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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S22 vs Google Pixel 8a
Get the Samsung Galaxy S22 unless you need a budget-friendly option. If you shoot a lot of photos, the 64MP camera on the Pixel 8a is tempting, but the S22’s superior versatility in photography can't be overlooked.
🔋 Battery: 3700 mAh vs 4492 mAh⚖️ Weight: 5.89 oz vs 6.63 oz📷 Camera: 50 MP vs 64 MP
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Samsung Galaxy S22
★4.5
(466)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 730
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Google Pixel 8a
★4.4
(1,570)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G3
Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S22
Google Pixel 8a
Display1 specs
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S22
48–120Hz (Adaptive)
Google Pixel 8a
60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Performance2 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S22
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Google Pixel 8a
Google Tensor G3
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S22
8GB LPDDR5
Google Pixel 8a
8GB LPDDR5X
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S22
50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Google Pixel 8a
64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OISWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S22
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Google Pixel 8a
13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S22
3,700 mAh (Typical)
Google Pixel 8a
4,492 mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S22
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Google Pixel 8a
Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S22
5.89 oz (167 g)Winner
Google Pixel 8a
6.6 oz (188 g)
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S22
5.75" x 2.78" x 0.30" (146.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm)
Google Pixel 8a
6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S22
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC
Google Pixel 8a
5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Google Pixel 8a
Samsung Galaxy S22
★4.5(466)Best Buy
Google Pixel 8a
★4.4(1,570)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S22 | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(466)Best Buy | ★4.4(1,570)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates | 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform | Google Tensor G3 |
Graphics | Qualcomm Adreno 730 | Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
RAM | 8GB LPDDR5 | 8GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) |
Display Size | 6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display | Actua OLED Display |
Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 425 ppi | 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi |
Refresh Rate | 48–120Hz (Adaptive) | 60–120Hz (Smooth Display) |
Peak Brightness | 1,300 nits (Peak) | 1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS | 64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) | 13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); OIS | N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens) |
Optical Zoom | 3x Optical Zoom | N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x Space Zoom | Up to 8x Super Res Zoom |
Video Recording | 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
Front Camera | 10MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF | 13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus |
Battery | 3,700 mAh (Typical) | 4,492 mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) | Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare | Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC | 5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
Durability | IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+ | IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame |
Dimensions | 5.75" x 2.78" x 0.30" (146.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm) | 6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm) |
Weight | 5.89 oz (167 g) | 6.6 oz (188 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition | Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock |
Extras | Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + eSIM) | VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser |
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Samsung Galaxy S22
Rating:★4.5(466)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades; 5 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 Mobile Platform
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 730
RAM:8GB LPDDR5
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X Infinity-O Display
Resolution:2340 x 1080 pixels (FHD+), 425 ppi
Refresh Rate:48–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:1,300 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps
Front Camera:10MP Front (f/2.2, 80° FOV), Dual Pixel AF
Battery:3,700 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.2; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP68 (Water resistant up to 1.5 meters for 30 min); Armor Aluminum frame; Gorilla Glass Victus+
Dimensions:5.75" x 2.78" x 0.30" (146.0 x 70.6 x 7.6 mm)
Weight:5.89 oz (167 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Samsung DeX; Samsung Knox; Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + eSIM)
✓ Pros:
- • Compact and lightweight design is excellent for one-handed use
- • Versatile triple camera system with a dedicated 3x optical telephoto lens
- • Premium build quality with Gorilla Glass Victus+ and IP68 rating
- • Bright 120Hz OLED display (1,300 nits) remains visible outdoors
- • Long-term software support (4 OS upgrades)
✗ Cons:
- • Small 3,700mAh battery often struggles to last a full heavy day
- • Wired charging limited to 25W (slower than Plus/Ultra models)
- • Lacks Wi-Fi 6E support found in S22+ and Ultra
- • Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 can run warm under sustained heavy load
- • No microSD card slot
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Google Pixel 8a
Rating:★4.4(1,570)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G3
Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10
RAM:8GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Actua OLED Display
Resolution:1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi
Refresh Rate:60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Peak Brightness:1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x Super Res Zoom
Video Recording:4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Front Camera:13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus
Battery:4,492 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2
Durability:IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame
Dimensions:6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:6.6 oz (188 g)
Biometrics:Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser
✓ Pros:
- • Unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment
- • Bright 120Hz Actua OLED display (2,000 nits peak)
- • Flagship-grade Tensor G3 processor brings premium AI features (Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser)
- • Compact and comfortable design with a durable matte finish
- • Includes wireless charging (rare at this price point)
✗ Cons:
- • Charging is slow (18W wired / 7.5W wireless) compared to competitors
- • Large bezels surround the display, looking dated compared to the Pixel 8
- • Uses older Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection
- • Optical fingerprint sensor can be slower than ultrasonic alternatives
- • Gets warm under heavy load due to Tensor G3 efficiency
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S22 is the better buy for most people - its compact design and versatile camera crush the Pixel 8a.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S22 if: you want a compact phone for one-handed use, you value a versatile camera system, or you prefer a premium build quality. (3700 mAh battery, 5.89 oz weight)
Choose the Google Pixel 8a if: you need a long-lasting battery, you shoot HDR content frequently, or you want the longest software support in the mid-range segment. (4492 mAh battery, 6.63 oz weight)
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S22 excels if you value compact and lightweight design is excellent for one-handed use. Google Pixel 8a is better if you prioritize unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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