Phone Comparisons: Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23

The Google Pixel 8 is Google’s latest compact flagship. This handset is smaller than its predecessor, and it’s a direct competitor to the best compact phone Samsung has to offer. In this article, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23. Both of those phones are quite compact, even though the Galaxy S23 is more so. In this article, we’ll compare them, and hopefully help you make a purchasing decision.

We’ll first list their specifications, as we usually do in our comparisons. Once we get that out of the way, we’ll compare the two phones across a number of other categories. You’ll be able to see the design comparison, a comparison between their displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and even a brief audio comparison. Having said that, let’s get started, shall we?

Specs

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23, respectively

– Screen size:
6.2-inch Actua AMOLED display (120Hz LTPS, HDR10+, 2,000 nits max)
6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (120Hz, HDR10+, 1,750 nits)
– Display resolution:
2400 x 1080
2340 x 1080
– SoC:
Google Tensor G3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
– RAM:
8GB (LPDDR5X)
8GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1)
128GB (UFS 3.1)/256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1.2um pixel size), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 1.25um pixel size, 125.8-degree FoV)
50MP (f/1.8 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS), 12MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree FoV), 10MP (telephoto, f/2.4 aperture, 3x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
12MP (f/2.2 aperture)
– Battery:
4,575mAh
3,900mAh
– Charging:
27W wired, 18W wireless, 5W reverse wired (charger not included)
25W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions (unfolded):
150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9mm
146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6mm
– Weight:
187 grams
168 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) & Face Unlock
In-display fingerprint scanner (ultrasonic)
– OS:
Android 14
Android 13 with One UI
– Price:
$699+
$799
– Buy:
Best Buy
Amazon

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Design

Both the Google Pixel 8 and Samsung Galaxy S23 are made out of metal and glass. The two phones do look quite different, at least from the back. On the front, both devices do have flat displays, with thin bezels, and a centered display camera hole. Their corners also have a similar curve. When we flip them over, however, you’ll see major differences. The Pixel 8 includes a camera visor on the back. It connects to the left and right sides of the frame, and it’s covered by metal.

The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, has three cameras on the back, and all three are located in the top-left corner. They’re stacked one above the other, and each of them sticks out of the back of the phone, separately. Both phones have physical buttons on the right-hand side, but their order is different. The Pixel 8 has a power/lock key above the volume rockers, while it’s the other way around for the Galaxy S23.

The Galaxy S23 does have a slightly smaller display than the Pixel 8, and is a bit smaller too. It is shorter and thinner than the Pixel 8, while the two phones are basically the same in terms of width. The Galaxy S23 does have a less tall display aspect ratio, hence these proportions. Samsung’s compact flagship is also 19 grams lighter than Google’s, and that’s a difference you’ll feel in the hand. No, it doesn’t feel less premium because of that, not at all. Both phones feel truly premium in the hand.

Both of these devices are quite slippery in the hand, in case you were wondering. Both of them also offer the same water and dust resistance, you’re getting an IP68 rating here.

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Display

The Google Pixel 8 features a 6.2-inch fullHD+ (2400 x 1080) OLED display. That is a flat panel with a 120Hz refresh rate. That panel also supports HDR10+ content, and goes up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness. The display aspect ratio here is 20:9 while the display itself is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus from Corning.

The Samsung Galaxy S23, on the other hand, includes a 6.1-inch fullHD+ (2340 x 1080) Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. That display is also flat, and it has a 120Hz refresh rate. This particular panel supports HDR10+ content as well, and goes up to 1,750 nits of brightness at its peak. The display aspect ratio is 19.5:9, and the display itself is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Both of these panels are great, to say the least. They’re quite vibrant, have good viewing angles, and good touch response as well. The Google Pixel 8’s display does technically get a bit brighter, but the difference is not that big, and quite frankly, they’re on the same playing field. Regardless of which display you end up choosing, chances are you’ll be happy with its performance.

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Performance

Google’s handset is fueled by the company’s very own SoC, the Tensor G3. That is a 4nm processor, and it’s combined with 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. The Galaxy S23, on the flip side, comes with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy, and includes 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM, along with UFS 4.0 flash storage. Do note that the 128GB storage model of the phone does come with UFS 3.1 storage, but that’s the only model that doesn’t offer UFS 4.0.

During our usage, both smartphones proved themselves in terms of performance. Both of them provided us with a smooth experience in general. The Tensor G3 is the inferior SoC here, both in terms of sheer power and power efficiency. Still, the lack of power is not something you’ll feel during usage. The Pixel 8 is one of the smoothest devices out there. They both do a great job with multitasking, browsing, consuming multimedia, and anything else you can think of.

Gaming is worth considering on its own. The Tensor G3 is not exactly made with gaming in mind, but it does a fine job. If you dig up the most demanding games in the Google Play Store, you will see the advantage of the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, sure. The Tensor G3 can run those games too, though, and really well. All in all, both smartphones do offer really good performance.

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Battery

A 4,575mAh battery sits inside the Google Pixel 8, while a 3,900mAh pack can be found inside the Galaxy S23. Having said that, considering how great battery life can be on smartphones these days, these two phones are not exactly breaking any records. However, the battery life is good, and for most people, it will be more than enough to get to the end of the day. I never enjoy talking about battery life, as it can vary a lot between people, based on location, usage, and so on.

We’ve managed to get over 6 hours of screen-on-time with the Pixel 8, sometimes the phone even crossed the 7-hour barrier. The Galaxy S23 usually lingered between 5.5 and 6 hours of screen-on-time. That included plenty of messaging, browsing, multimedia consumption, emails, and so on. Everything except for gaming. A casual game was played briefly from time to time, but nothing that would have a major effect on the battery life. The signal was good, and most of our time was spent on a Wi-Fi network. Your mileage may vary, of course, considerably.

When it comes to charging, the Pixel 8 offers 27W wired, 18W wireless, and also reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy S23 supports 25W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. All in all, they’re on the same playing field in terms of charging. Neither one charges particularly fast. You also won’t get a charger in the box here, with either of the two smartphones.

Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23: Cameras

The Google Pixel 8 includes a 50-megapixel main camera, and a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (126-degree FoV). The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, comes with three cameras. A 50-megapixel main camera is backed by a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (120-degree FoV), and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom).

Both of these smartphones do a good job in the camera department, but the results are quite different. The Galaxy S23 tends to oversaturate images. Just to be clear, some people will prefer that look, and that’s perfectly fine. The Pixel 8 tends to make images a bit dramatic, as you’ll recognize that contrasty look Google loves. You won’t exactly get the most accurate representation from either phone, but that’s probably for the best, at least for most people.

The Pixel 8 does a great job with HDR scenes, and with color tones as well. The Galaxy S23 can be easily mistaken, especially if you’re taking photos at sunset or something like that. Both ultrawide cameras are good, but we prefer results from the Pixel 8, that goes for both of its cameras. Google’s phone even holds its own in telephoto shots, despite the fact it doesn’t have a telephoto camera. The Galaxy S23 is still better in that regard, however.

Audio

An audio jack is not available on either device. You can, however, use their Type-C ports for wired audio connections. If you prefer wireless audio, do note that both devices support Bluetooth 5.3.

You will also find stereo speakers on both of these phones. The Pixel 8’s speakers are a bit louder, but both setups are good. They provide clear audio, and you can’t really ask for more considering their size and the fact they’re smartphones.