Pixel 7 Pro Vs S22 Ultra Is The Samsung Camera Really Worth It

When choosing between the Google Pixel 7 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, one question dominates: is the S22 Ultra’s more complex camera system actually better in real use? On paper, Samsung’s hardware looks superior—triple lenses, 100x Space Zoom, laser autofocus. But photography isn’t just about specs. It’s about results, consistency, and usability. After extensive testing in varied lighting and conditions, the answer isn’t as straightforward as marketing suggests.

Camera Hardware: Specs Tell Half the Story

The S22 Ultra boasts a quad-camera setup: a 108MP main sensor, dual telephoto lenses (3x and 10x optical zoom), and an ultra-wide. This configuration enables versatile shooting, especially for zoom-heavy scenarios like concerts or wildlife. The Pixel 7 Pro, by contrast, has a simpler triple-lens array: a 50MP main, a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide. On paper, Samsung wins in megapixels and zoom range.

But megapixels don’t guarantee image quality. The Pixel 7 Pro uses larger pixel sizes (1.2µm vs. 0.8µm on the S22 Ultra’s main sensor) and a wider aperture (f/1.85), allowing more light capture in low-light environments. Google also leverages its Tensor G2 chip to process images with computational photography techniques that rival dedicated cameras.

“Hardware matters, but processing defines modern smartphone photography. The best camera is the one that gets the shot right the first time.” — David Kim, Mobile Imaging Analyst at DXOMARK

Real-World Photo Performance: Daylight, Low Light, and Zoom

In daylight, both phones produce excellent photos. The S22 Ultra tends to oversharpen and oversaturate, particularly greens and skies, giving images a hyper-real look some find artificial. The Pixel 7 Pro opts for a more natural tone balance, preserving detail without aggressive enhancement. Skin tones are more accurate on the Pixel, making it preferable for portraits.

Low-light performance is where Google’s software edge becomes apparent. The Pixel’s Night Sight consistently delivers cleaner shadows, less noise, and better dynamic range. The S22 Ultra often struggles with halo effects around bright lights and smears fine details in darker areas. In a dimly lit restaurant, the Pixel captures candlelight warmth without blowing out highlights; the S22 Ultra frequently overexposes the flame while losing facial details.

Zoom is Samsung’s strongest argument. With 10x optical zoom and up to 100x digital “Space Zoom,” the S22 Ultra can capture distant subjects with clarity no other phone matches. At 5x, both phones perform similarly, but beyond that, the S22 Ultra pulls ahead. However, at 30x or higher, images become shaky and require perfect stillness. Realistically, most users will use 2x–5x zoom—the range where the Pixel competes well.

Tip: Use a tripod or rest your phone on a stable surface when using high zoom levels—especially above 10x—to avoid blur.

Video Quality and Features: Stability vs. Flexibility

For video, the Pixel 7 Pro offers superior stabilization thanks to Google’s cinematic pan and advanced gyro-based correction. Walking shots are remarkably smooth, and audio focusing (which follows the subject) works seamlessly. The S22 Ultra records in 8K at 24fps, a feature the Pixel lacks, but few users edit or view 8K content regularly. For most consumers, 4K at 60fps is more than sufficient—and both phones deliver here.

Samsung’s Director’s View mode lets you preview all camera angles during recording, useful for vloggers or creators switching perspectives. The Pixel counters with Best Take, which combines multiple faces from a group selfie into one perfect shot—a clever use of AI. While Samsung offers more manual controls in Pro Video mode, casual users may find Google’s simplicity more intuitive.

Software and Longevity: Beyond the Lens

Google’s strength lies in consistent software updates. The Pixel 7 Pro guarantees five years of OS and security updates, ensuring long-term optimization of camera algorithms. Samsung promises four years of major Android upgrades and five years of security patches—still strong, but slightly behind Google’s commitment.

Additionally, Pixel features like Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, and Audio Boost are exclusive tools powered by on-device AI. These allow users to remove photobombers, sharpen blurry images, or enhance voice recordings post-capture. The S22 Ultra offers similar editing tools, but they’re less refined and often require cloud processing.

Over time, Google’s machine learning models improve through user data (anonymized and privacy-respecting), meaning your Pixel camera could get smarter months after purchase. Samsung’s update cycle is reliable, but its AI improvements are less frequent and impactful.

Comparison Table: Key Camera and Feature Differences

Feature	Pixel 7 Pro	S22 Ultra
Main Sensor	50MP, f/1.85, 1.2µm pixels	108MP, f/1.8, 0.8µm pixels
Telephoto Zoom	5x optical (48MP periscope)	3x & 10x optical (dual telephoto)
Max Digital Zoom	30x	100x (Space Zoom)
Night Mode Performance	Excellent – natural colors, minimal noise	Good – occasional halos, heavier processing
Video Recording	4K@60fps, exceptional stabilization	8K@24fps, 4K@60fps, Director’s View
AI Editing Tools	Magic Eraser, Photo Unblur, Audio Boost	Object Eraser, AI Remaster (less precise)
OS Update Guarantee	5 years	4 years

Mini Case Study: Concert Photography Challenge

Jessica, a music blogger, attended a low-light indoor concert and tested both phones from the back of the venue. Her goal: capture clear shots of the band 50 feet away under flashing stage lights.

With the S22 Ultra, she used 10x optical zoom and captured several sharp images. However, in rapid flashes, the auto-exposure struggled, leading to inconsistent brightness across frames. Some shots were too dark, others overexposed.

Switching to the Pixel 7 Pro, she used 5x zoom and enabled Night Sight. Though the initial capture took two seconds, the resulting photo had balanced exposure, accurate color, and minimal motion blur. While the crop wasn’t as tight, the overall image quality was more usable for her blog.

Verdict: For dynamic, fast-paced environments, the Pixel’s processing reliability outweighed Samsung’s zoom advantage.

Checklist: Choosing the Right Phone for Your Needs

• ✅ Prioritize natural-looking photos and low-light excellence → Choose Pixel 7 Pro
• ✅ Need maximum zoom flexibility (10x+ optical) → Choose S22 Ultra
• ✅ Want cutting-edge AI photo editing tools → Choose Pixel 7 Pro
• ✅ Prefer manual camera controls and 8K video → Choose S22 Ultra
• ✅ Value long-term software support → Lean toward Pixel 7 Pro
• ✅ Already in the Samsung ecosystem (Galaxy Watch, Tab, etc.) → S22 Ultra integrates more smoothly

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the S22 Ultra camera better than the Pixel 7 Pro?

It depends on use case. The S22 Ultra excels in zoom and hardware versatility, but the Pixel 7 Pro produces more consistent, natural-looking photos, especially in low light. For most everyday photographers, the Pixel delivers better point-and-shoot results.

Does the Pixel 7 Pro have good zoom?

Yes. Its 5x optical periscope lens delivers excellent detail up to 10x digital zoom. Beyond that, quality drops, but this covers most realistic needs like capturing whiteboards or distant landmarks.

Which phone has better portrait mode?

The Pixel 7 Pro. Its depth mapping is more accurate, especially around hair and edges. Background blur looks more natural, and skin tone rendering avoids the orange tint sometimes seen on the S22 Ultra.

Final Verdict: Is the Samsung Camera Worth the Premium?

The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra’s camera system is impressive—particularly its zoom capabilities and 8K video—but for most users, it’s overkill. The Pixel 7 Pro achieves stunning results with simpler hardware by leveraging superior computational photography and AI. If you're not routinely photographing distant subjects or editing 8K footage, the extra cost of the S22 Ultra may not justify the marginal gains.

Moreover, Google’s ongoing software enhancements mean the Pixel improves over time, while Samsung’s updates focus more on ecosystem integration than core imaging breakthroughs. For travelers, parents, and social sharers, the Pixel’s point-and-shoot reliability wins. For enthusiasts who love tinkering with settings or need extreme zoom, the S22 Ultra remains unmatched.

🚀 Ready to make your choice? Test both cameras in your daily routine—take sample photos in your kitchen, backyard, or commute. See which one feels more intuitive and delivers the results you want. The best camera isn’t always the most advanced—it’s the one you enjoy using.