Galaxy S23 FE Vs Google Pixel 7 Pro

Galaxy S23 FE
Galaxy S23 FE
Starting at

Refurbished price:£175.00

Versus £605.75 new

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Google Pixel 7 Pro
Google Pixel 7 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£169.75

Versus £899.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, released in October 2023, and the Google Pixel 7 Pro, launched in October 2022, are both advanced smartphones offering distinct experiences within the Android ecosystem. While the Galaxy S23 FE aims to deliver a flagship-like experience with a focus on its display and versatile camera system, the Pixel 7 Pro emphasizes advanced computational photography and a streamlined software experience. Both devices run on the Android operating system, but they offer different interpretations through their respective user interfaces.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of these devices, their release timelines and software support policies are key differentiators.

  • Release Timeline: The Google Pixel 7 Pro was released in October 2022, making it approximately a year older than the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE, which launched in October 2023.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy S23 FE is expected to receive four major Android OS updates, extending its support up to Android 17, along with five years of security patches until 2028. Google typically provides a strong commitment to software updates for its Pixel devices, offering several years of OS and security updates.
  • Durability Features: Both phones feature robust builds. The Galaxy S23 FE uses Gorilla Glass 5 on its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, and carries an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance. The Pixel 7 Pro is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus and also boasts an IP68 rating, indicating similar levels of protection against environmental elements.

Year of Release

2023

2022

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is crucial for daily tasks, app responsiveness, and demanding applications like gaming.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S23 FE is powered by a processor that handles demanding apps and multitasking smoothly, providing a responsive experience for everyday use and light gaming. The Pixel 7 Pro features a Google-designed processor that excels in artificial intelligence tasks and provides a fluid user experience, particularly with its exclusive software features.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S23 FE comes with 8GB of RAM, suitable for managing multiple applications simultaneously. The Pixel 7 Pro offers 12GB of RAM, which provides additional headroom for intensive multitasking and ensures smooth transitions between numerous open applications. Both devices are available with various internal storage options, but neither supports expandable storage via microSD cards.
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S23 FE, with its 4500mAh battery, generally lasts a full day with typical usage, though heavy use, such as extended gaming or 4K video recording, may require more frequent charging. The Pixel 7 Pro, equipped with a 5000mAh battery, offers comparable endurance for mixed usage, but intensive camera use can lead to faster battery drain. Both support fast wired and wireless charging, as well as reverse wireless charging.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both devices offer high-quality viewing experiences.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S23 FE features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a Full HD+ resolution (2340 x 1080 pixels), delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 7 Pro boasts a larger 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display with a sharper QHD+ resolution (3120 x 1440 pixels), resulting in a very clear and detailed visual experience.
  • Smoothness and Brightness: Both phones offer a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which makes scrolling and animations appear fluid. The Galaxy S23 FE can reach a peak brightness of 1450 nits, making it generally readable outdoors. The Pixel 7 Pro's display also provides excellent brightness and clarity, enhancing visibility in various lighting conditions.
  • Viewing Experience: The Pixel 7 Pro's larger, higher-resolution display offers a more expansive and immersive viewing experience, particularly beneficial for media consumption and detailed content. The Galaxy S23 FE provides a slightly more compact screen size while still maintaining a high-quality visual output.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1440 x 3120

Screen type

Dynamic AMOLED 2X

LTPO AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems designed to capture high-quality photos and videos, though with different strengths.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S23 FE is equipped with a triple-camera setup: a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom. The Pixel 7 Pro also features a versatile triple-camera system, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus and macro capabilities, and a 48MP telephoto lens providing 5x optical zoom and up to 30x Super Res Zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S23 FE delivers very good photos, especially in well-lit conditions, with a tendency for vibrant, slightly oversaturated colors typical of Samsung devices. The Pixel 7 Pro is highly praised for its consistently excellent photos across various lighting conditions, strong low-light performance, and advanced computational photography features that enhance detail and dynamic range. Its zoom capabilities are particularly notable, offering impressive detail even at higher magnifications.
  • Video and Front Camera: Both devices are capable of recording high-quality video, with the Galaxy S23 FE supporting up to 8K at 24fps from its rear camera and 4K at 60fps from its front camera. The Pixel 7 Pro also records excellent video quality, including steady footage and various new features like cinematic blur. The Galaxy S23 FE has a 10MP front camera, while the Pixel 7 Pro features a 10.8MP ultrawide front camera.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

10 megapixels

10.8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S23 FE and the Pixel 7 Pro support 5G connectivity, Wi-Fi 6E, and Bluetooth 5.3 (S23 FE) or 5.2 (Pixel 7 Pro), ensuring fast and reliable wireless connections. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer, and neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack.
  • Biometric Security: For secure unlocking, the Galaxy S23 FE uses an optical under-display fingerprint sensor. The Pixel 7 Pro also features an under-display optical fingerprint scanner, complemented by face unlock for added convenience.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S23 FE measures 158 x 76.5 x 8.2 mm and weighs 209g, offering a comfortable grip despite its solid build. The Pixel 7 Pro is slightly larger and heavier at 162.9 x 76.6 x 8.9 mm and 212g, featuring a distinctive aluminum finish and camera bar design.

Weight

209 g

212 g

Screen size (in)

6.4

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S23 FE and Google Pixel 7 Pro each present compelling options for different user priorities. The Galaxy S23 FE is often praised for its vibrant display, capable camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens, and robust build quality. Users appreciate its balanced performance for everyday tasks and its integration into the Samsung ecosystem, including features like DeX. Some common criticisms include its battery life for heavy users and the potential for oversaturated camera output.

The Google Pixel 7 Pro is widely lauded for its exceptional camera performance, particularly its advanced computational photography, impressive zoom capabilities, and strong low-light imaging. Its clean Android experience and exclusive AI-driven features are also significant advantages. However, some users have noted that its battery life can be inconsistent, especially with intensive camera usage.

Users prioritizing a versatile camera system with strong optical zoom and a vibrant display for media consumption may find the Galaxy S23 FE well-suited to their needs. Those who value cutting-edge computational photography, a streamlined software experience, and advanced AI features will likely lean towards the Pixel 7 Pro. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers seeking reliable technology.

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