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What we think
The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 12, 2024·
If you're looking for a cost-effective option with a good camera, the Google Pixel 6a offers a balanced experience at a budget-friendly price. However, if you prioritize a more advanced camera system, prefer a larger and smoother display with higher refresh rates, and want better overall performance with added features like Wireless DeX, the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE would be worth the extra investment despite being more expensive. Both phones operate on Android and come with their own unique features, with the Pixel 6a providing exclusive phone and camera functionalities, and the Galaxy S23 FE offering a stronger hardware specification. Consider how much these differences matter to you against the cost. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- Good battery life
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
- Very good display quality
- Good performance
Key differences
Battery
7.6 Hours
6.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE has 6.4 hours of battery life.
Cost
$400
$600
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
$800
$900
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE costs $600.
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Key similarities
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Google Pixel 6a both have good overall cameras quality.
The Google Pixel 6a offers an excellent photos software experience and good selfie quality, vital for capturing vibrant and detailed self-portraits. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE also provides a very good photos software experience and selfie quality, ensuring great camera functionality and high-quality selfies across various lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
7.4
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Google Pixel 6a both have good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers a solid selfie experience and overall photo performance with its strengths in software experience, dynamic range, and low light capability; although, it's less versatile compared to other cameras. The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE similarly offers a good selfie experience and photo quality, backed by a high photos software experience, with versatility slightly better than the Pixel 6a, making both phones capable of very good photos.
Video Quality
7.2
7.2
The Google Pixel 6a and Samsung Galaxy S23 FE both have good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes good videos largely due to its highly-rated video stabilization and low light performance, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE stands out for its video software experience and microphone quality. Both phones offer commendable video dynamic range, ensuring quality video capture in varying lighting conditions.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is 6.4 inches.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S23 FE |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $600 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | October 26, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.4" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 403 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD8G1 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 128 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.3/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 50 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 6.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.22" x 3.01" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 7.37 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 6e | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6)1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 20, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Mint, Purple, Tangerine, Indigo, Cream, Graphite | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
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Dig into reviews and images
PC Mag
Iyaz Akhtar | October 2023
"The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE is easily one of the best midrange Android phones on the market. The S23 FE has some appealing features you won't find on the Pixel 8 like a dedicated telephoto camera, a bigger screen, and the ability to use it like a computer via Samsung's Dex mode. So if productivity is more important to you than camera tricks, you won't find a better phone than the Galaxy S23 FE."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
68
Phones evaluated
7,820
Phones stats compiled
8
Proprietary Phones ratings developed
152,400
Recommendations made
86,360
Consumer hours saved
About the phone team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Phones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
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Phones Expert
Seth is a US-based product expert focusing on smartphones and he is a moderator of one of the largest smartphone subreddits. His tailored recommendations have helped him earn over 87k comment karma, putting him in the top 1% of Redditors.
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Phones Expert
Efthimis is a Greece-based product expert focusing on smartphones. He has been recommending phones for 4 years and his recommendations on Reddit have earned him over 35k karma.
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