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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, Manufacturer

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

If you're aiming for the best flagship experience, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the smarter buy, especially with its 200MP camera that crushes the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL's 50MP. In real-world use, the S24 Ultra’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 performance shines, delivering serious speed for gaming and multitasking. Meanwhile, the Pixel's 7-year software support commitment means you'll stay updated longer, which is a huge win for longevity seekers. But if you want top-notch camera quality and display brightness at 3,000 nits, the S24 Ultra is where it’s at.

🔋 Battery: 5000 mAh vs 5060 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.18 oz vs 7.80 oz📷 Camera: 200 MP vs 50 MP

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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

4.4
(986)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G4
Graphics:Arm Mali-G715 MC7
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Key spec differences

Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.

Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Refresh Rate
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Adaptive 1–120 Hz
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
1–120Hz (Adaptive)
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 9 Pro XL
Google Tensor G4
RAMKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
12 GB (LPDDR5X)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Storage
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)Winner
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (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 9 Pro XL
50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa 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 9 Pro XL
48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
5,060 mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Design2 specs
Weight
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
8.18 oz (232 g)
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
7.80 oz (221 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 9 Pro XL
6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 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 9 Pro XL
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS
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Full specs, pros, and cons

Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.

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

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

4.6(3,377)Best Buy
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

4.4(986)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

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 9 Pro XL

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

Rating:4.4(986)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G4
Graphics:Arm Mali-G715 MC7
RAM:16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Actua LTPO OLED
Resolution:1344 x 2992 pixels (QHD+), 486 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:2,000 nits (HDR) / 3,000 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus
Telephoto Camera:48MP Telephoto (5x optical, f/2.8), Quad PD AF, OIS
Optical Zoom:5x Optical Zoom (Optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x)
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Super Res Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps (via Video Boost); 4K@24/30/60fps
Front Camera:42MP Front (f/2.2, 103° FOV), Dual PD AF
Battery:5,060 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 37W (charges up to 70% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger)
Wireless Charging:Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS
USB:USB Type-C 3.2
Durability:IP68 (Dust and water resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back)
Dimensions:6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm)
Weight:7.80 oz (221 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock
Extras:Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; Temperature sensor; VPN by Google One

✓ Pros:

  • Industry-leading 7-year software support commitment
  • Super Actua display is exceptionally bright (3,000 nits peak)
  • Versatile camera system with 5x optical zoom and high-res 42MP selfie camera
  • Deep AI integration with Gemini and exclusive features like Video Boost
  • Premium build with uniform bezels and Gorilla Glass Victus 2

✗ Cons:

  • 8K video recording is not native on-device (requires cloud-based Video Boost processing)
  • UFS 3.1 storage is slower than the UFS 4.0 standard found in competitors
  • Heavy gaming performance lags behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 rivals
  • Charging speed (37W max) is slower than many flagship peers
  • Optical fingerprint sensor replaced by ultrasonic, but still requires good placement

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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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 Google Pixel 9 Pro XL's 50MP.

Who should buy each?

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if: you shoot a lot of photos, need top performance for gaming, or appreciate a high-resolution display. (5000 mAh battery, 8.18 oz weight)
Choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if: you prefer a lighter phone, want the best software support, or prioritize longer battery life for daily use. (5060 mAh battery, 7.80 oz weight)

Conclusion

With the key differences outlined, the decision should be clearer. Both options deliver quality—choose the one that fits your priorities.

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 9 Pro XL is better if you prioritize industry-leading 7-year software support commitment. 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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