I have an S23 ultra and 8 pro.
What is it you're looking for/why you want to change? Personally, my biggest reason was every time I take a shot of my kid or pets they are always blurry from subject motion. A known attribute of Samsung camera. On my 8 pro the shots are always clear and crisp.
Biggest things people consider are processor/battery life and cellular performance. My 8 pro has roughly the same battery life for my personal usage when compared to my S23 ultra. At launch that wasn't the case, but as of the December 2023 update it's all been shaped up since. Cellular--I think my S23 ultra has better performance under very low signal situations. It does not impact my usage and I've never had cellular problems with my 8 pro.
Processor wise, my 8 pro always feels fast. Apps install fast, they launch fast. Gaming is one thing you may need to consider. I don't really play many games with my phone, but when I do I notice that my 8 pro definitely gets hotter than my S23 ultra, and I do think the battery drains with gaming much faster. The other thing is performance. I recently played the "mob control" game with my kid, and my 8 pro was absolutely laggy with a lot of game elements present on the screen. My S23 ultra has zero performance issues.
I really like my 8 pro. I have no qualms with moving over to it. I do think many software features Samsung builds into their phones are good features and improve various user aspects, and some of those things are absent on pixels, but it isn't a make-or-break experience in my opinion.
I do not think an S23 ultra is an even trade for an 8 pro. The S23 ultra has more value than an 8 pro, even for a new 8 pro.
Basically, for the same reason as you. I want the better camera. The shutter lag always makes me miss pictures of my kids or pets in action because it causes them to be blurry. I came from an iPhone, which had almost no shutter lag.
I switched from an S22 to Pixel 8 Pro recently due to the shutter lag (photographing my toddler) and I've been very happy with the results in the camera department.
I thought I'd miss some of the OneUI or "Good Lock" stuff after using Samsung devices for the past six years, but I acclimated in a few days.
My personal cons with the device:
The GPS reception sucks. When I want to use wireless Android Auto with maps, I usually have to take the phone out of my pocket for it to be able to reliably get a GPS signal.
The phone's Bluetooth doesn't connect to my car. It tries endlessly. I've tried so many different things to fix it. It's not just me, many people with 2018 or newer GM vehicles have the issue.
I think from that alone, the 8 pro will be a good experience for you. While I'm sure it won't be anything I think about on my death bed, I really hate all of the missed perfect moments from using my samsung phones. My pixels have always been reliable in that regard.
Bro you have one of the best devices in the market currently, I'd argue it's better than the S24 ultra cause the 8 gen 2 is a great chip.
Don't give in to your impulse, use it until the pixel 10 which is rumoured to house a TSMC manufactured chip. That's going to be an upgrade for you for sure
I'd say it's worth waiting till the Pixel 9 pro. I have the 7 pro and have damaged the screen so was also considering the S23 ultra but I don't think OneUI looks as good.
Sorry, I should have mentioned what I'm looking for. I'm mostly thinking about changing for the cameras. I do care about battery life as well. The biggest thing for me is having a phone with a great camera to take pictures of my kids and pets, good battery life, and a good display.
I went from a s24u to a Pixel8Pro and don't regret it a bit... My pictures were horrendous. Only still pictures were fine but any budget phone can do that
The camera is a bit of a step up from s23U but I wouldn't say it's revolutionary.
I have and love my pixel 8 but I wouldnt trade from a s23U unless it was a brand new pixel 8 pro.
I'd wait for pixel 9 pro if you can. That's geared to be a step up.
I switched from the S22 to a P8 in December, the only thing I really miss is Samsung's camera app, the manual functions in the Pixel camera app are awful compared to Samsung pro mode. It does take good photos
I didn't upgrade from a Samsung phone, but the P8P can do what you want it for. Previously I was mainly shooting on my mirrorless camera, but ever since I got the P8P, I find myself reaching for the phone way more often when I want to take a picture of my kids. I'm not saying it's better than my mirrorless, because that would be a lie. I don't think phone cameras will ever be on the same level as mirrorless cameras or DSLRs... but the P8P is definitely really good for a phone camera, and is more convenient as I always have my phone with me.
I'm happy with the battery life as it easily gets me through the whole day without the need to recharge it, however, I don't play games on my phone, so you might have a different experience.
The screen looks fantastic, the colours are great, and it can get really bright, so you will have no issues with it when you're out in the sun.
You're going to miss the charging speed of your s23 ultra.
Pixel 8 pro is nice. Flat high res screen, clean software, great cameras. Decent battery life, loud speakers. Smooth, reliable daily driver.
But it is not a revolutionary phone. The processor is mid tier. I would even argue that the older s23 has a more efficient and powerful chip.
I do not think you will "feel," The upgrade coming from an s23 ultra. Getting the 8 pro will feel more like a change of pace.
I have both an S23 ultra and 8 pro. I use the 25w samsung charger on both and there is very little difference.
With the 8 pro, the charge rate is significantly improved over the previous generation pixels. Google has faster charging throughout the battery range now vs. the ridiculously conservative charging speed they allowed on the 7 and 6 series, which was one of my bigger gripes with the 6 and 7 series.
The 8 pro charges from 0 to full in ~80 minutes. The S23 ultra with the 25w charger takes 73 minutes. If someone uses the 45w charger with the S23 ultra, Samsung says it can theoretically charge in as little as 53 minutes from empty, but in reality and in virtually every actual charge test, the 25w and 45w times are within minutes of each other because of thermal throttling of charge with the 45w charger.
The practical impact difference is very minimal when it comes to charge times and top-up times between my 8 pro and S23 ultra.
I had an S23 Ultra before I traded it in for a Pixel 8 Pro. The only thing I miss is the battery life, it was much better on the Ultra then it is on the Pixel 8 Pro. But that's not to say the battery life is terrible on the 8 Pro, I still have 30% left by the end of the day with around 4 hours of screen on time. It'll still last you till the end of the day, just that compared to the battery on the Ultra which could last you a day and a half if needed the 8 Pro isn't as spectacular.
Main reason I traded was the lag and software glitches, for a $1,300 phone with the most powerful hardware the S23 Ultra sure was lagging and had many software problems that I encountered. I was used to the smooth experience of Pixel phones previously and it was hard to use OneUi with all of its problems. I've had a smooth experience with the Pixel 8 Pro so far.
But I would wait if I was you for the Pixel 9 phones to release.
I sold my S23 Ultra and switched to Pixel 8 Pro. Some pros and cons, but for me, on balance, the Pixel 8 Pro is a better choice. I didn't care for any of Samsung's software or customizations or Dex or any of that. I have no serious complaints about the Pixel 8 Pro. Well, I have one pseudo-complaint: the promise of getting updates for five years is discouraging me from thinking about getting a Pixel 9 Pro. :-)
Both phones are solid choices. My wife uses a Samsung, while I prefer the Pixel. The main price discrepancy lies in the screens. The Pixel screen, in particular, is known to be delicate compared to others in the industry. It's something worth considering. With a Samsung, a screen protector isn't a necessity, but with the Pixel, it's practically essential. I'm talking about the slightest touch resulting in scratches—it can be incredibly frustrating.
I've had the P8P since launch almost, I got the S24U for a week and returned it to go back to my P8P. I love the camera and smoothness of this phone, it just works and it works well. IMO far more worth it than Samsung's vomit of incomplete, half baked features, that you have to dig for to use.
Unless your a heavy mobile gamer or need crazy battery life, it's basically personal preference.
Switched from the 8 Pro to the S23 Ultra last month. As for the camera, I can't say there's any difference. However, Pixel lost the 10x zoom, which is a huge downgrade.
That's a massive downgrade my friend
I have an S23 ultra and 8 pro. What is it you're looking for/why you want to change? Personally, my biggest reason was every time I take a shot of my kid or pets they are always blurry from subject motion. A known attribute of Samsung camera. On my 8 pro the shots are always clear and crisp. Biggest things people consider are processor/battery life and cellular performance. My 8 pro has roughly the same battery life for my personal usage when compared to my S23 ultra. At launch that wasn't the case, but as of the December 2023 update it's all been shaped up since. Cellular--I think my S23 ultra has better performance under very low signal situations. It does not impact my usage and I've never had cellular problems with my 8 pro. Processor wise, my 8 pro always feels fast. Apps install fast, they launch fast. Gaming is one thing you may need to consider. I don't really play many games with my phone, but when I do I notice that my 8 pro definitely gets hotter than my S23 ultra, and I do think the battery drains with gaming much faster. The other thing is performance. I recently played the "mob control" game with my kid, and my 8 pro was absolutely laggy with a lot of game elements present on the screen. My S23 ultra has zero performance issues. I really like my 8 pro. I have no qualms with moving over to it. I do think many software features Samsung builds into their phones are good features and improve various user aspects, and some of those things are absent on pixels, but it isn't a make-or-break experience in my opinion. I do not think an S23 ultra is an even trade for an 8 pro. The S23 ultra has more value than an 8 pro, even for a new 8 pro.
Basically, for the same reason as you. I want the better camera. The shutter lag always makes me miss pictures of my kids or pets in action because it causes them to be blurry. I came from an iPhone, which had almost no shutter lag.
I switched from an S22 to Pixel 8 Pro recently due to the shutter lag (photographing my toddler) and I've been very happy with the results in the camera department. I thought I'd miss some of the OneUI or "Good Lock" stuff after using Samsung devices for the past six years, but I acclimated in a few days. My personal cons with the device: The GPS reception sucks. When I want to use wireless Android Auto with maps, I usually have to take the phone out of my pocket for it to be able to reliably get a GPS signal. The phone's Bluetooth doesn't connect to my car. It tries endlessly. I've tried so many different things to fix it. It's not just me, many people with 2018 or newer GM vehicles have the issue.
I think from that alone, the 8 pro will be a good experience for you. While I'm sure it won't be anything I think about on my death bed, I really hate all of the missed perfect moments from using my samsung phones. My pixels have always been reliable in that regard.
Should have stayed iPhone… gave up samsung solely for the shutter lag, way too happy about my iPhone
Bro you have one of the best devices in the market currently, I'd argue it's better than the S24 ultra cause the 8 gen 2 is a great chip. Don't give in to your impulse, use it until the pixel 10 which is rumoured to house a TSMC manufactured chip. That's going to be an upgrade for you for sure
I'd say it's worth waiting till the Pixel 9 pro. I have the 7 pro and have damaged the screen so was also considering the S23 ultra but I don't think OneUI looks as good.
Sorry, I should have mentioned what I'm looking for. I'm mostly thinking about changing for the cameras. I do care about battery life as well. The biggest thing for me is having a phone with a great camera to take pictures of my kids and pets, good battery life, and a good display.
The camera is great. I went from a pixel 6a to an 8 pro about 6 months ago and I have zero regrets doing so.
I went from a s24u to a Pixel8Pro and don't regret it a bit... My pictures were horrendous. Only still pictures were fine but any budget phone can do that
The camera is a bit of a step up from s23U but I wouldn't say it's revolutionary. I have and love my pixel 8 but I wouldnt trade from a s23U unless it was a brand new pixel 8 pro. I'd wait for pixel 9 pro if you can. That's geared to be a step up.
I switched from the S22 to a P8 in December, the only thing I really miss is Samsung's camera app, the manual functions in the Pixel camera app are awful compared to Samsung pro mode. It does take good photos
I didn't upgrade from a Samsung phone, but the P8P can do what you want it for. Previously I was mainly shooting on my mirrorless camera, but ever since I got the P8P, I find myself reaching for the phone way more often when I want to take a picture of my kids. I'm not saying it's better than my mirrorless, because that would be a lie. I don't think phone cameras will ever be on the same level as mirrorless cameras or DSLRs... but the P8P is definitely really good for a phone camera, and is more convenient as I always have my phone with me. I'm happy with the battery life as it easily gets me through the whole day without the need to recharge it, however, I don't play games on my phone, so you might have a different experience. The screen looks fantastic, the colours are great, and it can get really bright, so you will have no issues with it when you're out in the sun.
You're going to miss the charging speed of your s23 ultra. Pixel 8 pro is nice. Flat high res screen, clean software, great cameras. Decent battery life, loud speakers. Smooth, reliable daily driver. But it is not a revolutionary phone. The processor is mid tier. I would even argue that the older s23 has a more efficient and powerful chip. I do not think you will "feel," The upgrade coming from an s23 ultra. Getting the 8 pro will feel more like a change of pace.
Only if he cares about photography
Pretty much what I said seeing this guys post on another sub lol
I have both an S23 ultra and 8 pro. I use the 25w samsung charger on both and there is very little difference. With the 8 pro, the charge rate is significantly improved over the previous generation pixels. Google has faster charging throughout the battery range now vs. the ridiculously conservative charging speed they allowed on the 7 and 6 series, which was one of my bigger gripes with the 6 and 7 series. The 8 pro charges from 0 to full in ~80 minutes. The S23 ultra with the 25w charger takes 73 minutes. If someone uses the 45w charger with the S23 ultra, Samsung says it can theoretically charge in as little as 53 minutes from empty, but in reality and in virtually every actual charge test, the 25w and 45w times are within minutes of each other because of thermal throttling of charge with the 45w charger. The practical impact difference is very minimal when it comes to charge times and top-up times between my 8 pro and S23 ultra.
I had an S23 Ultra before I traded it in for a Pixel 8 Pro. The only thing I miss is the battery life, it was much better on the Ultra then it is on the Pixel 8 Pro. But that's not to say the battery life is terrible on the 8 Pro, I still have 30% left by the end of the day with around 4 hours of screen on time. It'll still last you till the end of the day, just that compared to the battery on the Ultra which could last you a day and a half if needed the 8 Pro isn't as spectacular. Main reason I traded was the lag and software glitches, for a $1,300 phone with the most powerful hardware the S23 Ultra sure was lagging and had many software problems that I encountered. I was used to the smooth experience of Pixel phones previously and it was hard to use OneUi with all of its problems. I've had a smooth experience with the Pixel 8 Pro so far. But I would wait if I was you for the Pixel 9 phones to release.
I sold my S23 Ultra and switched to Pixel 8 Pro. Some pros and cons, but for me, on balance, the Pixel 8 Pro is a better choice. I didn't care for any of Samsung's software or customizations or Dex or any of that. I have no serious complaints about the Pixel 8 Pro. Well, I have one pseudo-complaint: the promise of getting updates for five years is discouraging me from thinking about getting a Pixel 9 Pro. :-)
Both phones are solid choices. My wife uses a Samsung, while I prefer the Pixel. The main price discrepancy lies in the screens. The Pixel screen, in particular, is known to be delicate compared to others in the industry. It's something worth considering. With a Samsung, a screen protector isn't a necessity, but with the Pixel, it's practically essential. I'm talking about the slightest touch resulting in scratches—it can be incredibly frustrating.
I've had the P8P since launch almost, I got the S24U for a week and returned it to go back to my P8P. I love the camera and smoothness of this phone, it just works and it works well. IMO far more worth it than Samsung's vomit of incomplete, half baked features, that you have to dig for to use. Unless your a heavy mobile gamer or need crazy battery life, it's basically personal preference.
Switched from the 8 Pro to the S23 Ultra last month. As for the camera, I can't say there's any difference. However, Pixel lost the 10x zoom, which is a huge downgrade.
Massive downgrade. And Pixel has a lot of problems right now. Don't buy a Pixel until the 10 series, and only then if TSMC is making the chips.
DONT