Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Short answer: buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra if you want the faster Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for gaming, a 200MP main camera with 3x and 10x zoom lenses, the built-in S Pen and 45W charging. Buy the Pixel 8 Pro if you want Google's excellent photo processing, a 48MP ultra-wide and 48MP 5x telephoto, a lighter body and seven years of updates. Both have big QHD+ 120Hz screens, IP68 and around 5000 mAh batteries.
Updated 11 November 2026
Design and build
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has an Armor Aluminium frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2, a boxy shape with curved screen edges and a built-in S Pen. It weighs about 234 g. The Pixel 8 Pro has an aluminium frame, a matte Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back and weighs about 213 g. Both are IP68.
The S Pen is handy for notes, signing PDFs and precise editing. The Pixel is noticeably lighter and has a small temperature sensor on the back.
Display
The S23 Ultra has a 6.8 inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 1440 x 3088 with 1–120Hz and up to 1750 nits. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 6.7 inch LTPO OLED (Super Actua) at 1344 x 2992 with 1–120Hz and up to 2400 nits.
Both are top-class screens. The Pixel's panel is flat and brighter in direct sunlight; the Samsung has slightly curved edges and a touch more resolution.
Performance and chipset
The Galaxy S23 Ultra uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy (4 nm, up to 3.36 GHz). The Pixel 8 Pro uses Google's Tensor G3 (4 nm). The Snapdragon is clearly faster in heavy games and stays cooler under long sessions, which matters in Pakistani summers.
The Tensor G3 is built for AI: Call Screen, Audio Magic Eraser, Best Take and quick voice typing. For daily use both are smooth; gamers should pick the S23 Ultra.
Cameras
The S23 Ultra has a 200MP main camera with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide, a 10MP 3x telephoto and a 10MP 10x periscope, with a 12MP selfie camera and 8K 30fps video. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 50MP main with OIS, a 48MP ultra-wide and a 48MP 5x telephoto with OIS, with a 10.5MP autofocus selfie camera and 4K 60fps video.
For very long zoom and the moon-shot style photos, the S23 Ultra wins. For people, night photos and sharp ultra-wide shots, the Pixel 8 Pro is excellent.
Battery and charging
The Galaxy S23 Ultra has a 5000 mAh battery with 45W wired and 15W wireless charging. The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5050 mAh battery with 30W wired, 23W wireless on the Pixel Stand 2 and 12W on Qi pads. Both support reverse wireless charging.
The Snapdragon chip in the S23 Ultra is more efficient, so it usually lasts a bit longer, and it charges faster on a cable.
Specs side by side
- Chipset: Tensor G3 vs Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
- Display: 6.7 inch QHD+ LTPO OLED vs 6.8 inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Peak brightness: 2400 nits vs 1750 nits
- Main camera: 50MP OIS vs 200MP OIS
- Ultra-wide: 48MP vs 12MP
- Telephoto: 48MP 5x vs 10MP 3x + 10MP 10x
- Front camera: 10.5MP vs 12MP
- Battery: 5050 mAh vs 5000 mAh
- Charging: 30W wired, 23W wireless vs 45W wired, 15W wireless
- S Pen: No vs Yes
- Weight: 213 g vs 234 g
- Launch software: Android 14 vs Android 13
Software and updates
Google promises seven years of Android and security updates for the Pixel 8 Pro from its October 2023 launch. Samsung promised four Android upgrades and five years of security updates for the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which launched in February 2023 with Android 13. The Pixel will be supported for several years longer.
PTA Patch Approved and SIM notes in Pakistan
Our stock is Non Custom box pack international variants. This phone is PTA Patch Approved, so a local SIM works. Wi-Fi and every other feature work normally. See how to check PTA status (How to Check PTA Status of Any Mobile Phone).
The Pixel 8 Pro has a nano-SIM plus eSIM. The S23 Ultra has a nano-SIM plus eSIM on most variants and dual nano-SIM on some. Ask which variant is in stock before you order.
Who should buy which
Buy the Galaxy S23 Ultra if you game, want the S Pen and need 10x zoom for events and travel.
Buy the Pixel 8 Pro if you want the best everyday photos, a lighter phone and the longest software support. The current price of each model is shown on its page.
