Home/Battles/Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL

Lab Benchmark Battle

Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle

Comparing 2 devicesSwipe across ⇄

· 2023

Galaxy S23 Ultra

$1199

87.8/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

87.8

Benchmark

Performance90/100

Camera100/100

Battery86/100

· 2024

Pixel 9 Pro XL

$1099

87.2/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

87.2

Benchmark

Performance95/100

Camera91/100

Battery86/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra:

✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.8" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy Pixel 9 Pro XL:

✓13g lighter chassis (221g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($1099 vs $1199)
✓Larger 5,060 mAh battery capacity (+60 mAh more capacity)

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S23 Ultra	Pixel 9 Pro XL
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic AMOLED 2X	LTPO OLED
Screen Size	6.8"	6.8"
Resolution & Density	3088x1440 (500 ppi)	2992x1344 (486 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,200 nits peak	3,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 13	Android 14
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	12 GB	16 GB
Internal Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB	128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera	200 MP, f/1.7, OIS, Samsung HP2	50 MP, f/1.68, OIS, Samsung GN2
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (10x optical zoom), f/4.9, OIS	48 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	12 MP, f/2.2	48 MP, f/1.7
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/2.2	10.5 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions	163.4 x 78.1 x 8.9 mm	162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm
Weight	234 g	221 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,060 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	45W wired fast charging	37W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	15W wireless charging	23W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	5.3	5.3
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.2
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$1199	$1099

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S23 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 87.8/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S23 Ultra ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its advanced processor architecture and verified 100/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S23 Ultra:

Higher overall BeastScore: 87.8 vs top rival 87.2 · Higher resolution main sensor: 200 MP vs max 50 MP

When to buy Pixel 9 Pro XL:

Brighter screen: 3,000 nits peak vs 2,200 nits · More system memory: 16GB RAM vs max 12GB

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL

Which phone is better: Galaxy S23 Ultra or Pixel 9 Pro XL?

Galaxy S23 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 87.8/100 compared to Pixel 9 Pro XL (87.2/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 87.8 vs top rival 87.2 and Higher resolution main sensor: 200 MP vs max 50 MP.

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL?

Galaxy S23 Ultra is equipped with a 6.8-inch display and 5000 mAh battery, while Pixel 9 Pro XL features a 6.8-inch display and 5060 mAh battery.

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL?

In lab hardware evaluations, Galaxy S23 Ultra scores 100/100 in camera performance, while Pixel 9 Pro XL scores 91/100.

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Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

Galaxy S23 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 87.8/100

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S23 Ultra vs Pixel 9 Pro XL

Which phone is better: Galaxy S23 Ultra or Pixel 9 Pro XL?

What are the primary battery and display differences between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL?

How do the camera capabilities compare between Galaxy S23 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL?

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