Galaxy S24 Vs Google Pixel 8 Pro

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£273.00

Versus £817.67 new

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Google Pixel 8 Pro
Google Pixel 8 Pro
Starting at

Refurbished price:£253.00

Versus £960.91 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro, launched in October 2023, are both flagship smartphones running on the Android operating system. While both devices offer premium experiences, they differentiate themselves through their approach to camera technology, display characteristics, and overall design philosophy. The Galaxy S24 emphasizes a compact form factor and a vibrant display, whereas the Pixel 8 Pro focuses on advanced computational photography and a larger screen.

Scores

Durability

The longevity of a smartphone is influenced by its release timeline, software support, and physical construction. The Google Pixel 8 Pro, released in October 2023, and the Samsung Galaxy S24, launched in January 2024, both offer extensive software support.

  • Software Updates: Both devices are committed to receiving seven years of operating system and security updates from their respective release dates. This means users can expect prolonged access to the latest features and security patches, extending their practical lifespan significantly.
  • Physical Resilience: Both the Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 8 Pro feature Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front and back for scratch and drop resistance, alongside an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance. The Galaxy S24 uses an Armor Aluminum 2 frame, while the Pixel 8 Pro features an aluminum frame.
  • Repairability: While specific repairability scores can vary, both devices are designed with modern smartphone construction, which typically involves specialized tools and expertise for internal repairs.

Year of Release

2024

2023

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

Performance

When evaluating smartphone performance, the focus is on how smoothly devices handle daily tasks, demanding applications, and multitasking. The Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 Pro both deliver high-level responsiveness, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Everyday Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24, with its current-generation processor, provides a very fluid experience for general navigation, app launching, and web browsing. It handles demanding games and video editing applications with ease, maintaining consistent performance during extended use.
  • Multitasking Capabilities: The Pixel 8 Pro, equipped with its own advanced processor and a higher base RAM configuration (12GB), excels at managing numerous applications simultaneously. Users frequently switching between heavy apps or running complex background processes will find its multitasking capabilities robust. The Galaxy S24 comes with 8GB of RAM.
  • Storage Options: Both models offer various internal storage configurations, allowing users to choose based on their needs for apps, photos, and media. The Pixel 8 Pro also offers a 1TB option for those requiring maximum storage capacity.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

12 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience is a key aspect of any smartphone, and both the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 Pro offer impressive displays with distinct characteristics.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S24 features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast. The Pixel 8 Pro utilizes a Super Actua LTPO OLED display, which also delivers rich colors and deep blacks, with a focus on brightness and outdoor visibility.
  • Clarity and Size: The Galaxy S24 has a 6.2-inch display with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, offering a sharp viewing experience in a more compact form factor. The Pixel 8 Pro provides a larger 6.7-inch display with a higher resolution of 2992 x 1344 pixels, offering more screen real estate and slightly finer detail for media consumption.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices feature adaptive refresh rates ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz, ensuring smooth scrolling and animations while optimizing power consumption. The Galaxy S24 can reach a peak brightness of 2600 nits, while the Pixel 8 Pro reaches 2400 nits, making both highly visible in bright outdoor conditions.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

1344 x 2992

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

LTPO OLED

Audiovisual

The camera systems and audio capabilities are significant differentiators for modern smartphones, and both the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 Pro excel in these areas with different strengths.

  • Photography Capabilities: The Galaxy S24 features a versatile triple-camera setup with a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It delivers consistently sharp and vibrant images across various lighting conditions. The Pixel 8 Pro also has a 50MP main sensor, but pairs it with a 48MP ultrawide with autofocus and a 48MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom, excelling in detail and computational photography features like Magic Editor.
  • Low-Light Performance: Both phones perform well in low-light environments, producing bright and detailed images. The Pixel 8 Pro often leverages its advanced software processing to enhance detail and reduce noise in challenging lighting.
  • Video Recording and Audio: The Galaxy S24 supports video recording up to 8K, offering high-resolution capture, while the Pixel 8 Pro records up to 4K. Both devices provide clear audio recording and offer stereo speakers for an immersive media consumption experience.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

10.5 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience of these smartphones.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both devices support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless accessories. The Galaxy S24 features Wi-Fi 6E, while the Pixel 8 Pro supports the newer Wi-Fi 7 standard, potentially offering faster wireless speeds with compatible networks. Both utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Biometric Security: Both phones incorporate in-display fingerprint sensors for secure unlocking and authentication. They also offer face recognition capabilities, providing convenient access.
  • Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 is a more compact and lighter device, measuring 147 x 70.6 x 7.6mm and weighing 167g or 168g, making it easier for one-handed use. The Pixel 8 Pro is larger and heavier at 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm and 213g, offering a more expansive viewing experience. The Pixel 8 Pro also includes a unique temperature sensor.

Weight

167 g

213 g

Screen size (in)

6.2

6.7

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback often highlights the Galaxy S24's refined design, bright display, and consistent performance as strong points. Users appreciate its compact size and the overall polish of the Samsung software experience. Some common criticisms occasionally point to its battery life being adequate rather than exceptional for heavy users, and some regional variations in processor performance. The Pixel 8 Pro, on the other hand, is frequently praised for its exceptional camera system, particularly its computational photography features, and its commitment to long-term software support. Its clean Android experience and unique AI capabilities are also often cited as positives. Some users have noted its larger size and weight as a potential drawback for those preferring smaller devices, and its battery life, while good, might not always match its larger capacity due to software optimizations.

Users prioritizing a more compact device with a very bright, vibrant display and a highly polished user interface may find the Samsung Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Its consistent performance and long software support make it a reliable choice. Conversely, users who place a premium on advanced computational photography, a larger screen for media consumption, and a pure Android experience with unique AI features will likely lean towards the Google Pixel 8 Pro. Both devices offer excellent long-term value, and considering a quality-assured refurbished option can be an eco-friendly alternative for either model.

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