Google Pixel 5a vs Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23+ delivers flagship performance with a 6.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display reaching 1750 nits brightness and 120Hz refresh rate, substantially outpacing Pixel 5a's 700-nit OLED at 60Hz. Camera systems differ significantly: S23+ features a 50MP main sensor with 3x optical zoom and 8K video recording, while Pixel 5a offers a more modest 12.2MP setup with computational photography strengths. Processing power favors S23+ considerably, using Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 compared to Pixel 5a's older 765G chipset. Battery capacity is nearly identical (4700 vs 4680mAh), but S23+ charges faster at 45W plus 15W wireless charging versus Pixel 5a's 18W wired-only approach. Build quality improves with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 rating on S23+. At double the price ($999 vs $449), S23+ justifies its cost through superior performance, cameras, and display technology, making it ideal for power users. Pixel 5a remains excellent for budget-conscious buyers prioritizing software experience and longevity.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 5a if…
- →Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- →IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- →Great computational photography at $449
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23+ if…
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- →Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- →4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 5a
Pros
- Large 4680 mAh battery for excellent endurance
- IP67 water resistance (first a-series with it)
- Great computational photography at $449
- Headphone jack retained
- Clean stock Android experience
Cons
- 60Hz display
- Slow 18W charging
- No wireless charging
- Only available in the US and Japan
- Snapdragon 765G is mid-range
Samsung Galaxy S23+
Pros
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy delivers top-tier performance
- Bright 1750-nit display is excellent in direct sunlight
- 4700 mAh battery provides strong all-day endurance
- Four years of OS updates and five years of security patches
- Versatile triple camera with 3x optical zoom
Cons
- Only 8 GB RAM at the $999 price point
- FHD+ resolution instead of QHD+ on the 6.6-inch display
- 45W charging is slower than Chinese competitors
- No expandable storage or microSD slot
- Design is very similar to S22+ with minimal visual changes
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 5a | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 11 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 183 g | 195 g |
| Material | Aluminum unibody, polycarbonate coating | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 73.2 x 8.8 mm | 157.8 x 76.2 x 7.6 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 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 16 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB | 256 GB, 512 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4680 mAh | 4700 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired | 45W wired |
| Wireless charging | No | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.34 inches | 6.6 inches |
| Type | OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 60Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 700 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Octa-core (1x2.4 GHz + 1x2.2 GHz + 6x1.8 GHz) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 620 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| 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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