Technologies
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max, Galaxy S23 Ultra: Top-End Phones Compared
The Pixel 8 Pro brings new media-editing software tricks, but how else does it compare to the top premium smartphones?
The Pixel 8 Pro is Google’s latest top-end phone, packing a new processor, a brighter display and better cameras than its predecessor. But it faces stiff competition from two other handsets that dominate the premium smartphone market: the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. How do they really compare?
The Pixel 8 Pro runs on the new Tensor G3 chipset, the third generation in a line of silicon Google has designed to augment its on-device AI processing. Tensor chipsets don’t seem to be quite as much of a performance powerhouse in benchmarks like Geekbench as the A17 Pro chip in the iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip in the Galaxy S23 Ultra. We’ll have to wait until we can fully test the Pixel 8 Pro to see how it performs compared with the others.
But the Tensor chipset does enable many of the Pixel family’s neat media-editing tricks, like Magic Eraser for taking elements out of photos, Audio Magic Eraser for diminishing background noise, and Best Take for combining the best bits of a burst of photos. These are the flashiest software advantages the Pixel 8 Pro holds over the competition (among others), even though Magic Eraser is technically available for other phones through the Google Photos app.

The other big advantage the Pixel 8 Pro holds is a guarantee of seven years of Android operating system and security updates. That’s far more than Samsung phones like the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s four years of OS updates and five years of security updates. And Apple is unclear about how long phones will be supported — the just-released iOS 17 update, for instance, leaves behind the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, both released in 2017, so five years of OS updates is the low-end estimate for a new iPhone.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s rear camera hardware includes a 50-megapixel main shooter, a 48-megapixel ultrawide and a 48-megapixel telephoto capable of 5x optical zoom. On paper, those cameras will likely produce sharper photos than the 12-megapixel ultrawide and 12-megapixel telephoto cameras on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, though we’ll have to test to compare it to Apple’s unique «tetraprism» technology in its zoom camera (the iPhone’s 48-megapixel main camera may be roughly comparable to the Pixel 8 Pro’s main shooter).
As far as rear cameras go, the Pixel 8 Pro might face the biggest challenge from the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which has a 200-megapixel main camera. While it has only a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera, Samsung’s top-of-the-line phone has two telephoto cameras: a 10-megapixel 3x optical zoom and a 10-megapixel 10x optical zoom, which is capable of up to 100x digital zoom. But with the phone’s starting cost of $1,200, those souped-up camera specs make sense considering the Pixel 8 Pro’s $1,000 starting price and the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s $1,100 price tag.
All three phones have pretty similar selfie cameras: the Pixel 8 Pro has a 10.5-megapixel selfie shooter, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra both have 12-megapixel front-facing cameras.

Regarding design, the three phones have very different looks. The Pixel 8 Pro retains its predecessor’s wide horizontal camera block spanning the width of the phone. A metallic stripe wraps around the phone’s three rear cameras, with a flash and new temperature sensor on the right side (for checking food and, pending FDA approval, your own skin). The rest of the phone’s rear cover is a matte glass, and its sides are rounded.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max has its predecessor’s flat sides and square camera block, with lenses that are larger and stick out farther than those of previous iPhones. The Galaxy S23 Ultra is the physically largest of the bunch, though its design has tended toward minimalism, with just the five cameras popping out of the undecorated back cover (i.e. no big camera block), as well as rounded sides.
The Pixel 8 Pro’s 6.7-inch OLED display (3,120×1,440 pixels) is the same size as its predecessor’s, but it’s brighter, maxing out at 2,400 nits with a 1 to 120Hz refresh rate. It has a slightly sharper resolution than the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s 6.7-inch OLED (2,796x 1,290-pixel) screen, and it’s on par with the Galaxy S23 Ultra’s 6.8-inch AMOLED (3,088×1,440-pixel) display (both Apple’s and Samsung’s phones have 120Hz adaptive refresh rates).
The phones are also pretty similar in terms of other hardware specs. The Pixel 8 Pro comes with 12GB of RAM and 128GB to 1TB of storage. Apple never specifies the amount of memory in its phones, though GSMArena says the iPhone 15 Pro Max has 8GB, and the phone comes with 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage. The Galaxy S23 Ultra starts with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, but it can also be configured for 12GB of RAM and 256GB, 512GB or 1TB of storage. None of the three has a slot for expandable storage, so you’ll have to store your extra files in the cloud or hook up an external SSD.
Similarly, Apple doesn’t disclose battery capacity on its phones, saying only that it gets up to 29 hours of video playback (in other words, it should last all day without needing to recharge). The Pixel 8 Pro has a 5,050mAh battery, while the Galaxy S23’s battery has a capacity of 5,000mAh.
In a first for Apple, the iPhone 15 Pro Max has a USB-C port instead of its Lightning connector and has 25 watts of wired charging as well as 15 watts of wireless charging. The Pixel 8 Pro has up to 30 watts of wired charging and 23 watts of wireless, while the Galaxy S23 Ultra has the fastest speed, with 45 watts of wired charging and 15 watts of wireless.
To see how else the Pixel 8 Pro stacks up against the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Galaxy S23 Ultra, we’ve placed each phone into this side-by-side comparison chart:
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra
| Google Pixel 8 Pro | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | |
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate, brightness | 6.7-inch OLED; 3,120×1,440 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.7-inch OLED; 2,796×1,290 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.8-inch AMOLED; 3,088×1,440 pixels; 120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 489 ppi | 460 ppi | 500 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.4x3x0.3 inches | 6.29×3.02×0.32 inches | 6.43×3.07×0.35 inches |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 162.6×76.5×8.8 millimeters | 159.9×76.7×8.25 millimeters | 163.3x78x8.9 millimeters |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 213 g (7.5 oz) | 221 g (7.81 oz) | 234 g (8.25 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 14 | iOS 17 | Android 13 |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (wide), 48-megapixel (ultrawide), 48-megapixel (telephoto) | 48-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 12-megapixel (5x telephoto) | 200-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto), 10-megapixel (10x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 10.5 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
| Video capture | 4K | 4K | 8K |
| Processor | Google Tensor G3 | A17 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy |
| RAM/storage | 12GB RAM + 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB (RAM undisclosed) | 8GB + 256GB; 12GB + 256GB; 12GB + 512GB; 12GB + 1TB |
| Expandable storage | None | None | |
| Battery | 5,050 mAh | Undisclosed; Apple says up to 29 hours of video playback (25 hours streamed) | 5,000 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | None (Face ID) | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None | None |
| Special features | 5G (Sub 6 and mmWave); VPN by Google One; 7 years of OS, security and Feature Drop updates; front-facing camera has autofocus; 13W Qi wireless charging; 30W wired charging; USB-3.2 speeds via USB-C; IP68 dust and water resistance; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back | 5G (Sub6, mmWave), Action Button, Always-On display, IP68 water resistant, MagSafe, Dynamic Island, 5x optical zoom (120mm equivalent), satellite connectivity, eSIM, thread networking technology | 5G (Sub6, mmWave), IP68 water resistant, wireless PowerShare to charge other devices, integrated S Pen, 100x Space Zoom, 10x optical zoom, UWB for finding other devices, 45W wired charging |
| US price off-contract | $999 (128GB) | $1,199 (256GB) | $1,200 (256GB) |
| UK price | Converts to £825 (128GB) | £1,199 (256GB) | £1,249 (256GB) |
| Australia price | Converts to AU$1,575 (128GB) | AU$2,199 (256GB) | AU$1,949 (256GB) |
Technologies
Everyone Wants a Robot That Folds Laundry. LG Brought Its First One to CES 2026
LG’s new AI-powered home robot CLOiD promises to empty the dishwasher, fold laundry and perform light cooking tasks.
Robots that can perform our least favorite domestic chores, such as washing dishes, folding laundry and cooking, have been a popular fixture in the public’s imagination since The Jetsons. However, 63 years later, the attempts to actually produce one have mostly resulted in hilarious videos. LG is hoping to break that trend this year at CES 2026.
LG, one of the best-known home appliance brands, is set to unveil its first-ever multitasking autonomous home robot, CLOiD. The launch could mark a major tipping point, prompting other blue-chip home appliance brands to enter the fast-emerging multifunctional home robot market.
According to the company, CLOiD is an AI-powered home robot that purports to do far more than vacuum, mop or pick up socks. While existing home robots are engineered to perform tasks such as floor cleaning, pool and lawn care, the CLOiD uses AI and vision-based technology to automate more complex household tasks, such as «retrieving milk from the fridge, placing a croissant in the oven for breakfast and folding and stacking garments after laundering.»
In an email, LG tells us that CLOiD is designed to perform and coordinate household tasks across connected home appliances using LG’s ThinQ ecosystem. This means you’ll need LG appliances for it to function as a go-between that executes several mundane daily tasks.
«CLOiD is intended to reduce the time and physical effort required for everyday chores,» LG said in a statement on Sunday.
While we’ve yet to see the robot in action, the AI-enabled home robot will be demonstrated publicly for the first time this week at CES 2026. CNET eagerly awaits a first look at CLOiD ahead of the massive tech show and will report back following the demo.
How LG CLOiD is designed
«The LG CLOiD consists of a head unit, torso with two articulated arms and a wheeled base equipped with autonomous navigation. The torso can tilt to adjust its height, enabling the robot to pick up objects from knee level and above,» LG said.
Each arm has seven degrees of freedom, matching the mobility of a human arm. The shoulder, elbow, and wrist allow forward, backward, rotational, and lateral motion, while each hand includes five independently actuated fingers for fine manipulation. This configuration allows LG CLOiD to handle a wide range of household objects and operate in kitchens, laundry rooms and living areas.
The wheeled base uses autonomous driving technology derived from LG’s experience with robot vacuums and the LG Q9. This form factor was selected for stability, safety and cost-effectiveness, with a low center of gravity that reduces the risk of tipping if a child or pet makes contact.
CLOiD’s head serves as a mobile AI home hub
The head serves as a central intelligent control center for the household. It houses a chipset acting as LG CLOiD’s central processor, along with a display, speaker, cameras, multiple sensors and voice-powered generative AI. Together, these components enable the robot to interact with people using natural speech and expressive visual cues, understand users’ home environments and daily routines, and autonomously manage connected appliances based on what it learns.
Integration with ThinQ and ThinQ ON
CLOiD’s capabilities expand significantly through its integration with LG’s smart home ecosystem, including the AI home platform ThinQ and hub ThinQ ON. This connectivity allows CLOiD to orchestrate a wider range of services across LG’s various appliances.
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Technologies
Kick Your 2026 Gaming Into Gear With 31% Off the Awesome Razer Viper V3 Pro Gaming Mouse
Add this speedy mouse to your gaming arsenal for less.
If you’re lucky enough to have gotten one of the best gaming PCs for Christmas or you’re just looking to upgrade your veteran rig, then a good peripheral can be a big help. While you’ll find plenty of options out there, we’ve found an incredible deal today that will score you an amazing gaming mouse for a lot cheaper than usual.
Right now, the Razer Viper V3 Pro wireless gaming mouse is on sale for $110, which is $50 off the list price. That makes it easier to swallow and makes for a fantastic gaming deal to kick off 2026. We don’t know how long the deal will last, though, so make sure you get in on this one quickly.
This powerful gaming mouse weighs just 54 grams, despite being wireless, making it easier to use for extended periods and a breeze on the wrists as well. It has a 35K optical sensor for incredible speed and accuracy and amazingly low latency, too, so you’re going to always react as quickly as you can in your games.
Along with that, it somehow boasts a massive 95-hour battery life, meaning you can use it for weeks on end without worrying about power. It’s rated for yearslong use as well, with long-lasting, highly durable switches.
Why this deal matters
Razer products are some of the best in gaming, and for those looking to rank up in Call of Duty or try to take to new heights in Megabonk, a mouse like this can make a big difference. It’s not often we see a discount this hefty, so move quickly if you want it.
Technologies
Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Hands-On: This May Be the Phone-Tablet Hybrid We’ve Been Waiting For
I checked out the new foldable at CES, and it feels like a wildly practical two-in-one device, thanks to its massive display and overall sleek build.
I’ve tested my fair share of thin and foldable phones over the years, but something about Samsung’s Galaxy Z TriFold struck me as particularly notable when I held it for the first time at CES 2026 in Las Vegas on Sunday.
At last, it seems foldables are approaching their long-desired goal: a two-in-one device that fits neatly in your pocket.
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The trifold — which technically folds twice but has three panels — feels like a true phone-tablet hybrid that stands well apart from its bar-style counterparts. Its value appears to lie less in flashy specs about its thinness and more in its utility and practicality.
Yes, the Galaxy Z TriFold feels impressively sleek when open: It’s just 3.9mm at its thinnest point and 4.2mm at its thickest, not accounting for the camera bump. It feels wonderfully normal in my hands, to the degree that I didn’t really think about its weight of 309 grams as I used it. But the trifold doesn’t inspire the same awe as Samsung’s book-style Galaxy Z Fold 7 or the bar-style Galaxy S25 Edge, which primarily lean on showcasing an ultra-thin, lightweight design.
Instead, the Galaxy Z TriFold is all about getting things done on a portable scale. Need to shoot off a quick text or check an email? The 6.5-inch cover display feels remarkably close to using a non-folding phone — minus the slightly chunky 12.9mm thickness when the trifold is closed. And when it’s time to watch a movie, multitask or type up a paper, the expansive 10-inch internal display offers plenty of real estate.
That duality makes the Galaxy Z TriFold feel like a true hybrid device that can fill a niche that book-style foldables have yet to satisfy, despite their many efforts.
Comparing the Z TriFold and the Z Fold 7 at a glance
Placing Samsung’s Z TriFold and its two-panel Galaxy Z Fold 7 side by side underscored just how different each phone is.
Yes, you can watch videos at a larger scale on the Z Fold 7’s inside display, but that experience pales in comparison to the true tablet-like feel of the unfurled Z TriFold. You can open up to three apps simultaneously on both phones, but doing so on the trifold feels like less of a compromise thanks to its bigger screen. And with Samsung DeX, turning your phone into a mini computer of sorts has never felt more practical, since there’s more room to work with.
One of the biggest indicators of how far foldables have come is the fact that both the Z TriFold and the Z Fold 7 pack pretty impressive cameras: a 200-megapixel wide, 12-megapixel ultrawide and 10-megapixel telephoto camera on the back, along with two 10-megapixel selfie cameras. So if you’re choosing between the larger and smaller Samsung foldables, that’s one key factor they have in common.
Two hinges on the trifold means double the screen creases, but they’re thankfully less visible than the Z Fold 7’s, which is already pretty subdued. Learning how to close the trifold correctly can be a bit of a learning curve, especially if you’re right-handed like me; you’ll need to close the left panel first. But each time you (I) mess up, the phone gives haptic feedback and an alert that you (we) are doing it wrong, which is helpful.
What’s perhaps most assuring is the trifold’s 5,600-mAh battery, which can hopefully allow the phone to power through a full day’s use, and then some. The Z Fold 7 has a 4,400-mAh battery, which lasted all day in my initial testing, but without much juice to spare. Hopefully, the Z TriFold remedies that. The trifold’s 45-watt super-fast charging is a nice perk, too.
Speaking of charging: Samsung told me the Z TriFold will come with not just a charging cable in the box, but also a charging brick. Nature is healing.
US release and price
The Z TriFold is already available in Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates. In fact, my colleague Prakhar Khanna beat me to the punch and got his hands on the phone in Dubai last month.
Samsung has said the Z TriFold will launch in the US in the first quarter of this year. It’ll be interesting to see if people in the US respond similarly to those in other countries like Korea, where the phone reportedly sold out in minutes.
Another looming question remains: the price. Samsung didn’t share the US price at CES, but we’ll likely learn more as we approach the (also unknown) release date. Given the Z Fold 7’s $2,000 price tag, though, you might want to start saving up now.
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