Pixel 8 Pro vs Galaxy S24 Ultra: Best Phones of 2024?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is one of the best smartphones launched in 2024. This phone is beloved by many for its comprehensive features and bleeding-edge performance. But where does Google's very own contender sit, the Pixel 8 Pro? As the creator of Android, Google does things a little differently, making its Pixel lineup very distinct.

While the Galaxy and Pixel series do not precisely mirror one another in terms of the very latest hardware, the Pixel 8 Pro still has a few notable strengths that make it worth considering. So, which phone should you choose? Look at this head-on-head comparison of the Google Pixel 8 Pro vs. the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Release Date and Price

The Samsung Galaxy S24 was introduced on January 17, 2024, and officially hit the shelves on January 24. At launch, the S24 price stood at A$2,199. As expected, Samsung packed its most significant and best features into this model, making it a high investment choice for smartphone lovers.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro was announced on October 4, 2023, and became available on October 12, 2023, starting at A$1,699. The most touted attributes of the Pixel 8 Pro include a stellar camera and smooth performance. It's an excellent choice if you love Google's unique take on phone design and artificial intelligence.

If those launch prices sound too heavy, that's fine. Both models are now somewhat older, with the competition having risen.Samsung Refurbished options offer serious savings while still providing a premium experience. In the same way, if you're more into Google's approach, consider Google Refurbished phones to get fantastic features on the Pixel 8 Pro at a more affordable price point.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Design

Samsung and Google have nailed their distinctive styles over the past few years. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 8 Pro offer seriously refined aesthetics, but neither has completely reinvented the wheel.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra continues the trend set by its predecessors, ditching the considerable camera bump for a sleek and standalone lens design. It is a look that resonated, as we see it in the high-end Galaxy S line and across the more affordable A series. This phone has a polished minimalism that feels supremely modern and mature.

Moreover, Samsung bumped things up a notch this year, ditching the standard Armor Aluminum for a shiny new titanium frame. This might only shave off a few grams, but the trade-off in added durability and scratch resistance is worth it. Besides, the warmer touch of the titanium gives it an extra-premium feel in your hand. You might think twice before putting it in a case; it's lovely!

Moving on to the Pixel 8 Pro, Google kept its signature camera bar, which is highly loved and instantly differentiates the Pixel series. At first glance, this device may look like its predecessor, but look closer, and some nice tweaks come into view. The matte glass back is a real game-changer, as it drastically reduces fingerprints and feels brilliant within your grip.

As far as size goes, the S24 Ultra is only a smidge larger: its 6.8-inch display sits against the Pixel 8 Pro's 6.7 inches. We're talking about a variance of just a couple of millimeters and around 20 grams. Samsung adorned the S24 Ultra with narrower bezels, giving it a slightly bigger screen but keeping everything else balanced. Consequently, the feel of each phone is also different, with the Pixel embracing softer curves while the S24 Ultra has more defined edges.

Durability-wise, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a slight edge with its new Corning Gorilla Armor Glass. This upgrade means better scratch resistance and less glare, making it easier to see in bright sunlight. Both phones are equipped with an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Display

If there's one area where Samsung hits a home run, it's arguably in its display technology. The Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a stellar 6.8-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display that's simply hard to beat. With an adaptive refresh rate that starts at 1Hz and ramps up to 120Hz, this display delivers fluid motion while scrolling through social media and gaming. Its peak brightness of 2,600 nits ensures your content remains vibrant and clear even in the most stringent sunlight. This level of brightness, coupled with Samsung's advanced color accuracy, makes colors pop and bring images to life, turning media consumption into a joy.

The Google Pixel 8 Pro sports a slightly smaller 6.7-inch LTPO OLED display, peaking up to 2,400 nits of peak brightness. While it isn't as bright as Samsung's offering, it still fares well in bright conditions. The Pixel display also supports a refresh rate of 120Hz for similarly smooth scrolling and fluid touches. The camera view is sharp and clear on the Pixel 8 Pro, with a 2992 x 1344 pixels resolution.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Performance and Battery

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is powered by a specially modified version of Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, designed with improved performance. This powerhouse boasts some impressive gains over its predecessor: a 20% boost in CPU and an astonishing 30% increase in GPU performance. Coupled with a generous 12GB RAM across all storage configurations, the S24 Ultra handles everything from power-hungry mobile gaming to resource-heavy multitasking without sweat.

The Pixel 8 Pro is fitted with Google's third-generation Tensor G3 chip. It does not quite scale the same benchmark heights as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, but Google's relentless work in performance optimization has paid off. The Tensor G3 enhances daily usability with better app loading times, multitasking, and fluidity. Users will generally appreciate the transitions and responsiveness when using their devices. Google also addressed the thermal management issue plaguing previous Tensor chips, making the Tensor G3 more stable and reliable. And we can't overlook the numerous pixel deals available now, enhancing its overall value.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out notably in terms of battery life and charging capabilities. Boasting a 5,000mAh battery, this device should get you through a whole day with significant charge to spare. The slightly larger 5,050mAh battery inside the Pixel 8 Pro offers solid-but-not-spectacular performance as its Samsung counterpart. While it lasts a full day, heavy users might need a quick charge before the day is done.

Regarding charging speeds, the clear leader is also the S24 Ultra, offering 45 watts, in contrast to the 30-watt capability in the Pixel 8 Pro. That said, not only does the Galaxy S24 Ultra outmuscle the Pixel 8 Pro in terms of raw power, but it also does so in terms of battery life and charging speed. This makes it the ideal choice for performance-oriented users.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Camera

Samsung keeps its tradition of putting high-end camera hardware on its flagships. At the same time, Google, on the other hand, touts its reliance on advanced computational photography to get the most out of its sensors. The most significant upgrade of this year's Galaxy S24 Ultra is the shift from a 10x to a 5x periscope telephoto lens. This seemed odd, especially given that the company significantly upped its periscope telephoto camera from a 10MP lens to a 50-megapixel (MP) sensor

The upscaled image quality provided by this shift enables users to shoot shots up to 10x optical quality with the help of pixel-cropping techniques. Along with its unchanged 3x telephoto lens, this new invention by Samsung offers an impressive and highly competent zoom range, including the striking 100x digital "Space Zoom." With this enhanced zoom, the S24 Ultra is perfect for users needing powerful shots with every minute detail, no matter the distance.

On the contrary, the Pixel 8 Pro enjoys sensor enhancements across its camera arsenal: the primary 50MP sensor captures 21% more light, but the 48MP periscope telephoto and ultrawide lenses enjoy even more significant gains in light sensitivity, 56% and 105%, respectively. These bolster Google's computational photography prowess, allowing for vivid, detailed images and class-leading low-light performance. The shots clicked from the Pixel 8 Pro retain their natural color and rich information, making it one of the best Google Pixel phones for shooting perfect, naturally balanced images.

In addition, Samsung's approach typically offers more vivid, saturated photos that appeal to all who like their bold and striking images. As such, saturation is toned down on the S24 Ultra compared to its predecessors, though it remains refined, natural-looking, and punchy. However, the Pixel 8 Pro outclasses it in terms of night mode and low light shots, thanks to its increased light sensitivity and Google's expertise in AI-driven photo processing. The phone produces realistic hues with a lot of detail, staying true to the legacy that has made Google a leader in night photography.

Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Software and User Experience

These two devices have some evident and stark differences regarding their software and user experience. The Pixel 8 Pro launched with Google's stock version of Android 14 out of the box and is now upgradable to Android 15. This software version offers a clean, intuitive interface. The Pixel 8 Pro is, therefore, perfect for those who like simplicity and direct access to features without additional layers of distraction.

In comparison, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with One UI 6.1.1, Samsung's feature-laden skin, which opens a whole world of customizations on top of Android 14. Users can personalize virtually everything, from changing the theme to adjusting home screen layouts. Samsung software is full of advanced features like DeX mode for desktop-like experiences and using the S-Pen with high precision for input and note-taking.

Both promise extensive longevity in software support: Google's committed to seven-year updates on the Pixel 8 Pro, while Samsung matches that with its Galaxy S24 lineup. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference: do you want the lean-and-mean software experience of the Pixel or a packed set of features available on offer from Samsung's One UI?

Verdict

Choosing between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Google Pixel 8 Pro is difficult. After all, both devices excel in their way. However, Google's flagship has one very important factor working in its favor: it's far friendlier on the pocket. You can snag some S24 dealsto save yourself, but the Pixel 8 Pro is still an affordable flagship phone for most people. It offers a seamless user experience, great cameras, and long-term software support, making it an intelligent investment.

This is not to say the Samsung Galaxy S24 ultra isn't worth considering. Performance enthusiasts are unlikely to find another phone that offers so much power and versatility in one package. Thanks to its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, the S24 ultra runs at blazing speeds perfect for gaming, multitasking, or resource-intensive applications. Similarly, the device does an excellent job in graphics performance and easily sits among the best options for mobile gamers and content creators. If you feel this is the phone for you but can't splurge on a new one, you can always opt for a Second hand Samsung S24. These devices offer all the fantastic features we love but at much lower prices.