Google Pixel 4 XL vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE delivers superior value at $300 less than the Pixel 4 XL. Its 120Hz Dynamic AMOLED display with 1450 nits brightness vastly outshines the Pixel's 90Hz P-OLED panel, while the 50MP main camera with Dual Pixel PDAF and 4K@60fps video recording surpasses the Pixel's 12.2MP sensor. Battery capacity favors Samsung with 4500mAh versus 3700mAh, supporting faster 25W charging and wireless PowerShare. Android 13 with One UI 5.1 is notably fresher than the Pixel's dated Android 10. Performance remains comparable with flagship processors, though the Pixel excels in computational photography and Google Assistant integration. Budget-conscious buyers seeking modern specs, better battery endurance, and vibrant display quality should choose the S23 FE. The Pixel 4 XL appeals only to those prioritizing pure Android experience and exceptional low-light photography.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if…
- →Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- →90Hz smooth display
- →Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE if…
- →Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- →Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- →3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 4 XL
Pros
- Astrophotography mode was groundbreaking
- 90Hz smooth display
- Soli radar for Motion Sense gestures
- Excellent telephoto camera for portraits
- Face unlock with 3D face recognition
Cons
- No ultrawide camera
- Large forehead bezel for Soli radar
- No fingerprint scanner at all
- Motion Sense was gimmicky and limited
- Battery life was mediocre
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
Pros
- Flagship features like 120Hz AMOLED and IP68 at a lower price
- Bright 1450-nit display for good outdoor visibility
- 3x optical zoom telephoto is rare in this price range
- Four years of OS updates guaranteed
- Wireless charging with reverse wireless PowerShare
Cons
- Exynos 2200 variant has weaker performance and efficiency
- Only 25W wired charging is slow for 2023
- Gorilla Glass 5 is older protection than Victus 2
- 8 MP telephoto resolution is low
- Heavier at 209 g due to older processor thermals
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 4 XL | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 10 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 193 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 12.2 MP, f/1.7, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 8 MP, f/2.0 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@30fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 16 MP, f/2.4, 2x optical zoom | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Ultrawide | — | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 64 GB, 128 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 3700 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 11W wireless | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.3 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | P-OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 3040 x 1440 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 600 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.84 GHz + 3x2.42 GHz + 4x1.78 GHz) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Adreno 640 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.1 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Related Comparisons
This comparison is based on verified manufacturer specifications covering display, performance, camera, battery, and build quality. Scores are generated by analyzing specs across weighted categories on a 10-point scale. Learn more about our methodology.
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