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  Google Pixel 7a

  Affordable pick

  Google's Pixel 7a is a budget version of the Pixel 7 with many of the same features. While it won't match the performance or screen quality of the Galaxy S23, you will be able to pick it up for hundreds of dollars less, making it popular for anyone who wants high-end features without a high-end price.

  Pros

  • More affordable than the Galaxy S23
  • High-end build quality
  • Wireless charging capabilities

  Cons

  • Won't charge as quickly
  • Three years of software updates
  • Slightly larger and heavier

  $499 at Amazon

• 

  Samsung Galaxy S23

  Upgrade pick

  The Galaxy S23 is the most compact and affordable of Samsung's triple-threat flagship offerings, though it still costs considerably more than the Google Pixel 7a. If you have the money to spend and want a truly capable camera setup and screen mixed with sizzling performance, you won't be disappointed.

  Pros

  • Sizzling Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset
  • Faster charging abilities
  • Up to a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother operation

  Cons

  • More expensive than the Pixel 7a
  • Not a huge upgrade over the S22
  • Smaller battery capacity

  $800 at Amazon

While a newer Google Pixel 8a is sure to arrive later this year, Google's Pixel 7a remains one of the best budget Android phones you can buy right now. Google's a-series smartphones have long blurred the lines between midrange and flagship phones, with an affordable price tag that belies their premium design and impressive camera system, not to mention Google's AI-focused Tensor chips.

On the flip side, there's Samsung's Galaxy S23, a pricier phone that definitely lands in flagship territory, but with some capabilities that could make it worth spending more. However, with the Galaxy S24 set to launch in only a few days, it won't be long before we see it available at a more competitive price, making it an even more tempting alternative for those who are looking for a different set of specs. Let's dig in and see how the two compare.

Price, availability, and specs

The Google Pixel 7a launched on May 10, 2023, with a starting price of $499. The device is available in 17 countries across North America, EMEA, and APAC regions. Aside from Google's storefront offering the phone, third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy sport listings for the Pixel 7a. This gives buyers several avenues to explore while looking for a great deal on a new device.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 was announced on February 1, 2023, with an official launch a couple of weeks later. It's still readily available today, starting at $800 for the 128GB model. For double the storage space (256GB), you'll be looking at a price tag of $860. We have seen some deal pricing on these phones, however, frequently dropping as low as $700 on Amazon.

Here's a look at the specs that make up each phone:

• 	Google Pixel 7a	Samsung Galaxy S23
  SoC	Google Tensor G2	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
  RAM	8GB LPDDR5	8GB LPDDR5/LPDDR5X
  Storage	128GB	128GB, 256GB
  Battery	4,385mAh	3,900mAh
  Front camera	13MP, f/2.2	12MP f/2.2
  Connectivity	NFC	NFC
  Dimensions	152.4 x 72.9 x 9mm	146.3 × 70.9 × 7.6mm
  Weight	193g	168g
  IP Rating	IP67	IP68
  Price	From $499	From $800
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C
  Operating System	Android 13	Android 14 and One UI 6
  Rear camera	64MP, f/1.9 main with OIS; 13MP, f/2.2 ultrawide	50MP f/1.8 OIS main, 12MP f/2.2 wide (120°), 10MP f/2.4 OIS telephoto (3x)
  Colors	Charcoal, Snow, Sea, Coral	Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender + Samsung.com exclusive Lime, Graphite
  Display type	OLED, 90Hz	AMOLED, 120Hz
  Charge speed	18W wired, 7.5W wireless	25W Fast Charge wired, 15W Qi wireless
  Stylus	No	No
  Display dimensions	6.1"	6.1", 19.5:9
  Display resolution	1080 x 2400	2340 × 1080
  SIM support	Dual SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM)	Dual SIM (Nano SIM and eSIM)
  Cellular connectivity	5G, mmWave, LTE	5G, LTE, mmWave
  Wi-Fi connectivity	WiFi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E
  Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3

Familiar designs for both phones

As with previous a-series Google phones, the Pixel 7a takes heavy inspiration from its flagship Pixel 7 counterpart. One prominent place this can be seen is with the camera bar on the phone's backside. It's built with a glossy finish that contrasts nicely with the matte aluminum cover. Similarly, the screen sports a fairly chunky bezel all the way around the device. This feature, in particular, translates into larger overall dimensions compared to the Galaxy S23.

Samsung's phone weighs about 168g and measures 146.3mm x 70.9mm x 7.6mm. The Pixel 7a weighs slightly more, at 193g, and its dimensions measure 152.4mm x 72.9mm x 9mm. You won't be holding a phone that's as compact if you opt for the Pixel 7a, but in everyday use, you're unlikely to see a huge difference in weight or size since its footprint is only a hint larger. The Samsung Galaxy S23 didn't change much from the S22, albeit with a new, stacked design for the camera lenses on the back. Overall, it's quite practical with a premium look.

The Pixel 7a comes in Charcoal, Sea, Snow, and Coral colors (exclusive to the Google Store), with the Jade color sadly nixed. The Galaxy S23 is available in Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender across multiple sellers, with Lime and Graphite colors available exclusively from the Samsung store.

Considering both phones' ingress protection, the Galaxy S23 edges out the Pixel 7a by a hair. The 7a is rated for an IP67 protection level, meaning it can easily withstand dust, dirt, and water. The IP67 rating covers up to a meter of water for 30 minutes. The Galaxy S23's IP68 rating adds another half meter to the 30 minutes of submersion protection. Both phones offer quick face unlocks and fingerprint readers embedded under the display.

Same size display

Samsung's Galaxy S23 has a flat display and includes no curved edges. It measures 6.1 inches with a 2340 x 1080 resolution. The S23's AMOLED panel can hit up to 1,200 nits brightness in standard mode — or up to 1,750 nits with max auto-brightness, allowing you to continue using your device even on the sunniest days. It also has a variable refresh rate that moves between 40Hz and 120Hz, as the situation requires. And with its beautiful color and contrast, you won't be disappointed by what you see.

The Pixel 7a has the same 6.1-inch size as the Galaxy S23, and its FHD+ resolution reaches 2400 x 1080. The OLED panel makes for deep contrast and color, and it can switch between a 60Hz and 90Hz refresh rate. However, the 7a's brightness isn't on par with the Galaxy phone. Testing has shown the peak output to be 1,070 nits, lagging far behind its competitor. Although the Pixel 7a has an excellent screen, its brightness is far less likely to cut through on a sunny day or in an environment with substantial glare.

Impressive cameras on both phones

The Pixel 7a's front camera is set at 13MP with a 95° FOV, f/2.2 aperture; it also shoots 4K video at 30 FPS. In comparison, the Galaxy S23's front camera offers 12MP with an 80° FOV, f/2.2 aperture, and the ability to capture 4K video at 60 FPS.

The rear camera array on the Pixel 7a utilizes two cameras. The main shooter is set at 64MP with an 80° FOV and f/1.89 aperture, capable of achieving 4K video capture at 60 FPS. The ultrawide lens manages 13MP with a wide 120° FOV, capable of 4K video at 30 FPS. When it comes to the Galaxy S23, there are three main cameras arranged on the back of the device. The primary lens is 50MP, the telephoto cam uses a 10MP lens, and the ultrawide has 12MP to work with. These rear cameras can also handle 4K video at 60 FPS; the primary can jump up to 8K video at 30 FPS if required.

Looking at the raw specs, the Galaxy S23's hardware is capable of better video output with its camera array, but the Pixel 7a has a more impressive main camera lens. The Pixel 7a, however, lacks the telephoto camera included on the Galaxy phone. Nevertheless, Google has generally been recognized as handling its cameras and software with finesse and intelligence. Casual photographers should love what the Pixel 7a can do if it's anything like its predecessors.

Both run Android 13 with some update disparity

The Google Pixel 7a and its competitor, the Samsung Galaxy S23, run Android 13. Google's delivery is always lightweight and uncluttered. Google devices ship without the bloatware and extras you often find bouncing around on other phones. Samsung runs its own One UI 5.1 software skin over Android, and you'll probably either love it or hate it. Our Samsung Galaxy S23 review noted, "One UI is so feature-filled at this point that it almost feels bloated when you try to go digging for a setting or function that you don't already know the location of." But, in the end, it's a very stable skin with many features. This makes it a great option for the typical Android user and a competitive peer to Google's cleaner output.

As mentioned in our Galaxy S23 vs. Pixel 6a comparison, Google phones are often the first place you'll find new Android OS features before they make their way into other manufacturers' phones. This is great because your Pixel can get updates before other phones, but it also means you might run into a bug here or there before it's worked out. Of course, this is not as common now that Google is working with its own Tensor chipset, but it's still something to keep in mind.

Google guarantees that the Pixel 7a will get Android updates until May 2026, with guaranteed security updates extending to May 2028. On Samsung's side, the Galaxy S23 is expected to receive four generations of Android updates with five years of security updates ending in 2028.

Tensor against Snapdragon performance

The Google Pixel 7a, just like its flagship Pixel 7 sibling, uses the custom Google Tensor G2 chipset, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It's a minor upgrade over the first generation of Tensor chips, with higher clock speeds and the same core count: Two super-big ARM Cortex-X1, two big A78, and four small Cortex-A55. While the Tensor G2 provides a moderate improvement in speed, it also comes with amped-up efficiency. As with the standard Pixel 7, the Pixel 7a's performance won't match that of the Galaxy S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, which is a true monster of a chip.

The Galaxy S23's upgraded chipset seems to have solved the thermal throttling issues we saw with the first-gen Snapdragon 8. It's a powerful phone that can also deliver on battery life. Senior Editor Ara Wagoner discovered in her Samsung Galaxy S23 review that the phone's 3,900mAh battery is capable of "7-8 hours of screen time on average" when out and about, with "hours more Merge Dragons game time on a single charge" compared to the Pixel 7.

The battery is "purely average, even in the best of cases" with the Pixel 7a, according to our own Will Sattleberg's review of the 7a. The phone sports a 4,385mAh battery that doesn't appear to be optimized to work exceedingly well with the Tensor G2 chipset. As for charging capabilities, the Pixel 7a is capped at 18W for wired fast charging and 7.5W for wireless charging. That's quite a ways behind the Galaxy S23's 25W wired quick charge and 15W wireless charging specs. In both instances, the Pixel phone lags behind its Samsung opposite.

Which phone is right for you?

As mentioned in our Galaxy S23 vs. Pixel 7 comparison, the former phone is "for the uncompromising individual who wants the best device possible," and that's even more apparent when compared to the more budget-friendly Pixel 7a. The Galaxy S23 and Pixel 7a are some of the best 5G phones, but the significant price difference will play a big role in your final decision.

Google's phone is a more budget-friendly option with a starting price of $500, and it will deliver an outstanding experience despite the cheaper price tag. The phone is built with exacting standards in mind: the cameras can shoot amazing photographs and video, and it now includes wireless charging abilities. The Tensor G2 chipset is quick (though it won't match the speed of the S23's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2), and the screen is the same size, even if it doesn't compare regarding refresh rate. If you're not particularly concerned about how long updates run or how quickly your phone charges, the Pixel 7a will save you a big chunk of money while still providing you with many killer features.

Have more money to spend and want to make fewer compromises with your next phone? The Samsung Galaxy S23 will not disappoint. Its Snapdragon processor is faster, battery life is excellent, with quicker charging and better optimization, and the screen (with up to a 120Hz refresh rate and 1,750 nits brightness) is a knockout. Even better, camera bar haters won't have to deal with the raised portion on the back of the phone.

However, keep in mind that the Galaxy S24 lineup is just around the corner, and while the base model isn't expected to be a huge upgrade over the current Galaxy S23, it will likely mean some deeper discounts on what is now last year's model.

If the Samsung phone is more your speed, but you'd like to go even more premium, you might want to compare the Galaxy S23 vs. Galaxy S23+.