Galaxy S22 5G • Locked AT&T vs Google Pixel 7 • Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G, released in February 2022, and the Google Pixel 7, launched in October 2022, are both Android smartphones that offer distinct user experiences. While the Galaxy S22 emphasizes a compact design with a versatile camera system, the Pixel 7 focuses on advanced computational photography and a streamlined software experience. Both devices run on the Android operating system, but they offer different interpretations of the Android interface and feature sets.

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key factors. Both phones are built with durable materials and offer water and dust resistance.

• Software Longevity: The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G was released with Android 12 and is expected to receive four major Android OS upgrades, with security updates extending until February 2027. The Google Pixel 7 launched with Android 13 and is slated to receive five years of security updates, also extending support to October 2027. The Pixel 7 also received an update to its OS upgrade policy, now promising five years of OS updates, aligning its software longevity with its security update timeline.
• Physical Durability: Both devices feature Gorilla Glass Victus or Victus+ for screen and back panel protection, along with an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance, indicating a similar level of resilience against everyday hazards.
• Repairability: The Samsung Galaxy S22 has been noted to have a repairability score of 7.5 out of 10 by some assessments, though others, like iFixit, gave it a lower score of 3 out of 10, citing difficulties with battery and screen replacement due to strong adhesive. The Google Pixel 7 received a repairability score of 6 or 6.5 out of 10, with observations noting that while screen replacements are relatively easy, battery replacements can be complex, and the charging port is soldered to the motherboard.

The performance of the Galaxy S22 5G and the Pixel 7 is influenced by their respective internal components, impacting how they handle daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking.

• Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S22 5G, with its processing power, handles general navigation, app launches, and light multitasking smoothly. The Pixel 7, powered by its custom-designed processor, also delivers a fluid user experience for everyday activities and benefits from optimizations for Google's software features.
• Demanding Tasks and Gaming: For more intensive applications like graphic-heavy games or video editing, the Galaxy S22 5G generally offers robust performance, though some users have reported it can experience heating and performance throttling during extended heavy use. The Pixel 7 also performs well with demanding apps, but some users have noted occasional frame drops in very graphically intensive games.
• Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S22 5G features a 3700 mAh battery, which some users have found to require frequent charging, especially with heavy usage. The Pixel 7 comes with a larger 4355 mAh battery, and while some users report satisfactory battery life, others have experienced it as mediocre, sometimes requiring a charge once or twice daily.

The visual experience on both smartphones is a significant differentiator, with each offering a high-quality display tailored to different preferences.

• Display Technology and Size: The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G features a 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Google Pixel 7 offers a slightly larger 6.3-inch AMOLED display.
• Refresh Rate and Smoothness: The Galaxy S22 5G boasts an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, providing very smooth scrolling and responsiveness, particularly noticeable in fast-paced content and user interface interactions. The Pixel 7 has a 90Hz refresh rate, which still offers a smooth experience compared to standard 60Hz displays, but is not as fluid as the S22's higher rate.
• Brightness and Clarity: Both phones offer excellent brightness levels for outdoor visibility. The Galaxy S22 can reach a peak brightness of 1300 nits, while the Pixel 7 can achieve up to 1400 nits, ensuring good readability even in bright sunlight. Both displays provide sharp visuals with Full HD+ resolutions.

Both the Galaxy S22 5G and the Pixel 7 are recognized for their camera capabilities, though they approach photography with different strengths and features.

• Rear Camera Systems: The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50-megapixel main sensor, a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens, and a 10-megapixel telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. This allows for flexibility in capturing various scenes, from wide landscapes to distant subjects. The Google Pixel 7 employs a dual-camera system, consisting of a 50-megapixel main sensor and a 12-megapixel ultrawide lens.
• Photography Performance: The Galaxy S22 5G delivers strong all-around photo and video quality, with good detail and color reproduction, performing well in various lighting conditions. The Pixel 7 is highly praised for its computational photography, which excels in producing natural-looking images, particularly in challenging lighting and with features like 'Photo Unblur' and 'Cinematic Blur'.
• Video and Audio: Both devices offer high-quality video recording. The Pixel 7 includes features like 10-bit HDR video capture. User sentiment for Pixel 7 speakers is mixed, with some finding them average or muddy.