Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. the competition: From Tensor to temperature sensor

Here's how the new flagship compares to the best options from Apple and Samsung on the spec sheet.

Google

After weeks of teases and leaks, Google formally took the wraps off its next flagship smartphone, the Pixel 8 Pro. Revealed during the company's Made by Google event on Wednesday, the handset adds a host of new camera and AI features, a brighter OLED display, an improved Tensor G3 chip, seven years of software updates and, oddly, a built-in temperature sensor. It costs $100 more than its predecessor, however. For more on how all of this feels in practice, you can check out some early hands-on impressions from Engadget's Deputy Reviews Editor, Cherlynn Low.

Here, though, we've broken down how the Pixel 8 Pro compares on paper to two other large, pricey and well-known flagships, Apple's iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung's Galaxy S23 Ultra. As always, raw specs won't tell the whole story, but if you're curious about how Google's latest and greatest stacks up, here's a quick overview. If you're more interested in the smaller Pixel 8, meanwhile, we have a similar breakdown for that device too.

Google Pixel 8 Pro

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Pricing (MSRP)

From $999

From $1,199

From $1,200

Dimensions

6.4 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches

6.29 x 3.02 x 0.32 inches

6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 inches

Weight

7.5 ounces

7.81 ounces

8.25 ounces

Screen size

6.7 inches

6.7 inches

6.8 inches

Screen resolution

1,344 x 2,992

489 ppi

1,290 x 2,796

460 ppi

1,440 x 3,088

500 ppi

Screen type

LTPO OLED

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 2,400 nits brightness

Gorilla Glass Victus 2

LTPO OLED

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 2,000 nits brightness

Ceramic Shield

AMOLED

Up to 120Hz (1-120Hz)

Up to 1,750 nits brightness

Gorilla Glass Victus 2

SoC

Google Tensor G3

Apple A17 Pro

Hexa-core CPU (up to 3.78GHz)

6-core Apple GPU

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy

Octa-core CPU (up to 3.36GHz)

Adreno 740 GPU

RAM

12GB

8GB

8GB / 12GB

Battery

4,950mAh

"Beyond 24 hours"

"Up to 29 hours video playback"

5,000mAh

"Up to 26 hours of video playback"

Charging

USB Type-C 3.2

Up to 30W wired

Up to 23W wireless with Google Pixel Stand (2nd gen)

Qi wireless charging up to 12W

Reverse wireless charging

USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2)

"Up to 50 percent charge in around 30 minutes"

MagSafe wireless charging up to 15W

Qi wireless charging up to 7.5W

Reverse wired charging

USB Type-C (USB 3.2 Gen 1)

Up to 45W wired

Qi/WPC wireless charging up to 15W

Reverse wireless charging

Storage

128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

Rear camera

Main: 50 MP, f/1.68

Ultrawide: 48 MP, f/1.95, 125.5 degree FOV

Telephoto: 48 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

Main: 48 MP, f/1.78

Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 120 degree FOV

Telephoto: 12 MP, f/2.8, 5x optical zoom

Main: 200 MP, f/1.7

Ultrawide: 12 MP, f/2.2, 120 degree FOV

Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4, 3x optical zoom

Telephoto: 10 MP, f/4.9, 10x optical zoom

Front camera

10.5 MP, f/2.2

12 MP, f/1.9

12 MP, f/2.2

Video capture

Rear: 4K at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p at 24/30/60/120/240 fps

Front: 4K at 24/30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60fps

Rear: 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240 fps

Front: 4K at 24/25/30/60 fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120 fps

Rear: 8K at 24/30 fps, 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30/60/240/960 fps

Front: 4K at 30/60 fps, 1080p at 30 fps

Water and dust resistance

IP68

IP68

IP68

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi 7

Wi-Fi 6E

Wi-Fi 6E

Bluetooth

v5.3

v5.3

v5.3

NFC

Yes

Yes

Yes

OS

Android 14

"Seven years of OS, security and Feature Drop updates"

iOS 17

Android 13, One UI 5.1

Four generations of OS updates, five years of security updates

Finishes

Obsidian, Porcelain, Bay

Polished aluminum frame

Natural Titanium, Blue Titanium, White Titanium, Black Titanium

Titanium frame

Phantom Black, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Cream, Lime, Sky Blue, Red

Armor aluminum frame (advertised)

Follow all of the news live from Google’s 2023 Pixel event right here.