Pixel 7 Pro vs Galaxy S22
Cross-brand comparisons are where priorities show. Google’s Pixel 7 Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy S22 target the same flagship smartphone space in different ways. Of the 6 areas we compared, the Pixel 7 Pro wins 5. If one area explains the result, it’s camera.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 7 Pro wins
- Performance Pixel 7 Pro wins
- Memory & Storage Pixel 7 Pro wins
- Camera Pixel 7 Pro wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 7 Pro wins
- Software & Updates Galaxy S22 wins
- Price Galaxy S22 wins
- Display6.3
- Performance5.3
- Memory & Storage1.8
- Camera2.6
- Battery & Charging2.2
- Display5.1
- 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 7 Pro has 5× optical zoom versus 3×
On this line of the spec sheet, the Pixel 7 Pro is in a different league: 5×, next to 3× for the Galaxy S22. Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
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The Pixel 7 Pro has 4 GB more RAM
For ram, the Pixel 7 Pro leads by a wide margin: 12 GB versus 8 GB. More RAM lets a phone keep more apps open in the background, so switching back to them is instant instead of a reload.
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The Pixel 7 Pro has 35% more battery capacity
This is a headline difference. With 5,000 mAh to the Galaxy S22’s 3,700 mAh, the Pixel 7 Pro has a lead that’s easy to see on paper and in practice. 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 Galaxy S22 has 1 year of extra promised updates
Put simply, the Galaxy S22 is far ahead here: 4 years compared with 3 years. 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.
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The Galaxy S22 has a 1.59 oz lighter build
The Galaxy S22’s 5.89 oz leaves the Pixel 7 Pro’s 7.48 oz well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The Galaxy S22 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
Design & Size
- Pixel 7 Pro 6.41 in × 3.02 in × 0.35 in
- Galaxy S22 5.75 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
The Pixel 7 Pro has the bigger footprint. That can mean more room to work with, but also more to carry, park or pocket. The Galaxy S22 saves 1.59 oz. How much that matters depends on how you use it. There’s 0.05 in of extra thickness on the Pixel 7 Pro.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.48 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 7 Pro leads
Few areas are as clear-cut as this one: the Pixel 7 Pro leads the display section with room to spare. The Pixel 7 Pro stands out with 20% sharper pixel density. The Pixel 7 Pro packs its pixels more tightly, which shows most in small text, fine patterns and zoomed-in photos. So if display tops your list, lean toward the Pixel 7 Pro.
Screen size
Pixel 7 Pro: 6.7 in Galaxy S22: 6.1 in A bigger screen makes reading, video and maps more comfortable, while a smaller one is easier to use with one hand and slips into more pockets.
Pixel density
Pixel 7 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 7 Pro leads
On performance, the gap between these two is wide, and it favors the Pixel 7 Pro. Here the Pixel 7 Pro offers 4 GB more RAM. Extra memory also gives the Pixel 7 Pro more headroom for heavier apps and for software updates in the years ahead. The Galaxy S22 gives you a newer 4 nm chip process. On performance alone, the Pixel 7 Pro gets the nod.
RAM
Pixel 7 Pro: 12 GB Galaxy S22: 8 GB Opening a single app, you won’t feel the difference. With lots of tabs, a game and the camera in rotation, the Pixel 7 Pro has more room to work with.
Process node
Pixel 7 Pro: 5 nm Galaxy S22: 4 nm Process numbers are partly marketing labels these days, so read this as a hint about efficiency rather than a verdict.
Memory & Storage
Pixel 7 Pro leads
By a small margin, the Pixel 7 Pro is the stronger of the two in this area. The Pixel 7 Pro wins here with 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 7 Pro the natural choice for buyers focused on memory & storage.
Max storage
Pixel 7 Pro: 512 GB Galaxy S22: 256 GB Heavy video shooters and people with large offline libraries benefit from the Pixel 7 Pro’s bigger maximum.
Camera
Pixel 7 Pro leads
The camera comparison is one-sided. The Pixel 7 Pro leads where it counts. The Pixel 7 Pro has the edge with 5× optical zoom versus 3×. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from. For anyone who cares most about camera, the Pixel 7 Pro is the safer choice.
Optical zoom
Pixel 7 Pro: 5× Galaxy S22: 3× The Pixel 7 Pro reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
Telephoto camera
Pixel 7 Pro: 48 MP Galaxy S22: 10 MP A dedicated telephoto camera captures distant subjects and portraits without heavy cropping, which keeps detail intact.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 7 Pro leads
The battery & charging numbers point firmly in one direction: toward the Pixel 7 Pro. Choose the Pixel 7 Pro and you get 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 7 Pro.
Battery capacity
Pixel 7 Pro: 5,000 mAh Galaxy S22: 3,700 mAh Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Pixel 7 Pro has more headroom left.
Wireless charging
Pixel 7 Pro: 23 W Galaxy S22: 15 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
Galaxy S22 leads
The Galaxy S22 is the clear pick if software & updates is what you care about most. The Galaxy S22 scores with 1 year of extra promised updates. A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years. If this section decides it for you, choose the Galaxy S22.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 7 Pro: 3 years Galaxy S22: 4 years The Galaxy S22’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 7 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 | 1,500 nits (winner) | 1,300 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G2 | 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 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 512 GB (winner) | 256 GB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 7 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 | 5× (winner) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Front camera | 11 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Max video | 4K60 | 8K24 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,000 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 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 13 | Android 12 (One UI 4.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 3 years | 4 years (winner) |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 7 Pro | Galaxy S22 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.41 in | 5.75 in |
| Width | 3.02 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 7.48 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 7 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 launch prices are close, with the Galaxy S22 just $99 below the Pixel 7 Pro. For $99 more, the Pixel 7 Pro adds 5× optical zoom versus 3× and 4 GB more RAM. Whether that’s good value depends on how much you need those upgrades.
Launch prices in the US as of October 2022; street prices move, so check before you buy.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 7 Pro if…
- you want more optical reach (5× vs 3×)
- you want more memory headroom for the years ahead (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want the bigger battery (5,000 mAh vs 3,700 mAh)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (48 MP vs 10 MP)
Choose the Galaxy S22 if…
- you want software support that lasts longer (4 years vs 3 years)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.89 oz vs 7.48 oz)
- you want the slimmer phone (0.30 in vs 0.35 in)
- you want a chip built on a finer process (4 nm vs 5 nm)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($99 less)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pixel 7 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 7 Pro wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you’d trade the rest for 1 year of extra promised updates.
Does the Pixel 7 Pro last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 7 Pro does better here. It lists 5,000 mAh for battery capacity, while the Galaxy S22 lists 3,700 mAh.
Is the Pixel 7 Pro bigger than the Galaxy S22?
Going by the official dimensions, the Pixel 7 Pro is the bigger of the two at 6.41 × 3.02 × 0.35 in. The Galaxy S22 measures 5.75 × 2.78 × 0.30 in.
Does the Pixel 7 Pro perform better than the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 7 Pro has the edge in performance thanks to 4 GB more RAM.
Which has the better camera, the Pixel 7 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 7 Pro leads on camera specs thanks to 5× 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 7 Pro or the Galaxy S22?
The Pixel 7 Pro has the edge here, offering 20% sharper pixel density and 15% higher peak brightness.
Executive Summary
The Pixel 7 Pro against the Galaxy S22: two brands, one class, and more nuance than the marketing suggests. I’d put 5× optical zoom versus 3× at the top of the list, and it belongs to the Pixel 7 Pro. Secondary, but worth mentioning: the Pixel 7 Pro has 4 GB more RAM. Credit where it’s due: the Galaxy S22 offers 1 year of extra promised updates.
If your days lean on display, I’d pick the Pixel 7 Pro; if they lean on software & updates, the Galaxy S22.
My pick: the Pixel 7 Pro, and I’d only look at the Galaxy S22 if you specifically want 1 year of extra promised updates, where the Galaxy S22 has the edge.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.