Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Vs Google Pixel 7 Pro

Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£247.00

Versus £1,364.00 new

See options
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£169.75

Versus £899.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, released in February 2022, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, launched in October 2022, represent two distinct approaches to high-end Android smartphones. While both offer premium experiences, they differentiate themselves through camera philosophies, design, and software integration. The Galaxy S22 Ultra emphasizes versatility with its integrated stylus and extensive zoom capabilities, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro focuses on computational photography and a streamlined Android experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, several factors contribute to their expected lifespan, including software support and physical resilience.

  • Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G typically receives four major Android operating system updates and five years of security updates from its release. The Google Pixel 7 Pro, being a Google device, is also committed to five years of security updates and has seen its major OS update commitment extended to five years, potentially offering a slightly longer period of feature updates.
  • Physical Durability: Both smartphones feature robust designs with IP68 ratings for dust and water resistance, indicating protection against immersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S22 Ultra utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, while the Pixel 7 Pro uses Gorilla Glass Victus.
  • Repairability: Independent assessments suggest that the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is generally more straightforward to repair, with some teardowns giving it a higher repairability score compared to the Pixel 7 Pro. The Pixel 7 Pro's battery and charging port, for instance, have been noted as more challenging to replace due to strong adhesives and soldered components.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both devices are equipped with powerful internal components designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking, though their approaches to processing power differ.

  • Processing Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G is powered by a processor that delivers strong performance for gaming and intensive applications, ensuring smooth operation across various tasks. The Pixel 7 Pro features Google's custom-designed processor, which is optimized for machine learning and AI tasks, enhancing features like image processing and voice recognition.
  • Multitasking and Storage: Both models offer configurations with ample RAM, typically 8GB or 12GB, allowing for efficient multitasking and quick switching between applications. Storage options range from 128GB up to 1TB for the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G and up to 512GB for the Pixel 7 Pro, catering to different user needs for app and media storage.
  • Battery Behavior: Both devices house a 5000 mAh battery. In typical usage scenarios, the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G generally provides a full day of use, though heavy usage can necessitate more frequent charging. The Pixel 7 Pro's battery performance has been noted by some users to require more frequent charging under heavy use, particularly with the display at high brightness settings.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both smartphones is characterized by high-quality displays, each offering vibrant colors and sharp details.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Pixel 7 Pro comes with a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED screen. Both offer Quad HD+ resolutions, resulting in crisp text and detailed images.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G can reach a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, providing excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. The Pixel 7 Pro offers a peak brightness of up to 1500 nits, which is also very capable outdoors. Both displays feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and fluid animations while conserving battery life when static content is displayed.
  • Viewing Experience: The slightly larger screen of the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, combined with its curved edges, offers an expansive viewing area. The Pixel 7 Pro's display also provides an immersive experience, with its LTPO technology allowing for more dynamic refresh rate adjustments.

Resolution

1440 x 3088

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are recognized for their advanced camera systems, each excelling in different aspects of photography and videography.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G boasts a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, respectively. This configuration allows for significant zoom capabilities. The Pixel 7 Pro features a triple-camera system with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, and a 48MP telephoto lens capable of 5x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G delivers highly detailed images, particularly with its high-resolution main sensor and impressive zoom range, making it suitable for capturing distant subjects. The Pixel 7 Pro leverages its computational photography strengths to produce consistently balanced and natural-looking photos, with strong performance in various lighting conditions and unique features like Macro Focus.
  • Video and Audio: Both devices are capable of recording high-resolution video, including 4K at 60fps, with optical image stabilization for steady footage. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G also supports 8K video recording. Both offer quality microphone performance for clear audio capture in videos and calls.

Main camera

108 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

40 megapixels

10.8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G and the Pixel 7 Pro support 5G connectivity, along with modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6E for the S22 Ultra) and Bluetooth for wireless accessories. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Sensors and Biometrics: For security and convenience, both phones incorporate under-display optical fingerprint sensors. The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G also features an integrated S Pen stylus, offering precise input for notes, drawings, and navigation, a feature not present on the Pixel 7 Pro.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G has a distinct, angular design reminiscent of the Note series, weighing approximately 228 grams. The Pixel 7 Pro features a more rounded design with a prominent camera bar, weighing around 212 grams. Both devices are constructed with premium materials, including aluminum frames and glass backs, contributing to a solid in-hand feel.

Weight

228 g

212 g

Screen size (in)

6.8

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G often praises its versatile camera system, particularly the extensive zoom capabilities, and the integrated S Pen for productivity and creative tasks. Some common criticisms include its battery life under heavy use and the potential for performance variations depending on the regional processor. The Google Pixel 7 Pro is frequently lauded for its exceptional computational photography, delivering consistent and high-quality images, and its clean, feature-rich Android software experience. However, some users have noted concerns regarding its battery performance, especially when the screen is at high brightness, and its repairability score is lower than some competitors.

Users prioritizing a highly versatile camera with significant optical zoom and an integrated stylus for note-taking and drawing may find the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G well-suited to their needs. Conversely, individuals who value a streamlined Android experience, advanced computational photography features, and a focus on AI-driven enhancements will likely lean towards the Google Pixel 7 Pro. Both devices offer a premium smartphone experience, and choosing between them often comes down to these specific feature preferences. For those considering either of these powerful devices, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative.

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