Galaxy S24+ Vs Google Pixel 6

Galaxy S24+
Galaxy S24+
Starting at

Refurbished price:£337.00

Versus £997.95 new

See options
Google Pixel 6
Google Pixel 6
Starting at

Refurbished price:£101.00

Versus £649.99 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus, released in January 2024, and the Google Pixel 6, launched in October 2021, represent distinct generations within the Android smartphone landscape. Both devices offer a comprehensive smartphone experience, but they differ significantly in their core hardware, camera capabilities, and long-term software support. This comparison will highlight these practical differences to help users determine which device best suits their needs.

Scores

Durability

The practical lifespan of a smartphone is heavily influenced by its release date and the manufacturer's commitment to software updates.

  • Release Timeline: The Galaxy S24 Plus was released in January 2024, making it a much newer device compared to the Google Pixel 6, which launched in October 2021. This age difference directly impacts their remaining support cycles.
  • Software Longevity: Samsung typically provides seven years of OS updates and security patches for its S24 series. The Google Pixel 6, on the other hand, received three years of OS updates and five years of security updates from its release. This means the Galaxy S24 Plus offers a significantly longer period of official software support, ensuring access to new features and security enhancements for an extended duration.
  • Durability Features: Both devices feature an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance, indicating a similar level of protection against environmental elements. The Galaxy S24 Plus incorporates Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for display protection, while the Pixel 6 uses Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.

Year of Release

2024

2021

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

Android

Foldable

No

No

Performance

Performance is a key differentiator, with the newer Galaxy S24 Plus offering a more advanced processing package.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy S24 Plus is equipped with a more recent generation processor (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy or Exynos 2400, depending on region), providing substantial improvements in speed and efficiency. The Google Pixel 6 features Google's Tensor chip.
  • Multitasking and Storage: The Galaxy S24 Plus typically comes with 12GB of RAM and offers storage options of 256GB or 512GB. The Pixel 6 has 8GB of RAM and is available with 128GB or 256GB of storage. This difference means the S24 Plus can handle more demanding applications and extensive multitasking with greater fluidity.
  • Real-world Usage: Users will find the Galaxy S24 Plus exceptionally responsive for all tasks, from intensive gaming and video editing to seamless app switching. The Pixel 6 delivers smooth performance for everyday activities like browsing, social media, and moderate gaming, but may exhibit slower loading times or occasional stutters with very resource-heavy applications.

Memory (GB)

12 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

The visual experience on both devices is distinct, primarily due to differences in display technology and refresh rates.

  • Display Technology: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, known for its vibrant colors, deep blacks, and high contrast. The Google Pixel 6 uses an AMOLED display, which also offers good color reproduction and deep blacks.
  • Resolution and Clarity: The S24 Plus boasts a QHD+ resolution (1440 x 3120 pixels), resulting in a sharper and more detailed image. The Pixel 6 has an FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels). This difference is noticeable when viewing high-resolution content or fine text.
  • Brightness and Smoothness: The Galaxy S24 Plus offers a peak brightness of 2600 nits and an adaptive refresh rate of 1-120Hz, providing excellent visibility in bright conditions and exceptionally smooth scrolling and animations. The Pixel 6 has a 90Hz refresh rate and good brightness, offering a smooth experience for most users, though not as fluid as the S24 Plus.

Resolution

1440 x 3120

1080 x 2400

Screen type

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X

AMOLED

Audiovisual

Both smartphones offer capable camera systems, though with different strengths and approaches to image processing.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy S24 Plus features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor, a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. It supports 8K video recording. The Pixel 6 has a dual-camera system with a 50MP main sensor and a 12MP ultrawide lens. It records video at up to 4K resolution.
  • Photography Performance: The S24 Plus provides a comprehensive camera experience with its dedicated telephoto lens, offering greater flexibility for various shooting scenarios, including zoomed-in shots. The Pixel 6 is renowned for its computational photography, producing natural-looking images with excellent detail and dynamic range, particularly in everyday and low-light conditions.
  • Front Camera: Both devices feature a 12MP front-facing camera.

Main camera

50 megapixels

50 megapixels

Front camera

12 megapixels

8 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond the core specifications, several practical elements contribute to the overall user experience.

  • Connectivity: The Galaxy S24 Plus supports newer Wi-Fi 6E/7 and Bluetooth 5.3 standards, offering potentially faster and more stable wireless connections. The Pixel 6 supports Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2. Both devices offer 5G connectivity.
  • Ports and Sensors: Both phones utilize a USB-C port for charging and data transfer. Neither includes a traditional 3.5mm headphone jack. The Galaxy S24 Plus features an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, while the Pixel 6 uses an optical in-display fingerprint sensor.
  • Physical Characteristics: The Galaxy S24 Plus measures 158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm and weighs 196g. The Pixel 6 measures 158.6 x 74.8 x 8.9 mm and weighs 207g. The S24 Plus is slightly thinner and lighter, which may impact handling for some users.

Weight

197 g

207 g

Screen size (in)

6.7

6.4

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM + eSIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

User feedback for the Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus often highlights its powerful performance, vibrant and bright display, and the extended software support as significant advantages. Users appreciate its versatile camera system, especially the inclusion of a telephoto lens, and the overall premium build quality. Some common considerations might include its physical size for those preferring a more compact device.

The Google Pixel 6 is frequently praised for its exceptional camera quality, particularly its ability to produce natural and detailed photos through computational photography. Its clean Android experience and timely software updates (within its support window) are also well-regarded. Some users have noted that its processor, while capable for daily use, may not match the raw power of newer flagship devices, and its battery life can be inconsistent with heavy gaming.

Users prioritizing long-term software support, top-tier performance for demanding applications and gaming, and a highly versatile camera system with optical zoom capabilities will find the Galaxy S24 Plus well-suited to their needs. Conversely, users who value a clean, intuitive Android experience, exceptional computational photography for everyday shots, and a device that handles general tasks smoothly may lean toward the Google Pixel 6. Both devices offer a quality-assured refurbished option, providing an eco-friendly alternative for consumers.

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