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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a top priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S23 offers superior still photo and video quality compared to the Google Pixel 8. However, the Pixel 8 has a slightly larger screen, which might be more appealing if you prefer a bigger display. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 is slightly lighter, which could benefit you if portability and ease of handling are important. Both offer glass backs, OLED displays with always-on functionality, and 5G connectivity, but the Galaxy S23 has a slightly longer battery life. Remember, these advantages come at a higher cost for the Samsung Galaxy S23 compared to the midrange-priced Pixel 8. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 8
- The Google Pixel 8 has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Battery
7.3 Hours
8.0 Hours
The Google Pixel 8 has 7.3 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 has 8 hours of battery life.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
8.4
8.3
The Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S23 both have very good overall cameras quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 outshines the Google Pixel 8 in selfie quality, which is very important when considering a phone's camera. The combination of resolution, software experience, dynamic range, low light performance, and versatility all contribute to the Galaxy S23's excellent selfie capabilities, compared to the very good performance of the Pixel 8 in the same aspects.
Photo Quality
8.5
8.3
The Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S23 both have very good photos.
The Google Pixel 8 delivers exceptional selfie quality backed by a robust software experience that enhances photo clarity, dynamic range, and low light performance. The Samsung Galaxy S23, while also providing excellent selfie quality, complements it with slightly higher versatility, owing to additional features such as a telephoto camera with optical zoom, ensuring varied photogenic capabilities in different scenarios.
Video Quality
7.6
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23 and Google Pixel 8 both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 8 provides a very good video experience with its capable resolution and framerate handling, effective video stabilization, and good dynamic range, which is important for capturing detail in varied lighting conditions. Whereas the Samsung Galaxy S23 excels, offering excellent videos largely due to its superior dynamic range, better low light performance, and higher microphone quality, making it stand out for both visual and audio capture.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 8 has a screen size of 6.2 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 is 6.1 inches.
Cost
$696
$650
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
The Google Pixel 8 has a price of $696 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 costs $650.
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How the Google Pixel 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$696 | $650 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | October 12, 2023 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.2" | 6.1" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | Yes | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 428 | 422 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | TensorG3 | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 8.4/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 8.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.7/10 | 7.9/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 50 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.3 Hours | 8 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4575 mAh | 3900 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | Yes | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 18 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | Yes (5 watts) | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.93" x 2.79" | 5.76" x 2.79" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.60 oz | 5.93 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Glass | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 7 | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 261 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Rose, Hazel, Obsidian | Pink Gold, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Green, Lime, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 8
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Dig into reviews and images
The Guardian
Samuel Gibbs | October 2023
"The fit, finish and feel is top notch. The phone is responsive and smooth. The battery life is decent. The main camera is excellent but the lack of an extended optical zoom is slightly disappointing, even if it has been a similar formula for Google for several years.
The 6.2in screen moves the Pixel 8 closer to the underserved market of smaller but top-end phones, of which there are only a handful to choose from. Google’s generative AI features are certainly novel, but it is the extended seven-year software support that truly sets it apart."
Samsung Galaxy S23
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Dig into reviews and images
The Verge
Allison Johnson | February 2023
"The 6.1-inch S23 is the best reasonably sized Android phone on the market in the US, partly because almost every other Android phone sold here is gigantic. But it’s also a really good device, with a battery that gets through a full day more comfortably than its predecessor. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset responsible for some of that battery performance improvement is slightly different — and slightly faster — than the 8 Gen 2 in other Android flagships."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S23
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
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About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
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Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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