Comparing High-End Smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S24 versus Google Pixel 9 - Making the Right Selection for Your Needs?
Samsung Galaxy S24 vs. Google Pixel 9: A Detailed Comparison
By Expert Conso Tech journalists / Product and consumption test expertsPublished on [insert date]
Two of the most highly-anticipated smartphones of 2025, the Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Google Pixel 9, are set to go head-to-head in a battle for market dominance. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of their design, connectivity, screen, performance, camera capabilities, battery life, repairability, and quality-price ratio to help you make an informed decision.
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and the Google Pixel 9 represent the flagships of tech giants Samsung and Google, respectively. Stunning performance, cutting-edge technology, and a slew of innovative features make these smartphones attractive options for consumers ready to invest. But which device is the better choice? Let's delve into the features that matter most.
Design
The Samsung Galaxy S24 adopts a classic yet elegant design, characterized by rounded lines, an ergonomic build, and a compact dimensions of 14.7 x 7.06 x 0.76 cm and a weight of 167g. Its streamlined shape and thoughtful engineering make for a comfortable handling experience. Although the design may not be revolutionary compared to its predecessors, it offers a sense of continuity that some may appreciate.
The Google Pixel 9, on the other hand, boasts a more distinct visual identity with its angular edges, aluminum build, and assertive style. The transverse rear bar and elongated camera capsule give it a unique and recognizable appearance. However, the Pixel 9 is slightly larger (15.28 x 7.2 x 0.85 cm) and significantly heavier at 198g, making it less compact than the Galaxy S24.
Connectivity
Both smartphones share many connectivity features, such as Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C 3.2, and good 4G/5G network compatibility. However, the Pixel 9 edges out the Galaxy S24 due to its integration of Wi-Fi 7, dual-band GPS, and Bluetooth 5.3, while still retaining NFC and reverse wireless charging. The under-display fingerprint reader on the Pixel 9 is both effective and fast, and facial recognition is equally reliable.
Screen
The Samsung Galaxy S24 boasts a 6.2-inch AMOLED Full HD+ panel that delivers vibrant, well-calibrated colors and a standard brightness of 770 cd/m2, peaking at 1411 cd/m2 in HDR. The screen's Delta E of 3.78 ensures accurate color reproduction with slightly saturated tones.
Google has equipped the Pixel 9 with an even larger 6.3-inch OLED screen that outperforms the S24 screen on nearly every front. Standard brightness stands at 1228 cd/m2, peaking at an impressive 1841 cd/m2 in HDR, and superior color fidelity with an excellent Delta E of 2.32.
Performance
Samsung has armed its Galaxy S24 with the Exynos 2400 processor, capable of handling all apps and games without issue.reactivity is responsive, albeit with some heat generation and increased energy consumption during long usage sessions. The OneUI interface, while still user-friendly, has introduced new AI functions such as meeting transcription, summary generation, and file improvement.
Google's Pixel 9 relies on the Tensor G4 chipset and 12GB of RAM, which provide comparable performance to the Exynos 2400. However, it experiences occasional performance drops during intense gaming use and produces slight heat. The Pixel 9's AI capabilities, however, shine, enabling the use of various new generative AI tools such as new photography features and Gemini, an AI-powered assistant for answering questions and replying to emails.
Photography
The Samsung Galaxy S24 sports three rear lenses (50MP wide, ultra-wide, and 3x telephoto), delivering high-quality, colorful, and detailed photos in good light. The main sensor produces well-contrasted and exposed shots with satisfactory detail levels, although performance may degrade in poor light conditions. The ultra-wide-angle lens avoids common distortions seen on this type of focal length and offers impressive sharpness in good light, though it struggles more in low light conditions.
The Pixel 9, with its new 48MP ultra-wide camera (up from 12MP in the previous generation), delivers precise, sharp photos with perfectly reproduced colors, even in low light. Its performance exceeds previous models, save for extremely low light conditions where the rendering may become slightly degraded.
Battery Life
The Samsung Galaxy S24's 4,000 mAh battery guarantees an impressive 23 hours and six minutes of 4K streaming video playback, easily lasting a day. While 50% charging takes 33 minutes, the full charge time of 75 minutes remains average.
The Pixel 9's 4,700 mAh battery offers similar battery life, with a runtime of 23 hours and 55 minutes in the same video test. This is a substantial improvement over previous Pixel models. However, the charging speed is sluggish, taking 100 minutes to fully recharge.
Repairability
Both manufacturers commit to seven years of full updates, a testament to their commitment to device longevity. Samsung slightly surpasses Google in repairability, scoring 8.5/10 compared to 7.6/10 for Google. Both mobiles have Gorilla Glass Victus 2 glass and an IP68 rating for added durability.
Quality-Price Ratio
At a price of €649 compared to the Pixel 9's €899, the Samsung Galaxy S24 offers a hard-to-resist quality-price ratio, given its overall performance. Although the Pixel 9 excels in screen and photo quality, this advantage does not justify the significant difference in cost. The Galaxy S24 offers a versatile, high-performing device at a competitive price.
Verdict
In a close contest, the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9 are evenly matched in many aspects. The Pixel 9 leads in connectivity, screen, and photography, while the Samsung takes the lead in autonomy and, especially, quality-price ratio. The Pixel 9 emerges slightly victorious, but the Galaxy S24's lower price tag makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. If price is a determining factor, choose the Samsung Galaxy S24. Otherwise, the Google Pixel 9 is an excellent smartphone that is worth considering.
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9, being equipped with artificial intelligence, demonstrate generative AI capabilities with features such as meeting transcription, summary generation, and file improvement in the Galaxy S24, and new photography features and an AI-powered assistant in the Pixel 9.
- When it comes to smartphones, the Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9, both featuring advanced technology, are not just gadgets; they represent cutting-edge innovation in the fields of design, connectivity, screen, performance, photography, battery life, repairability, and quality-price ratio, setting new standards for the smartphone industry.
