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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Choosing between the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ depends on your preferences. The Pixel 6a has a plastic back and a smaller 6.1-inch screen with a 60Hz refresh rate, suitable for someone looking for a more budget-friendly option without needing the highest screen refresh rates. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ features a glass back and a larger 6.6-inch screen with a smoother 120Hz refresh rate, offering a more luxurious feel and better display for higher-quality video and gaming experiences. The Galaxy S22+ also supports 8K video recording and has a brighter display for outdoor use. Both have similar main camera quality, but the S22+'s overall camera quality is slightly higher, and it offers more versatility thanks to additional camera features, like a telephoto lens. The Pixel 6a, while somewhat less capable in its camera hardware, is still competitive in photo quality. The S22+ has a shorter battery life than the Pixel 6a but comes with faster wireless charging and the ability to reverse wireless charge other devices. If the camera and display are top priorities and you don't mind spending more, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is a great choice; if you want to save money and still get a quality camera and reliable performance, the Google Pixel 6a is a solid option. 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
6.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22+ has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$400
$433
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S22+ costs $433.
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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 Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S22+ both sport high-quality cameras, with the Pixel 6a being praised for its photo software experience and selfie quality while the Galaxy S22+ stands out for its camera versatility, bolstered by additional lens options and superior video capabilities, including a high video resolution, framerate, and better mic quality.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.6
The Samsung Galaxy S22+ and Google Pixel 6a both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes very good selfies, backed by a highly rated selfie camera, enhanced with a software experience that includes unique features like Magic Eraser. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ also provides very good selfie capabilities with a strong camera software experience and additional photo resolution, dynamic range, and low light performance for both selfie and rear cameras.
Video Quality
7.2
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S22+ both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers a very good video experience with stable and dynamic footage, performing well in various lighting conditions, and comes with commendable microphone quality. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22+ delivers the best video resolution and framerate, complete with HDR10+ support for enhanced dynamic range, robust stabilization, and high-quality microphone performance, resulting in superior video quality even in challenging light scenarios.
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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 | $433 | ||
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" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 393 | |
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 | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 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" | 6.2" x 2.98" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.88 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, Green, Pink Gold | |
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
Android Police
Daniel Bader | March 2022
"It has an incredible display, best-in-class performance, and some awesome value adds, like an improved main camera sensor over last year and some of the best haptics you can find in the Android ecosystem. This is one of the best Android phones you can buy and will only get better over its four years of promised platform updates."
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
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Recommendations made
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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.
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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.
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