Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs Google Pixel 7

Galaxy S22+ 5G
Galaxy S22+ 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:£166.00

Versus £1,174.01 new

See options
Google Pixel 7
Google Pixel 7
Starting at

Refurbished price:£136.00

Versus £729.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the Google Pixel 7, launched in October 2022, are both Android smartphones that offer distinct user experiences. While both devices operate on the Android platform, they differ in their design philosophy, processing approach, and camera capabilities. The Galaxy S22 Plus emphasizes a premium hardware experience with a vibrant display, whereas the Pixel 7 focuses on advanced computational photography and a streamlined software experience.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Pixel 7 offer substantial software support, though with some differences in their update policies.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 Plus was released in February 2022, while the Google Pixel 7 followed in October 2022. This eight-month difference means the Pixel 7 benefits from a slightly newer starting point for its software lifecycle.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Plus was initially promised four years of Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its release. The Pixel 7, on the other hand, was guaranteed five years of OS and security updates from its launch. This means the Pixel 7 is expected to receive major Android updates until at least October 2025 and security updates until October 2027, while the S22 Plus has already received its four major OS updates and will continue to receive security patches until early 2027.
  • Durability Features: Both devices feature IP68 water and dust resistance, indicating a high level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S22 Plus utilizes Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both its front and back, along with an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its robust build. The Pixel 7 also uses Gorilla Glass Victus for its display and back, paired with an aluminum frame.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver capable performance for daily tasks and demanding applications, though they achieve this through different internal architectures.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Plus handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for gaming and productivity. The Pixel 7, powered by its custom-designed processor, also offers smooth performance, particularly excelling in AI-driven tasks and image processing.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: Both devices come with 8GB of RAM, allowing for efficient multitasking and quick app switching. Users can expect a fluid experience when navigating the operating system and running multiple applications simultaneously.
  • Storage Options: Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Pixel 7 are available with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media. Neither device offers expandable storage via a microSD card.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interaction point, and both phones offer high-quality viewing experiences with some notable distinctions.

  • Display Technology and Size: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a larger 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 7 has a slightly more compact 6.3-inch AMOLED display.
  • Brightness and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus boasts a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, making it exceptionally visible even in bright outdoor conditions. The Pixel 7 offers a peak brightness of up to 1400 nits, which also provides good visibility outdoors. Both displays offer a Full HD+ resolution, ensuring sharp text and clear images for everyday viewing.
  • Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S22 Plus features an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, contributing to very smooth scrolling and a fluid user interface. The Pixel 7 has a 90Hz refresh rate, which still provides a smooth experience, though it is not as high as the S22 Plus.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, each with its own strengths.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This allows for flexibility in capturing various scenes, from wide landscapes to zoomed-in subjects. The Pixel 7 comes with a dual-camera system, featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus delivers good overall camera performance, with improved low-light capabilities and sharp images in good lighting. The Pixel 7 is highly praised for its computational photography, producing consistently excellent images with natural colors and strong detail, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. Its Night Sight mode is noted for creating clear images in near darkness.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both phones are capable of recording video at up to 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. The Galaxy S22 Plus has a 10MP front camera, while the Pixel 7 features a 10.8MP front camera, both capable of capturing detailed selfies and clear video calls.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

10.8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of these two devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Pixel 7 support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. The Galaxy S22 Plus uses a USB-C port, while the Pixel 7 also features a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometric Security: Both devices offer in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking. The Pixel 7 also includes Face Unlock for convenient access.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Plus has a refined design with a flat glass front and back and an aluminum frame, weighing 195g. The Pixel 7 features a distinctive camera bar design that blends into its brushed aluminum sides, and it weighs 197g. The Pixel 7 is slightly shorter and narrower than the S22 Plus, which can impact one-handed use.

Weight

195 g

197 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.3

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

User feedback indicates that the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus is often praised for its premium build quality, vibrant display, and reliable performance. Users appreciate its bright screen and the versatility of its triple camera system. Some common criticisms include its battery life, which some users find to be sufficient for a day but not exceptional, and its camera processing, which can sometimes over-process images.

The Google Pixel 7 receives frequent acclaim for its exceptional camera capabilities, particularly its computational photography features that deliver impressive results in various conditions. Its clean Android experience and timely software updates are also highly valued. Some users have noted that its 90Hz display, while smooth, is not as high as some competitors, and its battery life, while solid, might not always last beyond a full day of heavy use.

Users prioritizing a larger, brighter display and a versatile camera system with optical zoom may find the Galaxy S22 Plus well-suited to their needs. Those who value a streamlined software experience, cutting-edge computational photography, and consistent image quality, especially in low light, may lean toward the Pixel 7. Both devices represent strong options in the Android smartphone market, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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