Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Pixel 9 Pro XL: who will be King of Android 2024?

If you have to choose between the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL, you are in a lucky situation. Still, the choice is not easy. I used both devices as daily drivers and work out the pros and cons. At the end I crown the King of Android 2024.

Design: angular versus compact

Both devices are 6.8 inches. The S24 Ultra has sharp corners but a rounded frame. The Pixel 9 Pro XL has an angular frame and rounded corners, which makes it look very similar to the iPhone. Which shape you like better is a matter of taste.

Although both are almost the same size and width, the Pixel feels more compact. I like that better. It is also 11 g lighter, and with a smartphone you eventually notice that. In terms of build quality, neither has an edge: high-quality materials, a great interplay of smooth and matte, a clear premium feel.

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Display: resolution and brightness

	Galaxy S24 Ultra	Pixel 9 Pro XL
Size	6.8 inches	6.8 inches
Panel	LTPO AMOLED, 120 Hz	LTPO AMOLED, 120 Hz
Resolution	1440 x 3120 pixels	1344 x 2992 pixels
Peak brightness	2,600 nits	2,000 nits

You do not see the resolution in everyday use. The brightness only makes a difference in direct sunlight, where the S24 Ultra is still a bit easier to read. The Pixel is perfectly readable too, though. Both displays are breathtakingly beautiful and the best you can currently get on smartphones.

Processor and everyday performance

The S24 Ultra has the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, the Pixel the Google Tensor G4. According to benchmarks, the Tensor is clearly inferior. I do not think much of that, because nobody pushes their smartphone to the edge of its performance every day. What interests me is whether apps start quickly, operation is smooth and the AI features run without long waits. They do on both. I had neither stutters nor long waits during AI post-processing of photos and videos.

Battery: the S24 Ultra lasts longer

The S24 Ultra has 5,000 mAh, the Pixel 260 mAh more. Even so, the Pixel does not last quite as long in everyday use. On average I have to put it on the charger about 2 hours earlier. Both only go on the charger on day 2, though, and last well beyond a day. It depends on how much you use the device and whether you are on Wi-Fi or mobile data a lot. If those 2 hours on day 2 matter to you, you are better served by the S24 Ultra.

AI: Galaxy AI versus Gemini

Samsung relies on Galaxy AI, Google on Gemini. The two work closely together, which is why Gemini and features like Circle to Search are also on the Samsung devices. Galaxy AI additionally brings live translation of phone calls. For international communication I consider that a game changer.

Google scores in image editing with “Best Take” and “Add Me”. With Gemini you can also hold continuous conversations, and with Gems you can customize Gemini extensively. Since Google is laying the foundation for AI on Android with Gemini and the AI can also be used on the laptop, Google is the pioneer here for me. If AI is especially important to you, you go for the Pixel 9 Pro XL.

Camera

The S24 Ultra has four cameras, the Pixel 9 Pro XL three, with 50, 48 and 48 megapixels. Hardware no longer says much about quality today, because both post-process with AI, the Pixel feels like a bit more. What matters is the result, and you have to judge that yourselves.

Extra features: S Pen and temperature sensor

Some people choose the S24 Ultra in the first place because of the S Pen. I love it for editing videos and photos. Otherwise it leads a rather lonely existence in its slot. For some it is a game changer, for others superfluous.

The Pixel, in return, has a temperature sensor in the camera bar. With it you can measure the temperature of surfaces, including skin, for example for a baby’s milk or in trades. Whether you need that is something everyone has to decide for themselves.

Price and updates

• Galaxy S24 Ultra: 12 GB of RAM and 256 GB cost €1,449 RRP.
• Pixel 9 Pro XL: 128 GB costs €1,149 at Google, 512 GB costs €1,379.

Only the Pixel has a cheaper 128 GB version. Both manufacturers offer a full 7-year update guarantee, which has been unique until now.

Verdict: who will be King of Android 2024?

The two smartphones are extremely similar, and they only differ in small nuances:

• Compact design and low weight: Pixel 9 Pro XL.
• Maximum battery life: Galaxy S24 Ultra.
• The best AI features: Pixel 9 Pro XL.
• The S Pen with its possibilities: Galaxy S24 Ultra.
• Processor, build quality and fun factor: identical.

Objectively there is no winner. Both are high-end flagships, and you cannot go wrong with either. My decision is purely subjective: a pleasantly compact design matters to me, so my personal King of Android 2024 is the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL.