If you’re a lover of all things Android, then you’re probably familiar with Eternal Battle Google against Samsung.
In one corner is the brand that created Android itself – crucial to camera and software specs, and recently started making its own chips (unfortunately, not potato chips). In the other corner, we have a brand that is so well known for its mobile phones and phenomenal technology that even your grandmother has heard of them.
Back in October Google has unveiled its latest flagship phone, the Pixel 7, and we’re crazy about it. But now Samsung announced them latest devices, and we all tremble. How do you choose between the biggest and best Android phone? What if you choose the wrong one?
Well, the truth is, there is no right or wrong answer. It just depends on what you use the device for, how much you want to spend, and what’s most important to you. Need to be beautiful? The Pixel 7 has some really gorgeous shades to choose from. Want the best chips to handle (still potato-free)? Then the S23 might be right up your street.
In any case, it is worth looking at them from all sides. So let’s get down to business with this comparison, shall we?
Does the Galaxy S23 or Pixel 7 have a better design?
We all know not to judge a book by its cover. And further, choosing a device based on how it looks isn’t the smartest move either. But to be honest, we are all influenced by aesthetics. And whether you choose your device based on its fancy camera or how good it looks in your mirror selfies, the first thing you’ll notice about a new mobile phone is its design.
Starting with the Google Pixel 7, there’s a lot to love. Keeping the Pixel 6’s signature camera panel, you now have a nice little finger rest around the back for a bright and practical feature. There’s something playfully offbeat about it, and we’re here for it—in obsidian, snow, or lemongrass (a wonderfully fresh shade of pale yellow that somehow makes you think of spring).
The Samsung Galaxy S23 is a little less distinctive, but still a classic. There is no unevenness of the camera, as it was in the Galaxy S22, which means everything about this device is streamlined and compact. There’s a bit more color choice too, from a fairly basic Phantom Black to spring lavender, green and cream – so you’re spoiled for choice.
Both devices are mainly made of glass and aluminum, with a noticeable difference type from glass. The Pixel 7 uses Gorilla Glass Victus to protect it from scratches and accidents. But the S23 goes further and uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which is slightly stronger and frankly better. But it’s a newer device – so it’s fair game.
Similarly, both devices are rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, so offer the same protection against spills (although we wouldn’t recommend running either device through the washing machine.) There’s no expandable memory on either device or the headphone jack, so you we should stick with wireless headphones, but that’s not a big deal in 2023.
If size matters, the Pixel 7 is bigger with a 6.3-inch display, while the S23 has a 6.1-inch screen. Both include fingerprint sensors, but the Pixel is an optical sensor, while the S23 has an ultrasonic sensor, so it has a slight lead. Simple.
Which display is better, Pixel 7 or Galaxy S23?
While we’re on the subject of displays, it’s close…
The Pixel 7 is bigger, with a 6.3-inch FHD+ AMOLED screen — the same screen as the Galaxy S23, by the way, except the S23 is 6.1 inches. The Pixel’s screen-to-body ratio is slightly larger, but the S23 has a higher 120Hz refresh rate compared to the Pixel 7’s 90Hz.
Based on these stats alone, the S23 has the better display. However, keep in mind that the refresh rate can be adaptive, which means you won’t get the smoothest and fastest refresh rate all the time. In fact, you can even change it in the settings (because it can drain your battery if you’re not careful!)
It’s a shame that the Pixel 7 doesn’t have a better refresh rate, given that many lower-end devices are 120Hz these days – but it’s not something that spoils your viewing experience, as the FHD+ AMOLED technology on board is pretty gorgeous on any device. However, Art Pixel 7 Pro doesgo up to 120Hz, so you don’t have to look far.
How do both devices work side by side?
This time, we’ll start with the Galaxy S23, which uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset. At the time of writing, it’s the fastest, newest, and frankly the best processor you’ll get in an Android device, and the one on board the S23. has been specially optimized for Samsung.
The Pixel 7, on the other hand, uses Google’s own Google Tensor 2 chip, which prioritizes various aspects of the device’s software, including AI, meaning it lags behind the Snapdragon 8 in testing.
Since the two chips were built with different goals, it’s hard to do a fair comparison, but for the sake of simplicity, the S23 chip is faster, even though the Pixel 7 is still very fast.
As for the battery, the Pixel 7 takes the lead with a 4,355mAh power pack as opposed to the Galaxy S23’s 3,900mAh. Surprisingly, they both have about the same battery life – due to their different chipsets.
Basically, the Qualcomm chip in the S23 stays cool and runs very efficiently, meaning you don’t need to charge as often. Google Tensor 2 prioritizes machine learning, image processing, and so on, so it’s not as efficient, but it makes up for it with a larger battery.
Either way, you’re golden.
Which camera is better, Pixel 7 or Galaxy S23?
The Pixel devices are pretty aptly named, in our experience – they put cameras, lenses, and software first. However, the actual hardware on board the Galaxy S23 is better than the Pixel 7 if you choose to look at it that way.
The Galaxy S23 has a 50MP main lens, a 12MP ultra-wide lens and a 10MP telephoto lens. That’s one more lens than the Pixel 7, which has the same setup but no extra telephoto camera (instead, it relies on software for super-resolution zooming, which is actually quite impressive.)
But to the point – both phones take fantastic photos. The Pixel 7 uses some particularly clever software, including Real Tone color calibration and the aforementioned super-resolution zoom, while the S23 styles your shots beautifully so your snaps are ready for social media almost as soon as you take them .
Depending on how you use your camera will make a big difference which you prefer – but both have really professional-level settings. It’s just that the S23 has it factual zoom lens instead of software. It also has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera, which beats the Pixel 7’s 10.8-megapixel selfie camera.
While we’re on the subject, it’s worth comparing how the two devices perform when it comes to video. The Pixel 7 supports 4K video at 30 frames per second – the same as the Pixel 7 Pro, and frankly, it’s great for everyday use. The Galaxy S23 goes further and offers 8K video at 30 frames per second, which is even better, but a bit unnecessary for most people. Still, it’s a nice perk if you’re a keen videographer.
Price
Like it or not, the price of a new device is often the deciding factor.
There’s a lot to love about both the Galaxy S23 and the Pixel 7, and as flagship mobile devices, they hold up to the scrutiny pretty well. While the S23 is ahead in some areas, it’s also a new release and a bit more expensive than the competition – and that could be huge in the phone world.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 it costs £849 to buy brand new with no contract. The UK’s biggest chains have great deals on more affordable monthly payments, but there’s no denying that it’s expensive.
The Google Pixel 7, on the other hand, costs £599 to buy new, which is quite a significant price difference. Again, all the major networks offer lower monthly costs that are easier to accept, but given the small differences between this and the S23, you’re getting a lot of high-end specs for your money with the Pixel 7.
Does this make one phone better than the other? It’s hard to say. You’ll always expect to pay more for a newer version, so the price of the Galaxy S23 isn’t that big of a surprise. But if cost is the deciding factor, that’s a decision you should make based on all the information, my friend.
And hey, maybe you just think one is prettier than the other, after all. We do not judge!
