Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The Pixel 9 Professional XL may sound like a brand new addition to the household, since we have by no means had a ‘Professional XL’ Pixel earlier than this, nevertheless it’s really the Pixel 9 Professional that is the brand new addition with its smaller display measurement. The 9 Professional XL is the direct successor to the 8 Professional, however with the next price ticket and some enhancements.

Beginning at $1,099, the Pixel 9 Professional XL goes up towards a formidable rival — the Galaxy S24 Plus. Each telephones include the identical degree of software program replace dedication, very helpful AI options, premium designs, and nice cameras. Selecting only one is a troublesome name, however that is the place we are available in. Let’s evaluate each to see which one can be probably the most sensible alternative.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Design

Design is often a subjective matter, however I feel most will agree that the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL has a extra head-turning look. It is one thing model new and we do not have this aesthetic wherever outdoors the Pixel 9 sequence. We have seen the look of the Galaxy S24 Plus on earlier fashions and Samsung’s cheaper sequence too. It is clear and easy, which some may really favor. No matter which design catches your fancy, you may count on wonderful construct high quality on each with premium supplies like glass and aluminum.

When it comes to ease of use although, the Galaxy has the higher hand right here because it’s manner lighter and slimmer than the Pixel. We’re speaking 7.7mm versus 8.5mm in thickness, and 197g versus 221g in weight. The S24 Plus does have sharper corners which we discovered to be somewhat painful when holding it. The Pixel 9 Professional XL feels higher within the hand, in our expertise. Each get the IP68 score for correct mud and water-proofing.

The Galaxy S24 Plus and Pixel 9 Professional XL have practically the identical display sizes. The Pixel has a 6.8-inch Tremendous Actua OLED show with a crisp 2,992×1,344 decision. It will get a variable refresh charge of 1-120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch safety, and a peak brightness of as much as 3,000 nits. The show appears nice typically and will get loads vivid too. Nonetheless, Google is caught on the 240Hz PWM dimming charge which can lead to extreme complications for these delicate to this, as our resident Pixel reviewer rapidly discovered.

The Galaxy S24 Plus does not have this downside, and it matches the 9 Professional XL when it comes to specs. It makes use of a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X show with a pointy 3,220×1,440 decision. There is a variable refresh charge of as much as 120Hz, Victus 2 scratch safety, and a peak brightness of as much as 2,600 nits.

One other factor price noting is that the 9 Professional XL’s show curves much more alongside the sides than the Galaxy, which might lower off some UI parts like when gaming as an example. Each telephones additionally use ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, however we discovered the Pixel to be problematic when utilizing some display protectors.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: {Hardware} and specs

Whereas each telephones include 2024 {hardware}, the Galaxy S24 Plus simply beats the Pixel 9 Professional XL in relation to uncooked efficiency and gaming. That is largely due to the stronger Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, which is much more highly effective than the Tensor G4 within the Pixel. The S24 Plus has 12GB of RAM and comes with 256GB of base storage, together with a 512GB possibility. Costs begin at $999.99 and go as much as $1,199.99 from Samsung’s official website. Provided that it has now been on sale for practically half a yr, you may simply discover a deal on Amazon for the highest variant, for effectively beneath $1,000.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL has solely simply launched, and until you snagged a pre-order deal, you will probably be paying full worth for some time. The pricing will not be nice, to be brutally trustworthy. You may need to accept a measly 128GB of storage for $1,099, as going to 256GB to match the Galaxy’s base mannequin can be $1,199. There is a 512GB possibility too for $1,319, which I do not see many choosing.

Battery capacities and charging speeds are additionally totally different on each telephones. The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a 5,060mAh battery which may be charged at as much as 37W utilizing Google’s 45W wall charger. It may additionally do quick wi-fi charging as much as 23W utilizing the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) charger. To date in our preliminary overview of the cellphone, battery life has been fairly stellar in real-world utilization, much like the Pixel 8 Professional.

The Galaxy S24 Plus has a barely smaller 4,900mAh battery, however expenses at 45W wired. Wi-fi charging remains to be restricted to 15W. This small dip in capability should not section you although, as we recurrently acquired a full day’s price of use after which some once we reviewed it.

The Galaxy S24 Plus packs a really related digital camera setup as its predecessor, which is to say, you may count on high quality pictures whether or not day or night time. It nonetheless struggles to take sharp images of shifting topics, however this has improved in comparison with earlier than. Solely the primary digital camera will get a excessive 50MP decision, whereas the ultrawide and telephoto have a paltry 12MP and 10MP resolutions, respectively. The identical goes for the selfie digital camera, which is simply 12MP.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL is the alternative. It has both 50MP or 48MP resolutions for the rear cameras, and all three widespread focal lengths are coated. Even the selfie digital camera is 48MP. Whereas a direct digital camera comparability ought to show which one is the sharper shooter, my cash is on the Pixel.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Software program

Within the replace dedication division, the Galaxy and Pixel are tied. Each supply seven years of assist, together with OS upgrades and safety patches, which means you are good until 2031 with both cellphone. Relying in your taste of Android, you may go both manner right here. The 9 Professional XL presents a leaner Android expertise with little to no fluff and bloatware. Plus, you’ve got entry to Pixel-exclusive options like the brand new Add Me digital camera trick. Proudly owning a Pixel means you will be the primary for updates, in addition to new options that Google may add sooner or later.

Equally, the S24 Plus additionally will get helpful AI options and works finest with Samsung’s finest smartwatches, that are simply among the many finest. Regardless that Galaxy AI options are now not unique to the S24 sequence, there are some very helpful ones like Chat Help. The software program interface is One UI, which has gotten manner leaner through the years, nevertheless it’s nonetheless no substitute for a real clear Android expertise.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Which one do you have to purchase?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is, by a superb margin, the extra smart and sensible cellphone. It is cheaper, has a extra highly effective processor that’ll be related for longer, packs sufficient AI smarts to maintain most pleased, and Samsung has been fairly on-point with updates off late. Its design lacks the ‘wow’ issue of the Pixel 9 Professional XL for positive, and its cameras are in all probability a notch behind what the Pixel has, nevertheless it nonetheless makes a really compelling case for itself, particularly when you may have the highest 512GB mannequin for lower than the beginning worth of the 9 Professional XL.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL is a particular cellphone, little question. It presents that distinctive Android expertise that solely a Pixel can, and sure software program options will in all probability keep unique to Google’s personal {hardware}. If there is a particular characteristic you are after that the 9 Professional XL has and you’ve got the finances, you have to be very pleased with it. You possibly can think about the usual Pixel 9 Professional too if measurement is not a deterrent. However understand that the brand new Tensor G4 will not be a lot highly effective than the G3, which wasn’t a recreation changer to start with. It is also thicker and heavier, the show flickering remains to be a difficulty you probably have delicate imaginative and prescient, and it is dearer.