Foldable phones, like the yet-to-be-released Google Pixel Fold, are creating all the buzz thanks to the versatility and enhanced multi-tasking features they put in the hands of the user. But, this does not mean we should completely forget about some revolutionary smartphones that have dominated the market for the past few years. There’s still room for some traditional smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S22, a power device with good quality cameras, a bright display, and multitasking capabilities.
We’d like to compare the most-anticipated foldable phone in 2023, the Google Pixel Fold, to the most sought-after smartphone in 2022, the Samsung Galaxy S22. We’ll get into the features, specifications, and facts about the two to help you decide if it’s worth it for you.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Samsung Galaxy S22 | Google Pixel Fold (Speculated) | |
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | February 2022 | May 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Samsung | |
| Starting Price | $739 | From $1,400 to $1,800 |
| Operating System | Android 12, upgradable to Android 13 | Android 12 or Android 13 |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 | Google Tensor G2 |
| Display Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | Dynamic Foldable AMOLED |
| Display Size | 6.1″ FHD+ Flat Screen | 7.7-inch (inner display) 5.8-inch (outer display) |
| SIM | Single and dual SIM models are available | Single Nano SIM and/or eSIM |
| Network | GSM/CDMA/HSPA/EVDO/LTE/5G | GSM/HSPA/LTE/5G |
| Memory | 8GB RAM 128–256GB ROM | 12GB RAM 128–512GB ROM |
| Battery | 3,700 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
- 8K steady video
- 48-120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate
- 50MP wide rear camera
- Screen optimizes color and brightness, outdoors and indoors
- 3,700mAh (25W Charging)
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel Fold: What’s the Difference?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is a flagship handset released in February 2022. The base model of the Galaxy S22 may sound humble, but it’s quite impressive and gives several other premium devices a run for their money, including the speculated Google Pixel Fold.
Although Google has not officially announced the release of its first foldable, the tech industry has been going wild with rumors of the Pixel Fold. We’ve even seen a dummy going around, and word is spreading around many tech circles that Google might launch it during the developers’ conference in May 2023 along with the Pixel 7a.
While all we know about the Google Pixel Fold may be hearsay, it’s worth comparing it to other best-selling phones like the Samsung Galaxy S22 so you know what to expect. Let’s look at key features, specifications, and facts about the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the Google Pixel Fold.
Price
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the more affordable option of the two. The launch price for the S22 was $739, while rumor has it that the Google Pixel Fold will have you parting ways with at least $1,799.
Display and Design
In terms of design and display, the two are nothing alike. Starting with the fact that the Galaxy S22 has a single screen like most devices on the market today, the Pixel Fold is among the new generation of foldable devices that have two screens. The S22 measures 146 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm and weighs 167 grams, making it an incredibly portable device you can use with one hand.
©Jack Skeens/Shutterstock.com
Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S21, the S22 doesn’t come with two-toned designs, but it’s available in numerous unique colors, including Bora Purple, Pink Gold, Green, Phantom White, and Phantom Black. You can also get exclusive colors when you order directly from the Samsung online store, like Violet, Graphite, Sky Blue, and Cream. It has a 6.2-inch AMOLED 2X panel with a 48Hz to 120Hz refresh rate, which ensures a smoother scrolling and swiping experience.
Looking at the foldable Google Pixel, it’s expected to have two screens: one cover screen and a wide foldable main screen that unfolds into a tablet-like design. From the dummy, the Pixel Fold is expected to resemble the Oppo Find N2, which has a multi-access water-drop hinge and no gap around it to allow for a smoother user experience. It’s also been described as a hybrid of the Samsung Fold and the Pixel 7 Pro, which is easy to see considering it’s rumored that the Pixel Fold will use a display panel by Samsung Display.
The rumors estimate the cover screen to be about 5.78 to 5.79 inches, while the inner screen should be about 7.57 to 7.7 inches. We’ll have to wait for the release to be able to confirm these specs. At the moment, the resolution of the Pixel Fold remains unknown, but if everything that’s been said is anything to go by, we anticipate a compact and portable foldable phone with a superior display experience.
- Pro Grade Camera
- Sharp 8K Video
- Multi-cam recording and automatic professional-style effects
- Bluetooth v5.0
- 30 Space Zoom: with Zoom Lock
- Higher Resolution: 64 MP camera system
- Phantom Violet
Processor
The Galaxy S22 runs on the powerful 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor with high CPU processing speeds, plus fast and reliable performance. However, the processor you get depends on your country or region. Thus, when you get the S22 outside the U.S. or Asia, the phone comes with Samsung’s Exynos 2200, which provides almost the same power as the Snapdragon 8 to perform casual mobile tasks, like web browsing, video editing, and gaming, without lagging.
The Pixel Fold is expected to be powered by Google’s Tensor G2 processor based on Samsung’s Exynos. Quite a coincidence, right? This processor is similar to the Snapdragon 8 but falls a few miles behind in the multi-core department.
The Tensor G2 is impressive, focusing on delivering complex artificial intelligence and machine learning processes. This means your Pixel Fold will deliver a more personalized experience by adapting to the various ways you use your phone. It also puts cloud computing in your hands by instantly enabling Google’s smart features like live translation and photo editing without internet access.
Memory and Storage
Like many premium-priced phones today, the Galaxy S22 and the Pixel Fold have ample internal storage and no expandable memory.
The Galaxy S22 has two internal storage (ROM) options: 12GB and 256GB. You pay about $50 extra for the bigger ROM, which is quite fair compared to the $100 you pay to get double the Galaxy Fold’s memory capacity. This is paired with 8GB RAM, sufficient to launch applications fast and enable quick transitions between applications.
However, the Pixel Fold will do better thanks to the 12GB RAM, which makes it more responsive and reduces lag issues significantly compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22. We hope that Google will launch several versions of the Pixel Fold, ranging from 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, as they did with the Pixel 7 Pro.
Cameras
If there’s one area where Samsung always gets it right, it’s the cameras. The S22 features a similar set-up to the S21, which includes a rear camera bump on the side of the device with three stacked lenses.
These include a 50 MP main wide-angle camera lens, a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 10 MP telephoto lens. The three rear cameras have a 3x optical zoom range and up to a 30x super-resolution zoom. The main camera is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS), which means you can kiss shaky images goodbye. The S22 also has an impressive 10 MP autofocus front-facing camera that takes decent selfies during the day or night.
The Google Pixel Fold dummy reveals that the foldable smartphone will have a camera setup similar to what we saw on the Pixel 7 Pro. Here, we can only hope that the specs are also as good. These would typically include a 12 MP front camera and a horizontal rear camera bump with three cameras, including a 50 MP main camera, a 12 MP ultra-wide lens, and a 48 MP telephoto lens.
©Framesira/Shutterstock.com
Sim Cards
You can get the Galaxy S22 in a single- or dual-SIM model. The SIM slot is at the bottom of the device and can support one of the following combinations: one nano SIM and one embedded SIM (eSIM), two nano SIMs and one eSIM, or two nano SIMs. The availability of the eSIM is based on your country or region, mobile carrier, and whether you’ve updated your phone’s software.
Word on the streets is that the Pixel Fold may have an eSIM in addition to the single Nano SIM card. An eSIM is desirable, especially for frequent travelers who won’t have to worry about losing their SIM cards in the midst of travel chaos. The SIM tray is also expected to be at the base of the device, as seen on the S22.
Battery
With the Samsung Galaxy S22, you get a standard capacity of 3,700 mAh and a minimum capacity of 3,490 mAh battery. This is not enough to sustain you all day; however, you can always pump up the juice fast with a 25W wired charger or charge wirelessly at 15W. The S22 also supports reverse wireless charging.
The Pixel Fold is expected to pack up more power if it comes with the rumored 5,000 mAh battery. This means you will get a full day of battery life to support intensive usage and multitasking. The device should support fast and wireless charging, like many other premium devices on the market today.
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel Fold: 6 Must-Know Facts
- Google Pixel Fold is the tech giant’s first rumored foldable smartphone. It is expected to be launched in the second half of 2023.
- The Google Pixel it’s expected to have two screens: one cover screen and a wide foldable main screen that unfolds into a tablet-like design.
- The Galaxy S22 runs on the powerful 64-bit octa-core Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, while Pixel Fold runs on the Tensor G2 chipset.
- The Galaxy S22 and the pixel Fold don’t have expandable memory, but you can choose from options with different memory capacities.
- The Pixel Fold will have a larger battery (5,000 mAh) compared to the S22’s 3,700 mAh battery.
- Both devices have three rear cameras and one front-facing camera.
- 8K steady video
- 48-120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate
- 50MP wide rear camera
- Screen optimizes color and brightness, outdoors and indoors
- 3,700mAh (25W Charging)
Samsung Galaxy S22 vs. Google Pixel Fold: Which One is Better?
The choice between the Samsung Galaxy S22 and the speculated Google Pixel Fold is a matter of preference and needs.
For starters, you have to select your preferred brand between the two top tech companies; in which case, if you prefer Google over Samsung devices, then you might have to hold on to what you have until the Pixel Fold is released, hopefully later this year. But, if your heart beats for Samsung, then it might be worth looking at the foldables they have on the market currently, like the Z Fold 3 and Z Fold 4.
Although all we know about the Pixel Fold are rumors and speculations, it’s a worthwhile purchase if you’re looking for a new-age foldable smartphone that combines performance and aesthetics. This device is best suited for multitaskers who want to keep working, reading, gaming, and watching from anywhere without being limited to a small screen.
As for the S22, it’s a solid phone, but we think it’s just a bit outdated now. However, if all you’re looking to get is a top-class smartphone at a budget price, this is it, and you’ll still get to enjoy the fast performance, a crystal-clear display, and good-quality cameras.
The Galaxy S22 and Pixel Fold in the News
Samsung made news with the Galaxy S22 in 2022 for its new camera system and editing features that really changed the game for smartphone users. If you’re in the market for a new phone that’s perfect for taking pictures with, the Galaxy S22 is being praised for features like Nightography, which is perfect for taking pictures at night or in darker settings, and also for its feature Object Eraser, which allows users to remove any unwanted objects or persons from photos.
Even though the Pixel Fold is Google’s first foldable phone in the modern age, the 2023 reviews have been raving due to the Pixel Folds display (7.6-inches when unfolded, 6.4 when folded) and triple-lens rear camera system.
Looking Forward
Some new and upcoming features to be added to the Galaxy S22 include a convenient 24-hour battery life on a single charge. In addition to being able to hold a longer battery life, the phone will also feature faster charging and wireless charging.
The Pixel Fold is currently running on Android 13 and is eligible for up to three years worth of updates. The Pixel Fold will be available in 2023 in the color Coral and starts at $1,799 for the 256 GB model.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Karlis Dambrans/Shutterstock.com.
