Samsung and Google make the finest flagship Android phones on the US market. But which one is right for you? We help you decide.
Samsung announced a trio of Galaxy S22 phones at its February Unpacked event, including the Galaxy S22 ($799), the Galaxy S22+ ($999), and the Galaxy S22 Ultra ($1,199). These handsets are likely to become some of the most popular Android phones in the US, though Google’s existing Pixel 6 ($599) and Pixel 6 Pro ($899) remain competitive alternatives worth considering. Which Android flagship is right for you? Let’s compare the specs to find out. Now, we’re primarily talking about the Galaxy S22 and the Galaxy S22+ here, as the Galaxy S22 Ultra is significantly more expensive than either Pixel and thus less directly comparable. If you want Samsung’s S Pen stylus, however, it’s the Galaxy to get. For more on this, check out our in-depth comparison of all three Galaxy S22 models. Design and Durability Samsung plays it safe with the look and feel of the Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22+, with both phones featuring a „glass sandwich“ design—the screens are free of bezel, the glass backs have protruding camera modules, and an aluminum frames fuses the two sections together. Both phones are available in black, green, pink, or white. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro stand out more, with two-tone back panels and distinctive horizontal camera bars. The Pixel 6 is available in black, green, or pink, while the Pixel 6 Pro comes in black, gray, or yellow. All of Samsung’s and Google’s flagships have an IP68 rating, meaning they’re effectively dustproof and can withstand being submerged in up to 4.9 feet of fresh water for half an hour. The Galaxy S22 and S22+ sport the latest Gorilla Glass Victus+ glass for protection against drops and dings, while the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro employ the slightly less durable Gorilla Glass Victus. Currently the only information about Victus+ glass comes from Samsung’s claims about the phones; Corning still promotes Victus as its strongest Gorilla Glass, so all of these phones should be pretty evenly matched up in terms of durability. Pixel 6 The Galaxy S22 is the shortest and lightest phone of the bunch at 5.7 inches and 5.3 ounces. The 6.1-inch,6.9-ounce Galaxy S22+ and the 6.2-inch,7.3-ounce Pixel 6 are fairly similar in terms of height and weight. The 6.5-inch Pixel 6 Pro is quite a bit taller than the rest, but at 7.4 ounces it weighs only a hair more than the Pixel 6. All of the phones are around the same thickness. Aside from the difference in color options, the biggest deciding factor here might be how large of a phone you want. The S22 is significantly smaller than the Pixel 6, and therefore a much better option if want a phone that can be easily used in one hand. Hardware, Connectivity, and Battery All four phones should be able to power through any task you throw their way, but they rely on very different internal components, as Google’s Tensor processor approaches computing tasks much differently than the Qualcomm chip in the Samsung phones.
