Google Pixel 4 vs Samsung Galaxy S23+

The Verdict

Google Pixel 4 and Samsung Galaxy S23+ represent different smartphone generations with significant capability gaps. Display quality favors Samsung decisively: the S23+ offers a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh rate and 1750 nits brightness, compared to Pixel 4's 5.7-inch P-OLED at 90Hz and 600 nits. Performance is vastly superior on the S23+, which pairs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 with 8GB RAM and 256GB base storage against Pixel 4's older 855 chipset with 6GB RAM and 64GB starting capacity. Camera systems show mixed strengths: Pixel 4 excels with its renowned computational photography and 12.2MP sensor with OIS, while S23+ matches or exceeds it with 50MP main sensor, 8K video, and superior telephoto reach (3x vs 2x). Battery longevity belongs decisively to Samsung: 4700mAh capacity with 45W charging and PowerShare wireless reverse-charging crushes Pixel 4's 2800mAh with 18W wired charging. Connectivity favors S23+ with 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 versus Pixel 4's Wi-Fi 5 and 5.0. Build materials are comparable (Gorilla Glass on both, though S23+ uses superior Victus 2 and Armor Aluminum). Price difference of $200 reflects these generational improvements substantially. Unless you prioritize Pixel's software experience and camera algorithms specifically, Galaxy S23+ delivers measurably better hardware across most metrics.