Google Pixel 9a / Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Google Pixel 9a: Pixel 9a; 8 GB RAM with 128 or 256 GB. The band list on this page belongs to the GTF7P model on the UK page; model codes and 5G bands can differ in other markets. The Pixel 9 and Pixel 10a are separate models.

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: Galaxy S23 Ultra (2023): 8 GB + 256 GB, 12 GB + 512 GB or 12 GB + 1 TB. Every market uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy. The Galaxy S23 and S23+ and the later S24 Ultra are separate models.

SpecificationGoogle Pixel 9aSamsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
Release year20252023
Display6.3-inch (160 mm) Actua pOLED; 1080 × 2424, 422 ppi; 60–120 Hz Smooth Display; 1,800 nits HDR, 2,700 nits peak

Smooth Display switches between 60 and 120 Hz depending on content, so scrolling is smooth and static screens save power. 2,700 nits is the peak for a small area; the full-screen HDR figure is 1,800 nits.

Google		6.8-inch QHD+ Edge Dynamic AMOLED 2X; 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh; 1750 nits; 240 Hz touch sampling in Game Mode

Adaptive refresh drops to as low as 1 Hz when content is static to save power and rises to 120 Hz when scrolling and gaming. Vision Booster adjusts colour and contrast in bright conditions across three lighting levels; the edge curve is reduced compared with the S22 Ultra.

Samsung
Cover glassCorning Gorilla Glass 3

Gorilla Glass 3 is an older Corning glass generation; the Pixel 9 and 9 Pro use the newer Victus 2.

Google		—
ProcessorGoogle Tensor G4; Titan M2 security coprocessor

Titan M2 handles sensitive tasks such as passcodes, lock screen and boot verification on a chip separate from the main processor.

Google		Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Mobile Platform for Galaxy

Samsung says the vapour chamber is larger on every S23-series model.

Samsung
Memory and storage8 GB RAM; 128 or 256 GB

There is no microSD slot; storage is chosen at purchase.

Google		8 GB + 256 GB, 12 GB + 512 GB or 12 GB + 1 TB

Memory depends on the storage option; usable space is lower because of preloaded software. There is no memory card slot.

Samsung
Rear cameras48 MP wide (ƒ/1.7, 1/2-inch, Quad PD, OIS + EIS); 13 MP ultrawide (ƒ/2.2, 120°); Super Res Zoom up to 8x

There is no telephoto camera; 8x zoom is done in software and optical quality is given only at 0.5x and 1x.

Google		200 MP Wide (F1.7, 85°), 12 MP Ultra Wide (F2.2, 120°), 10 MP 3x telephoto (F2.4, 36°), 10 MP 10x telephoto (F4.9, 11°)

The 200 MP sensor outputs 200, 50 or 12 MP images through pixel binning. 100x Space Zoom combines 10x optical with 10x AI-assisted digital zoom; image quality may deteriorate beyond 10x. The optical stabilisation angle was doubled compared with the S22 Ultra.

Samsung
VideoRear 4K 30/60 fps; front 4K 30 fps; slow motion up to 240 fps GoogleUp to 8K at 30 fps

The Expert RAW app (downloaded separately from the Galaxy Store) offers RAW capture at up to 50 MP.

Samsung
Front camera13 MP (ƒ/2.2, 96.1°) Google12 MP, F2.2, 80°

On the S23 series the front camera gets fast autofocus and 60 fps Super HDR.

Samsung
Battery and charging5,100 mAh (typical), 5,000 mAh minimum; fast wired charging; Qi-certified wireless charging

No charger is included, only a USB-C cable (USB 2.0).

Google		5000 mAh (typical; rated minimum 4855 mAh); 45 W wired charging; Fast Wireless Charging 2.0; Wireless PowerShare

45 W requires a separately sold 45 W adapter and a 5 A USB-C cable; wired charging is compatible with QC2.0 and AFC. Wireless PowerShare charges Qi-compatible devices from the back of the phone when the battery is above 30%.

Samsung
DurabilityIP68; matte composite back, satin metal frame

IP68 describes dust-tightness and water resistance under defined conditions; liquid damage is usually not covered by warranty.

Google		—
SoftwareLaunched with Android 15; seven years of OS, security and Pixel Drop updates Google—
Connectivity5G Sub-6; Wi-Fi 6E (2x2 MIMO); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS; USB-C 3.2

This model has no mmWave 5G; Sub-6 bands can differ between regional model codes.

Google		5G, LTE, Wi‑Fi 6E, Wi‑Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.3

Using Wi‑Fi 6E’s 6 GHz band needs a Wi‑Fi 6E router and market availability.

Samsung
SIMNano SIM + eSIM (dual SIM) Google—
UnlockingUnder-display fingerprint and face unlock Google—
AudioStereo speakers; two microphones Google—
Size and weight154.7 × 73.3 × 8.9 mm; 186 g Google78.1 × 163.4 × 8.9 mm; 234 g Samsung
ColoursObsidian, Porcelain, Iris, Peony Google—
Front and back glass—Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2; Armor Aluminum frame

According to Samsung, the S23 series was the first S series to use Gorilla Glass Victus 2.

Samsung
Software and updates—Launched with Android 13 and One UI 5.1; four Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates

Update timing can vary by model and market.

Samsung
Security—Samsung Knox, Knox Vault

Knox Vault keeps critical data in separate hardware isolated from the operating system.

Samsung
Water resistance—IP68 (up to 30 minutes at 1.5 metres in fresh water)

Samsung does not recommend beach or pool use.

Samsung