Pixel 8 vs Galaxy S23
Google brings the Pixel 8; Samsung answers with the Galaxy S23. Both play in the flagship smartphone class. On balance, the Pixel 8 is the stronger package: it leads in 3 out of 6 areas, most clearly in battery & charging.
At a glance
- Display Pixel 8 wins
- Performance Tie
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Galaxy S23 wins
- Battery & Charging Pixel 8 wins
- Software & Updates Pixel 8 wins
- Price Pixel 8 wins
- Display5.6
- Performance1.9
- Camera1.6
- Battery & Charging1.7
- Display5.4
- Performance1.9
- Camera2.4
- Battery & Charging0.6
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 Pixel 8 has 3 years of extra promised updates
The Galaxy S23 gives up a lot on promised os updates: 4 years, compared with 7 years on the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8’s longer software support can also help its resale value later on.
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The Pixel 8 has 17% more battery capacity
Few buyers will miss this one. The Pixel 8 brings 4,575 mAh to the table; the Galaxy S23 brings 3,900 mAh. Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Pixel 8 has more headroom left.
-
The Galaxy S23 has an extra rear camera
When it comes to rear cameras, the Galaxy S23 wins comfortably with 3 against 2. More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S23’s extra lens adds.
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The Galaxy S23 has a 0.05 in slimmer body
It’s a lopsided result (0.30 in for the Galaxy S23, 0.35 in for the Pixel 8) and one of the main reasons to choose between them. Thickness sometimes buys battery or camera hardware, so the Pixel 8’s extra depth isn’t necessarily wasted.
-
The Galaxy S23 has a 0.67 oz lighter build
On weight, the Galaxy S23 edges out the Pixel 8, 5.93 oz to 6.60 oz. Weight shows up every time you hold the phone above your face in bed or type one-handed for a long stretch.
Design & Size
- Pixel 8 5.93 in × 2.79 in × 0.35 in
- Galaxy S23 5.76 in × 2.79 in × 0.30 in
Size won’t decide this one: the Pixel 8 and the Galaxy S23 have very similar dimensions. The Pixel 8 carries an extra 0.67 oz. Thickness goes to the Galaxy S23, with an advantage of 0.05 in.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.93 in | 5.76 in |
| Width | 2.79 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.60 oz | 5.93 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Pixel 8 leads
The Pixel 8 has the slight upper hand on display. The Pixel 8 answers with 14% higher peak brightness. If you use your phone outdoors a lot, the Pixel 8’s brighter panel is the one that holds up better at midday. On display alone, the Pixel 8 gets the nod.
Peak brightness
Pixel 8: 2,000 nits Galaxy S23: 1,750 nits Peak brightness decides how readable the screen stays in direct sunlight and how punchy HDR content looks.
Performance
Too close to call
If performance matters most to you, this section won’t make the decision for you: they’re level. Both cover performance well enough that other priorities should break the tie.
CPU cores
Pixel 8: 9 Galaxy S23: 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
Too close to call
The differences on memory & storage are small enough to ignore in daily use. The memory & storage verdict: no winner, and no reason to worry either way.
Camera
Galaxy S23 leads
If you’re keeping score, the camera point goes narrowly to the Galaxy S23. Choose the Galaxy S23 and you get an extra rear camera. The count alone doesn’t guarantee quality, but the Galaxy S23 gives you more lenses to choose from. Net result: the Galaxy S23 leads this part of the comparison.
Rear cameras
Pixel 8: 2 Galaxy S23: 3 An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
Front camera
Pixel 8: 11 MP Galaxy S23: 12 MP A sharper selfie camera helps with video calls, vlogs and group selfies.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 8 leads
Look at the battery & charging table and one name keeps coming out on top: the Pixel 8. The Pixel 8 makes its case with 17% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance. Prioritize battery & charging, and the Pixel 8 is where you should land.
Battery capacity
Pixel 8: 4,575 mAh Galaxy S23: 3,900 mAh Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
Wireless charging
Pixel 8: 18 W Galaxy S23: 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 leads
No contest in software & updates: the Pixel 8 is the stronger of the two. The Pixel 8 brings 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. So if software & updates tops your list, lean toward the Pixel 8.
Promised OS updates
Pixel 8: 7 years Galaxy S23: 4 years 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.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.2 in | 6.1 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 428 ppi | 425 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits (winner) | 1,750 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| CPU cores | 9 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 11 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,575 mAh (winner) | 3,900 mAh |
| Wired charging | 27 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 18 W (winner) | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 5.93 in | 5.76 in |
| Width | 2.79 in | 2.79 in |
| Thickness | 0.35 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.60 oz | 5.93 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 8 | Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $699 (winner) | $800 |
“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
Launch prices sit $101 apart, so budget is unlikely to be the deciding factor. The Galaxy S23’s extra $101 is hard to justify when the Pixel 8 leads in more areas.
Launch prices (US) as of October 2023. Discounts and bundles come and go, so compare current prices before buying.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 8 if…
- you plan to keep your phone for years (7 years vs 4 years of promised updates)
- you want the bigger battery (4,575 mAh vs 3,900 mAh)
- you use your phone outdoors a lot (2,000 nits vs 1,750 nits peak brightness)
- you use a wireless charging pad every day (18 W vs 15 W)
- you want the lower price and can live with the trade-offs ($101 less)
Choose the Galaxy S23 if…
- you like switching between focal lengths (3 vs 2 cameras)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 in vs 0.35 in)
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.93 oz vs 6.60 oz)
- you take a lot of selfies or video calls (12 MP vs 11 MP front camera)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the Pixel 8 or the Galaxy S23?
For most people, the Pixel 8 is the stronger choice, unless you’d rather have an extra rear camera on the Galaxy S23.
Which has better battery life, the Pixel 8 or the Galaxy S23?
Going by the official figures, the Pixel 8 leads: 4,575 mAh versus 3,900 mAh for battery capacity. Screen use, settings and efficiency will shape your own results.
Which is larger, the Pixel 8 or the Galaxy S23?
They’re practically the same size. The difference between the Pixel 8 and the Galaxy S23 is too small to matter.
Does the Pixel 8 have a stronger camera setup than the Galaxy S23?
On paper, the Galaxy S23 has the stronger camera setup, with an extra rear camera and a sharper 12 MP selfie camera.
Is the Pixel 8’s display better than the Galaxy S23’s?
Going by the numbers, the Pixel 8’s screen comes out ahead: 14% higher peak brightness.
Is the Pixel 8 cheaper than the Galaxy S23?
The Pixel 8 is the cheaper option, launching at $101 less than the Galaxy S23 (launch prices as of October 2023).
Executive Summary
Here’s my honest read on a classic rivalry: Google’s Pixel 8 against Samsung’s Galaxy S23. My main argument for the Pixel 8? It comes with 3 years of extra promised updates. It also helps that the Pixel 8 has 17% more battery capacity. Credit where it’s due: the Galaxy S23 offers an extra rear camera.
Choose by what you’d use most: display leads to the Pixel 8, camera leads to the Galaxy S23.
My pick: the Pixel 8; the one scenario where I’d reach for the Galaxy S23 is if your top priority is an extra rear camera.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.