Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23
The Verdict
Pixel 8 Pro commands a premium with its superior display (2400 nits vs 1750), larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED screen, and more versatile camera system featuring a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom compared to Galaxy S23's modest 3x 10MP telephoto. Google's Tensor G3 excels at computational photography and AI features, while Samsung's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 delivers stronger raw performance benchmarks. Battery capacity heavily favors Pixel (5050mAh vs 3900mAh), though both charge slowly by 2024 standards. Galaxy S23 wins on portability (168g vs 213g) and offers better value at $200 less, with solid performance and reliable One UI software. For photography enthusiasts and those prioritizing display quality, Pixel 8 Pro justifies its cost. Budget-conscious buyers seeking a compact flagship should consider Galaxy S23.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 8 Pro if…
- →Outstanding camera system with 5x telephoto
- →Seven years of OS and security updates
- →Bright 2400-nit Super Actua display
Buy the Samsung Galaxy S23 if…
- →Compact 6.1-inch size is rare in flagship phones
- →Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- →Lightweight at 168 g for comfortable one-handed use
Category Scores
Pros & Cons
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Pros
- Outstanding camera system with 5x telephoto
- Seven years of OS and security updates
- Bright 2400-nit Super Actua display
- Built-in temperature sensor
- On-device AI features
Cons
- Tensor G3 prone to thermal throttling
- Slow 30W wired charging
- Heavy at 213 g
- Expensive at launch
Samsung Galaxy S23
Pros
- Compact 6.1-inch size is rare in flagship phones
- Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 flagship performance
- Lightweight at 168 g for comfortable one-handed use
- IP68 water and dust resistance
- Four years of OS and five years of security updates
Cons
- Small 3900 mAh battery limits all-day endurance
- Slow 25W charging with no charger in box
- Only 8 GB RAM
- No 4K@60fps ultrawide video recording
Full Specifications
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 | Android 13, One UI 5.1 |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 213 g | 168 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Armor Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm | 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.68, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, OIS |
| Front camera | 10.5 MP, f/2.2 | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Telephoto | 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom | 10 MP 3x optical |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP, f/1.95, 125.5-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 12 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB, 512 GB, 1 TB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 5050 mAh | 3900 mAh |
| Charging | 30W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 23W (Pixel Stand) | 15W |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.7 inches | 6.1 inches |
| Type | LTPO OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2992 x 1344 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 1-120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2400 | 1750 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core (1x3.36 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 2x2.8 GHz + 3x2.0 GHz) |
| GPU | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Adreno 740 |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Connectivity | ||
| 5G | ||
| NFC | ||
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 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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