We’re comparing the top-end Android phones, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 8 Pro. The battle between Samsung and Google for smartphone supremacy continues with the release of their latest flagship devices, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 8 Pro. These two smartphones are packed with cutting-edge features and impressive camera capabilities, making it difficult to choose between them. In this article, we will compare these two phones in terms of design, display, performance, camera, and price to help you make an informed decision of Samsung or Google.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs Pixel 8 Pro specs
| Specification | Google Pixel 8 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
| Screen size | 6.7-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED | 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Screen resolution | 1344 x 2992 pixels | 3088 x 1440 pixels (Quad HD+) |
| Dimensions | 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm | 78.1 x 163.4 x 8.9mm |
| Camera | 50-megapixel primary (F1.68, FOV 82°), 48-megapixel ultrawide (F1.95, FOV 125.5°), 48-megapixel 5x optical telephoto (F2.8, FOV 21.8°), 10.5-megapixel (F2.2, FOV 95°) | 200-megapixel primary (F1.7, FOV 85˚), 12-megapixel ultrawide (F2.2, FOV 120˚), 10-megapixel 3x telephoto (F2.4, FOV 36˚), 10-megapixel 10x telephoto (F4.9, FOV 11˚), 12-megapixel front camera (F2.2, FOV 80˚) |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB, 12GB |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Battery and charging | 5,050 mAh – 30W wired fast charging (up to 50% charge in about 30 minutes) Fast wireless charging, Battery Share | 5,000mAH – 45W Adapter fast charging (up to 65% charge in around 30 minutes) Wireless charging, Wireless Power Share |
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs Pixel 8 Pro features
Design and Display
The Galaxy S23 Ultra features a boxy look with flat sides and sharp edges, while the Pixel 8 Pro has rounded sides and a more ergonomic design for a comfortable grip. Both devices are constructed with durable materials, featuring an aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus for added protection, starring IP68 water resistance ratings. The S23 Ultra has the latest Gorilla Glass 2 Victus panels on both sides, and Samsung’s Armor Aluminum alloy used for the frame. It’s an overall bigger and heavier phone, measuring 163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9mm and weighing 234g. It gets more color options than the Pixel 8 Pro, coming in Cream, Phantom Black, Lavender, Sky Blue, and Lime.
In terms of size, the Pixel 8 Pro is similar to its predecessor, the Pixel 7 Pro, with dimensions of 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm and a weight of 213g. When it comes to colorways, the Pixel 8 Pro offers three shades including Porcelain (off-white), Bay (blue), and Obsidian (black)
In terms of display, both smartphones offer stunning OLED screens. The Pixel 8 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 2,400 nits. On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra sports a larger 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1,750 nits. Both displays deliver vibrant colors and excellent contrast for an immersive viewing experience, even in broad daylight.
Performance
In terms of raw performance, both devices are equipped with powerful processors and ample RAM. The Pixel 8 Pro features Google’s custom-designed Tensor G3 chipset and 12GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and offers a choice of 8GB or 12GB of RAM. The Tensor G3 features a faster and more efficient architecture, with nine cores compared to the octa-core Tensor G2, and the upgraded TPU allows the Pixel 8 Pro to run AI models more efficiently than any other phone on the market. This includes generative AI, as well as AI-powered photo processing features such as Best Take, Magic Editor, and Audio Magic Eraser.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, considered one of the best available for Android smartphones, and offers excellent performance across the board. Both devices deliver smooth multitasking and handle demanding tasks with ease.
Camera
The Pixel 8 Pro features a 50-megapixel primary camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera, a 48-megapixel telephoto camera, and a 10.5-megapixel selfie camera. Google’s AI-powered camera software enhances the quality of photos and offers a range of AI-based creative features such as Magic Eraser and Night Sight video.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a massive 200-megapixel main camera, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, and two telephoto cameras with 3x and 10x optical zoom capabilities. This setup allows for incredible zoom capabilities and detailed shots. The S23 Ultra also offers features like simultaneous video capture from multiple lenses, 8K video recording, and portrait capture.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs Pixel 8 Pro price
In terms of price, the Pixel 8 Pro starts at $999, making it a more affordable option compared to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which starts at $1,199. Both devices offer different storage options to suit your needs, with the Pixel 8 Pro offering 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra offering 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB variants.
Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra better than the Pixel 8 Pro?
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and the Google Pixel 8 Pro are both exceptional flagship devices with their own strengths and weaknesses. The Pixel 8 Pro excels in software processing, offers a clean Android experience, and provides long-term software support: Google extended their guarantee to include seven years of security updates. On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra boasts a high-resolution camera system, versatile zoom capabilities, and unique features like stylus support.
If you value camera performance and versatility, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the ideal choice. However, if you prioritize software support and a seamless Android experience, the Pixel 8 Pro is the way to go. Regardless of your choice, both devices offer cutting-edge features and will undoubtedly provide an exceptional smartphone experience. If you’re wondering how the base models go up against each other, we’ve compared the Pixel 8 vs the Galaxy S23 too.
