Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Comparing Costs for Your Budget

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November 13, 2023

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Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Key features compared

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Product

Image

Review

Review: Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Review: Google Pixel 8 Pro

Price

Display

6.8-inch AMOLED |3,088 x 1,440 pixels |120 Hz refresh rate

6.7-inch LTPO OLED |2,992 x 1,334 pixels |120 Hz refresh rate

SoC

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy

RAM

Memory

One UI 5.1 | Android 13Four Android upgradesFive years of security updates

Android 14Seven years of system upgradesSeven years of security updates

Camera

Main: 200 MP, f/1.7, OISUltra-wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2Telephoto 1: 10 MP, f/2.4Telephoto 2: 10 MP, f/4.9

Main: 50 MP, f/1.68Ultra-wide angle: 48 MP, f/1.95Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8

Front-camera

Battery

Connectivity

eSIM | 5G | LTE | Wi-Fi 6E | Bluetooth 5.3 | UWB | NFC

eSIM | 5G | LTE | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi Direct | Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC

IP Certification

Dimensions and weight

163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm233 g

162.6 × 76.5 × 8.8 mm213 g

Offer*

Table of Contents:

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design and display
The Pixel 8 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra embody the apex of smartphone design, each with distinctive features catering to their loyal user bases. Google’s Pixel 8 Pro introduces a matte glass back resistant to fingerprints and a unified camera bar design, signaling a careful evolution that maintains its high build quality with minor ergonomic adjustments.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro boasts a fingerprint-resistant matte glass back along with a sleek, unified camera bar design. / © nextpit

On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 Ultra conserves its predecessor’s design to the tee, with its signature S Pen still in place, indicating Samsung’s trust in its well-established design.
Both phones boast the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 and IP68 certification, mirroring industry standards for durability. Yet, they diverge in their approach to design innovation: the Pixel subtly refines its usability, while the Galaxy remains steadfast, perhaps to a fault for those seeking novelty.
Ultimately, the Pixel nudges toward the new with incremental design changes, whereas the Galaxy reinforces its commitment to a successful formula, prioritizing familiarity over innovation.

The AMOLED QHD+ screen with variable 120 Hz refresh rate on the Galaxy S23 Ultra is flawless and very bright. / © nextpit

The Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro displays exhibit evolutionary rather than revolutionary updates. Samsung’s S23 Ultra retains its 6.8-inch AMOLED and QHD+ resolution with a less pronounced curve, catering to a flat-screen preference.
The Pixel 8 Pro, with its 6.7-inch OLED, lowers the resolution slightly from its predecessor but compensates with an impressive peak brightness and a completely flat display, ditching the curves altogether.

Google has abandoned the curved display in favor of a different design for the Pixel 8 Pro. / © nextpit

Both phones employ LTPO technology for dynamic refresh rates up to 120 Hz, ensuring fluid visual performance. Samsung’s subtle screen curvature reduction reflects a cautious design iteration, while Google’s high-brightness display with a new “Super Actua Display” moniker indicates a focus on visibility and brand differentiation.
Overall, both brands maintain their high standards in display quality while fine-tuning features to enhance user experience subtly.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Interface/OS
The Google Pixel 8 Pro breaks new ground with a promise of seven years of updates, beginning with Android 14, signaling a shift towards longer device longevity. However, not all cutting-edge features, like AI-based photo editing, are available from the get-go.

Conversely, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 Ultra, running on the sleek One UI 6 based on Android 14, impresses with smooth animations and practical features like enhanced multitasking and custom routines, though it commits to a shorter span of four Android and five security updates.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra’s Battery Bypass Function. / © nextpit

In essence, the Pixel 8 Pro’s software strategy is about long-term stability and the potential for future enhancements, while the S23 Ultra focuses on providing a polished and user-friendly interface with immediate benefits.
Both smartphones display impressive AI photography capabilities, yet Google distinguishes itself with the promise of prolonged updates, whereas Samsung stands out by providing a dense, feature-laden experience right out of the box.

The temperature sensor performs effectively. / © nextpit

For a more in-depth understanding of the features offered on both devices, explore our guide on Android 14 features. Additionally, for an in-depth look at Samsung’s top features, check out our One UI 6 first impressions and our guide to the Galaxy experience.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Performance
The Google Pixel 8 Pro, powered by the Tensor G3 chip, aims for flagship performance but falls short in high-demand gaming, as it cannot match the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 found in its rival, the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
The Pixel’s strengths in AI and security features, courtesy of the Titan M2 chip, do not fully compensate for its performance shortcomings, especially when it comes to future-proofing against more advanced chips with capabilities like ray tracing.

In contrast, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra exhibits a significant performance enhancement thanks to Qualcomm’s chipset, achieving excellent thermal management. It smoothly processes even the most demanding graphic-intensive games and maintains a cool temperature during operation, demonstrating its advanced thermal throttling capabilities and strong storage and memory configurations.

Google Pixel 8 Pro(Tensor G3)
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra(Snapdragon 8 gen 2)

3DMark Wild Life stress test

Worst: 7,386
Best: 12,278

3DMark Wild Life Extreme Stress Test

Worst: 2,565
Best: 3,849

3DMark Solar Bay Stress Test

Geekbench 6

Single: 1,756
Multi: 3,630

Single: 2,066
Multi: 5,510

To sum up, the S23 Ultra takes the lead in high-performance delivery and efficient thermal control, setting it apart from the Pixel 8 Pro, which despite its potential, does not quite fulfill the expectations of a flagship device.
While both aim for the top, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is evidently the superior choice for individuals who place a premium on optimal performance and gaming excellence.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Camera
The Google Pixel 8 Pro continues to lead with its software-driven camera superior skills, featuring a 50 MP main shooter and two 48 MP lenses for ultra-wide and telephoto shots, excelling in zoom and low-light capabilities.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with a 50 MP primary camera, complemented by two 48 MP lenses designed for ultra-wide and telephoto photography. / © nextpit

On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra packs a hardware punch with a new 200 MP main sensor and a versatile camera system that includes a 12 MP ultra-wide and two 10 MP telephotos, offering impressive detail and dynamic range, especially in daylight and low-light conditions.

The Galaxy S23 Ultra features the market’s top 200 MP quad-camera module, delivering exceptional versatility and performance. / © nextpit

While the Pixel 8 Pro focuses on computational photography to enhance images, the S23 Ultra relies on its advanced sensor array and versatile lens options to deliver a broad shooting experience. Both excel in their respective niches, with the Pixel providing exceptional post-shot editing and the S23 Ultra offering a multitude of shooting possibilities straight from the camera app.
Nonetheless, in our recent blind test comparing camera quality, the Google Pixel 8 Pro emerged as the top smartphone for photography according to our chosen points-based evaluation method, with the Galaxy S23 following in second position. Yet, when considering the total number of votes received, the rankings shift, propelling the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra into the lead, relegating the Pixel 8 Pro to the runner-up spot.
Google Pixel 8 Pro: Photo gallery

Main camera © nextpit

Main camera | Macro © nextpit

Main camera © nextpit

Telephoto camera (5x) © nextpit

Main camera © nextpit

Main camera (2x zoom) © nextpit

Telephoto camera (5x) © nextpit

Telephoto camera (10x digital zoom) © nextpit

Telephoto camera (30x digital zoom) © nextpit

Selfie (0.7x) © nextpit

Selfie (1x) © nextpit

Selfie (2.9x digital zoom) © nextpit

Selfie (0.7x) © nextpit

Selfie (1x) © nextpit

Selfie (2.9x digital zoom) © nextpit

Main camera © nextpit

Ultra-wide-angle (0.5x) © nextpit

Main camera © nextpit

Ultra-wide-angle (0.5x) © nextpit

Main camera © nextpit

Main camera (3x digital zoom)a © nextpit

Telephoto camera (5x) © nextpit

Telephoto camera (10x) © nextpit

Telephoto camera (30x digital zoom) © nextpit

Main camera with night mode (Night Sight) © nextpit

Main camera with night mode © nextpit

Main camera with long exposure © nextpit

Main camera with night mode © nextpit

Selfie camera with night mode © nextpit

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Photo gallery