The Pixel 7 is Google’s newest flagship telephone, taking what we cherished in regards to the Pixel 6 and refining it. Due to the brand new Tensor G2, the Pixel 7 has tons of helpful AI options to find.
Samsung‘s Galaxy S22 could also be small, nevertheless it packs a giant chew because of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. Not solely does it carry out quick, nevertheless it has a clean 120Hz show and nice cameras to seize topics from totally different focal lengths.
For
Versatile triple digital camera setup
Glossy design large collection of colours
Clean 120Hz show
Nice efficiency
Towards
Can get actually scorching
Slower to obtain new OS upgrades
Sluggish shutter velocity
Costly
Google’s newest flagship is lastly right here, and whereas it isn’t a large leap ahead from the Pixel 6, the brand new Pixel 7 remains to be a powerful telephone, a minimum of on paper. Given the timing of its launch, the Pixel 7 is predicted to go up in opposition to a few of the greatest flagships from 2023. Nevertheless, since we do not have these but, we’ll have to match it with 2022 flagships comparable to Samsung‘s Galaxy S22.
Each telephones characterize entry-level flagship telephones, making it an acceptable comparability. But, with an already somewhat-outdated chipset and smaller show, can the Galaxy S22 maintain a candle to the newer Pixel 7? Now that I’ve spent a while with Google’s newest flagship, I can let you know how each telephones carry out in the actual world.
Samsung–Galaxy-s22-looks-are-everything-3″>Google Pixel 7 vs. SamsungGalaxy S22: Seems to be are the whole lot
They are saying appears aren’t the whole lot, however they’re positively necessary. Samsung appeared to at all times put its greatest foot ahead concerning design, one thing Google did not actually work out till the Pixel 6 collection. That mentioned, Google just about nailed it with final 12 months’s flagship, giving it a smooth design that really regarded like a flagship telephone. That design language continues with the brand new Pixel 7, which appears completely attractive with its shiny chassis, two-tone colorways, flat show, and distinctive digital camera visor.
Each the Galaxy S22 and Pixel 7 sport comparable designs in comparison with their respective predecessors and are largely refinements of what got here earlier than. Nevertheless, the small adjustments actually matter. For example, the Pixel 7 has a digital camera visor that’s coated in principally aluminum, changing the glass from the Pixel 6. This manner, solely the digital camera sensors are uncovered, and there is a lot much less concern in regards to the visor cracking resulting from a fall.
For the Galaxy S22, the variations are minimal. The perimeters, for instance, are a lot flatter, which truly provides the telephone a reasonably good aesthetic. Dare I say; it is nearly iPhone-like. In fact, whether or not or not you want that’s completely as much as you. The Pixel has extra rounded edges, and if it is something like its predecessor, it’s going to have a slippery again which will warrant placing a case on to keep away from dropping it. The Galaxy S22 has frosted glass on the again, which is not very slippery and fewer susceptible to fingerprints. Nevertheless, the flat edges could make for a much less comfy expertise when holding the system. Nonetheless, each gadgets really feel nice in hand.
One place the place the Galaxy S22 wins is the colour choices. The Pixel 7 retains issues moderately easy with black, white, and a considerably unappealing yellow. The digital camera visor is coloured barely in another way from the remainder of the chassis in grey, silver, and gold to match the respective coloration choices. Nonetheless, there is not an intensive record of colours to select from, and those current are both uninteresting or simply ugly.
In the meantime, the Galaxy S22 is available in a number of base colours, together with a wonderful inexperienced that appears principally blue, relying on the sunshine. There are additionally a handful of unique colorways you should buy instantly from Samsung, giving shoppers loads of choices for a telephone that matches their private fashion.
Samsung–Galaxy-s22-hardware-and-specs-3″>Google Pixel 7 vs. SamsungGalaxy S22: {Hardware} and specs
Now that we’re executed judging a e book by its cowl, let’s speak {hardware} and specs. Each of those telephones launched with the newest chipsets of their respective instances. For the Galaxy S22, that was the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, whereas the Pixel 7 will get a brand-new Tensor G2 chip.
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, which began delivery on telephones in early 2022, had its share of issues, significantly with warmth administration. These have been well-documented on the Galaxy S22, and in my use, the telephone nonetheless will get scorching whereas performing the best of duties. That mentioned, the Galaxy S22 remains to be speedy and performs nicely, even whereas gaming. Simply put a case on, and you will not actually discover the warmth.
The brand new Tensor G2 chip seems to be an iterative improve to the unique Tensor. Nonetheless, the Pixel 7 performs admirably because it’s Google’s in-house design and the telephone is simply as responsive as one would count on from a Pixel flagship.
6.3-inches, FHD+ (1080 x 2400), OLED, as much as 90Hz
6.1-inches
Chipset
Tensor G2
Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
RAM
8GB
8GB
Storage
128/256GB
128/256GB
Battery & Charging
4355mAh, 21W wired, 20W wi-fi
3,700mAh, 25W wired, 15W wi-fi
Rear Digicam 1
50MP, wide-angle, ƒ/1.85, 1.2μm
50MP, wide-angle, ƒ/1.8, 1.0μm
Rear Digicam 2
12MP, ultrawide, ƒ/2.2, 1.25μm, 114°
12MP, ultrawide, ƒ/2.55, 1.4μm, 120°
Rear Digicam 3
❌
10MP, telephoto, ƒ/2.4, 1.0μm, 3x zoom
Selfie Digicam
10.8MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 80°
10MP, ƒ/2.2, 1.22μm, 92.8°
Connectivity
5G (sub-6, mmWave), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6E
5G (sub-6, mmWave), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi 6
Safety
IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus
IP68, Gorilla Glass Victus+
Dimensions
73.2 x 155.6 x 8.7
70.6 x 146 x 7.6mm
Weight
197g
167g
Colours
Obsidian, Snow, Lemongrass
Phantom White, Phantom Black, Inexperienced, Pink Gold, Bora Purple, different Samsung-exclusive colorways
In the case of on-paper specs, the Galaxy S22 seems to have a little bit of an edge over the Pixel 7. For instance, Samsung‘s show could also be a bit smaller (and arguably extra comfy to deal with), however the Galaxy S22 sports activities a variable 120Hz refresh price, which is quicker than the Pixel 7’s 90Hz. Due to this, scrolling and animations on the Galaxy show needs to be a lot smoother.
The Galaxy S22 additionally has a further digital camera sensor on the again for telephoto photographs, though we’ll speak about that later.
The Pixel 7 positively wins concerning battery life, given its bigger 4355mAh battery. In my use, I can simply get by way of a full workday if I take the Pixel 7 off the charger at 5 am after I begin my day and even the night time earlier than. Relying on my use, I may even handle a complete 24 hours on a single cost. The Galaxy S22 will get me nowhere near this, with the telephone virtually screaming for a charger by midday.
The Galaxy S22 will prime up its battery a bit faster because of a mix of quicker 25W charging and a smaller battery capability. The Pixel 7 helps wired charging as much as 20W with a suitable Google charger, which the corporate says can get to 50% in half-hour. This is not too removed from my expertise, and whereas it would not have the quickest charging, it will possibly get a good cost in about half an hour. Fortuitously, it fills up quicker than the Pixel 6 Professional, which is without doubt one of the slowest-charging flagship smartphones I’ve encountered.
Concerning connectivity, these telephones are fairly comparable, supporting all of the 5G flavors, NFC, and Bluetooth 5.2. Nevertheless, the Pixel ups the ante with Wi-Fi 6E, whereas the Galaxy S22 solely has Wi-Fi 6.
In the case of cameras, these telephones are very comparable, a minimum of on paper. Each have 50MP main shooters and 12MP ultrawide sensors. Nevertheless, as I discussed earlier than, the Pixel 7 has an unlucky drawback resulting from its lack of a devoted telephoto digital camera, that means you will need to rely solely on digital zoom in case you wanna get a superb shot of a live performance stage and also you’re someplace within the again. That mentioned, it isn’t all unhealthy.
In my expertise, the Galaxy S22 takes completely satisfactory pictures. They’re detailed, vivid, and many vibrant with out being overly so. Nevertheless, whereas they’re fairly good, they’re nothing to run dwelling about. The truth is, if I want a superb photograph (significantly for a assessment or one thing), I am going to usually attain for the Pixel 7 first.
It is nothing in opposition to Samsung, however Google has actually nailed its computational images. And now that the corporate has lastly adopted newer, higher-resolution sensors, it has many extra pixels to work with to create nice pictures. The photographs taken with the Pixel 7 simply have extra depth to them, which in my view, makes them look a lot nicer than what the Galaxy S22 can produce from its main sensor. The Pixel 7 gives loads of distinction and element, even when pictures aren’t as vivid because the Galaxy S22. Pictures from the Pixel are additionally hotter, which might work in its favor relying in your desire.
And to assist with the dearth of telephoto zoom, the Pixel 7 has Tremendous Res Zoom. But, whereas the Pixel 7’s Tremendous Res Zoom can solely attain as much as 8x, it is nonetheless fairly good when in comparison with the S22’s 3x optical sensor.
That’s, except you really want that 30x digital zoom on the Galaxy S22, which has helped me take some implausible photographs of the moon and different far-off topics. The Pixel 7 can solely get me so shut, and though high quality degrades the extra I zoom with the S22, it nonetheless is useful for some photographs.
Along with Tremendous Res Zoom, Google can be touting loads of options like Movement Mode, Picture Unblur, Magic Eraser, Face Unblur, and tons of different AI-based options to assist get you the absolute best picture. In fact, Samsung additionally has some methods up its sleeve too, like guide photograph and video modes, Single Take, and Object Eraser, the latter of which I’m fairly a fan of.
In the case of low gentle, Samsung has actually targeted on enhancing on this entrance and has nailed it, in my view. When evaluating pictures with my 7 with Evening Mode turned off, the Galaxy S22 pulls in far more gentle, whereas the Pixel doesn’t attempt to brighten up pictures in any respect. Nevertheless, the Pixel actually shines (pun supposed) with Evening Sight on, though I nonetheless discover that the Galaxy S22 pictures are brighter, which appears to be the case in nearly any situation.
Google has additionally improved video seize on the Pixel 7. The Galaxy S22 takes implausible video as much as 4K60 and performs very nicely in low gentle. The Pixel collection is not precisely recognized for video high quality, however Google has been enhancing on this entrance, significantly with the Pixel 6 collection. Now, video may be captured in 10-bit HDR, which I’ve seen makes footage much more vibrant. The Galaxy S22 can seize HDR10+ video as a Labs characteristic, which additionally punches up the footage.
One attention-grabbing characteristic on the Pixel 7 is Cinematic Blur, which is supposed to offer a movie-like depth of subject to your movies by utilizing AI to intelligently blur the background whereas the topic stays in focus. This characteristic has labored with various success on different smartphones, though they by no means appear to get it fairly proper. I’ve tried Portrait Video with the Galaxy S22, and it appears a lot improved, though actually solely works with folks. The Pixel 7 works with objects, though you will get higher outcomes with faces within the body. It is not good, however each are huge enhancements over earlier makes an attempt in previous years.
Each take respectable selfies, though neither are good. The brighter pictures can work within the Galaxy S22’s favor in some scenes, but in addition work in opposition to it in others. Selfies are additionally a bit gentle, which I am not a giant fan of. In the meantime, the Pixel 7 takes very detailed selfies because of the upgraded 10.8MP digital camera, however they typically really feel over processed.
I’ll say that one downfall of the Galaxy S22 digital camera is its sluggish shutter button. Generally it will possibly take a few second for it to really seize the picture after urgent the button, which may end up in some blurry photographs or simply lacking the second altogether. If you really want an in-the-moment image, the Pixel 7 will seemingly get you the quickest and clearest picture.
That mentioned, the Pixel 7 would not have any guide options for customers that actually wish to take management of the pictures of video they seize. It is all executed with AI. For an newbie videographer like myself, that is a little bit of a bummer, because the output from the Pixel could not at all times come out how you want to. The Pixel does make up for this by permitting RAW seize, however meaning it’s important to go in after-the-fact to edit versus making in-the-moment tweaks.
All-in-all-both telephones have nice cameras and loads of enjoyable options. If you happen to desire brighter pictures and wish to get actually near your topic, the Galaxy S22 is the telephone to get. If you happen to desire extra detailed photographs with a bit extra depth and distinction, the Pixel is your telephone.
Samsung–Galaxy-s22-software-and-support-3″>Google Pixel 7 vs. SamsungGalaxy S22: Software program and assist
So far as the precise software program, each flavors of Android have a special really feel to them. Samsung‘s One UI is far cleaner, in my view, though it is nearly stoic when in comparison with the extra bubbly Pixel UI. Every part on the Pixel is simply greater, from the brightness and quantity sliders to the short settings toggles and lots of features of the notification shade. I am not a fan of how the Pixel UI offers with area, as UI parts are inclined to take up extra of it than they need to. I personally desire Samsung‘s extra condensed tackle these identical UI parts, particularly since I can match as much as six fast settings toggles in a single row (though that is being decreased to 5 with One UI 5).
Nevertheless, in case you care about software program assist, look no additional than both of those smartphones. Each Google and Samsung have upped the ante concerning long-term assist, and the Pixel 7 and Galaxy S22 have a few of the most spectacular assist guarantees of any of one of the best Android telephones.
On the one hand, the Galaxy S22 has a greater lifespan, as Samsung has promised 4 OS upgrades and 5 years of safety updates. Samsung can be fast to replace its telephones with month-to-month safety patches, typically forward of Google, which sticks to a specific cadence. However, the Galaxy S22 launched with Android 12 and is about to improve to Android 13 quickly on the time of writing, that means it can obtain as much as Android 16 and a further 12 months of assist. So whereas the Pixel 7 will obtain one much less OS improve, it can nonetheless handle to obtain Android 16 for the reason that telephone launches with Android 13 out of the field.
Samsung is understood to come back with smaller characteristic upgrades at times, often within the type of some extent improve like One UI 3.1 or One UI 4.1. Nevertheless, there’s not a lot rhyme or cause to those updates, and we often have to attend for main releases or quarterly Android characteristic updates to obtain new options.
In the meantime, the Pixel collection would often obtain these new options nicely earlier than everybody else, because of Google’s Quarterly Characteristic Drops. Many options showcased in these updates often roll out a lot later to different Android telephones, giving Pixel customers first dibs on enjoyable new software program.
Nonetheless, each gadgets are primarily on the heart of their respective ecosystems; Google with the Pixel household and Nest gadgets, and Samsung with One UI and SmartThings. Fortuitously, you may dip into both or regardless of which telephone you select, however you will have probably the most seamless expertise by staying on-brand. So be certain to seize that new Pixel Watch in case you’re grabbing the Pixel 7 or the Galaxy Watch 5 in case you’re getting a Galaxy S22.
Samsung–Galaxy-s22-which-should-you-buy-3″>Google Pixel 7 vs. SamsungGalaxy S22: Which must you purchase?
As somebody who makes use of Samsung as a main system, I’ve to confess it is a arduous one. The Galaxy S22 gives an excellent software program expertise with ample assist, good cameras, and quick efficiency, all in a trendy and pocketable design. The truth is, throughout my time with the Pixel 7, I could not wait to get again to my Galaxy S22.
Nevertheless, regardless of the Pixel’s shortcomings, I’ve to confess that it is in all probability a greater worth for most individuals. The Pixel has glorious cameras that use software program to compensate for the dearth of a telephoto lens, and picture high quality is excellent. There is no query that Google’s imaging prowess is difficult to match, and the Pixel 7 is without doubt one of the greatest digital camera experiences you could possibly ask for on a smartphone.
Not solely that, however Google’s AI options are extraordinarily handy and enjoyable, and the Tensor G2 chip ought to present regular efficiency it doesn’t matter what you are doing. To not point out, you will get a lot better battery life out of the Pixel, which many customers search for in a smartphone.
As I mentioned, the Galaxy S22 isn’t any slouch, and I might nonetheless advocate it to anybody who asks. Nevertheless, it is a little bit of a clumsy time for the S22, particularly as rumors of the Galaxy S23 collection begin to ramp up. The mix of the upcoming Galaxy S23 launch plus the moderately costly $799 price ticket is a bit arduous to justify at this level, particularly when in comparison with the $599 Pixel. If you will discover some good offers, go for the Galaxy. In any other case, the Pixel gives far more worth.
You will not be disenchanted with the Pixel 7. It has the newest chipset from Google, and its upgraded cameras imply the tip of blurry pictures and even quicker night time photographs.
The Galaxy S22 is a little bit of a splurge, however with it comes wonderful software program, nice cameras, and a tool that performs nicely it doesn’t matter what you throw at it.