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Updated January 10, 2024·
If camera quality is a significant priority for you, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a superior camera setup, providing excellent photo and video quality. Although it's pricier, it also comes with a larger screen and a higher refresh rate, which can enhance the viewing experience. On the other hand, the Google Pixel 6a offers solid camera capabilities at a more budget-friendly price, but the screen quality and size, as well as the refresh rate, are not as advanced as the S23 Ultra. The Pixel 6a also has a longer battery life, which could be beneficial if you often find yourself away from a charger. Both phones run Android and have sufficient performance for everyday tasks, but the S23 Ultra's more recent hardware gives it an edge in power and speed. If cost is less of a concern and you're interested in the best multimedia and camera experience, the S23 Ultra may be worth the investment, while the Pixel 6a is a strong contender for value-focused buyers who still want a good camera and decent performance. 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 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Best in class battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Excellent performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
9.2
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a has very good cameras, with strong photo software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance, which contribute to high-quality general photos and notably good selfies. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra excels with an excellent camera system that offers superior versatility, amazing low light performance, and the highest quality selfies, owing to its advanced photo and video capabilities and a more sophisticated telephoto lens setup.
Photo Quality
7.4
9.5
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes excellent photos, primarily due to its superior camera versatility which includes additional lenses for varied shooting conditions, and a very good selfie quality. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6a has less versatile camera options and a good selfie quality, which still allows it to produce very good photos, bolstered by its top-notch photos software experience.
Video Quality
7.2
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good videos.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra provides an excellent video experience, including superb video software features, stabilization, dynamic range, and low-light performance, coupled with high mic quality, making it well-suited for crisp and clear video recording. In contrast, the Google Pixel 6a delivers good video quality with decent stabilization and mic quality, but its overall video capabilities are less advanced than the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which may be noticeable in more demanding video capture situations.
Battery
7.6 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$400
$1,200
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra costs $1,200.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $1,200 | ||
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" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3088 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 501 | |
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 | 9.3/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 9.5/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 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" | 6.43" x 3.07" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 8.25 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, 270 | |
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, 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 Ultra
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Dig into reviews and images
Android Authority
Ryan Haines | March 2023
"The Galaxy S23 Ultra doesn’t just want a place at the top right now; it expects to stay there. Samsung’s excellent update commitment and connectivity standards will keep its flagship feeling fresh for years to come, and the high-end materials will put up with more than their share of wear and tear. It might be more than most users need in terms of size, power, and cost, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a glaring weakness."
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
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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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
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