If you understand the rest about me, you understand that I’m a large fan of Samsung telephones. Actually, this coming March will likely be my 5th 12 months of switching to Galaxy units. I spent maximum of 2010 the usage of Nexus and Pixel units, however at the heels of the Pixel 3, it was once time for a transformation. Despite the fact that I have stored Google’s units in position to check the approaching Android free up, I have by no means felt the wish to return — this is, till I looked at the Pixel 8. I have been the usage of the Pixel 8 Professional for 2 weeks. Now, after spending such a lot time with it, I’ve to make a decision whether or not to modify aspects to Crew Pixel. The Galaxy S23 Extremely and Pixel 8 Professional each have so much going for them, however just one can win my center. Indicate: Brighter is not at all times higher
The Pixel 8 Professional’s show is lovely. My S23 Extremely by no means suffered from daylight with 1,750 nits, however the 2,400 nits discovered within the Pixel units it aside. Whilst I do not thoughts curved presentations, the flat display at the 8 Professional is a welcome substitute, particularly since Google stored the glass aspects rather curved for a greater glance. I additionally admire the rounded corners, that are relaxed to carry, although they make for a hard hole within the bar. The Pixel 8 Professional’s display can be a transparent winner if it were not for 2 proceedings: a competent fingerprint sensor and a loss of beef up. Samsung’s fingerprint scanner were given off to a gradual get started when the Galaxy S10 was once introduced, however this sluggishness has no longer been the case for the reason that S21 Extremely advanced the fingerprint scanner. The sunshine unit within the Pixel is not unhealthy, nevertheless it has an excessively top sensitivity and is assured to not paintings if my hands are rainy. The S23 Extremely unlocks sooner all day, each day. As for the stylus beef up, that is one thing few other folks care about. I care, as a result of I exploit my telephone to stay a couple of ache/migraine/drugs notes, and the pen makes it a breeze. Each telephones additionally beef up face free up together with fingerprint scanners, the usage of front-facing cameras as a substitute of any particular sensors. Google’s implementation, then again, is protected sufficient at the Pixel 8 for use with banking apps and password managers. Alternatively, it’s not easiest. It does not paintings at night time, and my glasses steadily get in the way in which. Samsung’s model, despite the fact that it is extra protected, provides a display gentle to light up your face at night time whilst you free up your telephone, and you’ll be able to educate the second one model of your face whilst dressed in your glasses. I additionally discovered the Pixel hearth replace no longer dependable. It takes ages to evolve to the sunshine adjustments, and once I do, I at all times need to manually substitute them. Samsung’s units are short to react, and really correct when my way of life adjustments. Apps: Sensible or undying? Google’s Pixel UI and Samsung’s One UI each glance nice, however I’ve my proceedings about each. The notification color and quick-change panel are a undeniable win for Samsung. I do not like wasted house, and lowering a big show just like the Pixel 8 Professional to 2 quick-change traces is one thing I nonetheless do not like after two weeks of use. I additionally hate vivid slopes. For starters, One UI permits you to upload a mild slider to the notification color for simple get right of entry to, and it is within the notification house. Each telephones are huge, and achieving too top to modify the brightness is a ache. Truthfully, there are numerous issues in a single UI that I want the Pixel had, however I will slender it down to only 4. Excellent Lock is one thing I have been writing about for a very long time, and with just right reason why. 3 of the 4 options that we’re going to speak about listed below are a part of the Samsung Lock suite, which guarantees that each and every energy consumer has a Samsung tool. QuickStar permits you to customise your notifications and updates briefly. I exploit this to cover the bar symbols so the entirety appears blank. I at all times have a smartwatch attached, and my telephone is on silent, so why do I’ve to test for the Bluetooth sign and on silent at all times? Annoyingly, this was once conceivable on Google telephones within the Marshmallow days, however Google got rid of this selection a couple of years later. Excellent Lock permits you to use symbol packs from the Play Retailer gadget. It’s kind of of a transformation, admittedly, however one I nonetheless admire. You’ll additionally reduce to rubble Android’s local navigation, which I omit each and every time I swipe again at the Pixel. I’ve issues configured in order that a brief swipe takes me again, a brief swipe opens contemporary apps, and a swipe down turns on the house button. When I am surfing and conserving, I will be able to get right of entry to short equipment, a gaggle of widgets, or use one hand. In the end, we have now modes and programs. That is as smartly built-in into the similar UI as Siri Shortcuts is in iOS, and there is not anything with reference to the opposite at the Pixel 8 Professional. With the contact of a button, I will be able to silence my telephone, activate darkish mode, and switch at the blue filter out when I am getting a migraine. After I swim, my GPS place units the telephone so you aren’t getting distracted and I alter my face at the Galaxy Watch 6 to workout.
It is going each tactics, although. Name Heart is one thing that Pixel customers love, and now that I have used it, I do not need to return. After I closing used the Pixel as my day by day driving force, that was once just for the USA and Canada, however that is not the case anymore. Checking telephones, menus, and ready in my position is one thing I exploit steadily. In the meantime, Play Now was once certainly one of my favourite Pixel options prior to now, and it is no other in 2023. Its skill to appropriately establish song, even in noisy environments, is little short of spectacular. Despite the fact that I have handiest lined two facets of the Pixel right here, it displays the massive distinction between the device on each telephones. The S23 Extremely has virtually each and every function, and it is nice to have. The Pixel, however, has a couple of options that really feel in point of fact essential. They are great to have, sure, however greater than that, they really feel like issues I would not need to lose, even for a twinkling of an eye. Battery lifestyles and function: Easy or dependable?
Samsung made my 12 months when it launched the Galaxy S23 collection with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 globally as a substitute of proscribing the United Kingdom and different areas to low-end Exynos chips. My very own Galaxy S22 Extremely was once a crisis because of the Exynos 2200, which failed to carry out constantly and was once at all times too sizzling for day by day use. I anticipated Pixel to be nearer to Exynos than Snapdragon in that house. Thankfully, the Tensor G3 is a big development over its predecessor – whilst it isn’t easiest, my Pixel 8 Professional by no means had any problems with efficiency or smoothness. Benchmarks are meaningless nowadays; wisdom of tips on how to use the tool is very important. The Pixel 8 Professional is the smoothest telephone I have ever used, even higher than my S23 Extremely, despite the fact that it does not have the Samsung’s options.
My Pixel has been chilly as a rule, however there were a couple of occasions the place it is gotten sizzling although it isn’t heavy. I spent an hour rocking the digicam gadget whilst streaming song over 5G, and it felt cool to touch. The next day to come, whilst looking forward to a haircut and taking note of a podcast at the Wi-Fi, it were given in point of fact sizzling. The Tensor G3 is cooler than the Tensor G2, however nonetheless has some random blips. My S23 Extremely handiest overheated as soon as. It was once the day I were given it, which means that it was once lovely tricky: 45W speedy charging, logging into other accounts, downloading apps within the background, and saving 20GB of YouTube Song offline. This isn’t at all times used, and because then, it has no longer been very popular, no longer even sizzling. As for charging, issues are the similar in my revel in. The S23 Extremely can rate wirelessly at 15W and 45W by way of PPS charger. The Pixel 8 Professional handiest fees at 10W wi-fi except you’ve gotten the Pixel Stand which reinforces it to 23W, and USB-C charging at 30W. I rate wirelessly in a single day, so the slight distinction does not topic, and on stressed charging, the 2 telephones really feel the similar in efficiency. The Galaxy S23 Extremely handiest hits 45W in a brief burst earlier than settling right down to round 30W, so the total velocity is ready the similar. Cameras: Opting for between consistency and amusing First up: Pixel 8 Professional. 2d: Galaxy S23 Extremely The S23 Extremely’s cameras don’t seem to be easiest. Shutter lag is an issue in the event you stay the zoom in center of attention, and photographs from the 10X telephoto lens can glance slightly comfortable. In spite of its flaws, it is certainly one of my favourite telephones to shoot with. The collection of lens conjures up me to be extra ingenious with the photographs I take. A large number of other folks do not just like the saturated colours from Samsung’s design, however I love the total glance. The true downside with S23 is that it’s not at all times dependable. I at all times hit the shutter button 3 times if the telephone misses the primary shot.
The Pixel has restricted choices, even with its new options, however it is a very dependable digicam. Every lens may be very speedy, and at all times has a special attitude, distinction, and center of attention. I do not like colours, although. In fact, they’re especially true to lifestyles, however I to find them unsettling, particularly this time of 12 months when the entirety is grey. This will also be set in modifying, in fact, however it might be great if I did not wish to edit each and every shot. It is price noting that Google Footage will display the “proper publicity” button on all 8 Professional pictures however no longer on my S23 Extremely. I do not take many selfies, however I gave it a take a look at. My pores and skin tone may be very correct at the S23’s picture, and I really like the picture high quality as smartly. Technically, the Pixel does a greater activity of chopping my hair, however colours are brighter and lighter from the S23 than its make-up opposite numbers. Which aspect will have to I make a choice?
I have long past from side to side so much right here. There are issues in regards to the Pixel 8 Professional that I love, however I think the similar means in regards to the Galaxy S23 Extremely for various causes. Choosing between them is tricky. If I might been locked in a room and advised I could not depart till I determined to move with the purple or blue band – the colours of my telephones – I might have requested if I may get crimson as a substitute. In truth, I am fortunate at the moment that I would not have to select. I’ve each telephones in entrance of me at the moment, and I will be able to switch them at will. But when I had been in a store making an attempt to pick out a telephone to best, I might select the Galaxy S23 Extremely. My center tells me to return to Crew Pixel, however my head wins with knowledge. Pixels prior to now steadily get started out wonderful, handiest to purpose issues later. I have had my S23 Extremely since February, so I do know through now if new issues are in danger. Up to the Pixel 8 Professional has inspired me – up to I have cherished it for the previous few weeks – it hasn’t performed sufficient to persuade me but. So, whilst I will be sticking with what I’ve for the longer term, I am having a look ahead to no matter Google does. It is secure to mention that the Pixel 9 may have my complete consideration on its release day.
