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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If cost is a major concern, the Google Pixel 6a is significantly less expensive and still offers good camera performance, though it's not on par with the Samsung Galaxy S23+. The Pixel 6a has plastic construction, which might not feel as premium as the glass back of the S23+. The S23+ boasts a larger, slightly brighter screen with a higher refresh rate, which could make for a smoother viewing experience. Battery life is better on the S23+, and it also has superior camera capabilities, including better video and photographic quality. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option without compromising too much on quality, the Pixel 6a is a solid choice, but if you prioritize screen quality, camera performance, and are okay with spending more, the Galaxy S23+ could be worth the extra investment. Both run on Android, so you'll have a similar operating system experience on either device. 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
- The Google Pixel 6a has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S23+.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23+
- Very good for taking photos
- Good for recording videos
- Very good battery life
- Very good display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has very good overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ boasts excellent cameras, mainly because it offers a superior software experience, along with better performance in dynamic range, low light conditions, and camera versatility compared to the Google Pixel 6a. While the Pixel 6a has a good selfie camera, the Galaxy S23+ outshines it with very good photo and video capabilities across all evaluated factors, including selfie quality.
Photo Quality
7.4
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes very good photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes excellent photos because it has a very good selfie score, which indicates strong performance in selfies, and it also excels in areas such as photo resolution, dynamic range, low light performance, and camera versatility. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6a takes very good photos with a good selfie score but does not perform as well as the S23+ in these specific aspects.
Video Quality
7.2
7.8
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ and Google Pixel 6a both have good videos, though the Samsung Galaxy S23+ takes somewhat better videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23+ delivers superior video recording due to its excellent video resolution and frame rate, which outperforms the very good capabilities of the Google Pixel 6a. Additionally, while both offer very good video software experience, stabilization, and dynamic range, the Galaxy S23+ also has a very good microphone quality, compared to the good microphone quality of the Pixel 6a, enhancing its video recording overall.
Battery
7.6 Hours
8.7 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23+ has 8.7 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ is 6.6 inches.
Cost
$400
$1,000
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ costs $1,000.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S23+ compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S23+ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $1,000 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | February 17, 2023 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.6" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | No | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 390 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD8G2 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 8 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 7.9/10 | |
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 | 8.7 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 4700 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" | 6.21" x 3" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 6.91 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/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 285 | |
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 | Green, Phantom Black, Cream, Lavender, Lime, 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+
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Dig into reviews and images
TechRadar
Axel Metz | March 2023
"Despite not boasting the same camera credentials as its pricier sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus will remain a top-tier handset for several years thanks to its industry-leading processor and magnificent display. It may prove an attractive proposition for Galaxy newcomers in the market for a big-screen all-rounder."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S23+
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
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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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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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