Compare – Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

When it comes to flagship smartphones, two models often make the top of the list for enthusiasts: the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both devices promise cutting-edge technology, high-performance cameras, and an overall refined user experience. However, choosing between the two can be challenging, as each offers unique features and advantages. In this article, we’ll break down the specs and performance of these two phones, compare them side by side, and help you decide which one best suits your needs.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: A Comprehensive Comparison

Design and Build Quality

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra continues its tradition of delivering premium materials with a stunning design. The phone is built using Gorilla Glass Victus 3 on the front and back, ensuring durability against drops and scratches. Its metal frame provides additional strength, and its IP68 rating offers protection from dust and water. The overall design feels luxurious, with sharp edges, a smooth finish, and a near bezel-less display.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL also offers a premium design but leans more toward simplicity. It features a glass front and back with a durable aluminum frame. Google has improved its design by adding a slightly curved display, giving the phone a more modern appearance. It, too, is rated IP68 for water and dust resistance, making it a tough competitor in terms of durability.

Verdict: While both phones look stunning and feel premium, the S24 Ultra edges out with its more refined and luxurious design. However, those who prefer minimalism might lean towards the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Display

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

Samsung is known for its display technology, and the S24 Ultra is no exception. The phone boasts a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 1440 x 3200 resolution, offering a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The display is incredibly vibrant, with deep blacks and bright colors. Its peak brightness of 2000 nits ensures it remains legible even under direct sunlight.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL also comes with a stunning 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, featuring a resolution of 1440 x 3120 pixels. Like the S24 Ultra, it offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and interactions. With its HDR10+ support and peak brightness of around 1600 nits, the display is clear and sharp, although slightly less bright than Samsung’s offering.

Verdict: Samsung takes the lead here with its brighter display and slightly larger screen size, making it ideal for users who prioritize multimedia consumption. However, the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s display is still top-notch, offering excellent sharpness and vibrant colors.

Camera System

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

The S24 Ultra is packed with a versatile quad-camera setup, including:

• 200MP primary sensor
• 12MP ultra-wide lens
• 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom
• 10MP periscope telephoto with 10x optical zoom

The 200MP main sensor captures incredibly detailed images, and the telephoto lenses are perfect for zoom photography without losing clarity. The Night Mode is improved, providing exceptional low-light performance.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL features a triple-camera setup, including:

• 50MP primary sensor
• 12MP ultra-wide lens
• 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom

Google’s Pixel phones have been renowned for their computational photography, and the Pixel 9 Pro XL is no different. It may have fewer megapixels than the S24 Ultra, but Google’s AI-powered post-processing ensures that photos are sharp, vibrant, and well-exposed, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.

Verdict: While Samsung offers more versatility with its zoom lenses and higher megapixel count, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL shines in the software department, making it perfect for those who prefer point-and-shoot simplicity with excellent results.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset (or Exynos 2400 in some regions), the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers lightning-fast performance. Paired with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, it handles multitasking, gaming, and resource-heavy apps with ease. The S24 Ultra also supports 5G connectivity and Wi-Fi 7, ensuring future-proof performance.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL runs on Google’s custom Tensor G3 chipset. While it may not benchmark as high as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, it offers smooth and efficient performance, especially with Google’s optimizations in the Android OS. It comes with up to 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. The Tensor chip is also heavily focused on AI and machine learning tasks, excelling in computational photography and speech recognition.

Verdict: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra is the clear winner in terms of raw power and performance. However, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is optimized for a seamless user experience, thanks to its deep integration with Android and its AI-focused Tensor chip.

More Comparison – Samsung galaxy s24 ultra review – Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. iPhone 16 Pro Max

Battery Life

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 5,500mAh battery, offering more than a day of moderate use. With 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, the S24 Ultra is flexible when it comes to powering up. However, its higher resolution and larger screen mean it consumes more battery compared to other devices.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL houses a slightly smaller 5,100mAh battery, which also provides all-day battery life. It supports 30W fast charging and 23W wireless charging, but the absence of reverse wireless charging puts it behind the S24 Ultra in terms of features.

Verdict: The Galaxy S24 Ultra takes the win here, thanks to its larger battery and faster charging capabilities.

Software Experience

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

The S24 Ultra runs on Samsung’s One UI 6.1, based on Android 14. One UI is feature-rich, with extensive customization options, multitasking capabilities, and productivity tools. Samsung DeX also allows you to use your phone like a desktop by connecting it to a monitor.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

The Pixel 9 Pro XL offers the cleanest Android experience, with Android 14 in its purest form. Google’s Pixel lineup is known for getting the latest software updates first, making it a top choice for Android enthusiasts who value a bloat-free experience. Google’s software optimizations also ensure that everything runs smoothly.

Verdict: This comes down to personal preference. Samsung offers more features and customization, but the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s stock Android experience is unbeatable for users who prefer simplicity and timely updates.

Price

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is positioned as a premium device, with a starting price around $1,299 for the base model. The higher-end variants with more storage and RAM will cost significantly more.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:

Google’s Pixel 9 Pro XL is slightly more affordable, with a starting price of around $999. This makes it a great option for users looking for flagship performance at a slightly lower cost.

Verdict: The Pixel 9 Pro XL wins in terms of affordability, but if you’re looking for the ultimate flagship experience with no compromises, the Galaxy S24 Ultra justifies its higher price.

Conclusion: Which Should You Buy?

Both the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL are fantastic devices, but they cater to different types of users.

• Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you want the best in performance, display quality, camera versatility, and overall premium features.
• Choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if you prefer a clean Android experience, excellent AI-powered photography, and a more affordable price.

Ultimately, both devices offer incredible value, and your choice will come down to which aspects are most important to you.

Quick Comparison Table:

Video Review

To dive deeper into these devices, you can check out this YouTube comparison for a hands-on review.