Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra represent the best Android has to offer, with powerful processors, brilliant displays, long-lasting batteries, and helpful AI features. 

Now that the two phones have been out for a while, both have come down in price (slightly), making them worth reconsidering. The Pixel 8 Pro will soon be replaced by the Pixel 9 Pro, and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has been superseded by the Galaxy S24 Ultra.  

In this article, we'll break down both devices, and help you decide which is worth buying in 2024. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Specs

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Google Pixel 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra specs. 

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Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Price

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is premium in every way—with a high list price to match. On its release, the 256GB/8GB RAM model was priced at $1,199, the 256GB/12GB RAM variant at $1,299, and the 512GB/12GB RAM version at $1,399. As mentioned, it has come down in price since. Check out our Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra page to find the best deals for the device. 

While not exactly cheap, the Google Pixel 8 Pro was released at a slightly more affordable price point than the Galaxy S23 Ultra. The 128GB version of the phone was originally listed at $999, the 256GB version went for $1,059, on up to $1,399 for the 1TB model. As with the Galaxy S23 Ultra, you’ll want to use Navi to find the best Pixel 8 Pro deals from Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Design 

The Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra offer uniquely specific designs, and they’re unlikely to be mistaken for one another. 

The Pixel 8 Pro features rounded edges, a matte glass back, and the trademark Pixel camera band. It comes in a variety of pleasingly muted colors, like green-ish Mint and soft blue Bay. 

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra adopts more of a brutalist look, with sharp corners, a no-nonsense arrangement of camera lenses, and of course, a stylus pen that turns the phone into a writing and sketching machine. The S23 Ultra is also nearly an inch wider than the Pixel 8 Pro. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Display 

Both the Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra feature brilliant, sharp displays—arguably the best available on the Android phone market. 

In technical terms, the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s display has higher resolution, at 505 pixels per inch (ppi) versus the Pixel 8 Pro’s 489 ppi. This is a pretty slim margin, however, and you’d be hard pressed to pick out any sharpness differences between the two phones. 

The Pixel 8 Pro’s Super Actua display is noticeably brighter, though, than the S23 Ultra’s, boasting an incredible 2,400 nits of peak brightness, against the S23 Ultra’s 1,750 nits. Both feature fast 120Hz refresh rates, making them a joy to interact with (opening apps, etc.) and stream content on. 

Lastly, both displays are made up of the durable Gorilla Glass Victus 2, making them extremely scratch and shatter resistant.  

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Processing

Both the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra feature capable processors, but the latter packs far more horsepower under the hood. 

The Galaxy S23 Ultra is driven by the very powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. Without getting too nerdy about it, this processor outdoes the Pixel’s Tensor G3 chip across most metrics, including CPU and GPU performance. This translates to incredibly fast response times, and allows Galaxy S23 Ultra users to make the most of their S Pen. 

The Tensor G3 chip that powers the Google Pixel 8 Pro is no slouch either, however. It was designed with AI in mind, allowing the Pixel 8 Pro to take advantage of the Gemini features that this phone lineup is known for. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel lineups have long been heralded as two of the best picture-taking platforms available on the smartphone market. 

The Google Pixel 8 Pro comes packaged with a 10.5 MP front-facing selfie camera, and a 50 MP main camera, an 48 MP ultrawide camera, and a 48 MP telephoto lens with 5X optical zoom on the back. 

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, meanwhile, sports a 12 MP front-facing selfie camera, and not three, but four cameras on the back: a 200 MP main camera, a 12 MP ultrawide camera, a 50 MP telephoto camera, and another 10 MP telephoto lens with 3X zoom capability. 

Given the extra lens—and better overall camera specs—the impulse is to give the Galaxy S23 Ultra the edge in this category. However, the Pixel 8 Pro makes use of AI photo editing tools like Magic Editor and Magic Eraser that may actually make it preferable to the S23 Ultra.  

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Battery Life

The Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra both hold their own in terms of battery size and life. The Pixel 8 Pro packs in a 5,050 mAh battery for “more than 24 hours” of power, even with heavy usage. The Galaxy S23 Ultra’s battery is only slightly smaller at 5,000 mAh, and provides an equivalent amount of efficiency and all-day usage. 

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Extra Features

The most obvious difference between the Google Pixel 8 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the latter’s S Pen. This instantly makes the S23 Ultra a very unique device that is suited to specific set of users. If you’re someone that uses your phone as something of an idea generator and note taker, it makes perfect sense. 

However, if you don’t do much of this, the stylus pen may seem like more of an inconvenience than an asset. If that describes you, the Google Pixel Pro 8 may be your speed, as it is more of a traditional smartphone, albeit with an abundance of AI features that set it apart from the likes of the iPhone 15 and other popular devices. 

The Bottom Line

The Google Pixel Pro 8 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra are two of the best Android smartphones on the market, with different appeals: the S23 Ultra is an incredibly fast and powerful device with a unique stylus pen; the Pixel 8 Pro is a well-rounded phone that comes backed with best-in-class AI functionalities. It’s hard to go wrong with either of them—really it comes down to which smartphone features are more important to you. 

Ready to find a great offer on a Pixel 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra? Use our Phone Deal Finder to navigate your way to the best phone deals to meet your needs. 

The Bottom Line

Is the Pixel 8 Pro better than the S23?

The Pixel 8 Pro is better than the Galaxy S23 in terms of camera capabilities, particularly for photography enthusiasts, due to its advanced computational photography features and larger sensor. It also offers unique software enhancements like Magic Eraser and improved AI features.

However, the S23 excels with its robust hardware, display quality, and overall performance, making it more suitable for power users and gamers. Ultimately, the choice depends on whether you prioritize camera performance or overall device capabilities.

Is the S23 Ultra overkill?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra can be considered overkill for many users due to its premium features, including a 6.8-inch display, advanced camera system, and high processing power. These specifications cater to power users, gamers, and photography enthusiasts, but casual users may not fully utilize its capabilities.

How big is the Samsung S23 compared to the Pixel 8?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 features a 6.1-inch display, while the Google Pixel 8 has a slightly larger 6.2-inch display. In terms of dimensions, the S23 measures 146.3 x 70.9 x 7.6 mm and weighs approximately 168 grams, whereas the Pixel 8 measures 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs around 180 grams. This means the S23 is a bit shorter and thinner, while the Pixel 8 is slightly taller and heavier.