Today, we’re comparing the Samsung Galaxy S23 vs Pixel 7a. In the ever-evolving world of smartphones, two giants have been dominating the Android phone scene – Samsung and Google. Among the leading smartphones released by these companies are the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Google Pixel 7a. In this article, we’ll compare the Galaxy S23 and the Pixel 7a, two flagship devices that offer cutting-edge features and impressive specifications. From display and hardware to camera and price, we’ll delve into every aspect to help you make an informed decision about sticking to budget or making the upgrade.
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs Pixel 7a specs
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S23 | Google Pixel 7a |
| Screen | 6.1″ FHD+ AMOLED | 6.1 inches OLED |
| Dimensions | 146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6mm | 152.4 x 72.9 x 9mm, thickness with camera 10.50 mm |
| Resolution | 2340 x 1080 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio, 422 PPI | 2400 x 1080 pixels, 20:9 ratio, 431 PPI, HDR support |
| Refresh rate | 48~120Hz | 90Hz |
| Camera | Main: 50 MP, Second: 10 MP (Telephoto), Third: 12 MP (Ultra-wide) | Main: 64 MP, Second: 13 MP (Ultra-wide) |
| System chip | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Google Tensor G2 |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB LPDDR5 |
| Internal storage | 128GB or 256GB, not expandable | 128GB, not expandable |
| Battery | 3,900mAh | 4385 mAh |
Galaxy S23 Ultra Vs Pixel 7a features
Design and Build Quality
Similarly to the previous Google phones in its a-series, the Pixel 7a’s design is heavily influenced by its Pixel 7 counterpart. It’s got a high-end build quality, featuring a glass front with Gorilla Glass 3, an aluminum frame, and a glossy plastic back. Google launched the Pixel 7a with four color options, Charcoal (black), Snow (white), Sea (light blue), and Coral (coral). With its 152.4 x 72.9 x 9 mm dimensions, the Pixel 7a is a little chunkier than the S23, which comes in at 146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6mm.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 boasts a more premium build and a similar profile to the Galaxy S22, with a Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, along with an aluminum frame. It’s available in four captivating colors: Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, and Cream. There are two Samsung Store exclusive colors, Lime and Graphite, for buyers making a purchase directly from the brand. Moreover, the Galaxy S23 is IP68 dust and water-resistant, allowing it to withstand submersion in water up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the Pixel 7a offers IP67 dust and water resistance for up to 1 meter and 30 minutes.
Display: Size, Resolution, and Technology
The display is one of the most crucial aspects of a smartphone, and both the Galaxy S23 and the Pixel 7a offer impressive screens that measure 6.1-inches. The Pixel 7a features an OLED display, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks, that can move between a 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rate. This is slightly more limited than that of the Galaxy S23’s range, as Samsung’s device can explore a refresh rate of 40Hz to 120Hz.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 boasts a brighter Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, offering an immersive viewing experience. The AMOLED panel can hit a peak brightness of up to 1,200 nits in standard mode, or up to 1,750 nits with max auto-brightness, making it better for use in sunny conditions.
Hardware: Chipset, Processor, Battery
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy S23 and the Google Pixel 7a pack powerful hardware. The Pixel 7a is equipped with the Google Tensor G2 chipset, built on a 5nm process. It boasts an octa-core processor, including 2.85 GHz Cortex-X1, 2.35 GHz Cortex-A78, and 1.80 GHz Cortex-A55 cores, providing a seamless and lag-free performance. It is accompanied by a Mali-G710 MP7 GPU, ensuring smooth graphics rendering. While it doesn’t quite meet the standard now set by the Google Tensor G3, the G2 still holds its own against most recent smartphone chips.
Alternatively, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, based on a 4nm process. It features an octa-core processor, including a 3.36 GHz Cortex-X3, 2.8 GHz Cortex-A715, 2.8 GHz Cortex-A710, and 2.0 GHz Cortex-A510 cores, delivering exceptional performance and energy efficiency. The Galaxy S23 also comes with an Adreno 740 GPU, enabling excellent graphics performance. In terms of battery life, the Galaxy has the smaller battery capacity at 3,900mAh, whereas the Pixel 7a sports a 4,385mAh battery. However, the S23 appears to be better optimized for preserving battery than the 7a.
Camera: Rear and Front
Overall, there are impressive cameras on both phones. The Pixel 7a features a dual-camera setup on the rear, consisting of a 64 MP wide lens with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and a 13 MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, the Pixel 7a sports a 12 MP selfie camera, ensuring crisp and clear self-portraits.
In contrast, the Galaxy S23 comes with a trio-camera system. It features a 50 MP wide lens with OIS, a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 12 MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, the Galaxy S23 boasts a 12 MP selfie camera, ensuring stunning self-portraits. On the whole, the S23 is better at shooting video content, with a primary camera that can shoot 8K video at 30 FPS if required, whereas the Pixel can film 4K video capture at 60 FPS. However, Samsung lacks Google’s photo post-processing expertise which has been a favorite feature of the Pixel phones.
Galaxy S23 vs Pixel 7a price
In terms of price, we’re looking at a Google phone that’s been introduced as a budget addition to the Pixel 7 series. The Pixel 7a has an MRSP of $499 on the Google Store, and the device still competes with the high-end range of smartphones despite being at a cheaper price point. On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 is largely pricier than the Pixel 7a, starting at $799 for the base model.
Is the Galaxy S23 better than the Pixel 7a?
Ultimately, it has to be said that the choice between the two devices depends on personal preferences, budget, and specific needs. Whether you prioritize camera capabilities, display quality, or overall performance, both the Galaxy S23 and the Pixel 7a have a lot to offer. However, at $300 less, you can get many high-end experiences out of the Pixel 7a for a lot less than the Galaxy S23, which doesn’t offer too much of an upgrade to its predecessor the S22. So, weigh your options and choose the smartphone that will best complement your lifestyle and enhance your user experience.
