Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 8 Pro: Which should you Buy?

Table of Content

• Design and Build Quality
• Performance and Hardware
  • RAM & Storage
  • Processor
• Camera Capabilities
  • Galaxy S24 Ultra Hardware
  • Pixel 8 Pro Hardware
  • Other Camera Features
• Software and Features
• Exclusive Features
• Battery Life and Charging
  • Battery Life
  • Charging
• Conclusion
• Which Smartphone Should You Buy?

The ultimate Android showdown has captured the market this year. The two flagship titans have come up with feature-packed phones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the AI-powered Google Pixel 8 Pro. Both phones are turning heads with their cutting-edge features and top-of-the-line specs. Therefore, it can be a head scratcher to choose between these tech titans.

However, it is essential to pick one that suits your needs. So, to help you make an informed decision and pick an Android phone that aligns with your lifestyle, here’s a comprehensive comparison between the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Google Pixel 8 Pro.

Design and Build Quality

Both premium phones possess different designs and built quality. Let’s break down their distinct approaches.

• The S24 Ultra has the same boxy design language as the S23 Ultra but with thinner bezels to provide a more captivating feel. Its sharp corners give it a powerful and bold aesthetic. It has a larger 6.8-inch screen and a wider stance.
• The Google Pixel 8 Pro has a clean and sleek look. With a 6.7-inch screen, the pixel phone has rounded corners and a unibody design that gives it a minimalist aesthetic.
• The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has a built-in S-pen stylus, which is a feature people love, but it isn’t available on the Google Pixel phone.
• Pixel phones have a limited colour palette, including porcelain, obsidian, and bay blue colours. At the same time, Samsung offers a wider range of colours.

Performance and Hardware

RAM & Storage

• S24 Ultra provides a range of RAM, beginning at 12GB and increasing to 16GB, with various high-capacity storage options like 256GB, 512GB, and even 1TB.
• Pixel 8 Pro sticks with a single RAM option, possibly 8GB, paired with storage options like 128GB and 256GB.

Processor

• The Google 8 Pro has a custom Tensor G3 chip. The tensor chip has systematic power management and reigns supreme in AI-powered features, but it does not always match the raw benchmarks of the latest Snapdragon processors.
• The S24 Ultra has the latest Snapdragon Gen 3 processor, which delivers top-notch performance for multitasking and handling demanding tasks.

Camera Capabilities

Galaxy S24 Ultra Hardware:

• Telephoto 1: 50MP sensor with 5x optical zoom
• Telephoto 2: 10 MP sensor with 3x optical zoom
• Main: 200MP sensor with f/1.7 aperture
• Ultrawide: 12 MP sensor with 120-degree field of view

Pixel 8 Pro Hardware:

• Telephoto: 48MP sensor with 5x optical zoom
• Main: 50MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture
• Ultrawide: 48MP sensor with a wider field of view

Other Camera Features

• Software and Processing: The Galaxy S24Ultra provides a derailed control for camera settings. However, at times, its processing can oversaturate colours and give them a vibrant look. Google Pixel phones are popular for their exceptional computational photography as they have lower mega-pixel sensors, which can deliver stunning results even in low-light conditions.
• Zoom: Both phones offer 55x zoom, but the S24 Ultra offers more zoom options due to its dual telephoto lenses.
• Video: Pixel 8 Pro prioritizes stabilization and smooth footage at lower resolutions, while S24 Ultra features 8K recording. However, both phones provide high-quality videos.
• Selfie Camera: The S24 Ultra has a higher resolution selfie camera, 12 MP, compared to potentially 10.5 MP on the Pixel 8 Pro, but both phones have exceptional selfie outcomes.

Software and Features

Operating System: The Pixel 8 Pro runs unadulterated Android 14, which provides the latest updates directly from Google. The Galaxy S24 Ultra runs Samsung’s One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14, which offers many pre-installed apps and customization options.

Customization: The Pixel 8 Pro provides a clean, stock Android experience with minimal customization options. S24 Ultra offers extensive customization options, including themes and the ability to modify various aspects of the user interface and the icons.

Exclusive Features

Live Translation: Both the Galaxy S24 Ultra and the Pixel 8 Pro offer live translation. They can translate conversations in real time directly on your device. It simplifies the dialogue between people who speak different languages.

Magic Eraser: The Pixel 8 Pro phone has a Magic Eraser in photos that allows you to remove unwanted objects. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra currently does not appear to have a built-in feature specifically.

DeX Mode: Dex mode is a feature specific to Samsung Galaxy phones. It allows you to connect your phone to a monitor and use it in a desktop-like environment. This feature is not available on the Pixel 8 Pro phone.

Battery Life and Charging

Battery Life

• The Samsung Galaxy S24 has a 50000mAh battery. According to the DxOMark reports, the battery delivers up to 9 hours of autonomy if used moderately, providing immersive performance in gaming and streaming.
• The Google Pixel 8 Pro also packs a 5000mAh battery. However, DxOMark suggests that the phone has a battery life similar to that of the S24 Ultra under moderate use. It trails behind tasks like streaming and gaming, but it performs comparatively better when listening to music.

Charging

• The S24 Ultra phone supports 4W wired fast charging and 15W wireless fast charging. Allowing users to get a full charge in under an hour with a compatible charger.
• The Pixel 8 Pro supports 30W wired fast charging and 23W wireless fast charging. Despite being fast, the phone might take a bit longer to reach full charge compared to the S24 Ultra.

Conclusion

The Galaxy S24 Ultra has a feature-packed interface, a powerful processor, and expandable storage, while the Pixel 8 Pro counters with a guaranteed faster update and a bloat-free and clean experience. You can dive deeper to learn more about both these phones and the user opinions to make an informed decision by searching for a Samsung Galaxy S24 review and a Google Pixel 8 Pro review.

Which Smartphone Should You Buy?

Samsung raises the bar with all the new Galaxy AI features that usher in the era of a new kind of smartphone. With the powerful new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, a refined camera system, and some design tweaks, For those who want the S Pen. However, Google has improved quite a lot on its own. The Pixel 8 Pro prioritizes a clean, bloatware-free experience with guaranteed faster updates and Google’s magic touch in low-light photography. If anything, it’s now more than a robust alternative to the Galaxy S24 Ultra, punching high in lots of areas. Whichever you consider in 2024, you can’t go wrong. So, unlocking the ultimate smartphone depends on your priorities. You can find both of these models at an online mobile phone store – Spectronic Australia.