Which of these 2024 flagships takes the crown?
Google has really shaken up the flagship smartphone landscape with the launch of the Google Pixel 9 range. Its newly expanded series arrived two months early, and supplies a fresh design and an all-new model in the Google Pixel 9 Pro.
Does that make Google the brand behind the best Android phone? We awarded the Pixel 9 Pro 4.5 out of 5 stars in our Google Pixel 9 Pro review, which would suggest it’s in with a shout. However, it’s going to have to get past the mighty Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has been our top pick for most of 2024.
It’s worth noting from the off that the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is really more of a direct rival to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, both in terms of price and size. However, it’s the smaller Pixel 9 Pro that’s the most interesting model in the family. In offering a true flagship experience in a compact form factor, it offers something that Samsung simply doesn’t right now.
So, how do the Pixel 9 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra stack up against one another? Let’s take a closer look.Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: specs comparison
Let’s take a quick look at the key specs of these two phones before we dive into the finer details. Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: price and availability
The Google Pixel 9 Pro arrived in the US, UK and Australia on August 22, 2024. This was some seven months on from the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, which arrived on January 31.
When it comes to pricing, the Pixel 9 Pro starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,649 for 128GB of storage. However, the price comparison should really start from the step-up 256GB model, which costs $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849, as well as the 512GB model at $1,219 / £1,219 / AU$2,049 and the 1TB range-topper at $1,449 / £1,449.
These are the models that map directly to the Galaxy S24 Ultra range, which starts at $1,299 / £1,249 / AU$2,199 for the model with 256GB of storage. Meanwhile, the 512GB model costs $1,399.99 / £1,399 / AU$2,549, and the 1TB model costs $1,659.99 / £1,549 / AU$2,799.
Comparing like for like, then, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is $200 / £150 / AU$350 more expensive than its new Pixel 9 Pro rival.Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: design
There really isn’t much similarity between these two phones from a visual perspective. For one thing, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is much bigger than the Pixel 9 Pro, with its hulking 162.3 x 79 x 8.6mm footprint towering over the 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm Google phone.
Samsung’s flagship is also a much heavier customer at 232g, whereas the Pixel 9 Pro weighs a fairly modest 199g. Titanium hasn’t made the Galaxy S24 Ultra as light as we’d have liked, but it has technically made it tougher than Google’s phone.
These two phones look very different to one another, too. Google’s new design language cribs a lot from the iPhone playbook, and by extension, the Pixel 9 Pro looks more like the Samsung Galaxy S24 than the Ultra. It’s got a flat metal rim and gently curved corners, reflected in both the body and the display.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has flattened its left and right edges out much more than before, but they’re still slightly curved. Meanwhile, its corners are quite pointed, resulting in a perfectly rectangular display.
Google’s phone has Gorilla Glass Victus 2 to the front and back, while Samsung’s has custom Corning Gorilla Armor, which is said to be broadly as tough. Both phones have IP68 water and dust resistance certification.
Talking of the backs of these phones, the Pixel 9 Pro has a more striking camera module that runs almost the width of the phone. Samsung’s individual modules might be more discrete, but they also lack a little personality.
In short, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is built like a tank – for better and for worse – while the Pixel 9 Pro is dinky and pocketable, if a little derivative. Both are supremely well-built phones.
Let’s not forget that the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with an S Pen stylus cleverly hidden away in its body. Most people won’t find this to be particularly useful, but for anyone who likes to scrawl notes or make sketches, it’s the best option on the market.Google Pixel 9 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: displays
That size difference is reflected in the display offerings for each phone. The Pixel 9 Pro offers a compact (by 2024 standards) 6.3-inch AMOLED display, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s AMOLED measures a whopping 6.9 inches.
Samsung has packed more pixels in to help cover that extra real estate, with a 1440 x 3120 resolution.
