When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.
Having reviewed and spent plenty of time with both, this should be a breeze, right?
This is one that were going to have to work our way through steadily, point by point.
The Google Pixel 7, original Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro
So read on for ourGooglePixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S23 showdown.
There are some interesting points of difference , as well as some similarities.
That makes it a solid eight months younger than the Samsung Galaxy S23, which arrived on February 17.
Waters are muddied when it comes to pricing.
The 256GB model costs $859.99 / 899 / AU$1,449.
Thats a category that looked to be dying out at one point not so long ago.
The Google Pixel 7, original Pixel Watch and Pixel Buds Pro
The Galaxy S23 is the smaller phone of the two overall.
Samsungs phone is also quite a bit lighter at 168g compared to the Google handsets 187g.
The Pixel 8 is stuck with plain old Victus.
Pixel 8
Both have slightly curved aluminum frames, and both generally feel nice and classy in the hand.
Samsung gives you more colour options than Google, though.
From the front there isnt much between these two phones, with a similar central display notch.
The Galaxy S23 possibly takes the edge here for its more uniform bezels.
As for the displays within those bezels, theres really very little in it.
Were talking nip and tuck here.
Pixel 8
Tot those sensors up, and its 3:2 to the Galaxy S23.
Needless to say, it beats the Pixel 8 hands-down on zoomed shots.
The Pixel 8 hits back elsewhere though.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultrawide camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The latter enables the Pixel 8s ultra-wide to pull off macro shots.
Finishing the hardware package off, the Pixel 8 has a 10.5MP selfie cam to the Galaxy S23s 12MP.
When it comes to special features, Googles AI smarts win out.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultrawide camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Its a little freaky if were being honest, but its undeniably impressive.
And the Pixel 8s Tensor G3 chip can’t beat it in raw performance.
However, the Galaxy S23 will run high end games like Genshin Impact at better frame rates.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 3X zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Its also got more performance headroom, so should stay faster for longer.
Google has gone some way to mitigating those headroom worries with an unprecedented seven-year software update promise.
Samsung does, and it also has that performance headroom on its side.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 30X Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Opinions will vary, but we prefer Googles software offering in general.
Its cleaner, more focused, and less cluttered, with no duplicate apps or unwanted third-party provisions.
Just pure, cohesive Google apps all the way.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 main camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Of course, many will be more used to Samsungs distinctive approach.
Theres no denying its power-user potential either, with plenty of avenues for tinkering and personalisation.
Thats despite the fact that the Pixel 8 has a significantly larger battery than its rival.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 10x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Were talking 4,575mAh for the Google phone and 3,900mAh for the Samsung.
In practice, though, Samsungs greater experience and power-saving savvy levels the playing field.
When it comes to recharging, neither manufacturer gives you a power brick in the box.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 20x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
The Pixel 8 supports up to 27W wired charging, while the Galaxy S23 supports 25W.
Both will get you past the 50% mark from empty in about 30 minutes.
In terms of future-proofing alone, were tempted to call it for the Pixel 8.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 30x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Its 8 months younger and has a much longer update promise from Google.
Its not even a clear decision in the camera stakes.
Yes, the Pixel 8 takes better pictures with its two sensors.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 main camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
But the Galaxy S23 gives you a third camera for taking zoomed-in shots.
The deciding factor here could well be price, and even thats not clear cut.
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 10x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 20x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 30x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 main camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 20x Space Zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 main camera(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
Shot with Samsung Galaxy S23 3X zoom(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(Image credit: Future / Lance Ulanoff)
(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
Pixel 8
Pixel 8
