When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
It lacks the power of the Samsung, though.
What it lacks in Google’s AI talents, it makes up for in raw horsepower.
Pixel 8 Pro
We could probably whittle it down to just two contenders: theGoogle Pixel 8 Proand theSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra.
But these are the two Android phones with the biggest claims to the throne.
Google Pixel 8 Pro pricing starts from $999 / 999 / AU$1,699 for 128GB of storage.
There is no 1TB option in the UK and Australia.
At 234g, its also 31g heavier.
Thats a pretty substantial difference.
Pixel 8 Pro
Rather refreshingly, these two paragons of Androidhood dont look much like one another.
This is emphasised by a width-spanning camera band that melds seamlessly into the shiny aluminum frame.
Its top and bottom edges are dead flat, while the left and right edges curve around quite abruptly.
S23 Ultra
Its an altogether blockier phone.
Both phones have their stand-out design features.
With this, the S23 Ultra becomes a flexible and powerful writing and sketching tool.
Pixel 8 Pro
With no officially endorsed health applications, the use case scenarios are pretty limited at present.
Both displays can automatically adjust their refresh rates between 1 and 120Hz, and both have always-on functionality.
In practical usage, they both get extremely bright.
Pixel 8 Pro
We had absolutely no criticism about either display.
Theyre both big, bright, sharp, and extremely color-accurate.
New this time is a pixel-packed 48MP ultra-wide.
S23 Ultra
The real magic here comes after the shot is taken, however.
New to the Pixel 8 Pro is the ability to make everyone smile at once in a group shot.
The key to its strength is its incredible versatility.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Main…
…ultrawide.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra isnt a slouch in the other departments either.
Samsungs punched-up vibrancy makes these shots ideally suited to social media posts.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The point here, however, is that Google doesnt think having the fastest CPU and GPU matters.
Google also wins a lot of love for its clean, stock take on Android.
It looks and feels far nicer than Samsungs One UI, and itll get updates earlier.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
Its a power users dream in a way that Googles more focused take isnt.
In practical terms, both can get you through a day of intensive usage quite comfortably.
The Galaxy S23 Ultra also supports 45W wired charging to the Pixel 8 Pros 30W support.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The Galaxy S23 Ultra only supports regular 15W Qi charging.
Again, its a fairly minor distinction.
Alternatively, theres the Google Pixel 8 Pro, which toes the company line without question.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
The issue of price is a slightly tricky one.
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future / Philip Berne)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
(Image credit: Future | Alex Walker-Todd)
Pixel 8 (left), Pixel 8 Pro (right)
S23 Ultra
Pixel 8 Pro
S23 Ultra
