In our comparison, we will discuss the Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel 6 most critical points design, features, price, and more. We will not discuss the Pixel 6 Pro or the Galaxy S22 Ultra in this showdown because we have a dedicated comparison right here.
Google’s Pixel 6 has been among our favorite Android devices since its launch in late 2021. However, it now faces new competition in Samsung’s Galaxy S22 series. Both are considered flagship devices, but a lot sets them apart. As such, they might be struggling to decide which one to buy. We are here to help with our Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel 6 comparison.
Design and display
Samsung is back on the glass sandwich train in 2022. The Galaxy S22 series and the Pixel 6 sports glass rear panels, though the color options are entirely different. The Pixel offers two-toned designs, while Samsung opted for matching hues. That said, Google’s design provides a glossier finish that’s more likely to grab fingerprints, while the Galaxy S22 duo has more of a satin touch.
The latest flagships from Samsung and Google offer two completely different approaches to design. While Google presented a brand-new device with its Pixel 6 series, the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus are more refined versions of the Galaxy S21 series. With three updated lenses, Samsung returned the Contour Cut camera array for another year. On the other hand, Google adopted a massive camera bar with lenses that are impossible to miss.
Performance
As for benchmarks, on the Geekbench 5 overall performance test, the Galaxy S22 Ultra scored 1,240 on the single-core test and 3,392 on multicore. The Pixel 6 Pro was behind with 1,027 and 2,760.
However, both phones turned in similar times in our video encoding testing using Adobe Premiere Rush. The S22 Ultra took 47 seconds to transcode a 4K clip to 1080p, only a second before the Pixel 6 Pro.
It was a similar story with graphics, as the Galaxy S22 Ultra outpaced the Pixel 6 Pro on the 3DMark Wild Life test. Samsung notched 9,984 and 59.8 frames per second, compared to 6,682 and 40 fps for the Pixel.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen-1 chip, while the Google Pixel 6 Pro uses Google’s new Tensor chip.
Before we get to the benchmarks, there is a critical performance difference right off the bat. The Google Pixel 6 Pro’s fingerprint sensor is much slower to unlock the device, to the point where there is a noticeable delay. By comparison, the ultrasonic fingerprint reader on the S22 Ultra is very swift and almost instantaneous.
Colors of Galaxy S22 vs Google Pixel 6
We loved Samsung’s Phantom finishes for the Galaxy S21 series last year. The good news is that they are back again — well, to an extent. As shown in the image above, Samsung kept the satin finish that should not collect too many fingerprints. This year, the official color names include Phantom Black, Phantom White, Pink Gold, and Green for the Galaxy S22 and Galaxy S22 Plus.
There are also four Samsung-exclusive colors: Cream, Violet, Graphite, and Sky Blue, all two-toned optio
Over on the Pixel side, Google has once again dipped into its well of fun color names. Where the Pixel 5 launched in Sorta Sage and Just Black, the Pixel 6 comes in a trio of two-toned designs. We can check out Kinda Coral, which blends pink and red around the camera bar. Slightly Seafoam is another option, which offers green and yellow panels, or we can stay classy with Stormy Black and its black and gray tones.
Price
It is hard to overstate how good of a deal the Pixel 6 is. At just $599, it undercuts the Galaxy S22 series by at least $200. Not only that, but it beats the previous Pixel 5, too. If we want extra storage in our Pixel 6 — 256GB instead of 128GB — it will only set back $699.
Credit to Samsung, though, the Korean giant managed to keep pricing consistent from 2021. The 128GB Galaxy S22 launched at $799, while the same storage in a Galaxy S22 Plus will cost $999. Samsung’s larger 256GB version of each device comes with a $50 price increase. That means we will pay $849 for the Galaxy S22 or $1,049 for the Galaxy S22 Plus.
Software and special features
Google Assistant is intelligent on the Pixel 6 Pro, too. For example, it will tell us how long the wait is when we dial an 800 number, and the phone can even wait on hold.
It is worth noting that Samsung promises four years of software updates, compared to three years for Google and the Pixel 6 Pro.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra has the most apparent unique feature with its S Pen, letting us take notes, draw, and perform various shortcuts. Moreover, unlike the Galaxy S21 Ultra, the S Pen is built as it should. Plus, the S Pen now offers 30% less latency. However, the Pixel 6 Pro has several cool features of its own. Includes Magic Eraser in the Photos app, which can erase photo-bombers or unwanted objects from images. The Galaxy S22 Ultra has an object erase tool, but it does not work nearly as well.
Cameras of Galaxy S22 vs Google Pixel 6
The Pixel 6 Pro packs a 50MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide shooter, 48MP telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom, and an 11MP front-facing camera. The primary sensor now captures 50% more light than the Pixel 5, and the front camera has a 94-degree angle for fitting more subjects into our shot. Other notable features include Motion Mode for creating long exposure shots. The ability to unblur faces, and Real Tone for capturing more accurate skin tones.
We took a wide range of images with the Galaxy S22 Ultra and Pixel 6 Pro, finding that the two phones excel in different areas. The Pixel 6 Pro offers better details in the yellow petals, and the flower on the left has a more accurate magenta hue. The S22 Ultra turned it pinker.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra delivers a better-looking landscape image with this shot of trees at a nearby park. The photo is brighter and offers more contrast, while the Pixel 6 Pro’s image looks dim and flat.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a 108MP primary camera, 12MP ultrawide shooter, and a pair of 10MP telephoto lenses, one with a 3x optical telephoto zoom and the other featuring a 10x optical zoom. The primary wide camera now uses a larger 2.4-micron sensor. Then the Galaxy S21 Ultra, let in more light than before.
A Super Clear Glass lens promises to capture nighttime videos with flare. Samsung touts an AI Stereo Depth map feature for better-looking portraits. There is also a 40MP front camera on the Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Battery life and charging
Compare that runtime to the Google Pixel 6 Pro, which endured for only 7:46 and 7:43, respectively, despite having the same size battery at 5,000 mAh.
The Galaxy S22 Ultra also benefits from supporting an optional 45W charger. Which got the drained Samsung phone to 67% in 30 minutes. The Pixel 6 Pro could muster only 40% with its 30W charger in the same amount of time.
Samsung wins this round hands-down, as it offers longer battery life and faster charging. On Tom’s Guide battery test, which involves continuous web surfing at 150 nits of screen brightness, the S22 Ultra lasted 10 hours and 11 minutes in 60Hz display mode and 10:02 in adaptive mode.
