Google finally takes on Samsung in the Ultra segment. With Google’s recent Pixel 9 series release, the company is finally challenging the Samsung Galaxy.
With Google’s recent Pixel 9 series release, the company is finally challenging the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra with its top-tier Google Pixel 9 Pro XL. Both handsets are similarly priced right now, so it’s a valid dilemma for many users looking for an upgrade right now. Especially in the US, where smartphone choice is somewhat more limited with fewer brands owning the entire market.Table of Contents:
For starters, you can compare the complete specs sheets or directly continue with our editor’s assessment in the following text.Size comparison
The Pixel 9 Pro XL and the Galaxy S24 Ultra are rather large devices — with their 6.8-inch displays, we’d go as far as calling them borderline unwieldy for most people. If you never held one of these two in your hand, better go and try one in a store to check them out for size.
However, if you know you what one, then you should bear in mind a few nuances. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is wider and has sharp, pointy corners that make the phone feel bigger than it actually is. Some find the sharp corners offer a more secure grip, but others find them awkward.
The Pixel, on the other hand, has rounded corners and а flat side frame, so it feels easier to hold in the hand.
In any case, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is the better option build quality-wise. It has supposedly tougher Gorilla Armor protective panels on the front and back, compared to the Victus 2 sheets on the Pixel, and it boasts a superior titanium frame design as opposed to regular aluminum.Display comparison
The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a more boxy screen ratio, so even though both phones have the same screen 6.8-inch screen diagonal, the S24 Ultra will also offer you a tad more screen real estate.
Feature-wise, both panels are neck and neck — 120Hz refresh rate with granular control, HDR10+ certification, etc.
In our tests, the Pixel scored an outstanding 2,365 nits of max brightness in auto mode and more than 1,300 nits in manual mode. That’s hands-down the brightest display on a flagship this year (maybe even before that). The S24 Ultra caps at 1,440 nits in Auto mode.
It’s still important to note that Samsung has added a unique so far anti-reflective coating, making the S24 Ultra’s display extra comfortable under the bright sun. Still, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is noticeably brighter so it should make up for that easily.Battery life
The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins by a small margin in the battery endurance race. The handset scores more than an hour of extra Active Use Score, mainly due to its longer 4G call runtime. It also has a tad better video playback and gaming scores but falls short of the Pixel in the web browsing segment.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is probably your safest bet if battery life is one of your top priorities. The Pixel’s tiny web browsing runtime advantage is largely negligible in this context.Charging speed
Neither of the two phones is particularly fast when it comes to charging — the Galaxy is rated to charge at up to 45W, while the Pixel — at up to 37W.
Both companies have a 45W fast charger to offer you as an extra purchase. The chargers don’t have any proprietary technologies and both use USB Power Delivery 3.
