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We’ve already compared the best of Google and the best of Samsung. The thing is, Samsung announced two immensely powerful large-format smartphones this year. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is the top-end model, while only a step below is the Galaxy S24+. In this article, we’ll compare the Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+. These two phones actually have the same display size, and both are high-end models.
They are quite different, however, and that should make for an interesting comparison. We’ll first list their specifications, as we usually do in comparisons, and then we’ll move to design, display, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio performance. We do hope that this comparison will help you make a purchasing decision, in case you’re trying to decide which one to get. Let’s get going…
Specs
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+, respectively
– Screen size:
6.7-inch Super Actua AMOLED display (flat, 120Hz LTPO, HDR10+, 2,400 nits)
6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X (flat, 120Hz, 2,600 nits max brightness)
– Display resolution:
2992 x 1344
3120 x 1440
– SoC:
Google Tensor G3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy / Samsung Exynos 2400
– RAM:
12GB (LPDDR5X)
12GB (LPDDR5X)
– Storage:
128GB/256GB/512GB/1TB (UFS 3.1)
256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0)
– Rear cameras:
50MP (f/1.68 aperture, 82-degree FoV, 1.2um pixel size, OIS), 48MP (ultrawide, f/1.95 aperture, 125.5-degree FoV, 0.8um pixel size), 48MP (telephoto, f/2.8 aperture, 0.7um pixel size, 5x optical zoom)
50MP (wide, f/1.8 aperture, OIS, Dual Pixel PDAF), 12MP (ultrawide, 120-degree FoV, f/2.2 aperture, 1.4um pixel size), 10MP (telephoto, f/2.4 aperture, OIS, PDAF, 3x optical zoom)
– Front cameras:
10.5MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1.22um pixel size)
12MP (wide, f/2.2 aperture, Dual Pixel PDAF, 22mm lens)
– Battery:
5,050mAh
4,900mAh
– Charging:
30W wired, 23W wireless, reverse wireless (charger not included)
45W wired, 15W wireless, 4.5W reverse wireless (charger not included)
– Dimensions:
162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8mm
158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7mm
– Weight:
213 grams
196/197 grams
– Connectivity:
5G, LTE, NFC, Wi-Fi, USB Type-C, Bluetooth 5.3
– Security:
In-display fingerprint scanner (optical) & facial scanning
In-display fingerprint scanner
– OS:
Android 14
Android 14 with One UI 6.1
– Price:
$999+
$999.99+
– Buy:
Google Pixel 8 Pro (Best Buy)
Galaxy S24 series (Samsung)
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Design
From the front, the two devices do look quite similar. They both have very thin, uniform bezels, and a centered display camera hole. Their displays are flat, and their corners are also rounded. We’re looking at slightly different display aspect ratios here, but more on that later. When we flip them over, however, things change drastically. The Google Pixel 8 Pro includes a camera visor on the back, which connects to the left and right sides of the frame. That visor is covered by metal, and there are three cameras in there. It does protrude on the back quite a bit and can be a good place to anchor your finger, depending on the size of your hands.
The Galaxy S24+, on the other hand, has three separate camera islands, tiny ones. That’s because each of the cameras protrudes from the back on its own. All three cameras sit in the top-left corner, and they’re vertically aligned. Both phones are predominantly flat on the back, though they do curve towards the edges, for comfort/ergonomics. Both phones are made out of aluminum and glass, by the way.
You’ll find all physical buttons on the right-hand side of both phones, their layout is a bit different. On the Pixel 8 Pro the power/lock button sits above the volume up and down buttons. It’s the other way around on the Galaxy S24+. The Google Pixel 8 Pro is a bit taller, wider, and thicker, but the difference is not that big. It is also 17 grams heavier at 213 grams, compared to 196 grams of the Galaxy S24+.
Both phones are quite slippery in the hand, though they’re comfortable to hold. They do feel entirely different in the hand, so it would be great if you could try them both out before making a decision. They’re both IP68 certified for water and dust resistance, which is always nice to see. Both of them also have Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Display
The Google Pixel 8 Pro features a 6.7-inch 2992 x 1344 LTPO OLED display. That panel is flat, and its refresh rate goes up to 120Hz. HDR10+ content is supported here, and the display goes up to 1,600 nits when it comes to brightness. The display aspect ratio here is 20:9, and the display is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The screen-to-body ratio is around 87%, which is lower than the Galaxy S24+’s 91% (approximately).
The Galaxy S24+, on the other hand, has a 6.7-inch QHD+ (3120 x 1440) Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display. That display also supports HDR10+ content, and its maximum refresh rate is 120Hz. This display is also flat, and it has an aspect ratio of 19.5:9. The peak brightness on the Galaxy S24+’s display is 2,600 nits, while the panel is protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2 from Corning.
There’s not much to complain about when it comes to either of these displays. They’re both very sharp and vivid, while the blacks are deep. The viewing angles are great, and the touch response is also good. They’re very fluid when it comes to scrolling and various other actions thanks to their high refresh rates, and they also do get quite bright. They’re both easily usable in direct sunlight, so brightness is not something you should worry about. You’ll be more than happy with either one of these two panels.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Performance
The Google Pixel 8 Pro is equipped with the Google Tensor G3 processor. That is a 4nm chip, and it is paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Google is also using UFS 3.1 flash storage inside of this phone. The Samsung Galaxy S24+, on the other hand, is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy SoC in most markets, but in some markets, it uses the Exynos 2400 processor from Samsung instead.
Do note that we’ve only used the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 variant of the Galaxy S24+, so we cannot really comment on the performance of the Exynos variant. Both of these phones do a great job on the performance side of things. They’re quite snappy during regular use, regardless of what you’re doing. Even multitasking is up to par on both phones, though the Galaxy S24+ did feel a bit smoother in direct comparison.
When gaming is concerned, the Galaxy S24+ does do a better job. It managed to run the most demanding titles noticeably smoother, games like Genshin Impact. It also got less warm during the process. The Pixel 8 Pro is not really a smartphone made for gaming, though it did a good job. If you’re not planning to play truly demanding games, though, either one of these two smartphones will do just fine.
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Battery
A 5,050mAh battery sits inside the Google Pixel 8 Pro. A 4,900mAh unit can be found inside the Galaxy S24+. They both do offer good battery life, but one of them reigns supreme. The Galaxy S24+ did a better job in the battery department for us, and it was also more consistent at the same time. The Pixel 8 Pro had periods of consistency, but at times it showed rather odd results in daily usage, it was not exactly consistent.
Most of the time we were able to get to the 7-hour screen-on-time mark on the Pixel 8 Pro, without gaming. The Galaxy S24+ managed to get over the 8-hour screen-on-time mark during similar usage. If we throw gaming into the equation, those numbers do go down. Do note that both phones were mainly used on Wi-Fi, and we did not exactly spare them. So they can provide good battery life. Your mileage may vary, of course, as there are simply too many variables included.
In terms of charging, the Google Pixel 8 Pro offers 30W wired, 23W wireless, and 5W reverse wireless charging. The Galaxy S24+ supports 45W wired, 15W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. Neither device comes with a charger in the box, so do note that. Do note that charging does slow down on both smartphones after the 50% mark, so they may not charge as fast as you’d think (up to 100%).
Google Pixel 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Cameras
Google’s handset has a 50-megapixel main camera, a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera (126-degree FoV), and a 48-megapixel telephoto unit (5x optical zoom). The Galaxy S24+, on the flip side, includes a 50-megapixel main camera, a 12-megapixel ultrawide unit (120-degree FoV), and a 10-megapixel telephoto camera (3x optical zoom). They both have good hardware, albeit different sensors and lenses.
The images they provide are notably different. The Pixel 8 Pro loves to produce contrasty images that are usually very detailed. It does a great job in HDR conditions, and in low light as well. The Galaxy S24+ does not punch out as saturated images as its predecessor did, which is a good thing. They’re more balanced now, while also being detailed, and presentable at the same time. They still look good, even though they can’t really measure up to the Pixel 8 Pro and some other flagships.
Ultrawide cameras do a good job of keeping up with the color science of the main cameras, for the most part. The drop in quality is obvious, though, especially in low light. The Pixel 8 Pro does a better job when it comes to telephoto shots, especially if you go over 3x or 4x. The Galaxy S24+ can do a better job at around 3x, it all depends on the scene.
Audio
Both devices do include stereo speakers. Those speakers are good on both sides, though the ones on the Galaxy S24+ are a bit louder. You’ll get more than enough details out of both sets of speakers, though.
What you will not find on either one of these phones is an audio jack. They do have Type-C ports which you can use to connect your headphones via a wire. They also support Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity which you can use for wireless audio.