Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: I Tested Both – Here Are the Big Differences

Google just launched the Pixel 9 series in Events by Google in Mountain View, California. If you are looking for a top android phoneYour attention should be directed straight to Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Also: Everything Announced at Made by Google 2024: Pixel 9 Pro, Fold, Gemini, Watch 3 and More

Starting at $1,099, the larger Pixel features a 6.8-inch display, the most RAM Google has ever put in a phone, a 5,060mAh battery, and a triple-camera setup that can compete well with the competition — specifically Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Samsung’s flagship Ultra has been my daily smartphone since it was released in January, and it’s still at the top of ZDNET’s list. best phone So if you’re torn between the best in the business and Google’s late-summer offering like me, I’ve broken down the main reasons to buy one phone over the other below. And, trust me, it’s a close call.

Specifications

You should buy the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if…

1. You like Google’s cleaner approach to software

One of the biggest differences between the Google Pixel and most other Android phones is the software experience. I wouldn’t classify the Pixel launcher as spartan, but it’s certainly less obtrusive and more feature-rich than Samsung’s OneUI or OnePlus’ OxygenOS. There are some customization tools for the home screen and lock screen, but don’t expect to be able to tweak every little aspect of what’s in front of you.

Also: I tested the ‘Add Me’ feature on the Google Pixel 9 Pro and it works great

Naturally, the Pixel Launcher’s cleaner interface allows Google to deliver the latest Android features, like Gemini Live and Pixel Screenshots, to the Pixel 9 series more quickly and efficiently. And the company promises seven years of OS, Pixel Feature Drops, and security patches to keep the phones relevant until at least 2031.

2. You want the easiest-to-use camera system on the market

While the Pixel 9 Pro XL doesn’t have the 100X zoom capabilities of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, it does have a solid triple-camera array that can capture photos and videos with great detail, natural colors, and high contrast. The new 42MP front camera, with a 103-degree FOV, is said to be best for group selfies and landscape portraits.

In addition to having one of the best point-and-shoot camera systems on any smartphone, the Pixel 9 Pro XL also has a host of AI tools to help users capture, edit, and recreate photos to their liking. There’s a whole “what is an image” debate tied to the AI-generated madness, but for customers who prefer idealism over realism and convenience over effort, tools like Add Me, Auto Frame in Magic Editor, and Reimagine give the Pixel 9 Pro XL one of the most forgiving camera systems on the market.

The latest pixel phone also includes a number of video improvements, including 8K video upscaling and Super Res Zoom.

3. You want a phone that’s easier to hold

Yes, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is also $100 cheaper than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but perhaps more importantly, it’s actually comfortable to hold. Considering how often you’ll be carrying your phone around, picking it up, and interacting with it on a daily basis, feel is one of the most important but overlooked aspects.

Compared to Samsung’s boxy, sharp-edged design, the Pixel 9 Pro XL has flat edges that give you a solid grip and subtle curves that reduce the overall footprint. Put a case on both devices and you’ll notice the difference more clearly.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if…

1. You like Samsung’s kitchen-sink approach to software

While Samsung’s software experience has become less buggy and chaotic since the days of old TouchWiz, OneUI is still one of the most feature-rich versions of Android on the market. On the stock launcher alone, you can customize elements like wallpaper shadows, widget styles, swipe animations, and more. On a device like the Galaxy S24 Ultra, you get additional note-taking features to make the most of the built-in S Pen stylus.

Also: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra review: Still the flagship of Android flagships

Like Google, Samsung also promises at least seven years of software updates for Galaxy S models. It can be said that you will feel that you get your money’s worth when buying Samsung’s flagship phone.

2. You want the best smartphone display on the market

I’ve tested almost every major smartphone release over the past year, including large foldable screenAnd the Galaxy S24 Ultra has the best display I’ve ever seen. It’s a 6.8-inch LTPO AMOLED panel that has a refresh rate of 1Hz to 120Hz and is very bright in daylight. Those specs are essentially identical to the Pixel 9 Pro XL, by the way, so here’s where Samsung really sets itself apart: an anti-glare coating that significantly reduces reflections.

Whether you’re taking photos in direct sunlight or reading the web in a well-lit environment, the anti-glare coating Samsung built into the Galaxy S24 Ultra makes images appear clearer than on regular smartphones.

3. You want a high-performance smartphone that has been tested in real life

Until I spend more time with the Pixel 9 Pro XL and its internal Tensor G4 chip, I won’t really know how much better (or worse) it is than the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip in the Galaxy S24 Ultra. What’s certain is that if you’re looking to buy a smartphone today, the latter has been tested and rated by experts and has proven to be reliable, battery-efficient, and capable of running the latest mobile AI tools without much hiccup.

On the other hand, Google doesn’t have a good track record with Tensor chips, having experienced overheating and other long-term issues in the past, so I’ll be keeping a close eye on benchmarks and real-world testing after launch.

Alternatives to Consider

See at AppleSee at Store.google