame with Gorilla Glass 5 on the front, offering IP67 dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a more robust build with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, an aluminum frame, and a higher IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G reflect their different market segments, impacting how they handle various tasks.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A34 is equipped with a processor that handles everyday applications and multitasking smoothly, suitable for general use and moderate gaming. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, featuring an advanced 4nm processor, delivers significantly more power, ensuring highly responsive performance for demanding applications, intensive gaming, and complex productivity tasks.
  • Storage and Multitasking: Both devices offer various storage configurations, with the Galaxy A34 providing expandable storage via a microSD card. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offers higher RAM options, which contributes to more seamless multitasking and quicker app switching, especially with numerous applications open simultaneously.
  • Battery Endurance: Both phones house a 5000 mAh battery. The Galaxy A34 generally provides strong battery life, often lasting a full day or more with typical usage due to its efficient processor and display. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, despite its large battery, tends to offer a full day of use for most users, but its more powerful components and higher-resolution display can lead to more rapid battery consumption under heavy loads.

Memory (GB)

6 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is delivered through high-quality displays, though with notable differences in technology and specifications.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy A34 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G comes with a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, which offers enhanced color accuracy and contrast.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The Galaxy A34 offers a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2340 pixels), resulting in clear and detailed visuals for everyday viewing. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G provides a Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3080 pixels), delivering a sharper and more refined visual experience, particularly noticeable with high-resolution content.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and animations. The Galaxy A34 reaches a peak brightness of 1000 nits, ensuring good visibility outdoors. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, however, can achieve a significantly higher peak brightness of 1750 nits, making it exceptionally bright and readable even in direct sunlight, and its refresh rate is adaptive, scaling down to 1Hz to conserve power.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3088

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Audiovisual

The camera systems on the Galaxy A34 and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G are designed for different levels of photographic versatility and image quality.

  • Rear Camera Array: The Galaxy A34 features a triple-camera setup with a 48 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), an 8 MP ultrawide lens, and a 5 MP macro lens. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a more comprehensive quad-camera system, including a 108 MP main sensor with OIS, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and another 10 MP telephoto lens with 10x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy A34 captures good photos in bright conditions, with users noting saturated colors, but its performance can diminish in low-light environments. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G excels in various lighting conditions, offering superior detail, dynamic range, and low-light capabilities, particularly with its advanced zoom features.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both devices support 4K video recording at 30 frames per second from their main and front cameras. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G extends its video capabilities to 8K recording and features a higher-resolution 40 MP front camera, compared to the A34's 13 MP front camera, providing more detail for selfies and video calls.

Main camera

48 megapixels

108 megapixels

Front camera

13 megapixels

40 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity Standards: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy A34 includes Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) and Bluetooth 5.3. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features the newer Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy A34 measures 161.3 x 78.1 x 8.2 mm and weighs 199g. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is slightly larger and heavier at 163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9 mm and 228g, reflecting its larger screen and more robust build. The S22 Ultra also features a curved display, a design element not present on the A34.
  • Unique Features: A significant differentiator for the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is its integrated S Pen stylus, offering enhanced productivity for note-taking, drawing, and precise navigation. Both phones include in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G also supports Wireless PowerShare, allowing it to wirelessly charge other compatible devices.

Weight

199 g

228 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.8

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G and Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G offer distinct experiences, each with its own set of strengths and user appeal. User feedback for the Galaxy A34 often praises its strong battery life and vibrant display, making it a reliable choice for daily tasks and media consumption. Some users note that its camera performance, while adequate for general use, may not meet expectations in challenging lighting conditions, and its bezels are thicker compared to more premium devices.

Conversely, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is frequently lauded for its exceptional camera system, particularly its versatile zoom capabilities, and its stunning, bright display. The integrated S Pen is a significant draw for users prioritizing productivity and creative tasks. However, some users have expressed that despite its large battery, the S22 Ultra 5G's battery life, while generally lasting a full day, might not extend much further under heavy usage. Its larger size and weight can also be a consideration for those preferring a more compact device.

Users prioritizing extended software support, a robust camera system with advanced zoom, and integrated stylus functionality will find the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G well-suited to their needs. Those seeking a dependable device for everyday communication, social media, and media consumption with excellent battery life and a bright display may lean toward the Galaxy A34 5G. Both models are available as quality-assured refurbished options, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons