The Galaxy S22 , Samsung’s middle child, may not be the finest model overall, but at $999, it is still more affordable than the S22 Ultra and directly competes with the $899 Google Pixel 6 Pro. Which is the better purchase overall, then?
Given that the Galaxy S22 Ultra is a very different animal from the typical Android flagship, it may be unfair to directly compare it to the Pixel 6 Pro. The Galaxy S22 is more in line with Google’s current top-tier smartphone in terms of price and specifications.
When directly comparing the Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 , the contrast is fairly stark. Due to a higher resolution 120Hz AMOLED panel, more base RAM, and even a larger battery, it is overwhelmingly in favor of Google’s newest and greatest smartphone.
However, no smartphone is used when writing, and the Galaxy S22 has a faster processor. The Exynos 2200 or the 4nm Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 are available in select geographical locations. Although it employs a 5nm design, Google’s own Tensor processor was co-developed with Samsung. Although there is a performance gap, it is actually less obvious in everyday use.
You could guess that the Pixel 6 Pro has a superior screen based just on the specifications for the display. The Galaxy S22 may have a lower resolution AMOLED, but it is significantly more usable if you want flat displays and thin bezels. The peak brightness of the Galaxy S22 is also over twice as high as that of the Pixel 6 Pro, making it suitable for almost any scenario. The Pixel 6 Pro still has a fantastic screen that is better resolution and incredibly responsive.
The biometric unlock mechanism is connected to the screen because both smartphones feature in-display fingerprint scanners. The Pixel 6 Pro utilizes an optical reader, whereas the Galaxy S22 uses an ultrasonic reader. The Pixel’s fingerprint sensor has received improvements, but the S22unlocking ‘s technology is far superior and the process is painless.
The Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6 Pro are at far different extremes of the hardware design spectrum. Although Google’s quality control has come under fire in recent years, the Pixel 6 Pro is unquestionably a high-end product with execution that is strikingly similar to Samsung’s. The Galaxy S22 is only an improvement over the S21 series that adds more features for a better overall package. If you want more finish options, it even has a wider range of colors to choose from.
SOCIAL
Although the Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 both came pre-installed with Android 12, Samsung has recently changed its update guarantees for flagship lineups, so you can really anticipate the Galaxy S22 to enjoy a longer official support window.
The Android 12L update, which has changes to better utilize larger displays, is currently available for the Pixel 6 Pro. All Galaxy S22 series phones came pre-installed with One UI 4.1, an Android 12-based user interface. One UI delivers more capabilities that Pixel phones have historically lacked, which makes it considerably different from the lightweight Pixel version of Android 12 and 12L. It’s also critical to remember that the Pixel 6 series has had various update problems and faults that the Galaxy S22 does not.
Additionally, it is deficient in some of the more notable modifications made as part of the Material You redesign or only provides weaker substitutes. The Color Palette feature, which functions similarly to the wallpaper-based Dynamic Color theming featured on all Pixels running Android 12 officially, is a good example. However, there are a ton of other choices available elsewhere that are only now beginning to appear in AOSP releases. Samsung clearly overburdens One UI with extra features that are frequently far ahead of their time.
The Magic Eraser, which is referred to as a “Object eraser” in the Samsung Gallery app, is one of the features Google has advertised for the Pixel 6 Pro. Samsung packs One UI 4.1 full of extra features and capabilities that you probably won’t find anywhere else, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Samsung has excelled in other areas, such as the basic UI, without making significant changes from Android 10 to Android 12. Google can undoubtedly use this as a lesson for upcoming Android releases.
The really interesting part of this is that Samsung has chosen to lengthen its upgrade timetable in an effort to unseat Google as the leader in Android updates. The Samsung Galaxy S22 will be eligible for updates up to and including Android 16 and One UI 8, even though both devices ship with Android 12. On the other hand, the Pixel 6 Pro will get Android 15 and then an further two years of security patches . It is obvious which equipment to choose if longevity is important to you.
CHARGER
On paper, the 10% larger internal battery of the Pixel 6 Pro should allow it to outlive the Galaxy S22 , but in practice, the difference is not as noticeable. Due to the higher quality screen on the Pixel 6 Pro, the longevity of the two devices is comparatively similar. Although neither phone lasts very long on Android, they are not the least durable either.
Since a dedicated charger is needed to use the fastest charging technique, neither phone comes with a charger, which is annoying. The Pixel 6 and 6 Pro’s actual cable charging speeds are substantially lower, despite their claimed 30W maximum charge speeds. Unfortunately, even with the new charge brick, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro can only be charged at peak rates of 21W and 23W, respectively. The S22 has quicker 45W wired charging speeds with an additional attachment, however the 6 Pro has better wireless charging speeds possible because of the new Pixel Stand.
APERTURE
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Only a few obvious differences separate the camera configurations on the Pixel 6 Pro and the Galaxy S22 , tipping the scales slightly in favor of Google’s newest flagship. Google has historically depended on software processing to accomplish incredible things with little camera hardware, whereas Samsung frequently depends on camera brute force.
The playing field was leveled in 2021, and the resulting Pixel 6 Pro camera system now directly competes with the best in the industry. The primary ISOCELL GN1 sensor, which is utilized in the Galaxy S22 and has a slightly quicker aperture, is older than the GN5 sensor. Images from both primary sensors are excellent, but while Google’s software processing is excellent overall, you cannot use the entire 50 megapixel sensor on the Pixel 6 Pro, unlike the Galaxy S22 Pro Mode enables complete granularity with additional settings and features.
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The ultrawide cameras are comparable, but the Galaxy S22lens ‘s has a quicker aperture and a wider field of view than the Pixel 6 Pro’s, making for superior overall wide-angle images in a range of situations. The telephoto zoom lens in the S22 series has been upgraded by Samsung, while the S21 series previously employed a 64-megapixel sensor and cropping to produce a 3x digital zoom.
This time, the 10-megapixel S5K3K1 has a 3x hybrid optical zoom for superior telephoto pictures. This is nothing compared to the Pixel 6 Pro’s 48-megapixel 4x periscope zoom. Zoom images up to 10x are more than useful with either handset.
The S22 ups the ante with video recording at up to 8K quality at 24fps, coupled with a multitude of Pro mode features and even the amazing Portrait video. Video modes are extensive on both devices. Samsung is the undisputed king of Android for video recording, and that trend continues here.
Which of the Pixel 6 Pro and Galaxy S22 is the best smartphone for me?
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Regarding upgrading: 9to5
Google frequently makes suggestions for particular products. Due to numerous factors, such as increased device cost, insignificant performance increases, or environmental impact, we may occasionally advise against updating. Although the choice to upgrade is always yours, we want to give you all the information you need to make an informed choice.
You’ll have to choose between power and prowess or software elegance and perhaps greater photography capabilities because the Pixel 6 Pro costs about $100 less than the Galaxy S22 . The S22 definitely feels like a superior option for the majority of Android enthusiasts out there, at least in terms of longevity, and the extra $100 gives you a lot more smartphone. Although it may appear to be the awkward middle child, the package is actually a superb one that is sandwiched between two more noticeable goods.
Many of the significant issues that plagued the Pixel 6 Pro at first have been addressed by Google, and more minor tinkering is anticipated with each new release. The decision between the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6 Pro will probably come down to whether you choose a smartphone with more features that will receive frequent updates over one with a better camera and cleaner software. The S22 offers somewhat better value than the Pixel 6 Pro, but having a higher price tag.
