Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
The Verdict
Google Pixel 8 delivers superior display quality with its brighter 2000-nit Actua OLED screen versus Galaxy S23 FE's 1450-nit Dynamic AMOLED panel, making outdoor visibility noticeably better. Performance favors Pixel 8's custom Tensor G3 chip, which excels at computational photography and AI tasks, while S23 FE's Exynos/Snapdragon approach lags slightly in real-world speed. Camera systems differ strategically: Pixel 8 prioritizes software excellence with advanced processing, whereas S23 FE includes a 3x telephoto lens for optical zoom versatility. Battery capacity slightly favors Pixel 8 at 4575mAh with faster 27W charging. S23 FE's larger 6.4-inch display and lower $599 price point appeal to budget-conscious buyers, though the Pixel 8 at $699 justifies premium positioning through superior display tech, processor performance, and long-term software support. Value depends on priorities: choose Pixel 8 for flagship performance and computational photography, or S23 FE for zoom capabilities and budget savings.
Who Should Buy
Buy the Google Pixel 8 if…
- →Compact and comfortable design
- →Seven years of updates
- →Excellent main camera
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 8
Pros
- Compact and comfortable design
- Seven years of updates
- Excellent main camera
- Bright Actua OLED display
- On-device AI features
Cons
- No telephoto lens
- Tensor G3 thermals can be inconsistent
- Only 8 GB RAM
- Slow charging vs rivals
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 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
|---|---|---|
| Software | Android 14 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Body | ||
| Weight | 187 g | 209 g |
| Material | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus | Aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass 5 |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm | 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm |
| Camera | ||
| Main camera | 50 MP, f/1.68, OIS | 50 MP, f/1.8, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS |
| Front camera | 10.5 MP, f/2.2 | 10 MP, f/2.4 |
| Video | 4K@60fps | 4K@60fps |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP, f/2.2, 125.8-degree | 12 MP, f/2.2 |
| Telephoto | — | 8 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom, OIS |
| Memory | ||
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage options | 128 GB, 256 GB | 128 GB, 256 GB |
| Battery | ||
| Capacity | 4575 mAh | 4500 mAh |
| Charging | 27W wired | 25W wired |
| Wireless charging | 18W (Pixel Stand) | 15W, Wireless PowerShare |
| Display | ||
| Size | 6.2 inches | 6.4 inches |
| Type | Actua OLED | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Brightness (nits) | 2000 | 1450 |
| Processor | ||
| CPU | Nona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510) | Octa-core |
| GPU | Immortalis-G715s MC10 | Xclipse 920 / Adreno 730 |
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Samsung Exynos 2200 / Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 |
| 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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