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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you're looking for a more affordable option with a decent camera and you're comfortable with a plastic body, the Google Pixel 6a could be more attractive to you. However, if you're willing to pay for an upper midrange phone and prioritize a more advanced camera system, larger and brighter curved screen, as well as a glass body, then the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra may be the better choice. The S22 Ultra also features a higher screen refresh rate and a more powerful processor, which can be important if you're seeking the best performance and display quality. Keep in mind that both phones run on Android, have similar battery life, and do not support expandable storage via SD cards. 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
- The Google Pixel 6a has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Best in class display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has very good overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a is recognized for its exceptional photos software experience and solid selfie camera capabilities, which are highly valued by selfie enthusiasts. In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra excels with a more versatile camera system including a notable telephoto lens, offering a broader range of options for photography enthusiasts looking for a strong overall camera performance, including dynamic range and low light abilities.
Photo Quality
7.4
8.5
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra takes very good photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a's camera delivers a solid software experience with respectable dynamic range and low-light performance, which contributes to its good selfie quality. In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra also provides a very good software experience with a versatile camera system boasting better dynamic range and impressive low-light capabilities, elevating its selfie score alongside its superior camera versatility.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$400
$446
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra costs $446.
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Key similarities
Video Quality
7.2
7.4
The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and Google Pixel 6a both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a offers good video stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, paired with a solid microphone, all contributing to a reliable video-recording experience. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra provides top-notch video resolution and framerate, enhanced by features like HDR10+, and maintains very good stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance with a good microphone as well.
Battery
7.6 Hours
7.8 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra has 7.8 hours of battery life.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $446 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 500 | |
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 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 108 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 7.8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 8.04 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, 248 | |
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, Burgundy, 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 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Eric Zeman | February 2023
"The Galaxy S22 Ultra is a bit of a “greatest hits” compilation of Samsung’s best ideas from former devices. Moreover, it packs much of the same productivity-enabling software as previous Note devices coupled with the power of the S Pen while keeping the total package reasonable in terms of cost. The phone has more features, more cameras, and more software to put to use than many competing phones. It’s a hardcore device that nearly has it all."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra
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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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.
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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.
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