Samsung Galaxy S23+
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is slightly better than the Google Pixel 7, but you’ll need to pay an extra $400 to access those upgrades. Still, the display is better, the chipset is a bit more speedy, the battery is bigger, and it comes with more storage, which makes it the preferred phone for heavy users.
Google Pixel 7
While the Pixel 7 may look worse on paper than the Galaxy S23+, its competitive price and top-notch AI features provide incredible value to anyone looking for their next daily carry. It’s likely the better buy for the average smartphone user, but if you’re a power user, you’ll be better off with the S23+.
For good reason, Samsung and Google phones are regular contenders for the top spots on our roundup of thelatest and greatest Android phones. Both brands have refined their smartphone design into excellent devices that rarely disappoint, and theGalaxy S23+andPixel 7are practically perfect.
Both phones offer distinct Android experiences that cater to different people. For example, while the Samsung Galaxy S23+’s raw specs are impressive, there’s no denying that Google offers thebest software experience on any Android phone. Fortunately, we’re here to break down the crucial differences between each phone to help you decide.
Price, availability, and specs
Samsung, as always, has positioned the Galaxy S23+ as a high-end flagship (though not the most premium due to theS23 Ultra) that can withstand anything you have to throw at it. But, of course, you’ll have to pay for that privilege as the phone’s base model starts at $1,000.
It’s carried by all the major carriers here in the US and the Samsung store, and your carrier may have some deal for the phone to lower that price but expect to pay more for the Galaxy S23+ unless you find a good deal. $1,000 might seem steep, but you get a lot of bang for your buck.
The Google Pixel 7 is also available at all the major carriers in the US and the Google Store. Due to being cheaper to start with ($600) and older, you may expect this device to be more affordable and perhaps even have better deals through your carrier than the S23+. If you’re willing to spend more, the recentGoogle Pixel 8costs $700 and offers improved hardware and longer software support.
While both phones can connect to some super fast 5G networks (sub6 and mmWave), it’s important to note that the cell reception of the Pixel 7 can be a little troublesome if you’re in a spotty area of coverage. Major city centers and areas with otherwise good reception usually won’t cause trouble, but you’ll be better off going with the S23+ if you live in a more rural area where the reception may already be weak.
Hardware and design
The Google Pixel 7 has a more distinctive appearance than the Galaxy S23+ thanks to its iconic camera visor on the back. It’s not a look everyone will like, whereas the sleek design of the Galaxy S23+ is a little more universal in appeal. The raised camera bar on the Pixel 7 is also more susceptible to dust; if you don’tuse a compatible case, you’ll find yourself constantly working out lint from where the bar meets the phone.
Some may find the Galaxy S23+’s camera bumps boring, and the fact that it’s just the lenses that stick out the back of the phone might cause some worry about damage if you put it on the wrong type of surface — the visor on the Pixel may stick out, but it helps protect the cameras a little. Nothing theproper case couldn’t fix for the S23+, however.
Regarding durability, both phones are pretty good at holding up to wear and tear. The Pixel 7 features Gorilla Glass Victus on the front to ensure its display is nearly as rugged as possible. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the first phone to be covered with the newerGorilla Glass Victus 2, which, according to Corning, can withstand drops of up to 1 meter on surfaces like concrete (specifically, 80-grit sandpaper) and up to 2 meters on surfaces like asphalt (180 grit).
Glass is still glass and will eventually break if you put too much stress on it. Still, it’s nice to know that both phones are built to last. Plus, the IP68 rating on both phones means you don’t have to worry too much if you accidentally drop your phone in a puddle or spill some water on the screen; both phones are sealed up pretty tight from water and dust.
Samsung once again pulled out all the stops when designing the display for the Galaxy S23+. The 6.6-inch OLED screen is gorgeous, with an adaptive refresh rate reaching up to 120Hz, whereas the Pixel 7 can only get a max of 90Hz. This difference won’t matter for most activities, but if you like to play high-quality games on your Android phone, the 120Hz screen will look much smoother. However, it sucks that Google has decided to gate-keep its 120Hz screen for the Pixel 7 Pro since you can find some of thebest budget Android phonessporting 120Hz displays.
Underneath the displays of both devices are fingerprint sensors for unlocking your phone or providing security authentication. Google has made some good improvements to the optical sensor on the Pixel 7, making it much more reliable than the one found on its predecessor, but the ultrasonic sensor on the S23+ will be a bit quicker.
The Samsung display also can achieve a higher peak brightness — 1,750 nits — meaning it will be easier to see in the sunlight than the Pixel 7 screen, which can only reach 1,400 nits. You would notice a difference holding the phones side-by-side, but it’s not like the Pixel 7 screen isn’t readable in the sun, so for most people, this won’t be a significant factor in day-to-day use.
The Galaxy S23+ also has the Pixel 7 beat regarding storage options as it offers 256GB as a base (the max you may get on a Pixel 7), but the opportunity to buy a model with 512GB of storage. In a world where smartphone cameras take increasingly higher-quality pictures and videos, and apps get bigger in file size, extra storage space is something to consider when considering a device’s longevity. However,cloud storage options for Androidare cheaper than upgrading a phone’s storage.
Cameras have become a huge selling point for smartphones, and Samsung has decked out its S23+ with an excellent camera array. The 50MP f/1.8 primary lens works well in almost all lighting conditions and is a super solid camera snapping your favorite memories. If you want to zoom out and capture more of a scene, it has a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide lens, which provides incredible landscape photos. Add in the 10MP f/2.4 telephoto lens that offers 3x optical zoom, and the rear camera system on the Galaxy S23+ rounds out to be one of the more versatile options in the smartphone market.
That doesn’t mean you should sell the two-camera system on the Pixel 7 short. In fact, Google is the best in the business regarding computational photography. It uses its fantastic software to help the impressive camera array, offering some genuinely stellar shots. Also, the 50MP f/1.85 primary lens and the 12MP ultra-wide f/2.2 lens are great at nearly all lighting conditions, thanks to the impressive Night Sight feature. The recording quality is a little worse, though, as it can only capture footage in 4K and 1080p video up to 60fps. The Galaxy S23+ can capture 8K video at 30fps, 4o at 60fps, and 1080o at 120fps. It’s the phone to get if smooth video is a priority.
The selfie cams on both devices are comparable. Even though the Galaxy S23+ has a 12MP sensor and the Pixel 7 only has a 10.8MP sensor, you’ll be happy taking images for your social media profiles with either one.
You can’t go wrong with either set of cameras, but the one you like more may depend on personal preference. Google’s software processing has always done the heavy lifting for its cameras and seems to be particularly adept at giving true-to-life photos that look great. At the same time, the Galaxy phones are no slouches and deliver punchy and colorful photos that can pop off the screen.
Battery and charging
If you’re looking for a phone that offers excellent battery life, you’ll be disappointed to hear that neither the Pixel 7 nor Galaxy S23+ are very impressive in that area. However, neither phone’s battery is terrible, and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ will last you longer between charges.
Even with Google’s power efficiency in its Tensor chips, the 4,355mAh battery will probably need to be charged every night. Still, it should last you through the day with pretty average use. The smaller screen and 90Hz refresh rate will certainly help the cause. The Galaxy S23+ has a 4,700mAh, and due to a more power-hungry chipset, it should get about the same result as the Pixel 7.
The Galaxy S23+ will charge up faster since it can achieve 45W of charging when plugged in via its USB-C port, while the Pixel 7 caps out at 20W wired. However, the Pixel 7 can get 20W of charging power when being charged wirelessly, whereas the S23+ only gets 15W. Both phones can also charge wireless devices using reverse wireless charging. So, if you want to pop a pair ofGoogle Pixel Budson the back of the Pixel 7, you can share some of your battery power from the phone with it. Good in a pinch, and the S23 can do the same thing.
Software and performance
Samsung and Google tend to have slightly different views of what power and performance should look like on their phones; this discrepancy is especially noticeable in the Pixel 7 and Galaxy S23+. Samsung always seems to stick the most powerful Qualcomm chipset into its newest phones to show it has the raw performance power that beats out other chips. On the other hand, Google makes its own chips designed to supercharge AI and machine-learning features (It’s whats responsible for those great photos taken on a Pixel). That being said, it’s hard to notice much difference between the Pixel 7 and Galaxy S23+ for day-to-day use.
The software experience is a little different on each device, as the Samsung Galaxy S23 uses the company’sOne UI 6(an Android 14 skin), which has blossomed into a pretty capable one over the years. While Samsung’s traditionally excellent software support was blown out of the water by thePixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro’s seven years of support, the Galaxy S23+ has four years of Android OS software updates and five years of security updates, which is more than the Pixel 7.
The Pixel 7 runs Android 14, and Google has spread its AI all over the software. Fantastic call screening features and unparalleled voice-to-text baked right into the Pixel 7 are a huge bonus. However, it’s a shame that the Pixel 7 will only receive three years of Android upgrades, even if it still gets five years of critical security patches. But most importantly, you’ll have access to all the exclusive features released inGoogle’s quarterly Pixel Feature Drops.
Which one should you buy?
The good news is that no matter which of the two phones you get, you will come away with a pretty fantastic phone, as both are made by top-tier companies with a track record of putting out great products.
If you value power above all else, the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is the phone to get. The speedy and powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, impeccable display, a good-quality set of cameras, and long-term software support leads the Android market. All those great enhancements will cost you, though, so you have to decide if the extra $400 is worth it. If you play a lot of high-end games or want your phone to be the best productivity device it can be, the Galaxy S23+ is a solid option.
Pure power
It’s hard not to love everything the Galaxy S23 offers. It’s truly one of the most powerful and capable smartphones out right now, but it will cost you a pretty penny for all that power and performance.
The Google Pixel 7 is better for people who intend to use their smartphone for more average activities. The Tensor G2 chip is plenty powerful to get all your tasks done, the display still looks great, and the incredible software that Google implements into the Pixel 7 makes everything better, from the cameras to the calling features. The $600 starting price is so competitive for what it offers that it’s hard not to suggest this phone to the average user.
Smooth software
Google continues to impress with its software and features, making the Pixel 7 one of the most feature-rich smartphones out right now. It isn’t quite as powerful as the S23+, but it offers a ton of value thanks to its $600 price tag.
