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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8a
Key specs: Display: 6.8" vs 6.1" and Battery: 5000 mAh vs 4492 mAh. In real-world use, the S24 Ultra's features like the stunning 8K video recording and versatile quad-camera system mean it's designed for photography enthusiasts and heavy multitaskers. Meanwhile, the Pixel 8a's lighter build and solid performance make it a great choice for everyday users who want to save some cash without sacrificing too much quality.
📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.1"🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 4492 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.18 oz vs 6.63 oz
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
★4.6
(3,377)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Graphics:Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
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Google Pixel 8a
★4.4
(1,570)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G3
Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Google Pixel 8a
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners)Winner
Google Pixel 8a
6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Adaptive 1–120 Hz
Google Pixel 8a
60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Google Pixel 8a
Google Tensor G3
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
12 GB (LPDDR5X)Winner
Google Pixel 8a
8GB LPDDR5X
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Google Pixel 8a
128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OISWinner
Google Pixel 8a
64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Google Pixel 8a
13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playbackWinner
Google Pixel 8a
4,492 mAh (Typical)
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Google Pixel 8a
Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
8.18 oz (232 g)
Google Pixel 8a
6.6 oz (188 g)Winner
Dimensions
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm)
Google Pixel 8a
6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC
Google Pixel 8a
5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 8a
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
★4.6(3,377)Best Buy
Google Pixel 8a
★4.4(1,570)Amazon
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Google Pixel 8a |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.4(1,570)Amazon |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031) | 7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates |
Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520) | Google Tensor G3 |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 8GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Actua OLED Display |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 60–120Hz (Smooth Display) |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | 13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | 50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens) |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 8x Super Res Zoom |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 4,492 mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately) | Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2 | USB Type-C 3.2 |
Durability | IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back | IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 6.6 oz (188 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser |
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Rating:★4.6(3,377)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates (guaranteed until 2031)
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4nm; 8-core CPU: 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4, 3x3.1GHz A720, 2x2.9GHz A720, 2x2.2GHz A520)
Graphics:Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners)
Screen Type:Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO)
Resolution:3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Adaptive 1–120 Hz
Peak Brightness:2600 nits peak (outdoor)
Main Camera:200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Telephoto Camera:50MP Telephoto (111 mm, f/3.4), periscope lens, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom; 10MP Telephoto (67 mm, f/2.4), Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom
Optical Zoom:3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor)
Digital Zoom:Up to 100x (Space Zoom)
Video Recording:8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps
Front Camera:12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps
Battery:5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 65% in ~30 minutes with 45W adapter and 5A USB-C cable (adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 (up to 5 Gb/s); DisplayPort 1.2
Durability:IP68 (up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 min); Titanium frame (Grade 2); Gorilla Glass Armor front; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 back
Dimensions:6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm)
Weight:8.18 oz (232 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition
Extras:Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG
✓ Pros:
- • Exclusive Corning Gorilla Glass Armor significantly reduces reflections
- • Versatile quad-camera system with high-resolution 50MP 5x zoom
- • Integrated S Pen for productivity and creative tasks
- • Top-tier Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 'for Galaxy' performance with 12GB RAM standard
- • 7-year commitment for both OS and security updates
✗ Cons:
- • Large and heavy (232 g) with sharp corners that can dig into palms
- • 45W charging speed has plateaued compared to competitors
- • High starting price
- • Shutter lag can still be noticeable with moving subjects
- • No Qi2 wireless charging support (magnetic alignment)
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Google Pixel 8a
Rating:★4.4(1,570)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G3
Graphics:Arm Immortalis-G715s MC10
RAM:8GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.1" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Actua OLED Display
Resolution:1080 x 2400 pixels (FHD+), 430 ppi
Refresh Rate:60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Peak Brightness:1,400 nits (HDR) / 2,000 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:64MP Wide (f/1.89, 80° FOV, 1/1.73"), Quad PD AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:13MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 120° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:N/A (Optical quality at 0.5x and 1x via sensor crop)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x Super Res Zoom
Video Recording:4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps
Front Camera:13MP Front (f/2.2, 96.5° FOV), Fixed Focus
Battery:4,492 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 18W (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Qi Wireless Charging (7.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC
USB:USB Type-C 3.2
Durability:IP67 (Dust and water resistant up to 1m); Gorilla Glass 3 (front); Matte composite back; Aluminum frame
Dimensions:6.0" x 2.9" x 0.4" (152.1 x 72.7 x 8.9 mm)
Weight:6.6 oz (188 g)
Biometrics:Under-display Fingerprint Sensor; Face Unlock
Extras:VPN by Google One; Titan M2 security; Gemini AI integrated; Audio Magic Eraser
✓ Pros:
- • Unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment
- • Bright 120Hz Actua OLED display (2,000 nits peak)
- • Flagship-grade Tensor G3 processor brings premium AI features (Magic Editor, Audio Magic Eraser)
- • Compact and comfortable design with a durable matte finish
- • Includes wireless charging (rare at this price point)
✗ Cons:
- • Charging is slow (18W wired / 7.5W wireless) compared to competitors
- • Large bezels surround the display, looking dated compared to the Pixel 8
- • Uses older Gorilla Glass 3 for screen protection
- • Optical fingerprint sensor can be slower than ultrasonic alternatives
- • Gets warm under heavy load due to Tensor G3 efficiency
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Which one is better?
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better buy for most people - its 200MP camera crushes the Pixel 8a's 64MP setup, making it perfect for photography lovers.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of video, need top-tier performance for gaming, or want a versatile camera system. (6.8" display, 5000 mAh battery)
Choose the Google Pixel 8a if: you want 7 years of software support, prefer a compact design, or are looking for a budget-friendly smartphone.
Conclusion
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and Google Pixel 8a are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra excels if you value exclusive corning gorilla glass armor significantly reduces reflections. Google Pixel 8a is better if you prioritize unmatched 7-year software support commitment in the mid-range segment. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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