Flagship smartphones have become extremely good over the last few years, and two prime examples of this are the Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 6. With each passing year, manufacturers make their phones as powerful and capable as possible. This means faster processors, more vibrant displays, better cameras, etc.
Another aspect of this is seen with pricing. Phones like the Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro Max ensure that the ultra-high-end market is alive and well. Alongside those, however, are phones like the regular Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6. They’re flagship devices through and through, but they offer those flagship features at much more reasonable prices. The S22 starts at $799, the Pixel 6 starts at $599, and both phones are loaded to the gills with impressive spec sheets. But which one is the better choice for you? Let’s try and figure that out.
Let’s kick things off by talking about the design. The Galaxy S22 and Pixel 6 have glass fronts and backs with an aluminum frame connecting them. While the bones are essentially the same, their aesthetics are considerably different. The S22 is an evolution of the same design Samsung used in 2021 with the S21. It has a matte glass back, the now iconic ‘contour-cut’ camera design, and flat edges. The Pixel 6 charts its own design language, featuring two-tone colors, a glossy back, rounded edges, and a massive camera bar. Which design you like more depends on personal preference, but it’s safe to say each phone has a unique style. But that’s not the only design difference. The Pixel 6 is also considerably larger and heavier than the Galaxy S22. Google’s phone measures 74.8 x 158.6 x 8.9mm and weighs 207g. By comparison, Samsung’s handset is 70.6 x 146.9 x 7.6mm and weighs 168g. If you prefer smaller, lighter, and generally more compact phones, the Galaxy S22 has the advantage here.
The Galaxy S22 & Pixel 6 Both Have A Lot To Offer
Despite its smaller size, the Galaxy S22 somehow manages to have the more capable display between the two. It offers a 6.1-inch AMOLED display, 2340 x 1080 resolution, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 6 keeps up with the S22 in more ways than one — touting a 6.4-inch AMOLED display, 2400 x 1080 resolution, and 90Hz refresh rate. Both phones have very nice screens, but the S22 edges out the Pixel 6 ever-so-slightly. The faster refresh rate is smoother, the quality of the AMOLED panel is a bit better, and it gets brighter in outdoor situations. Also excellent on both phones are their camera systems. The Galaxy S22 is equipped with a 50MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 10MP telephoto camera. The Pixel 6 also has 50MP primary and 12MP ultra-wide cameras, though it lacks a dedicated telephoto one. That’s a notable advantage in Samsung’s court, but both the S22 and Pixel 6 are capable of taking incredible photos. Whether you’re shooting in broad daylight, a dimly-lit restaurant, or a scenic view at night, each one should have your back. The S22 does also have an edge in the video department, supporting both 4K and 8K video recording. The Pixel 6, by comparison, maxes out at 4K video.
Then there are all of the internal differences. Powering the Galaxy S22 is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. It’s the latest mobile chip from Qualcomm and the go-to choice for most flagship handsets in 2022. For its part, Google decided to abandon Qualcomm with the Pixel 6 and instead create its own Google Tensor chipset. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is technically more powerful than Google Tensor, but both have plenty of horsepower for demanding apps and graphically intense games. The S22 and Pixel 6 each come with 8GB of RAM for reliable multitasking, along with a choice of 128 or 256GB of storage. That said, there is a pretty notable difference in the battery department. The Galaxy S22 has a fairly small 3,700 mAh battery and only gets 25W wired charging speeds. Not only does the Pixel 6 have a much larger 4,614 mAh battery, but it also has slightly faster 30W wired charging. Other miscellaneous specs are very similar. Both phones have 5G support, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, NFC chips, in-screen fingerprint sensors, and an IP68 rating for dust/water resistance.
If you’re in the market for a flagship smartphone and want to keep your spending to a minimum, the Pixel 6 remains one of the best values available. It has a striking design, a good display, reliable performance, and excellent cameras. At just $599 for the 128GB storage configuration, that’s a steal. Does the S22 have some advantages over the Pixel 6? Sure. Its display is a bit more advanced, its processor has more wiggle room for intensive tasks, and the additional telephoto camera can prove quite handy. Whether or not those things are worth spending an extra $200 for is up for you to decide. Most folks are likely best suited with the excellent and more affordable Pixel 6, but if you think you’ll genuinely benefit from the Samsung Galaxy S22’s extra features, it won’t steer you wrong.
Source: Samsung
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