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.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
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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
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
| Criterion | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.6(3,377)Best Buy | ★4.4(986)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 Pixel 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 G4 |
Graphics | Adreno 750 (1 GHz) | Arm Mali-G715 MC7 |
RAM | 12 GB (LPDDR5X) | 16GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1) |
Display Size | 6.8" (6.8" full rectangle; 6.8" accounting for rounded corners) | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) |
Screen Type | Dynamic AMOLED 2X (LTPO) | Super Actua LTPO OLED |
Resolution | 3120 x 1440 pixels (QHD+, 505 ppi) | 1344 x 2992 pixels (QHD+), 486 ppi |
Refresh Rate | Adaptive 1–120 Hz | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) |
Peak Brightness | 2600 nits peak (outdoor) | 2,000 nits (HDR) / 3,000 nits (Peak) |
Main Camera | 200MP Wide (24 mm, f/1.7), 1/1.3" sensor, multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS | 50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 12MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° FOV), Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | 48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus |
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 | 48MP Telephoto (5x optical, f/2.8), Quad PD AF, OIS |
Optical Zoom | 3x, 5x optical zoom; 2x, 10x optical-quality zoom (enabled by Adaptive Pixel sensor) | 5x Optical Zoom (Optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 100x (Space Zoom) | Up to 30x Super Res Zoom |
Video Recording | 8K video at 24/30 fps; 4K at 30/60/120 fps; Slow motion 1080p at 240 fps | 8K@30fps (via Video Boost); 4K@24/30/60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP Front (26 mm, f/2.2), Dual Pixel PDAF; 4K video at 30/60 fps | 42MP Front (f/2.2, 103° FOV), Dual PD AF |
Battery | 5000 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 30 hours video playback | 5,060 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 37W (charges up to 70% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger) |
Wireless Charging | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (up to 15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) | Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (UWB); NFC | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS |
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 | IP68 (Dust and water resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back) |
Dimensions | 6.39" x 3.11" x 0.34" (162.3 x 79.0 x 8.6 mm) | 6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm) |
Weight | 8.18 oz (232 g) | 7.80 oz (221 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint (under display); Face recognition | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock |
Extras | Integrated S Pen (Bluetooth enabled); Galaxy AI (Circle to Search, Live Translate, Note Assist); Samsung DeX; Stereo speakers tuned by AKG | Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; Temperature sensor; VPN by Google One |
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
✓ 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
✓ 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
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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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