Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro vs. Samsung S21 Ultra: Which zoom is best

Pixel 6 Pro vs. iPhone 13 Pro vs. Samsung S21 Ultra: Which zoom is best

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro might be two of the best phones Google has ever made. The Pro model specifically has a gorgeous 6.7-inch, 120Hz display, a not-too-extreme price of $899 (£849, AU$1,299) and, of course, the cameras. It's always the cameras. The conspicuous camera bar on the back houses a trio of shooters: a main 50-megapixel camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 48-megapixel telephoto that offers 4x optical zoom.

That last camera is particularly important. Following the widespread adoption of Portrait mode and Night mode, zoom is becoming the big phone camera feature for many companies. That's particularly true of Samsung, which marketed its last two Galaxy S flagships based on their 100x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

So how does the Pixel 6 Pro stack up? I field-tested it here in Sydney against the iPhone 13 Pro to find out. I found that the iPhone generally performed better with optical zoom -- that is, up to 3x, where the 13 Pro maxes out -- but that the Pixel was decisively better as you zoom out farther. I also compared the Pixel 6 Pro to the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra for longer zooms, and was surprised to see the Pixel 6 Pro outperform the zoom master. 

iPhone vs. Pixel: Optical clash

Let's start by comparing the iPhone 13 Pro directly with the Pixel 6 Pro at 3x zoom. That means the iPhone 13 Pro is using its dedicated 3x optical telephoto camera and the Pixel 6 is using its main wide-angle camera and digitally cropping in to 3x.

My first example is a photo taken on a bright, sunny day of a painted mural with vibrant colors and action-shot cricketers. 

To set the scene, I took this photo on the Pixel using the standard wide-angle lens at 1x.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Zooming in to 3x, we start to see how differently the iPhone and Pixel capture images. The iPhone takes warmer photos, most notably seen in the different shade of green produced by each phone. Whether this is good or bad depends largely on taste, so I'll leave that aside for the moment. The Pixel photo looks like it's applied the Structure filter from Instagram and raised it significantly: Details that look subtle in the iPhone picture become pronounced in the Pixel photo. Notice the crack that runs between the artwork of the bowler and the woman to his left.

I prefer the iPhone's more natural, vibrant look, but you may prefer the details that the Pixel's processing brings out. 

Next up, please enjoy this decaying art piece I found in an alley.

For reference, here is a photo from the Google Pixel 6 Pro taken with its main camera at 1x.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

Below are photos taken at 3x on each phone. Again, the lighting conditions are perfect. This time, though, the results are less ambiguous. The iPhone 13's photo was brighter, had better contrast and captured more. If you look at the rips and tears in the canvas, you'll find far more detail in the iPhone's shot. Depressing detail, in this case, but detail nonetheless! 

Now to a more complicated example. The photos below were taken at night, but in a lit-up environment. This time it's the Pixel's photo that's brighter, but not necessarily in a good way. The light is less balanced in the Pixel's rendition, which results in the iPhone's version having better contrast. (See the blacks in the cactus barrel.) 

At the same time, though, the Pixel managed to pick up details missed by the iPhone. Most notable are the spider webs on the cactus to the right. This is also an example of something I noticed a lot in the Pixel -- its dislike of shadows. The Pixel's cameras work hard to capture details in areas that come up dark in the iPhone. And keep in mind, the Pixel 6 Pro is using its main camera and cropping in, which also gives it a bit of an advantage.

Below is not a zoomed shot, but I wanted to include it to illustrate the point about the Pixel 6 Pro. In the cactus photo above, you see that it can backfire by lighting up areas in a way that looks artificial. In the photos below though, it impresses by catching a lot of information missed by the iPhone. 

When it comes to low light, I generally found the iPhone did a better job, though not always. In the below photos of a mural, the iPhone managed to capture more light and detail. Note, though, that the Pixel's shot has deeper colors. 

iPhone 13 Pro versus Pixel 6 Pro, 3x zoom.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

And where the Pixel can sometimes produce images that look overprocessed during the day, at night I found it was often the reverse. In the below comparison of a stone cross, the iPhone's version is brighter, but also has more noise and an unsightly hue compared with the Pixel's.

Now let's move closer to 4x on each phone. This means the Pixel 6 Pro is using its 4x optical telephoto camera, while the iPhone uses its 3x telephoto camera and digitally crops in to achieve a 4x magnification. The different isn't major, but it is still noticeable. The digital zoom that takes the iPhone from 3x to 4x zoom results in some conspicuous processing, and some loss of vibrance.

You can see the latter effect in the comparison below. The Pixel's photo is slightly clearer, but the iPhone's digital zoom makes its photo look less saturated. For example, the green in the trees is much richer in the Pixel photo.

It's much the same for these photos of a statue head below. Notice again the Pixel's tendency to light up shadows, in this case on the fellow's face. But also see how much more vivacious the colors in the Pixel's shot are. 

In the photos below of a dog park sign, the iPhone's digital zoom leads to some obvious heavy lifting by image processing. The blades of grass, the ripples in the water and the texture on the sign all look artificially sharpened up. 

The long view

When it comes to longer zooms, the Pixel 6 Pro is the winner -- by a large margin. 

The comparison below is of photos taken by the iPhone 13 Pro and Pixel 6 Pro taken at 10x magnification. We return to the water cooler adorned by cricket figures, but from a greater distance. The difference is significant. The iPhone's shot has more noise and is blurrier. (Also note: The iPhone's "10x" zoom was regularly deeper than the "10x" zoom on both the Pixel and Samsung Galaxy.)

Below are 10x zoom shots taken by the Pixel 6 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra, which has built its brand on zoom. Considering how amazing the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra is at zoom, I was surprised to see that it was outdone here at 10x zoom by the Pixel. The Pixel 6 Pro looked sharper and had more vibrant colors, as you can see in the greens on the field and the water cooler. The Pixel 6 Pro is digitally cropping its 4x telephoto camera, but it has a neat software feature called Super Res zoom to improve the image. The Galaxy S21 Ultra is relying on its 10x optical zoom telephoto camera.

The photos below of my Booker DeWitt Funko Pop were taken in a less sunny environment. The Pixel 6 Pro photo looks far more balanced -- both in colors and in lighting. The iPhone's zoomed photo has an unnatural warm glow to it. The improved clarity on the Pixel isn't limited to Booker either. Compare the text on the book spines.

The Galaxy S21 Ultra did better than the iPhone, but still fell victim to many of the same issues. It also had a warm glow, albeit less distorted, and fewer details both on Booker and the books behind him. The Pixel wins again.

OK, hard mode. See that tree with the lilac flowers all the way to the other side of the field? Let's zoom in 10x.

For reference, I took ths photo at 1x with the Pixel 6 Pro's main camera.

Daniel Van Boom/CNET

The photos below were taken at 10x digital zoom on both the Pixel 6 Pro and iPhone. This is a tough photo for any phone to grab, since the leaves on the trees provide an ample opportunity for noise. And, boy, is there noise. Still, the iPhone pic is more distorted, as you'll notice the the foliage looks much finer on the Pixel. 

And below is a comparison of pictures from the Pixel and the Galaxy S21 Ultra of the same scene taken at 10x. The photo from the Pixel outdoes the one from the Galaxy, which looks flatter and less vivacious in comparison.

That the Pixel 6 Pro beats the S21 Ultra on 10x zoom is impressive, since deep zooms are what the S21 Ultra is known for. Note, though, that digital zoom on the Pixel goes up to "only" 20x, compared with the Galaxy's 100x. 

For more on the Pixel 6 Pro, check out the in-depth Pixel 6 Pro review by my colleague Andy Hoyle.

Stephen Shankland/CNET

The Google Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with those of the best iPhones. And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price. Read our Google Pixel 6 Pro review.

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Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which camera is better?

Pixel 6 Pro vs. Galaxy S21 Ultra: Which camera is better?

Samsung's Galaxy S21 Ultra and Google's Pixel 6 Pro were both among our top-rated phones of 2021. With their impressive performance, their glorious displays and feature-rich experiences, both phones deserve the titles of "flagship" Android handsets and are still well worth considering even as 2022's new phones begin to appear. 

And they both have amazing cameras, with the S21 Ultra particularly impressive with its astonishing 10x zoom lens, while the Pixel 6 Pro manages to give the iPhone 13 Pro a run for its money. 

But which camera is better? Is it still all about that zoom on the S21 Ultra? I took both phones out for a spin to see what's what. 

Pixel 6 Pro.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

In this first outdoor shot using the main cameras on both phones, there's little to choose between them. The S21 Ultra's shot is perhaps a touch warmer overall, but the exposure, contrast and detail are basically identical. 

Pixel 6 Pro.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

And it's the same story here: both phones have captured sharp, well-exposed images, but the S21 Ultra's image has warmer tones, which gives a nice sunset feel to the image. 

Pixel 6 Pro, 4x telephoto zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x telephoto zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Switching to the maximum optical zooms of both phones from the same shooting position, it's clear the difference that the huge zoom on the S21 Ultra makes. At 10x, it's able to get much closer on the buildings, allowing for a different composition. 

Pixel 6 Pro, 4x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra, 10x zoom.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

And it's not just for travel pictures; that zoom can be great for getting close up on the local wildlife, too. The Pixel 6 Pro's 4x zoom can take some great shots, but it just doesn't have the reach of the S21 Ultra's 10x zoom. 

Pixel 6 Pro.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

A solid balance of exposure from both phones in this sunny outdoor scene. The S21 Ultra's shot has a touch more contrast, which isn't always a positive thing, but it's helped make the stark shadows on the ground more defined here.

Pixel 6 Pro.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

That additional contrast on the S21 Ultra is more pronounced here, with much deeper blues seen in the sky and its reflection in the water. For a quick snap that might be preferable, but I'd rather have a more natural-looking image straight out of the camera in order to apply more contrast -- or other effects -- later on if I choose. It's why I shoot in raw format on my DSLR and it's why I prefer the Pixel 6 Pro's shot here.

Pixel 6 Pro, super-wide lens.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra, super-wide lens.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The situation is identical when I switched to the super-wide lenses on both phones; that contrast boost from the S21 Ultra is particularly noticeable, and I'm not keen on how punchy and oversaturated the shot looks here. 

Pixel 6 Pro.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

In the fading evening light, that color balance has played in the S21 Ultra's favor, with vibrant green grass visible in its shot, against the Pixel 6 Pro's more muddy, greeny-brown tones. The S21 Ultra's shot is sharper, too, with more noticeable clarity on the blades of grass. 

Pixel 6 Pro, night mode.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Galaxy S21 Ultra, night mode.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Taken using night mode, both phones have done a solid job of capturing this night-time scene, with great overall brightness and contrast. I prefer the Pixel 6 Pro's shot however as its color balance is less purply and the fine details are clearer overall. 

In general, it's evident that both phones can take some superb images from their cameras. Overall. I prefer the look from the Pixel 6 Pro thanks to its more natural approach to color and contrast in a scene. Samsung's phones have always had a tendency toward high contrast and saturation in images and the S21 Ultra is no exception. 

However, there's no escaping that the S21 Ultra remains unrivaled when it comes to zoom skills. The 10x optical lens allows you to take shots that you simply cannot get on the Pixel 6 Pro, or from almost any of its main rivals. If zoom skills are paramount in your photography then the S21 Ultra is the phone to go for. If you're more bothered about overall image accuracy and tend to prefer wider-angle images then you'll feel right at home with the Pixel 6 Pro. 

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Pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro every big difference you want to make jane pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro every big difference you re pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro every big difference in blood pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro every big brother pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro everyone pixel 6 vs pixel 6 pro specs google pixel 6 vs pixel 6a pixel 6 vs pixel 4a 5g google pixel 6 vs pro

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Every big difference you should know

Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Every big difference you should know

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro were both unveiled this fall, and the Pro model has since made CNET's list of best smartphones for 2021. If you're considering a new Pixel phone, you may be wondering what's the difference between the latest models. (If you already have a Pixel 6, you should really change these default settings.) The pair come with a collection of welcome upgrades including Google's own Tensor chip, but there are a few differences between each Pixel 6 model and the Pixel 5 series.  

With the Pixel 6 lineup, Google seems to have course-corrected from the Pixel 5, which marked a departure from the pricey Pixel phones of years past. Out goes last year's midrange processor, in comes the company's years-in-the-making Tensor chip. Out went the generic, tried-and-tested hardware design. In comes a statement device with a signature camera bar running across the width of the chassis, which is available in splashy new colors including sorta seafoam (green) and sorta sunny (orange).

This year, there are two phones in the flagship Pixel series, the $599 (£599) Pixel 6 and $899 (£849) Pixel 6 Pro. Of the two phones, the more affordable Pixel 6 is priced to compete with the iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy S21 as well as other Android midtier phones like the Motorola Edge (2021). Check the table below for a full pricing breakdown.

But beyond the fact that the Pixel 6 lineup is made by Google, boasts top-of-the-line cameras and the best Android update policy around, what also makes it an interesting buy is what's found inside the device's revamped chassis. At the heart of the Pixel 6 series is that aforementioned Tensor system-on-a-chip. Tensor promises up to 48 hours of battery life, better "real-time language translations, highly accurate voice transcription and high-end camera features like the ability to unblur the face of a person in motion," according to a report from CNET. This marks the first time the company has built its phones without a Qualcomm chipset, endeavoring instead to build its own in-house. And because Google created Tensor, it's extending security and OS support to Pixel owners to five years.

Read more:  Forget the iPhone 13. Google's Pixel 6 is surprisingly more exciting

By the way, if you want to cut to the chase, scroll down to our specs chart below, which compares the Pixel 6 series with the Pixel 5 series side-by-side.

The Pixel 6 Pro and Pixel 6.

Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro differences

As for Pixel 6 and 6 Pro, there are similarities in many ways, but there are also a lot of differences. First of all, there's a $300 price difference between the base and pro models. For ponying up the extra cash, you get a slew of added features including a larger and higher-res screen, a bigger battery, support for both sub-6 and millimeter-wave 5G (the ultrafast but less reliable flavor of 5G) and the third rear camera, a telephoto lens with 4x optical zoom. As a reference point, that's higher than the iPhone 13's 3x optical zoom. 

Read more: Google Pixel 6 vs. Pixel 6 Pro: Which camera takes better photos?

How does Pixel 6 compare to the Pixel 5 and 5A?

The Pixel 5 and 5A sit squarely in the midrange category, especially compared to the new Pixel 6 series. The Pixel 5 was Google's flagship phone last year, but its midrange position marked a departure from the pricey Pixel phones of years past. The Pixel 5 launched at $699 (£599, AU$999) and included 5G connectivity along with the fantastic cameras that have become the line's main selling point. But with that lowered asking price, Google chose to scale back on some features including the processor -- it went with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 765G.

Read more:  Pixel Pass: Google's bundling the Pixel 6 with Google One, YouTube Premium and more

Like all phones in Google's A series, the 5A is a stripped-down version of the flagship Pixel 5. Again, you can see how these phones stack up against each other in the specs chart below. You can also check out more on how the Pixel 6 and Pixel 5 compare here. 

Pixel 6 series vs. Pixel 5 series

	Google Pixel 6 Pro	Google Pixel 6	Google Pixel 5	Google Pixel 5A 5G
Display size, resolution	6.7-inch LTPO OLED; 3,120x1,440 pixels; 10-120Hz	6.4-inch OLED; 2,400x1,080 pixels; 60 or 90Hz	6-inch OLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels	6.34-inch OLED, (2,400x1,080 pixels)
Pixel density	512 ppi	411 ppi	432 ppi	413 ppi
Dimensions (Inches)	6.5x3.0x0.4 in	6.2x2.9x0.4 in	5.7x2.8x0.3 in
Dimensions (Millimeters)	163.9x75.9x8.9 mm	158.6x74.8x8.9 mm	144.7x70.4x8.0 mm	156.2x73.2x8.8 depth mm
Weight (Ounces, Grams)	7.41 oz; 210g	7.3 oz; 207g	5.33 oz; 151g	6.45 oz; 183g
Mobile software	Android 12	Android 12	Android 11	Android 11
Camera	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (telephoto)	50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide)	12.2-megapixel (standard), 16-megapixel (ultrawide)	16-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (wide)
Front-facing camera	11-megapixel	8-megapixel	8-megapixel	8-megapixel
Video capture	4K 30, 60fps (rear), 4K 30fps (front)	4K 30, 60fps (rear), 1,080p 30fps (front)	4K	4K
Processor	Google Tensor	Google Tensor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G	Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G
Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB	128GB	128GB
RAM	12GB	8GB	8GB	6GB
Expandable storage	No	No	No
Battery	5,003 mAh	4,614 mAh	4,000 mAh	4,680 mAh
Fingerprint sensor	Under display	Under display	Rear
Connector	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C	USB-C
Headphone jack	No	No	No	Yes
Special features	5G Sub-6 and mmWave support, Wi-Fi 6E, Ultrawideband, 30W fast charging, Magic Eraser, Motion mode, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, 5 years OS and security updates, IP68 dust- and water-resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus (front and back)	5G Sub-6 (some carrier models also have 5G mmWave) support, Wi-Fi 6E, 30W fast charging, Magic Eraser, Motion mode, Real Tone, Face Unblur, Cinematic Pan, 5 years OS and security updates, IP68 dust- and water-resistance, Gorilla Glass Victus (front), Gorilla Glass 6 (back)	5G enabled; IP68 dust- and water-resistance; 90Hz refresh rate display; dual SIM capabilities (nano-SIM and e-SIM); reverse wireless charging; fast charging	5G-enabled, Titan M chipset (security chip), dual main camera, IP67 water-resistance, dual SIM, stereo speakers; 18W fast charging
Price off-contract (USD)	$899 (128GB)	$599 (128GB)	$699	$449
Price (GBP)	£849 (128GB)	£599 (128GB)	£599	£330 (converted)
Price (AUD)	AU$999 (128GB)	AU$1,299 (128GB)	AU$999	AU$610 (converted)

Patrick Holland/CNET

With a starting price of $599, Google's Pixel 6 is the best Android phone you can get for the money. In terms of design, power, features and performance, the Pixel 6 is a big step up from its predecessor, the Pixel 5. Google's latest and greatest offers improved cameras, Android 12 and the company's in-house Tensor chip.

Stephen Shankland/CNET

The Google Pixel 6 Pro's unique design, great software additions, superb camera quality and solid all-around performance have already earned the phone an excellent rating in our full review. With performance that's every bit as good as its design, it's the best phone Google has ever made. The main camera is on par with the best iPhones. And at $899 for the base 128GB model, it trounces its premium phone rivals in price. Read our Google Pixel 6 Pro review.

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Review: Pocket-Friendly Phone Has Great Cameras, Mediocre Battery Life

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Samsung Galaxy S22 Review: Pocket-Friendly Phone Has Great Cameras, Mediocre Battery Life

At a time when phones are getting bigger, Samsung is going smaller. The Galaxy S22, which starts at $800 and launches on Feb. 25, is the tiniest (and cheapest) phone in Samsung's new lineup. It has a 6.1-inch screen, making it slightly smaller than last year's Galaxy S21, and is otherwise identical to the Galaxy S22 Plus.

It's best to think of the Galaxy S22 as a moderate improvement over the Galaxy S21. It has a refreshed design and a new processor, but it's really the camera update that's the star of the show. The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus both have a 50-megapixel main sensor that brings general improvements to color and clarity. All three of Samsung's new Galaxy phones are also better at taking photos in the dark.

These are welcome improvements that have made the Galaxy S22 enjoyable to use for the most part. But they also aren't game-changing updates that bring substantially new features to the Galaxy S22. They just make Samsung's phones a bit better at most of the things they were able to do before, particularly photography. 

Between the Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus, I think the Plus has the right balance of screen size and battery life for most people. The Galaxy S22 is great for those who want a phone that's easy to use with one hand or squeeze in a tight pocket. But be warned that you'll have to sacrifice some battery life. 

The right size for people who prefer smaller phones

The Galaxy S22 is the smallest phone in Samsung's new lineup.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 is slightly more compact than last year's Galaxy S21 and noticeably smaller than the Galaxy S22 Plus and S22 Ultra. Its 6.1-inch screen also makes it around the same size as the iPhone 13, although it's technically just a hair slimmer.

It reminds me of a combination of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10E in terms of design. Its display is the same size as the Galaxy S10's, but its flat edges are reminiscent of the smaller Galaxy S10E's. The Galaxy S22 feels a bit cramped for me personally after switching from the 6.6-inch Galaxy S22 Plus, especially when typing text messages or email responses. 

But I imagine people who usually prefer smaller phones would feel at home using the Galaxy S22. After all, there aren't many smaller phones out there for Android fans to choose from. Most high-end phones from Google, Motorola and OnePlus come with larger screens that measure around 6.4 inches or larger.

The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have also gotten a makeover in general. Both phones have an eye-catching glass and metal design that feels like a step up compared to last year's devices. It also feels much more premium than the $700 Galaxy S21 FE, which just seems bland in comparison. 

You might not really care about the design if you just plan to put a case over your device. But a phone that's almost $1,000 should live up to that in terms of build quality and aesthetics, and the Galaxy S22 definitely delivers on that front. 

Not much has changed when it comes to overall display quality. Similar to the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE, the Galaxy S22 comes with a flat 2,340-by-1,080-pixel AMOLED display, which feels bright and crisp enough for watching videos, reading and playing games. Samsung has also added a new feature called Vision Booster, which is meant to adjust the screen to the lighting around you. But this didn't make much of a difference in my experience.

The camera is better, especially at nighttime photos

The Galaxy S22 is better at taking photos in the dark.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus have both gotten a noticeable camera upgrade. Both phones now have a 50-megapixel main camera, compared to the Galaxy S21's 12-megapixel main camera. That puts it on more equal footing with the Google Pixel 6 Pro, which also has a 50-megapixel main camera. 

Both phones have excellent cameras that provide colorful and sharp images. In many circumstances, particularly when shooting in sunlight outdoors, it was hard to decide which one took better photos. But there were a couple of circumstances in which one phone upstaged the other. Take this photo of a flower bouquet, for example. Samsung did a better job at keeping the petals in focus, making them appear sharper than in Google's photo. The Pixel 6 Pro's photo is brighter, however.

Galaxy S22

This photo was taken on the Galaxy S22.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Pixel 6 Pro

This photo was taken on the Pixel 6 Pro.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

But I preferred the Pixel 6 Pro's Portrait Mode photo over the Galaxy S22's in this case. The perspective is closer, and I thought Google did a better job of preserving detail, especially in the face. But they're both still high-quality photos.

Galaxy S22

A Portrait Mode photo taken on the Galaxy S22. 

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Pixel 6 Pro

This Portrait Mode photo was taken on the Pixel 6 Pro.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

What is certain, though, is that the Galaxy S22's camera represents a step up from the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21 FE. The Galaxy S22 produced photos that generally had better contrast, more sharpness and richer color in most cases. I also didn't notice much of a difference when taking photos with the telephoto lens. That's surprising considering the Galaxy S21 has a higher-resolution 64-megapixel zoom lens compared to the S22's 10-megapixel zoom lens.

Galaxy S21

This photo was taken on the Galaxy S21. 

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Galaxy S21 FE

This photo was taken on the Galaxy S21 FE

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Galaxy S22

This photo was taken on the Galaxy S22.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 also takes better photos at night, just like the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra. Take a look at the portrait below, which was taken in my apartment with all of the lights turned off. You'll notice that the Galaxy S22's photo is much brighter and more colorful than those taken on the Galaxy S21 and Pixel 6 Pro. 

Galaxy S22

This photo was taken with the lights turned off in my apartment.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Galaxy S21 FE

This photo was taken on the Galaxy S21 FE in a very dark room.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

Galaxy S21

This photo was taken in my apartment in the dark on the Galaxy S21. 

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 sometimes had issues focusing on still objects when shooting in very dark circumstances, like the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra. But in my experience so far, it's been able to focus a bit faster than its pricier siblings in these circumstances. 

Check out the gallery below to see more photos taken with the Galaxy S22.

Performance is solid, battery life could be better

The Galaxy S22 has a fresh design and a better camera, but the battery life was unimpressive.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The Galaxy S22 lineup runs on Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. Everyday tasks like playing games, swiping through screens and launching apps feel as fast as you'd expect from a high-end phone. All three of Samsung's new phones can also crank their refresh rates up to 120Hz, another factor that makes these phones feel fluid.

Check out the results below to see how the Galaxy S22 handled benchmark tests that measure general computing (Geekbench 5) and graphics performance (3DMark).

Geekbench 5 Single Core

Note:

Higher scores are better.

Geekbench 5 Multicore

Note:

Higher scores are better.

3DMark Slingshot Unlimited

Note:

Higher scores are better.

But I only wish the Galaxy S22 had better battery life. The Galaxy S22 has a 3,700-mAh battery, which is substantially less than the 4,500 mAh and 5,000 mAh offered on the S22 Plus and Ultra, respectively. I was able to get through a full day with the screen's refresh rate set to the adaptive 120Hz setting, but just barely. With this setting turned off, I'm able to get about a day and a half. But that's the same longevity I'd normally get from the Galaxy S22 Plus or Ultra with the adaptive refresh rate turned on. I also didn't spend much time on video calls or streaming media -- both tasks that are sure to drain the battery faster -- when anecdotally testing the S22's battery. 

The Galaxy S22 also had the lowest score in CNET's battery test compared to the Galaxy S22 Plus, Galaxy S22 Ultra and Galaxy S21 FE. It lasted for 15 hours and 21 minutes, whereas the Galaxy S21 FE lasted for 15 hours and 46 minutes. The Galaxy S22 Plus and S22 Ultra each lasted for more than 18 hours. To compare to the similarly priced iPhone 13 Mini, Apple's phone ran for 18 hours and 19 minutes on our test, but it's worth noting that the iPhone 13 Mini does not have a high refresh rate screen. CNET's battery test consists of continuously playing video with the screen brightness set to 50% and airplane mode turned on.

The Galaxy S22 supports 25-watt fast charging, unlike the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra, which both support 45-watt quick charging. But thankfully the compatible charging adapter, which must be purchased separately, is priced at a much more reasonable $35 via Samsung's website compared to the $50 45-watt charger. Other USB-C power adapters will likely charge the phone as well, but speeds could vary.

Samsung's newest software and four years of Android updates

The Galaxy S22 runs on Android 12 and Samsung's One UI 4.

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

All of Samsung's Galaxy S22 phones run on Android 12 and the latest version of Samsung's One UI 4 software. Samsung launched One UI 4 in late 2021, and the software brings a bunch of new features like more control over app permissions, new color palettes and a cleaner look for widgets. 

I'm personally loving the new camera app interface, which is much easier to navigate since it shows the specific zoom level with numbers rather than symbols. The software isn't exclusive to the Galaxy S22 lineup, but it's great that Galaxy S22 buyers won't have to wait for the new software. 

But perhaps most importantly, Samsung has committed to supporting up to four generations of Android updates on the Galaxy S22 lineup and other recent phones. That's great news for anyone who plans to keep their device for several years before upgrading. It even outdoes Google's Pixel 6 line, which is committing to three years of software updates and five years of security updates.

Samsung is also working more closely with Google on certain features, particularly in the search giant's Duo video chatting app. Galaxy S22 owners can share content from their screen, like a virtual whiteboard, with the other person on the call when using Google Duo. It seems like an attempt to rival Apple's SharePlay feature for FaceTime, which debuted in iOS 15. But Google still reserves many of its software features, like the ability to see wait time predictions for toll free business when making a call, for its Pixel devices.

Should you buy it?

The Galaxy S22 (left), Galaxy S22 Plus (middle) and Galaxy S22 Ultra (right).

Lisa Eadicicco/CNET

The $800 Galaxy S22 feels like a near-perfect device for people who prefer smaller phones. If the shorter battery life doesn't bother you, I'd only recommend buying the Galaxy S22 if you have an Android phone that's at least two years old and prefer smaller phones. 

The Galaxy S22 Plus provides a better balance of screen size and battery life that I imagine would suit most people. But it's also $200 more expensive than the Galaxy S22. Other than its screen size, faster charging (for a price) and longer battery life, the only difference is that the Plus model supports ultra-wideband technology. 

There's also the $700 Galaxy S21 FE, which has a larger screen but a less capable camera and a bland design. It's battery life is longer than the Galaxy S22's in my testing, but not by much. 

Overall, the Galaxy S22's improved camera and new design make it feel like an upgrade compared to the Galaxy S21, albeit a modest one. But its short battery life holds it back from being as great as it could be.

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