Galaxy S22+ 5G Vs Google Pixel 7 Pro

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

Refurbished price:£167.00

Versus £1,174.01 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 Plus 5G, released in February 2022, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, launched in October 2022, are both prominent Android smartphones that offer distinct user experiences. While both devices aim to provide a premium mobile experience, they differentiate themselves through their camera philosophies, software approaches, and display characteristics. The Galaxy S22 Plus runs on Samsung's One UI atop Android, offering a feature-rich interface, whereas the Pixel 7 Pro provides a clean, stock Android experience with a strong emphasis on artificial intelligence and computational photography.

Scores

Durability

When considering the longevity of these devices, both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Pixel 7 Pro offer substantial software support, though with slightly different timelines and approaches.

  • Release and OS Support: The Galaxy S22 Plus, launched in February 2022 with Android 12, is expected to receive four major Android OS updates, with Android 16 being its last major OS upgrade, and security updates until February 2027. The Pixel 7 Pro, released in October 2022 with Android 13, is guaranteed five years of software support, which includes three generations of OS updates (up to Android 16) and five years of monthly security updates until October 2027.
  • Practical Lifespan: Both phones are designed to remain functional and secure for several years. The Galaxy S22 Plus will continue to receive security patches for a few months beyond its last OS update, extending its usable life. The Pixel 7 Pro's consistent and timely updates directly from Google mean it often receives new Android versions sooner.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S22 series, including the S22 Plus, received a repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, indicating challenges in repair due to strong adhesives and internal design. The Pixel 7 Pro was awarded a repairability score of 5.5 out of 10 by PBKreviews, suggesting it is also not particularly easy to repair, with challenges noted for battery removal and soldered components.

Year of Release

2022

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Both smartphones deliver robust performance suitable for demanding applications and multitasking, though their underlying hardware and optimization strategies lead to subtle differences in real-world usage.

  • Processor Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for everyday use and gaming. The Pixel 7 Pro also offers a very responsive experience, particularly excelling in tasks that leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning, such as dictating messages or advanced photo processing.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 Plus typically comes with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for running multiple applications simultaneously without significant slowdowns. The Pixel 7 Pro offers configurations with 8GB or 12GB of RAM, providing additional headroom for intensive multitasking and ensuring smooth transitions between apps.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 4500 mAh battery, generally providing enough power for a full day of moderate use, though heavy users might find themselves needing to charge before the day ends. The Pixel 7 Pro, with its larger 5000 mAh battery, often delivers solid battery life, capable of lasting a full day even with heavy usage, though its higher-resolution display can consume more power.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is characterized by high-quality displays, each offering distinct advantages in terms of clarity, brightness, and overall viewing pleasure.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Pixel 7 Pro sports a slightly larger 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED screen with a higher resolution, offering sharp details and rich colors.
  • Brightness and Outdoor Visibility: The Galaxy S22 Plus boasts a peak brightness of up to 1750 nits, making it exceptionally bright and easy to view even in direct sunlight. The Pixel 7 Pro reaches a peak brightness of 1500 nits, providing good visibility outdoors, though some users note it can draw more power at higher brightness levels.
  • Refresh Rate and Smoothness: Both phones offer an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring smooth scrolling, fluid animations, and a responsive touch experience. This dynamic refresh rate adjusts based on content, helping to conserve battery life when high refresh rates are not needed.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems, but they approach photography with different strengths, catering to varied user preferences for image capture and video recording.

  • Camera System Capabilities: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Pixel 7 Pro also has a triple-camera system, including a 50 MP main sensor, a 12 MP ultrawide with autofocus, and a 48 MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Plus delivers improved low-light performance and captures photos with good color and contrast, though some users note that processing can sometimes affect skin tones. The Pixel 7 Pro is highly regarded for its computational photography, producing detailed images with accurate colors across various lighting conditions, and is particularly strong in low-light scenarios.
  • Video Recording and Audio: Both devices are capable of high-resolution video recording, with the Galaxy S22 Plus supporting up to 8K at 24fps and the Pixel 7 Pro offering strong video stabilization. User feedback suggests that while the Pixel 7 Pro's video quality is improved, it may not always match the consistency of some competitors, and its speakers have been described as lacking bass.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

10.8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience, from connectivity to physical design and security.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and the Pixel 7 Pro support 5G and Wi-Fi 6E, ensuring fast and reliable wireless connectivity. Both devices utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S22 Plus features a fast and responsive under-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking and authentication. The Pixel 7 Pro also includes an under-display fingerprint sensor, which is improved over previous generations, and adds 2D image-based face recognition for convenient unlocking.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 Plus has dimensions of 157.4 x 75.8 x 7.6 mm and weighs 195 g, featuring a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus+) with an aluminum frame. The Pixel 7 Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm and 212 g, also with a glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus) and an aluminum frame. Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Weight

195 g

212 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus and the Google Pixel 7 Pro each offer a compelling smartphone experience, appealing to different user priorities. Users often praise the Galaxy S22 Plus for its bright and vibrant display, consistent overall performance, and versatile camera system. Some common criticisms include battery life that can be inconsistent for heavy users and a repairability score that suggests challenges for self-repair.

The Pixel 7 Pro is frequently lauded for its exceptional camera capabilities, particularly its computational photography and low-light performance, as well as its clean Android software experience. However, some users have noted that its processor can run warm during intensive tasks, and video recording, while improved, may not always match the quality of some competitors.

Users prioritizing a highly customizable interface, a very bright display for outdoor use, and a telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom may find the Galaxy S22 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a pure Android experience, cutting-edge computational photography, superior optical zoom (5x), and prompt software updates may lean toward the Pixel 7 Pro. Both devices represent solid choices in the Android ecosystem, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be an eco-friendly alternative to purchasing new.

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