Pixel 8 Pro vs Galaxy S23 Ultra
The Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are aimed squarely at each other: same class, different badges. Neither has a lead that settles everything. The Pixel 8 Pro is ahead on display, and the Galaxy S23 Ultra is ahead on memory & storage. The Pixel 8 Pro launched $201 lower than the Galaxy S23 Ultra, so every advantage on the pricier side has to earn its keep.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Performance Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Memory & Storage Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
- Camera Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
- Battery & Charging Galaxy S23 Ultra wins
- Software & Updates Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Price Pixel 8 Pro wins
- Display6.6
- Performance5.6
- Memory & Storage2.8
- Camera3.5
- Battery & Charging2.5
- Display6.3
- Performance1.9
- Memory & Storage4.5
- Camera6.1
- Battery & Charging2.8
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10× optical zoom versus 5×
The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 10× leaves the Pixel 8 Pro’s 5× well behind, so if this spec matters to you, the choice is easy. The Galaxy S23 Ultra reaches further with real optics, which pays off for wildlife, stages and sports from the stands.
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The Pixel 8 Pro has 3 years of extra promised updates
Not a close call. The Pixel 8 Pro lists 7 years and the Galaxy S23 Ultra lists 4 years. That’s a substantial gap. Software support is what separates a phone that ages gracefully from one that doesn’t, making it one of the most practical lines on the spec sheet.
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The Pixel 8 Pro has 4 GB more RAM
Among all the differences on this page, 12 GB against 8 GB is one of the most meaningful, and it favors the Pixel 8 Pro. More RAM lets a phone keep more apps open in the background, so switching back to them is instant instead of a reload.
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB
The Pixel 8 Pro gives up a lot on base storage: 128 GB, compared with 256 GB on the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts with more room, which means fewer “storage full” warnings and less time deleting old videos.
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The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera
Few buyers will miss this one. The Galaxy S23 Ultra brings 200 MP to the table; the Pixel 8 Pro brings 50 MP. More megapixels on the main camera allow bigger crops and more detail in good light, but sensor size and processing matter just as much.
Design & Size
- Pixel 8 Pro 6.40 in × 3.01 in × 0.35 in
- Galaxy S23 Ultra 6.43 in × 3.07 in × 0.35 in
The footprint is practically the same, so size is not a reason to pick one over the other. The Pixel 8 Pro weighs 0.74 oz less than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.40 in | 6.43 in |
| Width | 3.01 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.51 oz (winner) | 8.25 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 8 Pro leads
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a tough time in the display section, where the Pixel 8 Pro pulls well ahead. The Pixel 8 Pro steps ahead thanks to 37% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Pixel 8 Pro’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. For anyone who cares most about display, the Pixel 8 Pro is the safer choice.
Peak brightness
Pixel 8 Pro: 2,400 nits Galaxy S23 Ultra: 1,750 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
Pixel 8 Pro leads
Here the Pixel 8 Pro opens up one of its biggest leads in the comparison. The Pixel 8 Pro makes its case with 4 GB more RAM. Extra memory also gives the Pixel 8 Pro more headroom for heavier apps and for software updates in the years ahead. In short, the Pixel 8 Pro is the better-equipped phone for performance.
RAM
Pixel 8 Pro: 12 GB Galaxy S23 Ultra: 8 GB Opening a single app, you won’t feel the difference. With lots of tabs, a game and the camera in rotation, the Pixel 8 Pro has more room to work with.
CPU cores
Pixel 8 Pro: 9 Galaxy S23 Ultra: 8 Core count on its own says little about speed; how the chip is designed and how fast each core runs matter more.
Memory & Storage
Galaxy S23 Ultra leads
No contest in memory & storage: the Galaxy S23 Ultra is the stronger of the two. On its side, the Galaxy S23 Ultra has 256 GB of base storage instead of 128 GB. If you shoot a lot of video or keep music and maps offline, base storage is one of the specs you’ll feel most over the years. Bottom line for memory & storage: the Galaxy S23 Ultra has the edge.
Base storage
Pixel 8 Pro: 128 GB Galaxy S23 Ultra: 256 GB Base storage is what you get without paying extra. Photos, videos and apps add up quickly, so more space at the entry price is real value.
Camera
Galaxy S23 Ultra leads
Look at the camera table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The Galaxy S23 Ultra pulls ahead with 10× optical zoom versus 5×. Digital zoom can fake reach, but optical zoom is where the detail actually comes from. Point to the Pixel 8 Pro for a dedicated 48 MP telephoto camera. Anyone shopping mainly on camera should start with the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Optical zoom
Pixel 8 Pro: 5× Galaxy S23 Ultra: 10× Higher optical zoom lets you frame distant subjects tightly without losing detail to digital cropping.
Main camera
Pixel 8 Pro: 50 MP Galaxy S23 Ultra: 200 MP The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s higher-resolution main sensor gives you more room to crop, which helps when you can’t get closer.
Battery & Charging
Galaxy S23 Ultra leads
The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the clear pick if battery & charging is what you care about most. The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with faster 45 W wired charging. The Galaxy S23 Ultra refills faster on a cable, which matters most on the mornings you forgot to charge overnight. The Pixel 8 Pro takes this one with faster 23 W wireless charging. So if battery & charging tops your list, lean toward the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Wired charging
Pixel 8 Pro: 30 W Galaxy S23 Ultra: 45 W Faster wired charging means a short top-up before you head out goes further.
Wireless charging
Pixel 8 Pro: 23 W Galaxy S23 Ultra: 15 W Wireless charging is usually slower than a cable, so this edge matters mainly to people who value the convenience.
Software & Updates
Pixel 8 Pro leads
The Pixel 8 Pro dominates the software & updates section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. Here the Pixel 8 Pro offers 3 years of extra promised updates. A longer update promise keeps the phone secure and current for longer, which matters if you keep devices for several years. If software & updates is your priority, the Pixel 8 Pro is the phone to pick.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 8 Pro: 7 years Galaxy S23 Ultra: 4 years The Pixel 8 Pro’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7 in | 6.8 in |
| Panel type | LTPO OLED (Super Actua) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2992 x 1344 | 3088 x 1440 |
| Pixel density | 489 ppi | 500 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,400 nits (winner) | 1,750 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 9 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 256 GB (winner) |
| Max storage | 1 TB | 1 TB |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP (winner) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | 48 MP (winner) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | 5× | 10× (winner) Longest zoom in class |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 4 (winner) |
| Front camera | 11 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5,050 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 30 W | 45 W (winner) |
| Wireless charging | 23 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 13 (One UI 5.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years (winner) | 4 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.40 in | 6.43 in |
| Width | 3.01 in | 3.07 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.35 in |
| Weight | 7.51 oz (winner) | 8.25 oz |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 8 Pro | Galaxy S23 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $999 (winner) | $1,200 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
Going by launch prices, choosing the Pixel 8 Pro keeps $201 in your pocket: 20% of difference. The $201 difference buys some advantages, not all of them, so weigh the areas you actually care about.
These are US launch prices, recorded October 2023; what you pay today may be higher or lower.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 8 Pro if…
- you want software support that lasts longer (7 years vs 4 years)
- you keep lots of apps open at once (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you want the stronger telephoto camera (48 MP vs 10 MP)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,400 nits vs 1,750 nits peak brightness)
- you’d rather keep $201 in your pocket
Choose the Galaxy S23 Ultra if…
- you want more optical reach (10× vs 5×)
- you shoot a lot of photos and video (256 GB vs 128 GB base storage)
- you want the higher-resolution main camera (200 MP vs 50 MP)
- you want the faster cable charging (45 W vs 30 W)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Pixel 8 Pro or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
For most buyers, the Pixel 8 Pro makes more sense: it launched $201 below the Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Which has better battery life, the Pixel 8 Pro or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
Neither has a meaningful advantage. The Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are rated close enough that your usage will matter more than the spec sheet.
Which is larger, the Pixel 8 Pro or the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S23 Ultra are so close in size that you’d struggle to tell them apart on dimensions alone.
Does the Pixel 8 Pro perform better than the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Pixel 8 Pro should be the quicker of the two, with 4 GB more RAM on its side.
Does the Pixel 8 Pro have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the edge for photography, offering 10× optical zoom versus 5× and a higher-resolution 200 MP main camera.
Is the Pixel 8 Pro’s display better than the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s?
On display specs, the Pixel 8 Pro leads thanks to 37% higher peak brightness.
Executive Summary
Comparing the Pixel 8 Pro and the Galaxy S23 Ultra feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. The single spec I’d point a friend to is this: the Pixel 8 Pro has 3 years of extra promised updates. There’s more, too: the Pixel 8 Pro offers 4 GB more RAM. The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a trump card of its own in 10× optical zoom versus 5×.
The Pixel 8 Pro makes sense for anyone who values display; the Galaxy S23 Ultra for anyone who values memory & storage.
My pick: the Pixel 8 Pro, with the Galaxy S23 Ultra only for people who’d use every extra it offers.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.