Tech head-to-head
Google Pixel 8vsSamsung Galaxy S23
8.2 against 8.1 overall, which settles nothing. Google Pixel 8 takes Durability 8.5 to 7.4, and that is the axis to decide on.
Google Pixel 8
8.2
Same seven-year update promise as the Pro in a smaller body, minus the telephoto and the bigger battery.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Samsung Galaxy S23
Samsung
8.1
The efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in a small body, with security updates that stop in early 2028.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Durability, Google Pixel 8 ahead 8.5 to 7.4. They come closest on Value, 8.4 to 8.2. Left of center is Google Pixel 8, right is Samsung Galaxy S23.
Which one to pick
Take the Google Pixel 8
Leads on Value, Durability and Ease of use.
- You want the longest update runway available in a compact used phone
- One-handed use matters more to you than zoom
- You are buying a phone for a parent or teenager and want it patched for years
Take the Samsung Galaxy S23
Leads on Performance and Design.
- You want flagship speed in a pocketable phone for well under S24 money
- You replace phones every two years anyway
What each one gets wrong
Google Pixel 8
- Zoomed photos at concerts or kids' games are a regular thing for you
- You are a heavy user on a phone that is already three years into its battery
Samsung Galaxy S23
- You want the phone to stay patched past early 2028
- You are a heavy user, since 3,900mAh at three years old leaves little slack
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S23 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch OLED, 60–120Hz | 6.1-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 48–120Hz |
| Chip | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Battery | 4,575mAh typical | 3,900mAh |
| Cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto |
| Charging | 27W wired, 18W wireless (Pixel Stand 2) | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Updates | OS and security through October 2030 (Google) | Four OS upgrades and five years of security (Samsung) |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Only 0.1 separates them. What breaks the tie?
- Durability does, at 8.5 against 7.4. That axis covers failure and fade reports past the one-year mark. Google Pixel 8 leads on Value, Durability and Ease of use. If Performance and Design matter more to you, take the Samsung Galaxy S23 instead.
- Why are the totals this close?
- The total is the plain average of the 5 Tech axes, so opposite results cancel. Google Pixel 8 averages 8.2 and Samsung Galaxy S23 averages 8.1, a gap of 0.1, while the individual axes run as far apart as 1.1.
- Which one ranks higher in "Used Android phones: the update date sets the order"?
- Google Pixel 8 sits at #3 in "Used Android phones: the update date sets the order", Samsung Galaxy S23 at #4.