Galaxy A73 5G vs Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

The Samsung Galaxy A73 5G, released in March 2022, and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, launched in February 2022, are both Android smartphones from Samsung's diverse lineup. While both devices offer 5G connectivity and run on the Android operating system with Samsung's One UI, they cater to different user expectations. The A73 5G is positioned as a capable mid-range device, emphasizing a large display and strong battery life, whereas the S22 Ultra 5G is a premium flagship, distinguished by its advanced camera system, integrated S Pen, and high-end performance.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors. Both phones were released in early 2022, meaning they have already received several major Android updates.

• Software Longevity: The Galaxy A73 5G was promised up to four major Android OS updates and security updates until April 2027, receiving quarterly security patches as of February 2026. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, as a flagship, was guaranteed four years of Android OS upgrades (up to Android 16) and five years of security patches, with security updates also continuing until 2026 on a quarterly basis.
• Physical Durability: The Galaxy A73 5G features a Gorilla Glass 5 front and a plastic back, offering IP67 dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a more robust construction with Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, coupled with an aluminum frame and IP68 dust and water resistance.
• Repairability: The Galaxy A73 5G has a repairability score of 6.5 out of 10, indicating that while some components like the battery and screen are relatively accessible, strong adhesive can complicate repairs. In contrast, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G received a lower iFixit repairability score of 3 out of 10, largely due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, making battery and screen replacements particularly challenging.

The performance of these two Galaxy smartphones varies significantly, reflecting their different market segments. Both are designed to handle daily tasks efficiently, but their capabilities diverge under more demanding conditions.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy A73 5G provides a smooth experience for general use, including browsing, social media, and light gaming, with users reporting snappy performance. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, equipped with a more powerful processor, delivers exceptionally fluid performance, handling demanding applications and multitasking with ease, making it well-suited for intensive tasks and advanced mobile gaming.
• Multitasking and Storage: The A73 5G typically comes with 6GB or 8GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD. This configuration supports comfortable multitasking for most users. The S22 Ultra 5G offers higher RAM options, including 8GB or 12GB, and internal storage up to 1TB, without microSD expansion, providing more headroom for extensive multitasking and storing large files.
• Battery Behavior: Both devices feature a 5000 mAh battery. The A73 5G is noted for its excellent battery life, often lasting a full day or more with moderate use, and supports 25W fast charging. The S22 Ultra 5G also offers a full day of battery life with varied activity, though some users expected longer duration from its capacity, and it supports faster 45W wired charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

The visual experience on both devices is a highlight, though the S22 Ultra 5G offers a more advanced display technology.

• Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A73 5G features a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED+ display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels), providing vibrant colors and good clarity for everyday viewing. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G steps up with a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering a sharper Quad HD+ resolution (1440 x 3088 pixels) and a higher pixel density, resulting in exceptionally crisp images and text.
• Brightness and Smoothness: Both phones feature a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions. The A73 5G's display offers good brightness for various lighting conditions. The S22 Ultra 5G, however, reaches significantly higher peak brightness levels, making it more comfortable to view outdoors in bright sunlight and supporting HDR10+ content for enhanced contrast and color.
• Viewing Experience: The large screen size on both devices provides an immersive viewing experience for media consumption and productivity. The S22 Ultra 5G's display also features an adaptive refresh rate that can scale down to 1Hz, contributing to power efficiency when static content is displayed.

The camera systems are a significant differentiator, with the S22 Ultra 5G offering a more comprehensive and versatile setup.

• Rear Camera Capabilities: The Galaxy A73 5G includes a quad-camera system with a 108 MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12 MP ultrawide, and 5 MP macro and depth sensors. It captures good photos in well-lit conditions and records 4K video at 30fps. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a more advanced quad-camera setup, also with a 108 MP main sensor (with OIS and Laser AF), a 12 MP ultrawide, and two 10 MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom with OIS, enabling superior zoom capabilities and more detailed distant shots. It supports 8K video recording at 24fps.
• Low-Light and Video Performance: While the A73 5G's low-light performance is considered decent, it may require a steady hand to avoid blur. The S22 Ultra 5G excels in low-light photography, producing brighter and more detailed images, and its video recording benefits from enhanced stabilization and clarity, even in challenging lighting.
• Front Camera and Audio: The A73 5G has a 32 MP front camera that takes decent selfies. The S22 Ultra 5G features a higher-resolution 40 MP front camera, offering more detail for selfies and video calls. Both devices provide clear microphone quality for calls and recording, and the S22 Ultra 5G offers a more robust media consumption experience with stereo speakers.