Samsung Galaxy S22 Versus Google Pixel 6

One major upgrade to Samsung’s latest Galaxy-branded smartphone sees it pitted squarely against Google’s flagship Pixel 6. That upgrade? Its main camera now gets a 50-megapixel sensor. Yet, as impressive as that is, it’s nothing new. The Pixel 6 from Google has had a similarly powerful camera sensor for a while now.

Of course, the similarities don’t end there either. For example, both represent mid-range smartphones in a similar class. As a result, the recent arrival of the new generation of Samsung Galaxy begs one persistent question: Samsung Galaxy S22 or Google Pixel 6?

Taking the Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus, S22 Ultra, and Google Pixel Pro out of the equation, there are clear similarities between the standard Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Google Pixel 6. Whether one is better than the other will, perhaps, at least on first impressions, come down to personal opinion.

Apple fans have long favored the brand’s iPhones. Now, legions of Samsung aficionados also continue to remain loyal to the ever-evolving Galaxy lineup. And although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with Google’s offering, its Pixel range is yet to develop the same degree of following.

By and large, what this means is that the Galaxy will likely continue to be the bigger seller. That’s not because it’s better. It’s simply down to the fact that the Galaxy brand remains more established.

Furthermore, and in all fairness to Google, the Pixel 6 is now approaching six months old. So, while it still performs exceptionally well, it’s easy to see the appeal of the newer and more powerful Galaxy S22 purely in that sense.

Elsewhere, the Pixel 6 is also noticeably bigger than the Galaxy S22. Crucially, size is an important selling point for the Galaxy, especially in a sea of larger and larger smartphones. The Pixel 6 doesn’t just look bigger either. It also feels much heftier, which is largely down to its overall thickness as much as anything else.

At the same time, the Google handset is also significantly cheaper, having likely spared at least some expense on the weight-saving measures taken by Samsung on the Galaxy S22.

So, the question remains: Pixel 6 or Galaxy S22? To hopefully settle the matter one way or the other, it’s necessary to drill down a little further into each aspect of the two handsets. That includes taking a closer look at the display, performance, battery, camera, price, and warranty.

While the larger Pixel 6’s display is around one-third of an inch bigger than that on the Galaxy S22, it’s the smaller device that impresses the most. The Galaxy S22’s screen also boasts a faster, variable refresh rate. Because of its slightly smaller display, it looks crisper as well, despite both handsets having almost identical resolutions. The Samsung handset feels a touch lighter and more vibrant, too, with an impressive 1,500 nits of peak brightness on offer.

Google’s Pixel 6 burst onto the scene back in 2021 to much fanfare, thanks in no small part to its proprietary chip. Known as Google Tensor, the manufacturer hailed the chip as a milestone for machine learning. It’s also seen the Pixel 6 perform extremely well across the board, especially regarding the smartphone’s picture-taking abilities.

On the other hand, the Galaxy S22 from Samsung gets a current-generation Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. As Qualcomm’s most advanced platform ever, it’s the obvious choice for Samsung. It also sees the S22 outperform the comparable Pixel in benchmark testing. That said, it’s hard to find fault with the performance of either handset, even when tackling more demanding tasks on the two devices.

Battery-wise, the Google Pixel 6 has a larger but less efficient cell than the Samsung Galaxy S22. The S22’s battery has actually reduced in capacity between the S21 and the current model, no doubt to keep the handset’s overall size down.

Right now, it remains to be seen how it performs in the longer term. At the same time, the larger battery in the Pixel 6 continues to impress and remains a highlight of the phone, even well on from its launch last year.

The Google Pixel 6’s camera was, at launch, one of its leading selling points. With a 50MP sensor and Google’s Tensor chip focused on picture-taking, it continues to represent an immensely impressive proposition where smartphone photography is a priority for buyers. However, Samsung has now caught up, with the S22 also getting a 50MP sensor and a raft of other tweaks designed to support it.

In a day-to-day sense, there’s relatively little difference between images captured on the two devices. If nothing else, that’s a testament to the continued performance of the older Google handset. Yet, under closer scrutiny, it’s the Galaxy S22 that takes better pictures overall.

The Samsung Galaxy S22 arrives on the market with a discounted pre-order price of $799.99. That’s less than was anticipated and sees the S22 priced the same as its predecessor. However, the Pixel 6 costs significantly less — a whole $200 less, in fact. With that, there’s no arguing with the value on offer from Google.

Whether the S22 warrants a roughly 30 percent higher price will come down to individual opinion for the most part. And while there’s a definite value to be seen in opting for a next-generation handset, it’s impossible not to appreciate the value for money that the $599 Pixel 6 continues to represent, especially with many other smartphones now costing north of $1,000.

Both the Google Pixel 6 and Samsung Galaxy S22 come with 12-month limited warranties. Google and Samsung also offer extended warranties via Samsung Care+ and Google Preferred Care, as do retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, and Target. The best extended smartphone warranty is one that comprehensively covers accidental damage in addition to manufacturing defects, mechanical faults, and other failures.

It’s for this reason that they’re so important, even from the outset, and while a handset still has the balance of its standard limited warranty intact. Unfortunately, extended warranties from manufacturers such as Google and Samsung are typically expensive and often limited in one or more areas.

Thankfully, an alternative is available from Upsie. Upsie’s extended warranties cost up to 70 percent less than warranties from retailers or manufacturers.

In addition, coverage is comparable or superior to that sold elsewhere. Comprehensive, affordable, and easy to understand, with Upsie, smartphone warranties are available for both the existing Pixel 6 and brand-new Galaxy S22.

Upsie’s warranties protect smartphones from accidental damage, early wear, and more. Best of all, customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device, ensuring that customers get the most out of their warranty protection.

There are many things to love about the Google Pixel 6 and Samsung’s new Galaxy S22. When an individual wants the latest smartphone generation, though, the S22 is the best option in this instance. Meanwhile, there’s still a tremendous amount of value in the Pixel 6. That’s especially true as it continues to perform so well, even up against a newer model.

Accordingly, several months on from launch, the latest Pixel remains one of the best Android smartphones on the market, especially for the money. The newer Galaxy S22, however, is arguably more impressive across the board. But, fundamentally, it’s a testament to what Google and Samsung alike have achieved with their respective latest handsets.

For those seeking a mid-range smartphone in 2022, while more expensive, the Galaxy S22 likely has the edge in representing a better buy, purely by being a newer model. Where budget is critical above all else, though, it’s impossible not to see the outstanding value on offer from the sub-$600 Google Pixel 6.