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When you think of Android, chances are that you picture a Google or Samsung smartphone before anything else. Indeed, the two companies offer some of the best hardware and software combinations money can buy. Now that both companies have officially revealed their flagship smartphones for 2023, we can finally pit them against each other. In this comparison, we’ll take a closer look at how the Google Pixel 8 Pro differs from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and help decide which smartphone you should buy.

Pixel 8 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: At a glance

  • The Pixel 8 Pro is significantly cheaper than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
  • The Galaxy S23 Ultra is slightly larger and heavier than Google’s Pixel 8 Pro.
  • Even though both Android phones share similar dimensions, Samsung has managed to fit an entire stylus within the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
  • Google’s in-house Tensor G3 chip found in the Pixel 8 Pro is the company’s fastest yet. However, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC should run faster and cooler.
  • The Galaxy S23 Ultra ships with double the internal storage compared to the base model Pixel 8 Pro. It also relies on faster UFS 4.0 tech for faster transfer speeds.
  • The S23 Ultra houses Samsung’s S Pen, while you get a temperature sensor on the Pixel 8 Pro.
  • Samsung has given the S23 Ultra a new 200MP sensor, which will likely capture more detail than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 50MP shooter.
  • While both smartphones have a periscope lens, the Galaxy S23 Ultra offers 10x optical zoom vs. the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5x.
  • The Samsung flagship offers an additional 3x zoom sensor.
  • The Pixel 8 Pro relies on a slower optical fingerprint reader compared to the S23 Ultra’s ultrasonic technology.
  • The S23 Ultra can charge at up to 45W, which is significantly faster than the Pixel 8 Pro’s 30W maximum.
  • Google promises to deliver seven years’ worth of software updates to the Pixel 8 Pro. That’s three years longer than Samsung’s four year OS update commitment.

Pixel 8 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra: Specs

  Google Pixel 8 Pro Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Display 6.7-inch Super Actua OLED
20:9 aspect ratio
2,992 x 1,344
1-120Hz dynamic Smooth Display
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
HDR support
1,600 nits brightness for HDR, 2,400 nits peak brightness
6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED
Edge display (curved)
19.3:9 aspect ratio
QHD+ resolution (3,088 x 1,440)
120Hz adaptive refresh rate (1Hz to 120Hz)
Gorilla Glass Victus 2
HDR support
Processor Google Tensor G3 Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
RAM 12 GB 8GB or 12GB
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB. Optional 1TB (US-only)
No expandable storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
No expandable storage
Power 5,050mAh (typical)
30W wired charging
23W wireless charging (w/Pixel Stand 2nd gen)
12W Qi wireless charging
Battery Share
5,000mAh battery
45W wired charging
15W Qi wireless charging
No charger in box
Cameras Rear:
– 50MP main
1.2 μm, f/1.68, 82-degree FoV
1/1.31-inch sensor
2x “optical quality” zoom
OIS and EIS

– 48MP ultra-wide
0.8 μm, f/1.95, 125.5-degree FoV

– 48MP telephoto
0.7 μm, f/2.8, 21.8-degree FoV
5x optical zoom
OIS and EIS

Front:
– 10.5MP
1.22 μm, f/2.2, 95-degree FoV, autofocus

Rear:
– 200MP main
f/1.7, 1/1.3-inch sensor, OIS and EIS

– 12MP ultra-wide
1.4µm, 120-degree field of view, 13mm, f/2.2

– 10MP Telephoto, 10x Optical Zoom and 100x Space Zoom

– 10MP Telephoto, 3x Optical Zoom

Front
– 12MP selfie cam

Audio Stereo speakers
Triple mics
Spatial audio
Bluetooth 5.3
No 3.5mm port
Stereo speakers
Triple mics
Spatial audio
Bluetooth 5.3
No 3.5mm port
IP rating IP68 IP68
Others Object thermometer
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyrometer
Magnetometer
Barometer
Integrated S Pen
Proximity sensor
Ambient light sensor
Accelerometer
Gyrometer
Magnetometer
Barometer
Biometrics and security Face Unlock (highest Android biometric class)
Optical Fingerprint Sensor (under-display)
Titan M2 security chip
Face Unlock
Ultrasonic Fingerprint Sensor (under-display)
Software Android 14
Pixel UI
7 years of OS upgrades
7 years of security updates
Android 13
One UI 5.1
4 years of software OS upgrades
5 years of security updates
Dimensions and weight 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm
213g
163.3 x 77.9 x 8.9mm
233g

You won’t have to look at either phone’s spec sheet for long to realize that they pack some of the highest-end specifications in the smartphone market. The Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra both include OLED displays, the latest in processing hardware, large batteries, and capable camera setups. However, the devil’s in the details, and you’ll find plenty of differences if you peel back the layers.