Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Which large telephone wins?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is indisputably one among the best Android phones you should purchase in 2024. It has nice cameras, one of many largest and brightest shows, a slick titanium and glass design, and the distinctive proposition of a stylus that can be utilized to activate the nifty AI options. However, the freshly introduced Google Pixel 9 Pro XL challenges its authority with an equally beautiful show, stellar cameras, and unique Gemini AI options.

Can all of those new options on the Pixel 9 Pro XL match the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s attraction? Let’s discover out in our comparability beneath.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: specs

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: design

Both the Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra acquired significant design upgrades over their predecessors. Since the Pixel 9 Pro XL is newer, it feels brisker, and people new inexperienced and pink colours solidify that impression additional. In distinction, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a wider vary of colour choices, together with three online-exclusive pastel colours.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL will get its tall determine from a 6.8-inch show that could be a tad greater than the Pixel 8 Pro. Incidentally, the Galaxy S24 Ultra additionally has a 6.8-inch show, however each telephones differ barely of their total lengths and breadths. The Pixel is lighter by not less than 10 grams (0.3 ounces), however you’ll hardly discover that distinction, particularly whereas utilizing a case.

Both telephones function glass backs, although the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s has the extra sturdy Gorilla Glass Armor defending it whereas the Pixel 9 Pro XL makes use of the older Gorilla Glass Victus. Both even have IP68 rankings for related resistance to mud and water. Another defining distinction is the mid-frame, with Samsung strolling the same route as Apple and choosing titanium whereas Google makes use of recycled aluminum.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra is designed otherwise than the remainder of Samsung’s lineup, with sharp corners, a flat again, and cameras aligned in an F form. The Pixel 9 Pro XL, however, will get curved corners — much like the remainder of the Galaxy S24 sequence. Like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Google additionally ditches curved edges on the display and the rear, and has a equally flat body. The standout function of the Pixel 9 Pro XL is its newly designed digicam bump, which homes three cameras and all of the sensors in a single row.

With each telephones providing equally high-grade construct high quality, selecting a transparent winner can be tough. We go away this till we’ve used each the telephones concurrently for an extended period.

Winner: Tie

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: show

Though each have 6.8-inch OLED shows, there are variations setting them aside. First, the Galaxy S24 Ultra has a barely increased decision, which makes particulars on the show slightly extra crisp, although you’ll be able to scale the decision again to 1080p on each telephones to avoid wasting battery. The show on the Galaxy S24 Ultra can be barely broader (in keeping with its broader physique).

The Galaxy S24 Ultra options the brightest show on a Samsung system but, reaching as excessive as 2,600 nits of peak brightness. The Pixel 9 Pro XL surpasses that, reaching 3,000 nits of peak brightness and a pair of,000 nits in HDR mode.

While each firms boast of vibrant shows, neither talks about how dim the telephones are in dimmer settings. Notably, Samsung has an ultra-low brightness mode to cut back pressure at evening. However, on the {hardware} degree, it chooses a counterintuitive strategy of utilizing a low pulse width modulation (PWM) frequency that may result in eye fatigue and probably even illness. Unfortunately, the Pixel 9 Pro’s show has but to be examined for these requirements, however exams from the earlier technology present a lot poorer results.

After wanting on the variations, let’s have a look at the similarities between the shows on the 2 telephones. Both units help dynamic refresh fee, ranging between 1Hz and 120Hz, which modifications in sync with the content material being performed on the screens. Both additionally help HDR10+ whereas missing help for Dolby Vision. That shouldn’t matter since each telephones have super-bright shows. As Samsung (additionally the licensor of HDR10+) is getting extra video platforms to help the codec, you wouldn’t have an issue with visibility in HDR content material, although viewing on Netflix may very well be a problem.

Given the similarities, it’s tough to select a straight-up winner, so we are going to let this be one other tie.

Winner: Tie

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: efficiency

Like the earlier three generations, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is working off of Google’s personal Tensor line of cellular chips. Tensor G4 is the newest version within the sequence, and like earlier generations, is based on the Samsung Exynos 2400 chipset. But as an alternative of utterly carrying the chip ahead with the identical specs, Google has reduce down on energy by lowering CPU cores from 10 to eight and has as an alternative prioritized effectivity. As a end result, the Tensor G4 brings solely a small leap within the CPU’s efficiency.

These modifications may probably assist the Tensor G4 run much less scorching in comparison with the earlier generations, which have gained a poor repute for his or her thermal efficiency. For now, we might suggest in opposition to going for the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you need a telephone to sport on. Another cause for that could be a weak (learn: midrange-worthy) Mali GPU as an alternative of the Immortalis branded graphics unit we discover on the Dimensity 9300 or different comparable chipsets.

Google has additionally upgraded the RAM on all variants to 16GB from 12GB within the earlier generations. Notably, a part of the RAM on the telephone (and Google doesn’t specify how a lot) is reserved for sooner processing of on-device AI duties. In phrases of storage, Google gives 4 variants, beginning at 128GB and going all the best way as much as 1TB. One factor to notice is that the bottom variant comes with a slower UFS 3.1 storage expertise, whereas the opposite variants have the newest UFS 4.0.

Though Samsung helps Google with the chipset, it, paradoxically, makes use of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Notably, the Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus include the Exynos 2400 in sure areas, however not within the U.S., the place Samsung makes use of Snapdragon chips.

That’s factor although, because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 gives higher thermal effectivity. It can be anticipated to supply rather more energy than the Tensor G4, because of a CPU designed with high-frequency mid cores. Since the start of the yr, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 has constantly carried out outstandingly nicely, so there’s hardly any cause compelling sufficient to doubt its efficiency. What we are able to query, nonetheless, is Samsung sticking to 12GB of RAM.

On the constructive facet, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 256GB of storage as the bottom variant and likewise goes as much as 1TB. Additionally, there aren’t any cutbacks within the storage speeds.

With the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the one draw back you’re going to face is relatively slower responses with AI capabilities working regionally. Considering AI on cellphones is itself in a nascent stage for the time being, that isn’t instantly a problem, although it may be sooner or later when we have now extra superior fashions. That future, nonetheless, shouldn’t be imminent, so you’ll be able to proceed utilizing the telephone over the following two to 3 years with none points.

With this stuff in thoughts, we are going to give some extent to the Galaxy S24 Ultra for the potential of higher efficiency, although we promise to revisit this once more after our Pixel 9 Pro XL evaluate.

Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: battery and charging

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra have practically equivalent batteries. There’s a 5,060mAh battery pack on the Pixel 9 Pro XL and a 5,000mAh unit on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. With the excessive battery effectivity supplied by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, we acquired as much as two days of battery backup throughout our evaluate of the Galaxy S24 Ultra. It’s tough to substantiate whether or not the Pixel 9 Pro XL matches these excessive requirements earlier than an intensive evaluation within the coming weeks, however we anticipate it to not less than last more than a day absent strenuous duties equivalent to steady video recording or gaming.

One space we don’t anticipate the Pixel 9 Pro XL to match as much as Samsung is when it comes to charging speeds. The new XL helps wired charging at as much as 37 watts — the quickest in its total lineup — whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra expenses at as much as 45W. We have but to check the real-life charging speeds on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, however a Galaxy S24 Ultra takes barely over an hour with a charger that helps 45W or sooner charging.

Notably, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has sooner wi-fi charging charges and might settle for cost at as much as 23W. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra solely tolerates wi-fi charging at 15W. Considering the broader Qi2 customary for wi-fi charging is restricted to solely 15W, you would want a proprietary charger with the Pixel 9 Pro XL — most likely the Pixel Stand Gen 2 from nearly three years in the past — to attain these sooner speeds. Finally, it’s vital to notice that precise wi-fi charging speeds are a lot decrease as a result of intensive warmth generated within the course of.

Lastly, each telephones help reverse wi-fi charging the place you’ll be able to place equipment equivalent to earbuds instances on the again of the telephone to pump some cost into them. You may do it to different telephones, although the speed is extremely sluggish and is probably not efficient. Google doesn’t reveal the precise speeds right here, however the switch is restricted to 4.5W on the Samsung telephone.

It’s one other tie between the 2 behemoths, however we are going to revise this part after testing the precise battery backup of the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Winner: Tie

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: cameras

The Google Pixel’s cameras is one space the place Google’s telephones have by no means faltered, regardless of different misadventures. While it’s not the only real model to supply distinctive telephone cameras, it has its personal set of benefits with actually sharp photos and true-to-life tones, particularly whereas capturing human faces.

The Pixel 9 Pro XL continues to make use of a triple digicam setup that’s much like what we noticed on the final technology. This features a 50-megapixel (MP) predominant digicam, a 48MP ultrawide with a 123-degree-wide subject of view, and a 48MP telephoto with 5x optical zoom. Though the opposite two cameras seem unchanged, the ultrawide has a brand new lens with a wider aperture, which ought to permit better-lit photographs. The ultrawide will also be used to seize macro photographs, because of autofocus and optical picture stabilization (OIS) options, that are additionally customary throughout the three cameras.

The selfie digicam on the Pixel 9 Pro XL will get a significant enchancment, shifting up from 10.5MP beforehand to 42MP with a considerably wider 103-degree view. The entrance digicam additionally helps autofocus.

Although there isn’t a major enchancment within the {hardware}, there are a number of AI options to make the choices extra thrilling. In addition to the beforehand accessible Magic Editor and Best Take, Google is including a brand new “Add Me” function that lets you add folks to present photos, nearly making it appear like they have been really a part of the photograph. The 5X telephoto digicam, however, makes use of AI to enhance particulars in photographs at as much as 20X zoom with the Super Res Zoom function.

In comparability, the Galaxy S24 Ultra isn’t much less packed relating to digicam options. Foremost, you get 4 cameras as an alternative of three, with Samsung choosing two telephoto cameras: a 10MP 3X for portraits and one other 50MP 5X for longer-range photographs with some AI-backed enhancements. The different cameras embrace a 200MP major digicam and a 12MP ultrawide unit. On the entrance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra will get a 12MP shooter.

In addition to enhancements with AI, Samsung’s One UI 6.1.1 brings the power to doodle to generate components on present photos. Though the function is restricted to the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Flip 6 for the time being, there is no such thing as a cause why Samsung wouldn’t deliver it to different telephones with an S Pen, particularly the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Though we’re nonetheless testing the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s cameras, it already has powerful competitors to beat. The Galaxy S24 Ultra renders wonderful photographs in vibrant eventualities, although it will probably introduce extreme HDR in low-light photos — and that’s customary throughout all sensors. This part deserves a extra detailed head-to-head comparability, and we shall be sharing the outcomes over the approaching weeks.

Winner: Tie

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: software program and updates

In previous years, Pixel telephones have been bearers of the newest Android variations. But that modified this yr, as Google launched the Pixel 9 Pro XL with final yr’s Android 14 as an alternative of the upcoming Android 15. The actual cause for this alternative stays unclear, nevertheless it may should do with Google’s shift of focus towards AI, particularly Gemini, which powers a number of recent experiences on the Pixel 9 telephones.

With that stated, the Pixel 9 sequence, together with the Pixel 9 Pro XL, would be the first to get Android 15 at any time when it releases over the approaching months. And just like the older telephones, the Pixel 9 Pro XL can be promised to get seven years of software program updates.

These options embrace Gemini Live, a dialog mode that takes a extra pure route the place you can also make a number of requests without delay — you’ll be able to even interrupt it whereas it’s answering. Additionally, there’s Pixel Screenshots, which shops context associated to your screenshots and scans their contents, making it simpler so that you can search screenshots inside Google Photos.

With the Pixel 9 sequence, Google is providing a complimentary Google One subscription for one yr, together with 2TB of storage and entry to Gemini chatbot’s paid tier powered by the Gemini 1.5 Pro AI multimodal mannequin. However, after one yr, you’ll have to pay $20 a month to proceed utilizing the service.

In comparability, the Galaxy S24 Ultra runs a closely skinned model of Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI. There are a number of additional features that make One UI visually more attractive, however you’ll lose out on the Pixel-exclusive AI options. Samsung has its personal set of Galaxy AI options, although not all of them could also be completely helpful every day. These embrace the favored Circle to Search, which can be utilized to go looking something by circling it with the S Pen. The function depends on Google Lens, so it’s not unique to Samsung.

A nifty AI function on Samsung telephones is dwell translation throughout calls together with transcription. Samsung additionally gives its personal set of image-editing options in its Gallery app and AI writing help for chat and e mail apps. Notably, Samsung’s AI options are additionally free solely till the top of 2025, and the precise value shall be revealed afterward.

Samsung is ready to launch One UI 7 following the launch of Android 15, and it has been rumored to deliver some large visible modifications. Finally, the Galaxy S24 Ultra can be set to obtain seven years of software program updates.

Both Samsung and Google have wonderful observe data of conserving units up-to-date, however the plethora of AI options on Pixels give them an edge. More importantly, Google claims to be repositioning Android to revolve round AI within the coming years, and the Pixel telephones will naturally get a bonus over different manufacturers. For this cause, we select the Pixel as our winner.

Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: value and availability

The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, together with the remainder of the lineup, is at the moment accessible for preorder and can begin delivery August 22. It begins at $1,099 for the 128GB mannequin, however we suggest spending $100 additional and going for the 256GB variant. Not solely do you get extra storage, nevertheless it’s additionally sooner to entry.

Google additionally has some enticing trade-in gives of as much as $760 should you alternate your outdated telephone in the course of the preorder interval, alongside a $200 Google Store credit score that you should utilize in the direction of shopping for another product.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S24 Ultra begins at $1,300 for the 256GB variant and rises to $1,660 for the 1TB possibility. Samsung has trade-in reductions as much as $750 you probably have an older Samsung system and as much as $600 for non-Samsung telephones, equivalent to a Pixel or an iPhone.

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: verdict

The Pixel 9 Pro XL is among the most engaging units Google has launched in a number of years. Besides an pleasing design and nice cameras, the AI options imply it’s very shut competitors with the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

If you need to make use of the thrilling preorder advantages, you’ll be able to weigh the variations between the 2 units based mostly on the detailed comparability we have now drawn above. Our initial impressions of the Pixel 9 Pro XL have been very promising, and we are going to refine the arguments above as we progress with our evaluate.

Until then, you can also make the perfect choice by selecting the traits that matter to you essentially the most. At the second, an excessive amount of is unknown in regards to the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s efficiency to make an important judgement. But however, it’s clear that each of those telephones are exceptionally highly effective and succesful items of expertise. Really, you’ll be able to’t go mistaken with both.

Source