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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If having a longer battery life is a priority, you may lean towards the Google Pixel 6a, which tends to last longer on a charge compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22. However, for a faster and smoother display experience for things like gaming and scrolling, the Galaxy S22 offers a higher refresh rate screen but tends to have a shorter battery life. For photography enthusiasts, the Galaxy S22 may be more appealing, equipped with a more versatile camera system and slightly higher overall camera quality. Though the Pixel 6a has a competent camera, the S22 provides more options for different photographic situations. Considering durability, the Pixel 6a has a plastic back whereas the Galaxy S22 has a glass back, which could influence your decision if material and design are important to you. Both phones are similarly priced as budget options, offer similar screen sizes, and run on the Android operating system. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
7.6 Hours
5.3 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 has 5.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$400
$699
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 costs $699.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 6a both have good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S22 offers excellent selfie capabilities and versatility across photo and video functionalities, benefiting from a higher photo software experience and stronger camera versatility. The Google Pixel 6a, while also providing good selfie performance, distinguishes itself with unique photo software features like Magic Eraser, contributing to a satisfying photo capture experience.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.6
The Samsung Galaxy S22 and Google Pixel 6a both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a captures high-quality selfies alongside admirable dynamic range and low light performance; it remains competitive through its excellent photo software experience, despite having a less versatile camera system compared to some rivals. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22 offers similar photo software experience advantages, and its superior selfie score indicates exceptional front-camera imaging, which, coupled with its versatile camera features, makes for a strong photography experience.
Video Quality
7.2
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S22 both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers robust video software features along with excellent stabilization and dynamic range, ensuring crisp and stable videos even in varied lighting conditions; its microphone quality is also commendable for clear audio capture. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22 excels with its top-tier video resolution and frame rates, which grants it the ability to capture exceptionally detailed and smooth footage, additionally benefiting from very good low light performance which makes it adept at recording in dimmer settings.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 is 6.1 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S22 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S22 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $699 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | February 25, 2022 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 425 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 5.3 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 3700 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 5.75" x 2.78" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 5.89 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Phantom Black, Phantom White, Bora Purple, Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Samsung Galaxy S22
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Lance Ulanoff | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch Galaxy S22 is just what smaller hands ordered, so if you find most modern mobiles too big, this is a great alternative. The Samsung’s chipset will give you loads of power for gaming, video editing or anything else that needs lots of juice."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S22
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,400
Recommendations made
86,360
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Seth Peoples
Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
Efthimis Kotanidis
Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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