Google Pixel 9vsSamsung Galaxy S23
SETTLEDUpdated September 8, 2026
Samsung Galaxy S23 wins
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S23 wins 3 of 5 categories — our overall pick
Samsung Galaxy S23 is the overall winner, 3 / 5 — camera is its standout. At USD 549, it's also the most affordable of this group.
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Performance — led by performance score (1,500,000 pts).
- Google Pixel 9 takes Display — led by peak brightness (2,700 nits).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Camera — led by telephoto (Yes).
- Google Pixel 9 takes Battery — led by battery (4,700 mAh).
- Samsung Galaxy S23 takes Price — led by price (549 USD).
Scores follow our published methodology · v2026.09
In plain English
Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want…
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want more apps open at once — 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want a bigger screen — 6.3 in vs 6.1 in.
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want a screen you can read in sunlight — 2,700 nits vs 1,750 nits.
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want a better camera — 143 pts vs 135 pts.
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want longer battery life — 4,700 mAh vs 3,900 mAh.
- Choose Google Pixel 9 if you want faster charging — 27 W vs 25 W.
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want…
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a faster phone for apps and games — 1,500,000 pts vs 1,000,000 pts.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a sharper screen — 425 ppi vs 422 ppi.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want sharper selfies — 12 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want true optical zoom — Yes vs No.
- Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if you want a lower price — 549 USD vs 799 USD.
At a glance
- Google Pixel 9
- Samsung Galaxy S23
Click a label to jump to that section ↓
Best price now
The cheap alternative
Full record
Every spec, side by side — winners get a check and a proportional bar. Ties share the badge.
Performance score
Approximate benchmark score of the chipset — higher is faster for apps, games and AI.
Chipset
The processor inside — shown for reference, never decides a winner.
RAM
More RAM keeps more apps alive in the background.
Storage
Base onboard storage for photos, apps and media.
Screen size
Diagonal screen size — bigger is better for media, smaller is easier to hold.
Pixel density
Sharpness of the screen — above ~400 ppi looks crisp.
Refresh rate
How smooth scrolling and motion feel. 120 Hz is the modern standard.
Peak brightness
Peak brightness in sunlight — higher stays readable outdoors.
Main camera
Resolution of the primary rear camera — photo quality is judged by the Camera quality score, not megapixels.
Selfie camera
Resolution of the front camera.
Telephoto
A dedicated zoom lens for distant subjects without quality loss.
Video score
Composite video rating — stabilisation, 4K/8K support and colour.
Camera score
Composite camera quality from independent testing — how good the photos actually are.
Battery
Battery capacity — higher generally lasts longer.
Charging speed
Wired charging speed — higher refills faster.
Wireless charging
Whether the phone charges wirelessly.
Price
Typical MSRP in US dollars — lower is better value.
Which one should you buy?
Google Pixel 9
Choose Google Pixel 9 if display matters most. It costs USD 799.
Samsung Galaxy S23
Choose Samsung Galaxy S23 if camera matters most — it wins the most categories overall. It costs USD 549, the lowest price in this group.
Pros & cons
Google Pixel 9
- Best-in-class photo processing
- Clean Android
- 7 years of updates
- Tensor chip trails rivals
- 27 W charging
- Average battery life
Samsung Galaxy S23
- Compact size
- 3x telephoto
- Big discount
- 3,900 mAh battery
- 25 W charging
- Aging chipset