Google Pixel 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022: A Detailed Comparison

The Google Pixel 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 represent compelling options in the mid-range 5G smartphone space, but cater to different priorities. The Pixel 5, released in 2020, focuses on a refined software experience and excellent battery optimization, while the 2022 refresh of the S20 FE aims to deliver flagship-level performance at a more accessible price point. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device best suits your needs.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing longevity and a smooth, optimized experience, the Google Pixel 5 emerges as the winner. Its 95-hour endurance rating significantly outpaces the S20 FE, and its software experience is generally considered more polished. However, power users demanding raw performance will find the S20 FE's Snapdragon 865 a more compelling choice.

PHONES
Phone Names Google Pixel 5 Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 66, 71LTE
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 Sub6/mmWave - GD1YQSA/NSA/Sub6
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat19 1800/200 Mbps, 5G
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 28, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78 Sub6 - GTT9QCDMA2000 1xEV-DO
Launch
Announced2020, September 302022, April 01
StatusAvailable. Released 2020, October 15Available. Released 2022, April 01
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), aluminum back, aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 3), plastic back, aluminum frame
Dimensions144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm (5.70 x 2.77 x 0.31 in)159.8 x 74.5 x 8.4 mm (6.29 x 2.93 x 0.33 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM
Weight151 g (5.33 oz)190 g (6.70 oz)
 IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 3
Resolution1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~432 ppi density)1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~405 ppi density)
Size6.0 inches, 87.6 cm2 (~85.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.5 inches, 102.0 cm2 (~85.7% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 90Hz, HDR10+Super AMOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+
 Always-on displayAlways-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.4 GHz Kryo 475 Prime & 1x2.2 GHz Kryo 475 Gold & 6x1.8 GHz Kryo 475 Silver)Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz Cortex-A77 & 3x2.42 GHz Cortex-A77 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A55)
ChipsetQualcomm SM7250 Snapdragon 765G 5G (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865 5G (7 nm+)
GPUAdreno 620Adreno 650
OSAndroid 11, upgradable to Android 14Android 12, One UI 4.1
Memory
Card slotNomicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)
Internal128GB 8GB RAM128GB 6GB RAM
 UFS 2.1UFS 3.1
Main Camera
Dual12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.2, 117˚ (ultrawide), 1.0µm-
FeaturesLED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panoramaLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple-12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), 1/1.76", 1.8µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 76mm (telephoto), 1/4.5", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 123˚ (ultrawide), 1/3.0", 1.12µm
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single8 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm32 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.74", 0.8µm
Video1080p@30fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, gyro-EIS
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
 -32-bit/384kHz audio Tuned by AKG
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.0, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, QZSS, BDSGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1USB Type-C 3.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, compass
 -Virtual proximity sensing Bixby natural language commands and dictation Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
Battery
Charging18W wired, PD2.0 12W wireless 5W reverse wired25W wired, PD3.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Po 4080 mAhLi-Ion 4500 mAh
Misc
ColorsJust Black, Sorta SageCloud White, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Navy
ModelsGD1YQ, GTT9Q, G5NZ6SM-G781NK, SM-G781NK22
Price€ 181.31 / $ 272.44 / £ 136.00About 520 EUR
Pricing
128GB 8GB RAM$ 194.84-
RENEWED$ 253.00-
Tests
Battery life Endurance rating 95h -
Display Contrast ratio: Infinite (nominal)-

Google Pixel 5

  • Exceptional battery life (95h endurance)
  • Clean and optimized software experience
  • Excellent camera processing and consistency

  • Less powerful processor compared to the S20 FE
  • Potentially slower charging speeds

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022

  • Significantly more powerful Snapdragon 865 processor
  • Faster 25W charging with PD3.0
  • Likely higher refresh rate display

  • Shorter battery life compared to the Pixel 5
  • Samsung's One UI may not appeal to all users

Display Comparison

The Pixel 5 boasts a 699 nits max brightness, a respectable figure, but the S20 FE's display specifications are not provided. Given Samsung's display expertise, it's reasonable to assume a comparable or higher peak brightness. Both devices feature an 'Infinite' (nominal) contrast ratio, typical of OLED panels. The lack of refresh rate information for the Pixel 5 means it likely operates at 60Hz, while the S20 FE 2022 is expected to have a 120Hz display, offering smoother scrolling and animations. This difference would be particularly noticeable to users accustomed to higher refresh rates.

Camera Comparison

Detailed camera specs are limited, but the core difference lies in processing philosophy. Google's Pixel phones are renowned for their computational photography prowess, extracting exceptional detail and dynamic range even from relatively modest hardware. The S20 FE 2022, with its Snapdragon 865 ISP, likely offers faster image processing and potentially more versatile shooting modes. Without knowing sensor sizes, it's difficult to definitively declare a winner, but the S20 FE's higher processing power suggests a greater capacity for complex image manipulation. The Pixel 5's strength lies in its consistent, reliable results, while the S20 FE offers more potential for creative control.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: the Pixel 5 utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G, while the S20 FE 2022 features the more powerful Snapdragon 865. The 865, built on a 7nm+ process, offers a significant performance uplift over the 765G's 7nm node. The S20 FE's CPU configuration – a Cortex-A77 prime core clocked at 2.84 GHz – provides a substantial advantage in single-core performance, crucial for responsive app launches and general usability. While the Pixel 5's Kryo 475 cores are efficient, they cannot match the raw processing power of the 865. The S20 FE's superior GPU will also translate to a better gaming experience.

Battery Life

The Pixel 5's 95-hour endurance rating is a standout feature, indicating exceptional battery optimization. This is achieved through a combination of efficient hardware and Google's intelligent software management. The S20 FE 2022, while offering faster charging at 25W (versus the Pixel 5's 18W), likely suffers from higher power consumption due to its more powerful processor and potentially higher refresh rate display. The S20 FE also supports PD3.0, while the Pixel 5 uses PD2.0. While the S20 FE can top up faster, the Pixel 5 will likely last significantly longer on a single charge.

Buying Guide

Buy the Google Pixel 5 if you need exceptional battery life, a clean and intuitive software experience, and prioritize camera consistency over outright specifications. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 2022 if you prefer a more powerful processor for demanding tasks like gaming and video editing, and value faster charging speeds, even at the expense of battery endurance.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Snapdragon 865 in the S20 FE 2022 experience significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
The Snapdragon 865 is known to generate heat under sustained load. While Samsung implemented cooling solutions, prolonged gaming at maximum settings can lead to noticeable throttling, reducing performance over time. The Pixel 5's Snapdragon 765G, being less powerful, is less prone to overheating and maintains more consistent performance.
❓ How does Google's software support compare to Samsung's for these devices, considering the Pixel 5 is older?
Google typically provides longer software support for its Pixel devices. The Pixel 5 is guaranteed to receive updates until at least October 2023, while the S20 FE 2022's update timeline is shorter. This means the Pixel 5 will likely receive more Android version updates and security patches over its lifespan.
❓ Is the 12W wireless charging on the Pixel 5 noticeably slower than the 15W wireless charging on the S20 FE 2022?
Yes, the 15W wireless charging on the S20 FE 2022 is faster than the Pixel 5's 12W wireless charging. While neither is exceptionally fast compared to wired charging, the S20 FE will top up wirelessly in a shorter amount of time.