Galaxy S25+ Vs Google Pixel 8

Galaxy S25+
Galaxy S25+
Starting at

Refurbished price:624.00

Versus €1,401.57 new

See options
Google Pixel 8
Google Pixel 8
Starting at

Refurbished price:241.00

Versus €819.97 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, released in early 2025, and the Google Pixel 8, launched in late 2023, are both advanced smartphones running on the Android operating system. While both devices offer a premium Android experience, they cater to slightly different user priorities, primarily differing in their display technology, camera hardware, and the underlying approach to performance and software features.

Scores

Durability

When considering the long-term usability of a smartphone, software support and physical durability are key factors. Both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Pixel 8 offer extensive software longevity, ensuring users receive updates for an extended period.

  • Software Support: Both the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the Google Pixel 8 are committed to providing seven years of operating system upgrades and security updates from their respective launch dates. This means both devices are designed to remain current and secure for a considerable duration, with the Galaxy S25 Plus receiving support until approximately 2032 and the Pixel 8 until 2030. [6, 13, 20, 22, 24, 32, 37, 41]
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S25 Plus features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both its front and back, paired with an aluminum frame, offering robust protection against everyday wear and tear. [18, 26] The Pixel 8 also uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus for its front and back, with an aluminum frame, providing a similar level of resilience. [6] Both devices carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating they can withstand submersion in water. [6, 11, 26, 34]
  • Repairability: The Galaxy S25 Plus has received a high repairability score, with improvements like an easier-to-remove battery and the use of standard Philips screws, making potential repairs more straightforward. [8, 10] The Pixel 8 is considered moderately repairable, with some components like the screen being relatively easy to access, though battery removal can be challenging due to adhesives, and the main board is soldered to the charging port. [4, 5, 16]

Year of Release

2025

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance of a smartphone is largely determined by its internal components, influencing how smoothly applications run, how quickly tasks are completed, and the overall responsiveness of the user interface. Both devices are equipped with powerful processors designed for demanding tasks.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S25 Plus is powered by a current-generation processor, which enables fast multitasking and smooth gaming experiences, including enhanced ray tracing performance for more realistic graphics. [35] The Pixel 8 features a processor optimized for artificial intelligence tasks, which contributes to its advanced computational photography and on-device AI features, ensuring a responsive experience for daily use and AI-driven functionalities. [1]
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S25 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM, providing ample capacity for running multiple applications simultaneously without slowdowns. [3, 7, 37, 39] The Pixel 8 is equipped with 8GB of RAM, which is sufficient for most users' multitasking needs. [4, 6, 9, 11] Both phones offer storage options up to 256GB or 512GB, with the Galaxy S25 Plus also having a 128GB option for its base model, allowing users to store a significant amount of data and applications. [4, 6, 7, 9, 11, 35, 37, 39]
  • Battery Behavior: The Galaxy S25 Plus houses a larger 4900mAh battery, supporting faster wired charging at 45W and wireless charging at 15W. [37, 39] This larger capacity generally translates to extended usage times. The Pixel 8 has a 4575mAh battery, supporting 27W wired charging and 18W wireless charging, offering reliable power for a full day of moderate use. [6, 11]

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The display is a primary interface for smartphone interaction, and both the Galaxy S25 Plus and the Pixel 8 offer vibrant viewing experiences, though with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a QHD+ resolution (3120x1440 pixels), providing a sharp and detailed visual experience. [17, 18, 26, 37] The Pixel 8 comes with a 6.2-inch OLED Actua display, offering an FHD+ resolution (2400x1080 pixels). [1, 2, 6, 12, 28] Both displays deliver deep blacks and vibrant colors characteristic of OLED technology.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy S25 Plus boasts a high peak brightness of up to 2600 nits, making it highly visible even in bright outdoor conditions. [17, 18, 26] Its adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz, allowing for smooth scrolling and animations while conserving battery life when static content is displayed. [17, 18, 26, 34, 35] The Pixel 8 offers a peak brightness of up to 2000 nits and a variable refresh rate between 60Hz and 120Hz, providing a fluid experience for most content. [6, 27, 28]
  • Viewing Experience: The larger, higher-resolution display of the Galaxy S25 Plus offers more screen real estate, which can be beneficial for media consumption and productivity. The Pixel 8's slightly smaller screen size contributes to a more compact form factor, which some users may find easier for one-handed use.

Resolution

1440 x 3120 pixels

1080 x 2400

Audiovisual

Both smartphones are equipped with advanced camera systems, each with its strengths in capturing photos and videos, catering to different photographic preferences.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S25 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, allowing for a range of photographic perspectives from wide landscapes to zoomed-in subjects. [3, 29, 36, 37, 42] The Pixel 8 utilizes a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens with autofocus, excelling in computational photography to produce detailed and well-exposed images. [2, 6, 11, 14, 15, 19]
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S25 Plus is noted for producing sharp and vibrant photos with good dynamic range, particularly in daylight, and handles low-light scenes well with its main camera. [33, 43] The Pixel 8 is highly praised for its computational photography, delivering excellent exposure, natural colors, and strong detail across various lighting conditions, with a macro mode enabled by its ultrawide autofocus. [14, 15, 19]
  • Video and Audio Quality: Both devices offer high-quality video recording, with the Galaxy S25 Plus capable of 8K video at 30 frames per second and strong stabilization. [3, 33, 43] The Pixel 8 records 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, featuring excellent stabilization and 10-bit HDR. [6, 25] For audio, the Pixel 8 includes stereo speakers and good microphone quality for calls and recordings. [6, 25]

Front camera

12MP

10.5 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience and daily convenience of these devices.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy S25 Plus supports advanced connectivity standards, including Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, offering faster and more reliable wireless connections. [34] The Pixel 8 supports Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3, providing modern wireless capabilities. [6] Both devices feature a USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer. [6]
  • Biometric Security: Both smartphones incorporate in-display fingerprint sensors for secure and convenient unlocking. The Galaxy S25 Plus uses an ultrasonic sensor, while the Pixel 8 employs an optical sensor. [6, 12, 18] The Pixel 8 also offers Face Unlock, which supports secure biometric authentication. [1]
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S25 Plus measures 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3mm and weighs 190g, offering a substantial feel in hand with its larger display. [37] The Pixel 8 is more compact at 150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs 187g, making it slightly easier for one-handed operation. [6, 11] Both phones feature a flat design with aluminum frames and glass backs. [6, 18, 26]

Weight

190 g

187 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.2

Network

5G

5G

SIM card

Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

The Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and the Google Pixel 8 each present a compelling package for Android users, with distinct strengths that will appeal to different preferences. Users often praise the Galaxy S25 Plus for its vibrant, high-resolution display, robust build quality, and versatile camera system with a dedicated telephoto lens. Its larger battery and faster charging are also frequently highlighted as significant advantages for heavy users. Some common observations include its consistent performance across demanding applications and its long-term software support.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 8 receives consistent acclaim for its exceptional computational photography, delivering impressive image quality even with a dual-camera setup. Its focus on AI-powered features, including advanced photo editing and smart functionalities, is a strong draw. Users also appreciate its more compact form factor and the promise of extended software updates directly from Google. A frequent point of discussion for the Pixel 8 is its slightly smaller battery compared to some competitors, though its adaptive battery management helps optimize usage.

Users prioritizing a larger, higher-resolution display, a dedicated telephoto camera, and a slightly larger battery capacity may find the Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, those who value cutting-edge computational photography, a more compact design, and a pure Android experience with integrated AI features might lean towards the Google Pixel 8. Both devices represent excellent choices, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option for either model can be a sustainable choice for consumers looking for reliable technology.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons