After using the Galaxy S22 Ultra for three months, I've decided to switch back to the Galaxy Z Fold 3 due to several reasons. I was hardly able to contain my glee as I took my Galaxy Z Fold 3 out of its resting place while saying “Hello There” to the device in my best Obi-Wan Kenobi impression.
As a longstanding fan of the Galaxy Note series, I was very pleased when Samsung decided to resurrect the device in the form of the Galaxy S22 Ultra. The boxy shape, the S Pen silo and the characteristically Galaxy Note design were more than enough to make fans like myself fall in love with the device.
I've been using the Galaxy S22 Ultra as my daily driver since the device came out. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 was my main device prior to that. Even though I've been quite impressed by the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it just wasn't enough to make me feel that I was missing something.
The biggest reason why I've decided to switch back is the size. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a big device and yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 has a massive footprint, but only when you unfold the device. As long as you're using the cover display, it's quite manageable. Since I've mainly been using foldables for almost three years, the Galaxy S22 Ultra felt unnecessarily wide, and that just made me want to go back to a foldable again.
It's true that the tall and narrow cover display of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can't hold a candle to the Galaxy S22 Ultra's display. However, it's fine for what it's supposed to do. I don't need to unfold the device to do much of what I need to do throughout the day. The device feels good in the hand and the grip is solid.
There's also the matter of screen real estate. If I have to get used to a larger footprint, I'd better get something out of it. At least the Galaxy Z Fold 3 gives me access to what's basically a small tablet-sized display when I unfold the device. For work and play, the convenience and experience that the internal device provides remain unmatched.
Now I understand that this last bit comes down to more of a personal preference. I find it difficult to go back to using a regular smartphone after using a foldable. Even though I've been using them for almost three years, they still feel special and a joy to use. I just didn't get that feeling with the Galaxy S22 Ultra, great as that device is.
To this day, every time I unfold the Galaxy Z Fold 3 I get blown away by just how special and extraordinary it feels. Not everyone is going to feel like that, I get it, but I kind of compare the feeling to seeing a fancy supercar driving around. Sure, it has four wheels like every other car and gets you from one place to another, but at least it looks great doing it. You can't peel your eyes away from it. That's how attractive I find foldables compared to conventional phones.
That's not to say there's something wrong with the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Far from it! The camera setup of the Galaxy S22 Ultra blows the Galaxy Z Fold 3 out of the water, particularly for low-light photography at night. A better camera setup is one of the top items on our Galaxy Z Fold 4 wishlist for a reason.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra also has the brightest display in the business and the Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn't even come close. Both the cover and internal display don't get as bright and that's a big problem if you tend to use your phone outdoors a lot under direct sunlight. That's one major downside I've had to get used to since switching over.
If you're caught in the dilemma of either buying the Galaxy Z Fold 3 or the Galaxy S22 Ultra, let me break it down for you. Both are exceptional high-end devices. If you prefer swimming against the tide and want something that's exciting, extraordinary and special, get the Galaxy Z Fold 3. If not, then as Obi-Wan would say, these are not the droids you are looking for.
If you want a solid flagship smartphone that ticks all of the boxes and is just an all-around perfect device, buy the Galaxy S22 Ultra. What I'd also recommend is to try out the Galaxy S22+ first. It's a good enough device with a decent camera setup. If you tend to use your phone's camera on auto and don't tinker with advanced settings, the Galaxy S22 Ultra's bonkers camera setup won't really do much more for you than what the Galaxy S22+ can do.
Those who have the ability to extract the most performance out of its camera setup will find that nothing comes to the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Now that's sound consumer advice if there ever was any!
Join SamMobile’s Telegram group and subscribe to our YouTube channel to get instant news updates and in-depth reviews of Samsung devices. You can also subscribe to get updates from us on Google News and follow us on Twitter.
