Pixel 8a vs Galaxy S23 Ultra

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Google Pixel 8a

Lifespan decides this one: the Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 at $5.10 per month of safe use, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra runs out in Feb 2028 ($16.98/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: Pixel 8a 77 · Galaxy S23 Ultra 76 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Google Pixel 8a $300

Safe to buy$5.10/mo

2024◆ Buy-by May 20292031

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra $339

Buy with care$16.98/mo

2023◆ Buy-by Feb 20262028

Category by category

Display

Pixel 8a 70Galaxy S23 Ultra 90

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's screen is the better one — 6.8-inch dynamic amoled 2x, qhd+, ltpo 1–120hz, 1750 nits peak.

Performance

Pixel 8a 70Galaxy S23 Ultra 85

The Galaxy S23 Ultra's Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Pixel 8a 67Galaxy S23 Ultra 96

The Galaxy S23 Ultra has the stronger camera system (4 real rear lenses vs 2).

Battery

Pixel 8a 70Galaxy S23 Ultra 80

5,000mAh vs 4,492mAh — the Galaxy S23 Ultra lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Pixel 8a 70Galaxy S23 Ultra 24

The Pixel 8a is supported until May 2031 — 39 months longer than the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Value

Pixel 8a 77Galaxy S23 Ultra 76

Pound for pound, these two are equally good deals.

Full spec table

Spec	Pixel 8a	Galaxy S23 Ultra
Price (street)	$300	$339
Display	6.1-inch Actua OLED, FHD+, 60–120Hz, up to 2000 nits peak	6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, LTPO 1–120Hz, 1750 nits peak
Chipset	Google Tensor G3	Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy
RAM	8GB	8GB/12GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	256GB/512GB/1TB
Battery	4,492 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	18W wired, 7.5W wireless	45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless
Rear cameras	64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide	200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide, 10MP telephoto 3x, 10MP periscope 10x
Dimensions	152.1 × 72.7 × 8.9 mm	163.4 × 78.1 × 8.9 mm
Weight	188 g	234 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP68
Supported until	May 2031	Feb 2028

Pixel 8a full verdict →Galaxy S23 Ultra full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.