The Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22 are two of the best Android phones available. Both handsets offer a premium experience: Google's Pixel phones offer slick software and a top-tier camera, while Samsung handsets provide a powerful processor paired with a fast screen.
For most folks, the Google Pixel 7 is a great option. It's an affordable, mid-range Android handset that snaps spectacular photos and includes nifty artificial intelligence (AI) tools. But the Samsung Galaxy S22 features a powerful processor and responsive screen that is ideally suited to power users.
We’ll compare both devices by analyzing crucial components, including price, battery life, camera quality, connectivity, and design, to help you decide which phone is right for you. Let's dive in and look at the Google Pixel vs. Samsung Galaxy to see which Android phone comes out on top.
How we evaluated the Pixel 7 vs. the Galaxy S22
- Price & value We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected.
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Processing power
We looked at whether the devices' processors are worth the sticker price. - Battery life There's nothing worse than running low when you're on-the-go. We tested whether the handset will last through the day.
- Camera quality Smartphones have become some of the best cameras on the market. We weighed whether or not these cameras hold up to others on the market.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22 Summary
The Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22 are value-packed flagship phones. While the Pixel 7 is cheaper, larger, and rocks a better camera, the S22 is powerful with a great screen. Both handsets include refined software, so you have two good options.
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Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Specs
While we'll go more in-depth with our Pixel phone vs. Samsung review, but here are key specs for both phones:
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Specs
| Google Pixel 7 | Samsung Galaxy S22 | |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $599 | From $799 |
| Display | 6.3” OLED 90Hz |
6.1” AMOLED 48-120Hz |
| Processor | Tensor G2 |
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Main camera | Dual-lens 50MP main @ ƒ/1.85 12MP ultra-wide @ ƒ/2.2 |
Triple-lens 50MP main @ ƒ/1.78 12MP ultra-wide @ ƒ/2.2 10MP telephoto @ ƒ/2.4 3x optical zoom |
| Front camera | 10.8MP @ ƒ/2.2 |
10MP @ ƒ/2.2 |
| Internal memory | 128GB 256GB |
128GB 256GB |
| Battery life | 31 hours | 7 hours |
| Connectivity | 4G LTE 5G (sub-6 GHz, mmWave) Bluetooth 5.2 |
4G LTE 5G (sub-6 GHz, mmWave) Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Colors | Obsidian Snow Lemongrass |
Phantom Black Phantom White Green Pink Gold Bora Purple |
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Price
Google's Pixel 7 starts at $599 for the 128GB, while the 256GB variant sets you back $699. The Pixel lineup undercuts Samsung's S22, which costs $799 for the 128GB model and $850 for 256GB of storage. Samsung charges an average price for its entry-level flagship S22. On the other hand, Google undercuts the competition with one of the most affordable phones in its class. The S22’s starting cost isn’t that far off from $1,000 premium phones such as the Apple iPhone 14 Pro or Google’s Pixel 7 Pro.
There's no contest—the Google Pixel 7 is hands-down a more wallet-friendly option and a significantly better value. The Pixel 7 gets you great specs, including one of our favorite cameras, without breaking the bank. If you’re going to pay $800 or more, we recommend skipping the S22 and instead selecting a high-end phone like the Pixel 7 Pro, S22 Ultra, or Galaxy Z Fold4.
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Size
The Google Pixel features a 6.3-inch screen and measures 6.1 x 2.9 x 0.3 inches. Whereas the S22 sports a 6.1-inch display and clocks in at 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches. Although the Pixel is a bit bigger and slightly heavier (6.9 vs. 5.9 oz.), it's not by much. Both devices are pocket-friendly.
Want a larger screen? Consider the Google Pixel 7 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S22+, or S22 Ultra. Since some folks want smaller phones while others like bigger mobile devices, we're declaring this round a draw.
Winner: Tie
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Cameras
Since their inception, Pixel phones have boasted best-in-class camera quality, and the Pixel 7 doesn't disappoint.
- Pixel 7 cameras:
- 50MP main
- 12MP ultra-wide
- S22 cameras
- 50MP main
- 12MP ultra-wide
- 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
The Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22 feature 50MP main cameras paired with 12MP ultra-wide shooters. While the Pixel 7 lacks an optical zoom lens, its digital Super Res zoom works well for most situations aside from distant photography. If you need to snap Moon shots, reach for an S22.
For color reproduction, we liked the Pixel 7's performance better with its natural colors. In our experience, the S22 captures slightly oversaturated and unnatural colors. For nighttime shots, both the S22 and Pixel 7 excel with low-light photography.
In our testing, we preferred the Pixel 7’s camera, which captured gorgeous pictures which looked so realistic we thought we could step over the frame and into the photo. With its excellent daytime and low-light photography, the Google Pixel 7 is one of the best camera phones in virtually any scenario.
The Pixel 7's front-facing camera lets you comfortably squeeze more subjects into selfies. In portrait mode, the Pixel 7 produces more stylized blurred backgrounds, while the S22 is somewhat muted. Both look good, so it's all about personal preference. Additionally, the S22’s slow shutter speed resulted in a few blurry shots.
For video, you get solid image stabilization with both handsets. The Pixel 7 uses Cinematic Blur, which offers a blurred background, whereas the S22 provides Auto Framing that detects as many as ten people when recording. We found the video performance pretty even.
The Pixel 7 excels with its polished software. Artificial intelligence-powered image enhancements automatically improve photo quality. Therefore, we recommend the Pixel 7 for most people. Overall, the Pixel 7 takes significantly better photos out of the box, though the S22 is a good option for amateur photographers seeking more manual control.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Battery Life
The Google Pixel 7 boasts a beefier 4,355mAh battery versus the S22's 3,700mAh capacity. Considering the S22's inefficient processor and screen, the Pixel 7 lasts longer. Samsung's dynamic refresh rate display somewhat offsets its power-hungry design, but the Pixel still wins.
When charging, the S22 juices up at 25W with a cable and 15W wirelessly, while the Pixel 7 can recharge at 20W both ways. However, its faster wireless charging is limited to the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen). In our testing, we enjoyed the all-day battery life on the Pixel 7, while the S22 struggled to last nearly that long.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Display
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 7 feature 1080p displays with hole-punch camera cutouts in the top middle of the screen. Samsung offers a variable refresh rate 6.1-inch OLED that ramps up to 120Hz with tasks like gaming or fast scrolling or goes down to 48Hz when casually tapping around.
The Pixel 7 6.3-inch AMOLED sports a 90Hz refresh rate, with a higher 120Hz reserved for the pricier Pixel 7 Pro. Each display gets bright enough for comfortable outdoor use and delivers great color accuracy.
While the Pixel 7 is solid for everyday use, like scrolling through social media or reading an article by your favorite WhistleOut writer, the S22’s snappier screen is better for intensive tasks like gaming. Despite the Pixel 7's extra screen real estate, we like the more responsive S22 display.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Connectivity and Storage
Each handset offers two storage variants: 128GB or 256GB. The base 128GB model suffices for most folks, although power users seeking more phone storage can opt for the 256GB version. There's no microSD card slot, so if you need extra space, you'll need to leverage cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox.
Like most Android phones, the Pixel 7 and S22 utilize USB-C for charging. You can also connect various accessories, such as 3.5mm headphone jack adapters or flash drives to either phone’s USB-C jack. While the S22 offers HDMI out using a cable or dongle, the Pixel 7 doesn’t (though you can still cast to various devices). Since the Pixel 7 and S22 offer most of the same connectivity and storage features, we’re declaring this round a draw.
Winner: Tie
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Performance
Google debuted its Tensor processor on the Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, which we loved, and its Pixel 7 series ups the ante. The Tensor G2 chip improves upon its already great predecessor. In particular, the Tensor G2 shines when running artificial intelligence (AI) software like on-device voice recognition and automatic photo enhancement.
Both phones offer 5G, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6 for the fastest mobile and home internet speeds possible. Although there are some slight spec differences between the two devices, we found real-world performance virtually the same.
While the Pixel 7 is outstanding for everyday use, the S22 boasts more raw horsepower for stellar performance. The S22's Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 bests the Tensor G2 for raw performance. In our testing, the S22 and Pixel 7 fared similarly in Geekbench comparisons, although with 3DMark Wild Life graphics, the S22 blows the Pixel away. Likewise, in real-world performance tests, we found the S22 better for intense tasks like gaming.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S22
Software and Advanced Features
Like with previous Pixel iterations, the 7 runs a stock Android 13. It's snappy and responsive with regular updates. The S22 also runs Android 13 with the One UI 5 launcher. Samsung offers customization features, widgets, and neat functionality like answering phone calls with its smart assistant Bixby. When comparing Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages, both platforms offer great features but we like Google’s chat app better.
On the other hand, Google's Pixel 7 sports a slew of AI features that enhance daily use. For instance, Photo Unblur removes the blurriness of photographs, even if taken on another handset. Its Magic Eraser lets you easily cut out objects in the background of your pictures, such as photobombers.
We like Samsung's DeX, or desktop experience, software. DeX lets you use your phone as a laptop with a user interface designed for use with a keyboard and mouse. You can use DeX with a USB-C to HDMI dongle connected to a TV or monitor and wirelessly. It's a nifty solution that lets you use your phone for work and play while traveling.
Google and Samsung offer five years of security updates, while Google delivers three years of Android updates to Samsung's four. With its bevy of brilliant AI tools and a slick Android interface, the Pixel 7 edges out the still-excellent S22.
Winner: Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Recap
Overall, the Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22 are incredibly good Android phones. In most categories, the winner was by a narrow margin. For most folks, we recommend the Google Pixel 7. Despite the S22's better display and more powerful processor, the Pixel 7's exceptional software, including useful photography tools, makes it a great daily driver. Throw in all-day battery life and a competitive price tag, and the Pixel 7 is a winner.
Of course, the S22 remains one of our favorite Android phones, so we won't fault you for snagging the Samsung. Hardcore gamers, amateur photographers, or remote workers will appreciate the S22's powerful performance and features like DeX. Although the Pixel 7 is a better value and choice for most people, the S22 is a solid alternative.
Google Pixel 7 vs. Samsung Galaxy S22: Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Google Pixel 7 worth it?
Yes, the Google Pixel 7 is a great value phone with a best-in-class camera, slick software, and powerful AI tools.
Should I get a Pixel 7 or S22?
We recommend the Pixel 7 to most folks because of its incredible camera and outstanding battery life. However, the S22 is better for gamers with a faster processor and more responsive screen.
What is the best Android phone available right now?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is the best Android phone available, with the Google Pixel 7 Pro as a close second.
Is a Samsung or Google phone better?
Ultimately, whether a Samsung or Google handset is better depends on your lifestyle. Generally, Google Pixel phones are better for everyday use, like taking pictures, shooting videos, and streaming music all day without needing to recharge. But Samsung phones offer more powerful processors for gaming.
Methodology
To compare and contrast the Google Pixel 7 and Samsung Galaxy S22, our mobile experts analyzed each phone's price, specs, and features using our in-depth knowledge of modern mobile devices. We considered how most folks would use each smartphone, considering everyday users and power users who seek cutting-edge features. Additionally, we factored in previous- and current-generation hardware.
Moe Long
Senior Writer
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