Galaxy S24 Vs Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold

Galaxy S24
Galaxy S24
Starting at

Refurbished price:£273.00

Versus £817.67 new

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Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold
Starting at

Refurbished price:£538.00

Versus £1,739.49 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24, released in January 2024, is a traditional flagship smartphone offering a compact design and a comprehensive feature set. In contrast, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold, launched in September 2024, represents Google's advanced foldable device, providing a larger, adaptable screen experience. Both devices operate on the Android platform, but they cater to different user preferences through their distinct form factors and core functionalities.

Scores

Durability

Both the Galaxy S24 and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold are designed for extended usability, reflecting a commitment to long-term software support.

  • Software Longevity: Both devices offer an impressive seven years of operating system and security updates from their respective release dates. This means the Galaxy S24 is supported through Android 21, and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold also receives updates until 2031, ensuring prolonged access to new features and security patches.
  • Physical Durability: The Galaxy S24 features an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance and is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its display. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, as a foldable, offers IPX8 water resistance, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover display and Ultra Thin Glass for its flexible inner screen, alongside a robust hinge mechanism.
  • Expected Lifespan: Users can anticipate a practical lifespan of several years for both models, supported by their durable builds and extensive software commitment. The choice between them may depend on whether a traditional form factor or a foldable design aligns better with individual handling and usage patterns over time.

Year of Release

2024

2024

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

Yes

Performance

Performance in both devices is robust, designed to handle demanding applications and multitasking with efficiency, though their underlying architectures differ.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 is equipped with a current-generation processor, ensuring smooth operation across various tasks, from everyday browsing to more intensive applications and gaming. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold utilizes Google's Tensor G4 processor, which is optimized for on-device artificial intelligence tasks and provides responsive performance for web browsing and app launching.
  • Multitasking and Responsiveness: The Galaxy S24 typically comes with 8GB of RAM, facilitating efficient multitasking. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, with 16GB of RAM, offers substantial memory for managing numerous applications simultaneously, which is particularly beneficial for its larger, foldable display and advanced AI features.
  • Storage Options: Both devices offer ample internal storage. The Galaxy S24 is available with 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB options, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold comes in 256GB and 512GB configurations, providing sufficient space for apps, media, and documents.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

16 GB

Screen quality

The display experience is a primary differentiator, with the Galaxy S24 offering a premium traditional screen and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold providing a versatile dual-screen foldable design.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy S24 features a 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with FHD+ resolution, delivering vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold boasts two OLED displays: a 6.3-inch cover screen and an 8.0-inch foldable inner screen, both offering high resolution and clarity suitable for various content.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: Both devices offer high brightness levels, with the Galaxy S24 reaching up to 2600 nits peak brightness and the Pixel 9 Pro Fold's displays also achieving up to 2700 nits peak brightness, ensuring good visibility in bright conditions. Both also feature adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz for smooth scrolling and responsive interactions.
  • Viewing Experience: The Galaxy S24 provides a consistent, high-quality viewing experience on a single, compact screen. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold offers the flexibility of a standard smartphone display when folded and an expansive, tablet-like canvas when unfolded, ideal for immersive media consumption or productivity.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2076 x 2152

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer advanced camera systems, but they approach photography with different strengths and capabilities.

  • Rear Camera Systems: The Galaxy S24 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold also has a triple rear camera system, comprising a 48MP main sensor with OIS, a 10.5MP ultrawide lens with macro focus, and a 10.8MP telephoto lens offering 5x optical zoom and up to 20x Super Res Zoom.
  • Photography Performance: The Galaxy S24 is noted for its consistent image quality in everyday scenarios, with its main camera performing well. Its telephoto lens provides useful optical zoom, though it may show limitations in very low light. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold leverages Google's computational photography, delivering natural colors and strong performance across its lenses, particularly with its 5x optical zoom for distant subjects.
  • Video and Front Cameras: Both devices are capable of high-quality video recording, including 4K resolution. For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy S24 includes a 12MP front camera, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold features 10MP front cameras on both its cover and inner displays, offering flexibility for different usage scenarios.

Front camera

12 megapixels

10 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements distinguish these devices in terms of connectivity, design, and user interaction.

  • Connectivity and Ports: Both the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 9 Pro Fold support 5G connectivity for fast mobile data. The Galaxy S24 uses Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the Pixel 9 Pro Fold steps up to Wi-Fi 7 and likely Bluetooth 5.4, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. Both devices feature a USB-C port for charging and data transfer.
  • Physical Design and Handling: The Galaxy S24 is a compact and lightweight traditional smartphone, measuring 70.6 x 147 x 7.6 mm and weighing around 167-168g, making it comfortable for one-handed use. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold, being a foldable, has different dimensions: 155.2 x 77.1 x 10.5 mm when folded and 155.2 x 150.2 x 5.1 mm when unfolded, with a weight of 257g. Its wider cover screen offers a more natural typing experience than some other foldables.
  • Security and Build Materials: Both phones incorporate modern security features like fingerprint sensors and face recognition. The Galaxy S24 uses an Armor Aluminum frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The Pixel 9 Pro Fold features an aluminum frame, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on its cover, and Ultra Thin Glass for its inner display, contributing to its premium feel and durability.

Weight

167 g

257 g

Screen size (in)

6.2

8.0

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold offer distinct smartphone experiences, each excelling in different areas based on user priorities. User feedback for the Galaxy S24 often praises its compact size, vibrant display, and consistent performance for daily tasks. Its long software support and reliable camera system are frequently highlighted as strong points. Some users, however, note that its battery life, while generally good for a compact phone, might require more frequent charging for very heavy use.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is lauded for its innovative foldable design, providing the utility of a large tablet screen in a portable form factor. Its advanced camera system, particularly its optical zoom capabilities and computational photography, receives positive attention. The extended software support is also a significant advantage. Criticisms sometimes revolve around the inherent bulk and weight of foldable devices compared to traditional smartphones, and the learning curve associated with optimizing apps for the folding screen.

Users prioritizing a traditional, compact smartphone with a premium feel, excellent display, and reliable performance for a wide range of applications may find the Galaxy S24 well-suited to their needs. Its long-term software commitment makes it a practical choice for those who keep their devices for several years. Conversely, users seeking a versatile device that transforms from a standard smartphone to a large-screen tablet for enhanced productivity, immersive media, and advanced photography will likely lean towards the Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Its unique form factor and Google's software optimizations cater to those who value adaptability and cutting-edge features.

For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative, offering access to these advanced technologies while supporting sustainable consumption.

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