Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra — new leak is bad news for 1TB model

Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra renders
(Image credit: LetsGoDigital / Giuseppe Spinelli)

Last year, Apple finally released iPhone 13 Pro with a 1TB storage option. Samsung has long been rumored to have similar plans for its flagship handset, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, and now a leaker has thrown his weight behind this claim.

There's only one problem — the 1TB Galaxy S22 Ultra may not be an option in your area.

“Can confirm 1TB Galaxy S22 Ultra is a thing,” tweeted WinFuture’s Roland Quandt. “Though not for all markets.”

Unfortunately, that was explicit as Quandt would prove to be, although later he added that “my info is for specific European markets” when discussing which color options will get the 1TB version. (“All of them,” apparently.) We’d imagine the US would be treated to the 1TB model, but that’s pure speculation.

Of course, if correct, this won’t be the first time Samsung has released a 1TB version of its phones. Samsung pioneered a 1TB option with the Galaxy S10 Plus — a model that was only available via the company’s website — but then reverted to 512GB as the top option for the Galaxy S20 and S21. 

Back for good? 

That was a curious step backward for a company that typically improves each and every spec year on year, and suggests that the 1TB S10 Plus may simply not have sold very well. But there are two very good reasons to suggest that a 1TB Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra may fare better.

The first is simply that the passage of time means that larger storage options have become more normalized. When Samsung was first pushing the 1TB S10 in 2019, it’s worth remembering that you could still buy a 64GB iPhone 11, and even Galaxy S handsets started at 128GB. Larger capacities are simply the norm nowadays, and 1TB doesn’t seem quite as extreme as it did three years ago.

The second is that 1TB was overkill for the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus for a reason that likely won’t apply for the S22 Ultra — that older phone had a microSD card slot. That meant that the S10 Plus could be upgraded to a ludicrous 1.5TB if you wanted, but more importantly buyers of the 512GB model could match the 1TB edition for a fraction of the price by using the expandable storage.

Last year, Samsung removed the microSD card slot from the Galaxy S21, and assuming the trend continues in 2022, a larger capacity phone is a sensible way of compensating.

We’ll find out all the key details soon. Samsung is set to unveil its three Galaxy S22 handsets at an Unpacked event on February 9. As always, we’ll have all the key details and analysis here on the day, so check back in if you’re not planning on tuning in live

Alan Martin

Freelance contributor Alan has been writing about tech for over a decade, covering phones, drones and everything in between. Previously Deputy Editor of tech site Alphr, his words are found all over the web and in the occasional magazine too. When not weighing up the pros and cons of the latest smartwatch, you'll probably find him tackling his ever-growing games backlog. Or, more likely, playing Spelunky for the millionth time.

Read more
Leaked render of Galaxy S25 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S25 pre-order bonuses just leaked — here’s what you could get
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim render
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim may not be sold in the US — here's what we know
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim render
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim won’t get a US release, claims leaker
S25 Ultra Galaxy AI material
Massive Galaxy S25 Ultra leak just revealed everything ahead of Samsung Unpacked — 5 key takeaways
Leaked render of the Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim leaker just tipped key specs for iPhone 17 Air rival
Galaxy S25 Ultra from the back
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra battery could be smaller than expected
Latest in Samsung Phones
samsung galaxy s25 edge mockup at galaxy unpacked
Galaxy S25 Edge is overhyped — I want Samsung to make this phone thinner instead
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Older Samsung phones are finally getting One UI 7 — here's all the devices
The iPhone 16 Pro Max (L) and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra rear cameras
I took 200 macro photos with Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro — here's the winner
Try Galaxy home screen on iPhone 16 Pro Max
You can now try Samsung's latest One UI 7 software on your iPhone — here's how
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge back
Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge price comes into focus with latest leak
Samsung Galaxy A56 (left) and iPhone 16e (right) laying next to each other on a woodgrain table.
4 reasons why Samsung's Galaxy A56 is a better buy than the iPhone 16e
Latest in News
A person on a laptop converting a PDF to a DOC
FBI issues warning over free online file converters that infect your PC with malware
The Find my People feature
Android Find My can now track your friends and family — here's how to use it
Foldable iPhone concept image
Are you sitting down? Here’s what the foldable iPhone could cost
Samsung HW-Q990D soundbar
Samsung’s flagship 2024 soundbar just got bricked by a new firmware update — don’t update
A hacker typing quickly on a keyboard
New MassJacker malware is hijacking digital wallets to steal large sums from users
Owen Cooper as Jamie Miller in Adolescence
'Adolescence' is a gripping new Netflix show that's already hit No. 1 — and it’s 100% on Rotten Tomatoes