Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G Vs Google Pixel Fold

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

Refurbished price:350.00

Versus €1,445.00 new

See options
Google Pixel Fold
Google Pixel Fold
Starting at

Refurbished price:454.00

Versus €1,750.29 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G, released in February 2022, and the Google Pixel Fold, launched in June 2023, represent distinct approaches to high-end smartphone design. While the Galaxy S22 Ultra offers a traditional, large-screen flagship experience with an integrated stylus, the Pixel Fold introduces a foldable form factor, transforming from a compact smartphone into a larger tablet-like display. Both devices operate on the Android ecosystem, providing users with a wide range of applications and customization options.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors. The Galaxy S22 Ultra, being an earlier release, has a shorter remaining support window compared to the Pixel Fold.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G was released in February 2022, making it over four years old as of early 2026. The Google Pixel Fold, launched in June 2023, is a newer device.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S22 Ultra was promised four years of Android OS updates and five years of security updates. It has received its last major Android OS update (Android 16) and will continue to receive security updates until 2027. The Pixel Fold is set to receive five years of OS and security updates, extending its support until at least June 2028.
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S22 Ultra received a low repairability score of 3 out of 10 from iFixit, primarily due to the extensive use of strong adhesive, making battery and screen replacements challenging. The Pixel Fold received a more moderate repairability score of 6.5 out of 10, indicating that while some repairs are manageable, components like the battery can still be difficult to access.

Year of Release

2022

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Both devices are equipped with powerful processors designed to handle demanding tasks, though their architectures and real-world performance characteristics differ.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S22 Ultra is powered by a processor that handles intensive applications and multitasking efficiently, providing a smooth user experience for gaming and productivity. The Pixel Fold features a Google-designed processor, optimized for AI tasks and ensuring responsive performance across its dual-screen interface.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 Ultra offers configurations with up to 12GB of RAM, contributing to seamless app switching and background process management. The Pixel Fold also comes with 12GB of RAM, which supports its ability to run multiple applications simultaneously, particularly in its unfolded tablet mode.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 Ultra includes a 5000mAh battery, generally providing a full day of use for moderate to heavy users, though intensive tasks like continuous 4K video recording can impact longevity. The Pixel Fold has a 4821mAh battery, which users report can last through a full day, even with the demands of a foldable display.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a primary differentiator between these two smartphones, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra offering a large, traditional screen and the Pixel Fold providing a versatile foldable display.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution, delivering vibrant colors, deep blacks, and sharp details. The Pixel Fold has two OLED displays: a 5.8-inch cover screen and a 7.6-inch inner foldable screen, both offering high resolution and clarity.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: Both devices offer a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling and responsiveness. The Galaxy S22 Ultra can reach a peak brightness of 1750 nits, enhancing outdoor visibility. The Pixel Fold's cover screen reaches 1550 nits peak brightness, and its inner screen reaches 1450 nits, ensuring good visibility in various lighting conditions.
  • Form Factor and Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S22 Ultra provides a consistent, expansive viewing area. The Pixel Fold's main advantage is its ability to transform, offering a larger, nearly square display for media consumption and multitasking when unfolded, though a visible crease is present on the inner screen.

Resolution

1440 x 3088

1840 x 2208

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Foldable OLED

Audiovisual

Both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Pixel Fold are equipped with advanced camera systems, each with distinct strengths in photography and videography.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S22 Ultra features a versatile quad-camera setup, including a 108MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and two 10MP telephoto lenses offering 3x and 10x optical zoom, providing extensive zoom capabilities. The Pixel Fold comes with a triple-camera system, featuring a 48MP main sensor, a 10.8MP ultrawide, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, known for its computational photography and balanced image processing.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 Ultra excels in capturing detailed images across various focal lengths, with strong low-light performance and vibrant color reproduction. The Pixel Fold is praised for its consistent image quality, accurate skin tones, and effective Night Sight mode, leveraging Google's software processing.
  • Video and Audio: The Galaxy S22 Ultra supports 8K video recording at 24 frames per second and offers good video stabilization. The Pixel Fold also provides strong video capabilities, and both devices offer quality microphone performance for calls and recordings, alongside stereo speakers for media playback.

Main camera

108 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

40 megapixels

8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

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

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both smartphones support 5G connectivity, modern Wi-Fi standards (Wi-Fi 6E for S22 Ultra, Wi-Fi 6E for Pixel Fold), and Bluetooth for wireless accessories. The Galaxy S22 Ultra uses a USB-C port, while the Pixel Fold also features a USB-C port.
  • Biometric Security: The Galaxy S22 Ultra incorporates an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor for secure unlocking. The Pixel Fold utilizes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. Both devices also offer face recognition.
  • Design and Durability Features: The Galaxy S22 Ultra has an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Pixel Fold boasts an IPX8 water resistance rating, but lacks official dust resistance, which is a consideration for its hinge mechanism. The Galaxy S22 Ultra includes an integrated S-Pen stylus, offering additional productivity features. The Pixel Fold's design allows it to be used as its own stand in a partially folded state, useful for media viewing or video calls.

Weight

228 g

283 g

Screen size (in)

6.8

7.6

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G and the Google Pixel Fold cater to different user preferences, each offering a distinct set of advantages. Users often praise the Galaxy S22 Ultra for its comprehensive camera system, particularly its advanced zoom capabilities, and the integrated S-Pen for productivity. Its large, bright display and robust performance are also frequently highlighted. Some common criticisms include its size and weight, and its lower repairability score compared to some other devices.

The Google Pixel Fold is often lauded for its innovative foldable design, providing a larger screen experience in a portable form factor. Its balanced camera system, leveraging Google's computational photography, and the wider aspect ratio of its cover screen are also well-received. User concerns sometimes revolve around its weight, the visible crease on the inner display, and the lack of dust resistance for the hinge.

Users prioritizing a traditional, high-performance smartphone with extensive camera zoom and stylus integration may find the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G well-suited to their needs. Its established form factor and long-term software support make it a reliable choice for those who value a consistent experience. Conversely, individuals seeking a device that offers both a smartphone and a tablet experience in one, with a focus on innovative design and Google's software ecosystem, may lean towards the Pixel Fold. Its unique form factor opens up new possibilities for multitasking and media consumption.

For those considering either of these devices, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative, extending the life cycle of these advanced smartphones.

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