Pixel 6 Pro vs Galaxy S22
Different logos, same mission. The Pixel 6 Pro and the Galaxy S22 both want to be your next phone. Of the 6 areas we compared, the Pixel 6 Pro wins 5. If one area explains the result, it’s camera.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Performance Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Memory & Storage Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Camera Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 6 Pro wins
- Software & Updates Galaxy S22 wins
- Price Galaxy S22 wins
- Display7.7
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera2.1
- Battery & Charging2.2
- Display6.2
- Performance1.9
- Memory & Storage1.3
- Camera1.3
- Battery & Charging0.3
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Pixel 6 Pro has 4 GB more RAM
Not a close call. The Pixel 6 Pro lists 12 GB and the Galaxy S22 lists 8 GB. That’s a substantial gap. Opening a single app, you won’t feel the difference. With lots of tabs, a game and the camera in rotation, the Pixel 6 Pro has more room to work with.
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The Pixel 6 Pro has 35% more battery capacity
Among all the differences on this page, 5,003 mAh against 3,700 mAh is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Pixel 6 Pro. Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
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The Pixel 6 Pro has 4× optical zoom versus 3×
The Galaxy S22 gives up a lot on optical zoom: 3×, compared with 4× on the Pixel 6 Pro. The Pixel 6 Pro reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
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The Galaxy S22 has 1 year of extra promised updates
Few buyers will miss this one. The Galaxy S22 brings 4 years to the table; the Pixel 6 Pro brings 3 years. The Galaxy S22’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
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The Galaxy S22 has a 1.52 oz lighter build
When it comes to weight, the Galaxy S22 wins comfortably with 5.89 oz against 7.41 oz. A few grams won’t matter, but bigger gaps add up in a pocket or a small bag over a full day.
Design & Size
- Pixel 6 Pro 6.45 in × 2.99 in × 0.35 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
In overall size, the Pixel 6 Pro is ahead, which is good news only if a bigger phone is what you want. The Pixel 6 Pro weighs in 1.52 oz above the Galaxy S22. In profile, the Galaxy S22 is the slimmer of the two by 0.05 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.45 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.99 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.41 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 6 Pro leads
The Pixel 6 Pro wins the display section decisively. On its side, the Pixel 6 Pro has 20% sharper pixel density. Pixel density matters most if you hold your phone close or read a lot of small type; for casual use, the gap is subtle. In short, the Pixel 6 Pro is the better-equipped phone for display.
Screen size
Pixel 6 Pro: 6.7 in Galaxy S22: 6.1 in A larger display also means a larger phone overall, so this is as much about your hands and pockets as it is about the picture.
Pixel density
Pixel 6 Pro: 512 ppi Galaxy S22: 425 ppi Higher pixel density keeps text and fine detail crisper, although the benefit shrinks once both panels are already sharp at normal viewing distance.
Performance
Pixel 6 Pro leads
The Galaxy S22 has a tough time in the performance section, where the Pixel 6 Pro pulls well ahead. The Pixel 6 Pro scores with 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a phone keep more apps open in the background, so switching back to them is instant instead of a reload. The Galaxy S22 answers with a newer 4 nm chip process. The takeaway: on performance, the Pixel 6 Pro is the stronger phone.
RAM
Pixel 6 Pro: 12 GB Galaxy S22: 8 GB Extra memory also gives the Pixel 6 Pro more headroom for heavier apps and for software updates in the years ahead.
Process node
Pixel 6 Pro: 5 nm Galaxy S22: 4 nm A finer process node generally lets a chip do the same work with less power, which can mean cooler running and better battery life.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 6 Pro leads
This area is close, with the Pixel 6 Pro just ahead of the Galaxy S22. The Pixel 6 Pro delivers a bigger top storage option. The top storage option only matters if you plan to buy a high-capacity version, but it caps how much you can ever keep on the phone. That makes the Pixel 6 Pro the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Max storage
Pixel 6 Pro: 512 GB Galaxy S22: 256 GB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the Pixel 6 Pro’s bigger maximum.
Camera
Pixel 6 Pro leads
If camera is high on your list, the Pixel 6 Pro makes the stronger case by a wide margin. The Pixel 6 Pro makes its case with 4× optical zoom versus 3×. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping. If this section decides it for you, choose the Pixel 6 Pro.
Optical zoom
Pixel 6 Pro: 4× Galaxy S22: 3× Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from.
Telephoto camera
Pixel 6 Pro: 48 MP Galaxy S22: 10 MP A higher-resolution telephoto keeps more detail when you zoom, and gives the Pixel 6 Pro a stronger tool for portraits and distant subjects.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 6 Pro leads
This section belongs to the Pixel 6 Pro. In battery & charging, it leads the Galaxy S22 by a margin that’s hard to ignore. The Pixel 6 Pro takes this one with 35% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance. Anyone shopping mainly on battery & charging should start with the Pixel 6 Pro.
Battery capacity
Pixel 6 Pro: 5,003 mAh Galaxy S22: 3,700 mAh Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Pixel 6 Pro has more headroom left.
Wireless charging
Pixel 6 Pro: 23 W Galaxy S22: 15 W If you rely on a wireless pad at your desk or bedside, the Pixel 6 Pro refills quicker there.
Software & Updates
Galaxy S22 leads
Here the Galaxy S22 opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Galaxy S22 gives you 1 year of extra promised updates. Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet. For software & updates, the Galaxy S22 is the one to beat.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 6 Pro: 3 years Galaxy S22: 4 years A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | LTPO OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 512 ppi (winner) | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | N/A (not specified) | 1,300 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US) |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 5 nm | 4 nm (winner) |
| RAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 4× (winner) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 11 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,003 mAh (winner) | 3,700 mAh Smallest battery in class |
| Wired charging | 23 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 23 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 12 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 3 years | 4 years (winner) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.45 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 2.99 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.41 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 6 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $899 | $800 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The Galaxy S22 has a small price advantage of $99 at launch. For $99 more, the Pixel 6 Pro adds 4 GB more RAM and 35% more battery capacity. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Based on US launch pricing as of February 2022. Deals and regional pricing can change the picture.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 6 Pro if…
- you keep lots of apps open at once (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you want the bigger battery (5,003 mAh vs 3,700 mAh)
- you shoot concerts, sports or wildlife from a distance (4× vs 3× optical zoom)
- you take lots of portraits and zoomed shots (48 MP vs 10 MP telephoto)
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you plan to keep your phone for years (4 years vs 3 years of promised updates)
- you want the lighter phone (5.89 oz vs 7.41 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.30 in vs 0.35 in)
- you care about efficiency under the hood (4 nm vs 5 nm process node)
- you want more value for your money ($99 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Pixel 6 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
We’d point most buyers to the Pixel 6 Pro. The main exception is if having 1 year of extra promised updates matters more to you than the rest.
Does the Pixel 6 Pro last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S22?
On paper, the Pixel 6 Pro has the edge: 5,003 mAh of battery capacity against 3,700 mAh for the Galaxy S22. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Which is larger, the Pixel 6 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
The Galaxy S22 is actually the more compact one. It measures 5.75 × 2.78 × 0.30 in, while the Pixel 6 Pro comes in at 6.45 × 2.99 × 0.35 in.
Which is faster, the Pixel 6 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
On paper, the Pixel 6 Pro is the stronger performer, with 4 GB more RAM.
Does the Pixel 6 Pro have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 6 Pro leads on camera specs thanks to 4× optical zoom versus 3× and a dedicated 48 MP telephoto camera. Processing and personal taste also play a big part in photos.
Which has the better screen, the Pixel 6 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 6 Pro has the stronger display on paper, with 20% sharper pixel density.
Executive Summary
Let’s set the logos aside for a minute. The Pixel 6 Pro and the Galaxy S22 are close competitors, and their spec sheets tell an interesting story. Here’s what matters most to me: the Pixel 6 Pro offers 4 GB more RAM. Then there’s 35% more battery capacity, another point for the Pixel 6 Pro. Where the Galaxy S22 fights back is 1 year of extra promised updates.
Who should get which? The Pixel 6 Pro for display, the Galaxy S22 for software & updates.
My pick: the Pixel 6 Pro, though the Galaxy S22 makes sense if you’d trade the rest for 1 year of extra promised updates.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.