Here are two phones that couldn’t be more different. The Google Pixel features an unassuming design and nails the fundamentals. The Galaxy S8, meanwhile, is an ostentatious upgrade that features perhaps the best design we’ve ever seen. But it’s the software that really separates these two.

Sure, both handsets run Android. But they look and behave differently, which makes a big difference during everyday use. Google’s Pixel launcher puts its Assistant technology front and center, while Samsung’s software highlights its Bixby AI, something that’s new this year.

What I’m most interested in is seeing how the cameras compare. Many people have praised the Google Pixel’s camera as the best on the market—even superior to Apple’s iPhone. While the Galaxy S8 features the same rear camera as the Galaxy S7, Samsung has enhanced the software, which should improve overall quality.

It’s tough to judge these two devices if we’re just looking at specs, because the Pixel falls short in a lot of areas. The Galaxy S8 supports expandable storage, the Pixel does not. The Galaxy S8 features IP68 water and dust resistance, while the Pixel is IP53, which is about the most basic waterproofing available.

The differences are stark, but they don’t really tell the whole story. The Google Pixel was our favorite phone of 2016 despite its lack of premium features. That’s how good the device is. We’ll compare both of these phones more in-depth when we get the opportunity. For now, check out the chart below to see how they stack up on paper.

Galaxy S8 Gallery

Google Pixel Gallery

Samsung - Galaxy S8 Google - Pixel
Display Size 5.8-inch, 2960 x 1440 pixel display (568 ppi) 5-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixel display (441 ppi)
Resolution X 2960 1080
Resolution Y 1440 1920
Display Type Quad HD+ AMOLED QHD
Operating System Android 7.0 (at launch) Android 7.1 (at launch)
Processor Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process Snapdragon 821; MSM8996 pro AB Quad Core 2+2 Kryo 2.15GHz / 1.6GHz
RAM 4GB 4GB
Storage
  • 64GB
  • 32GB
  • 128GB
External Storage Yes No
External Storage Specs
  • microSD up to 256GB
Main Camera (Back) 12MP 12.3MP
Secondary Camera (Front) 8MP 8MP
Networks
  • LTE Cat.16 (May differ by markets and mobile operators)
  • CDMA: BC0/BC1/BC10
  • GSM: Quad-band GSM
  • FDD LTE: B 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/17/20/25/26/28/29/30
  • LTE 2xCA: B2+B2, B2+B4, B2+B5, B2+B12, B2+B13, B2+B17, B2+B29, B2+B30, B4+B4, B4+B5, B4+B7, B4+B12, B4+B13, B4+B17, B4+B29, B4+B30, B5+B30, B7+B7, B12+B30, B25+B25, B29+B30, B41+B41
  • LTE 3xCA: B2+B2+B12, B2+B2+B13, B2+B4+B4, B2+B4+B5, B2+B4+B12 B2+B4+B13, B2+B4+B29, B2+B5+B30, B2+B12+B30, B2+B29+B30, B4+B4+B12, B4+B4+B13, B4+B5+B30, B4+ B7+ B12, B4+B12+B30, B4+B29+B30, B41+B41+B41
  • TDD LTE: B 41
  • UMTS/WCDMA: B 1/2/4/5/8
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.0 Bluetooth 4.2
Battery 3000mAh 2770mAh
NFC Yes Yes
Connectivity
  • USB Type-C
  • 3.5mm Headphone jack
  • USB Type C
Sensors
  • Accelerometer
  • Ambient light
  • Barometer
  • Fingerprint
  • Gyroscope
  • Geomagnetic
  • Hall
  • Heart rate
  • Iris
  • Pressure
  • Proximity
  • Accelerometer / Gyrometer
  • Barometer
  • Fingerprint
  • Hall
  • Magnetometer
  • Proximity/ALS
GPS
  • BeiDou
  • Galileo
  • Glonass
  • GPS
  • Digital compass
  • GLONASS
  • GPS
Height 148.9 mm (5.86 inches) 143.8 mm (5.66 inches)
Width 68.1 mm (2.68 inches) 69.5 mm (2.74 inches)
Depth 8 mm (0.31 inches) 8.5 mm (0.33 inches)
Weight 155 g (5.47 oz) 143 g (5.04 oz)
Colors Midnight Black, Orchard Grey, Arctic Silver, Coral Blue, Maple Gold Black, Blue, Silver
Supported Audio Formats MP3, M4A, 3GA, AAC, OGG, OGA, WAV, WMA, AMR, AWB, FLAC, MID, MIDI, XMF, MXMF, IMY, RTTTL, RTX, OTA, DSF, DFF N/A
Supported Video Formats MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, AVI, FLV, MKV, WEBM N/A