Galaxy S22 5G Vs Google Pixel 9 Pro

Galaxy S22 5G
Galaxy S22 5G
Starting at

Refurbished price:174.00

Versus €851.00 new

See options
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Google Pixel 9 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:484.00

Versus €1,099.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in early 2022, and the Google Pixel 9 Pro, launched in late 2024, represent different generations of flagship Android smartphones. While both offer a premium mobile experience, the Pixel 9 Pro benefits from more recent technological advancements, particularly in its camera system, processing power, and software longevity. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but they offer distinct user interfaces and update philosophies.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its physical durability and the duration of its software support.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S22 5G was released in February 2022, making it an older device compared to the Pixel 9 Pro, which launched in September 2024. This age difference directly impacts their remaining support cycles.
  • Software Support: The Galaxy S22 5G received four major Android OS upgrades and was slated for five years of security updates, with support ending around February 2027. In contrast, the Pixel 9 Pro is guaranteed seven years of OS and security updates, extending its support until August 2031. This means the Pixel 9 Pro offers significantly longer software relevance.
  • Build Materials: Both devices feature robust construction. The Galaxy S22 5G incorporates Gorilla Glass Victus+ on its display and an Armor Aluminum frame, contributing to its resistance against drops and scratches. The Pixel 9 Pro also uses durable glass, likely Gorilla Glass Victus 2, and an aluminum frame, providing comparable physical resilience. Both phones carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Year of Release

2022

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, impacting how smoothly applications run and how efficiently the device handles demanding tasks.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 5G is powered by a processor from 2022, which capably handles everyday applications and multitasking. The Pixel 9 Pro, featuring a newer generation Google Tensor processor (Tensor G4), offers enhanced capabilities for complex tasks, advanced AI features, and more demanding applications, resulting in a generally more responsive user experience.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S22 5G typically comes with 8GB of RAM, sufficient for most daily usage. The Pixel 9 Pro, with its 16GB of RAM, provides greater headroom for intensive multitasking and ensures smoother operation when switching between numerous applications. Both devices offer various internal storage options, but neither supports expandable storage via a microSD card.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 5G has a 3700 mAh battery, and user reports often indicate average battery life, sometimes requiring a midday charge for heavy users. The Pixel 9 Pro features a larger 4700 mAh battery, and reviews suggest significantly improved battery longevity, often lasting a full day or more even with moderate to heavy use.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

16 GB

Screen quality

The display is the primary interface for interaction, and differences in screen technology and specifications can significantly affect the visual experience.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: Both smartphones feature vibrant OLED displays, known for deep blacks and excellent contrast. The Galaxy S22 5G has a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (1080x2340 pixels). The Pixel 9 Pro offers a slightly larger 6.3-inch OLED display with a higher resolution of 2856x1280 pixels, resulting in a sharper image with more detail.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices support a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, providing smooth scrolling and fluid animations. The Galaxy S22 5G can reach a peak brightness of up to 1300 nits, offering good visibility in various lighting conditions. The Pixel 9 Pro surpasses this with a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility and HDR content viewing.
  • Viewing Experience: The slightly larger and higher-resolution screen of the Pixel 9 Pro provides a more immersive viewing experience for media consumption and detailed work. Both displays offer excellent color reproduction, making them suitable for a wide range of visual tasks.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1280 x 2856

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO OLED

Audiovisual

Camera capabilities are a major consideration for many users, and both devices offer advanced photographic tools with distinct strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and OIS. The Pixel 9 Pro elevates this with a 50MP main sensor (OIS), a 48MP ultrawide lens with macro autofocus, and a 48MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom and OIS.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 5G delivers strong performance in good lighting, capturing detailed and colorful images. The Pixel 9 Pro, however, excels in computational photography, offering superior low-light performance with features like Night Sight and Astrophotography, and advanced image processing for overall clarity and detail.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both phones can record high-quality video, with the Galaxy S22 5G supporting up to 8K at 24fps. The Pixel 9 Pro also offers advanced video features, including Video Boost for AI-enhanced 8K upscaling and improved stabilization. For selfies, the Galaxy S22 5G has a 10MP front camera, while the Pixel 9 Pro features a significantly higher resolution 42MP front camera with autofocus, providing more detailed self-portraits and improved video calls.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

42 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S22 5G includes Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. The Pixel 9 Pro, being a newer device, likely supports more advanced standards like Wi-Fi 7 and a newer Bluetooth version, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometrics and Security: The Galaxy S22 5G features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Pixel 9 Pro offers both an optical under-display fingerprint sensor and secure face recognition for biometric authentication.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S22 5G is a compact device, weighing 167 grams and measuring 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The Pixel 9 Pro is slightly larger with a 6.3-inch display, and while specific dimensions and weight are not always highlighted as a primary feature, it maintains a balanced design for its screen size.

Weight

195 g

199 g

Screen size (in)

6.1

6.3

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C + Jack 3.5mm

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G and the Google Pixel 9 Pro cater to users with differing priorities, largely due to their release timelines and the advancements in technology over that period.

Users frequently praise the Pixel 9 Pro for its exceptional camera capabilities, often noting its superior performance, especially in challenging lighting conditions, and its advanced AI-driven features. Its extended software support and generally improved battery life are also significant advantages highlighted by users. Some users transitioning from Samsung to Pixel have noted minor adjustments to the user interface, such as navigation button placement, but generally appreciate the clean Android experience.

The Galaxy S22 5G, while still a capable device, often receives criticism regarding its battery life, with many users finding it to be merely average or requiring frequent charging, particularly with heavy usage. Its camera system was highly regarded at its release, but newer devices like the Pixel 9 Pro have surpassed it in computational photography and low-light performance.

Users prioritizing long-term software support, cutting-edge camera technology with advanced AI features, and extended battery life will find the Google Pixel 9 Pro well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who prefer a more compact form factor and are content with a still-capable camera and performance for everyday tasks, and who may be considering a quality-assured refurbished option, might find the Galaxy S22 5G to be a suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision hinges on the importance placed on the latest technological advancements versus a more established, compact design.

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