The Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely is kind of probably essentially the most full Android smartphone in the marketplace however the place does that go away Google, Android’s very creator, and its personal Pixel cellphone? Out of lockstep, the 2 lineups are sure to be considerably mismatched relating to having the newest {hardware}, however that does not imply that the Pixel 8 Professional, now in the midst of its lifecycle, does not have its benefits over the Galaxy. Let’s try to discover them.
Desk of Contents:
For starters, you possibly can examine the entire specs sheets or instantly proceed with our editor’s evaluation within the textual content additional down beneath.
Dimension comparability
Neither cellphone is something near compact, however the Galaxy S24 Extremely is huge whilst huge telephones go. Its precise dimensions are solely a part of the story – in reality, the Pixel is each taller (if solely simply) and thicker than the Galaxy, however the S24 Extremely is wider (which is the place the seemingly negligible 2.5mm distinction can truly be felt) and heavier (by some 9-ish p.c).
The factor is, although, that whereas the Pixel nonetheless maintains some type of curvature on its again that makes it really feel thinner within the hand, the Galaxy’s blockiness means you would be feeling each little bit of how huge it’s. So even should you’re effectively conscious that you simply’d be getting a big handset, the Pixel is ready to masks its measurement higher.
The Galaxy does characteristic extra premium supplies in its construct – the titanium body and Corning’s newest Gorilla Armor are each a step up from the Pixel’s aluminum rails and Victus 2 sheets. However each telephones carry the identical IP68 score (as much as 1.5m for 30 min), so technically they need to be equally effectively protected in opposition to mud and water ingress.
Design is subjective, after all, and each approaches in all probability have their followers, however we’ll say that the Pixel has extra character because of that visor-like digicam strip. The Galaxy provides extra coloration decisions, and should you order one instantly from Samsung, there are some extra fascinating hues, whereas the Pixel’s Bay blue stays a favourite choice in our workplace.
Show comparability
The newest Pixel makes few compromises with its show and includes a very nice OLED panel, as does the Galaxy. You get an adaptive refresh fee on each, which might go as little as 1Hz or as excessive as 120Hz. Neither show has Dolby Imaginative and prescient assist, so you may need to make do with HDR10 and HDR10+, whichever cellphone you select.
In our testing, the Pixel was barely brighter than the Galaxy with adaptive brightness enabled (1,600nits vs. 1,447nits) with a extra pronounced distinction when setting the brightness manually – 954nits vs. 755nits. We’re not saying the Galaxy is not vibrant sufficient; we’re simply stating that the Pixel is even brighter.
Now, the Extremely does have one benefit that is coming from the brand new glass it is utilizing, and that is the decreased reflectivity. We have had some people on the workplace hail it as a game-changer whereas others stay much less excited, the very fact is that there’s certainly a noticeable distinction.
The Galaxy’s show just isn’t with out its imperfections, and it suffers from a sure graininess that may be noticed at low brightness ranges – how irked you’re by this can probably range relying on how typically you employ your cellphone in darkish environments.
Battery life
The 2 telephones have virtually an identical battery capacities, the Pixel’s further 50mAhs barely registering as a distinction, however the Galaxy does make considerably higher use of it. The Extremely has meaningfully longer endurance in three of our checks, and within the fourth, it nonetheless has a bonus, solely a a lot smaller one. We would depend this as one of many main victories for the S24 Extremely.
Charging pace
Galaxies not often win charging pace contests, so huge because of Google for making a cellphone that costs slower nonetheless. At a time when others can go from zero to 100% in lower than half an hour, the Pixel 8 Professional is barely over 50% in half-hour – the Galaxy’s 69% outcome out of the blue appears good.
The Pixel nets a small win for wi-fi charging, at the least in concept – Google says the 8 Professional can go as excessive as 23W when positioned on the Pixel Stand, whereas the Galaxy is simply rated for as much as 15W with suitable Qi pads. That stated, the Pixel drops to 12W with third-party wi-fi chargers, so it is extra like half of a win, actually.
Speaker take a look at
The 2 telephones have related two-speaker setups. There’s one speaker that fires out of the underside of the handset, and one other one on the high finish outputs sound ahead by a slit that additionally serves because the earpiece.
The 2 differ in that the Galaxy’s audio system will solely output their respective channels, whereas the Pixel’s strategy is to additionally play the alternative channel’s observe at a decrease quantity. We won’t say now we have a choice come what may.
The Galaxy proved louder in our testing, incomes a ‘Very Good’ mark subsequent to the Pixel’s merely ‘Good’ score. We would additionally give the nod to the S24 Extremely for sound high quality as effectively.
You’ll be able to examine how the 2 telephones sound in managed acoustic circumstances with the samples beneath. Simply ensure you have your headphones on and the quantity is at max stage.
Efficiency
The Galaxy S24 Extremely is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, as are most high-end Androids in 2024. The Pixel 8 Professional comes from final yr, and its customized Tensor G3 chipset was already lagging behind in uncooked energy in opposition to 2023 Qualcomm silicon, so evaluating benchmark scores will not do the Pixel any favors. Google insists that benchmarks and brute pressure do not matter and that they’ve optimized for person expertise and whatnot, however finally, it is not a superb search for them.
One factor that is bugging us on the Pixel is the 128GB base storage – that is simply not proper for a real flagship in 2024, and no, it does not matter that it got here out in late 2023. Each telephones have 12GB of RAM throughout all variations, and each will be had with as much as 1TB of storage, although the Galaxy does use quicker UFS 4.0 chips (UFS 3.1 on the Google cellphone).
We’re again to parity relating to software program replace coverage, consider it or not – Google promised 7 years of updates for the newest Pixels and so too did Samsung for the S24 household. It is unclear how usable a 7-year-old cellphone might be with the newest software program, however the long-term dedication is praiseworthy. It is, in a method, a much bigger deal for Samsung, which was as soon as closely criticized for poor software program assist, whereas it is virtually taken without any consideration on the Pixel – in spite of everything, it is Google’s OS and Google’s cellphone, after all they need to assist it indefinitely.
In the course of the S24 announcement occasion, Samsung and Google demoed AI options unique to the S24 lot. The 2 corporations are working collectively, and for higher or worse, the Galaxies and the Pixels possess smarts that have not been unlocked on different Android telephones. Whether or not one lineup has a significant benefit over the opposite is tough to quantify, although.
Whereas nonetheless as regards to software program, it is price saying a number of phrases concerning the S Pen – the stylus provides one other layer of productiveness that merely having a big display and AI capabilities does not fairly match. Jotting down notes, ‘signing’ paperwork, or simply having a wi-fi distant in your digicam all the time there with you – the S Pen stays a novel promoting level for the Extremely.
Digicam comparability
The Pixel has all the time been lauded as among the finest digicam telephones, and the Galaxy Extremely just isn’t with out imaging pedigree. The 2 take considerably related approaches in leaning closely on the computational facet of issues and taking it simple with {hardware} – there are not any one-inch sensors to be discovered right here.
Each telephones characteristic important cameras at across the 1/1.3” mark; solely Samsung’s sensor is 200MP, whereas the Pixel has 50MP on the badge. The Pixel’s ultrawide makes use of a bigger imager (1/2.0” vs. 1/2.55”), and each have autofocus. Each telephones have 5x zoom telephoto cameras with related specs too. The Galaxy has one further digicam, although – a 3x telephoto to bridge the hole between the principle digicam and the 5x telephoto.
Picture high quality
Picture high quality from each telephones in daylight is nice, with some specifics for every lineup giving them distinct character relating to coloration copy, tonal steadiness and element presentation.
Choosing one over the opposite is generally a matter of non-public choice, although there are a number of areas the place the Galaxy is objectively higher.
The S24 Extremely does win at 3x, however that is to be anticipated – it has a devoted digicam for that focal size, and the Pixel does not.
Nevertheless, the Galaxy additionally has an edge on the 2x zoom stage – so should you like capturing at focal lengths between the principle digicam and the 5x, the Pixel is in a trailing place.
Lastly, the Galaxy’s 5x can also be sharper than the Pixel’s.
Galaxy S24 Extremely daylight samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 5x
Pixel 8 Professional daylight samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 5x
Selfies are additionally fairly good on each telephones, however there may be one distinction that may be of some significance. The Pixel’s selfie digicam has a focal size equal of 21mm, whereas the Galaxy stands at 25mm, so should you’re after wider-than-most selfies, the Pixel is the way in which to go.
Selfie samples: Galaxy S24 Extremely • Pixel 8 Professional
Should you’re out capturing at night time, each telephones will provide you with pleasing exposures and good colours throughout all cameras. The Galaxy maintains an edge in sharpness and element in any respect zoom ranges, although – the variations might not be big, however the Extremely is simply persistently higher.
Galaxy S24 Extremely low-light samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 5x
Pixel 8 Professional low-light samples: 0.6x • 1x • 2x • 5x
Video high quality
Each telephones can file video at up 4K60 with all cameras, and so they additionally allow you to shoot at 24fps. The Galaxy is a little more versatile nonetheless, providing 8K seize, but in addition (and extra importantly) 4K120.
The Galaxy and the Pixel each have h.264 and h.265 codec choices, however Samsung additionally provides you further (larger) bit fee choices. HDR10 video recording can also be on the menu (effectively, each menus), and stabilization is on the market in all modes.
Video high quality is mostly nice on each, although there are particular specifics in rendition – as standard. The Pixel’s output is a little more expressive – with larger distinction and saturation, subsequent to a barely extra laid-back Galaxy (even accounting for the totally different time of capturing these). There is not any significant benefit in video sharpness come what may, so this stays principally a matter of which look you favor. Effectively, that, and the Galaxy’s wider characteristic set.
Galaxy S24 Extremely daylight video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 5x
Pixel 8 Professional daylight video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 5x
In low-light video recording, we might say that the Galaxy is giving us higher publicity and dynamic vary making for lighter, extra simply likeable output. It additionally has a little bit of an edge when it comes to element on the principle digicam, whereas the ultrawides and the telephotos are totally on par.
Galaxy S24 Extremely low-light video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 5x
Pixel 8 Professional low-light video samples: 0.6x • 1x • 5x
Verdict
With the newest Galaxy Extremely, Samsung has as soon as once more made the ‘have-it-all’ Android smartphone. Google’s strategy to the matter is not fairly as complete – the software program firm’s imaginative and prescient for its {hardware} is just totally different. In that sense, there isn’t any surprise that the Galaxy S24 Extremely and the Pixel 8 Professional diverge in some ways and can entice totally different clients.
The Pixel 8 Professional has a few esoteric benefits which might be onerous to quantify, however we all know, for a truth, they exist. Google’s personal model of Android feels totally different from the remainder, and nobody else can fairly match it. It is a related story with the picture processing which, should you’re on #teampixel, might really feel the one proper method.
In fact, there are a few extra goal causes to select an 8 Professional over an S24 Extremely – just like the ultra-ish huge selfies and the cheaper price – in most locations and more often than not.
However for many issues measurable and observable, the Galaxy S24 Extremely has a bonus. The brand new supplies promise higher sturdiness, whereas the much less reflective show glass is one in all few readily perceptible bodily developments relating to your quick interplay together with your cellphone. The S Pen stays a staple of the lineup which you could’t get elsewhere, the Extremely’s chipset is vastly extra highly effective than the Pixel’s, and the Galaxy has higher battery life too.
Maybe of most important significance is the Galaxy’s usually superior digicam efficiency. It does intermediate zoom ranges higher than the Pixel, however tends to outclass it on the native magnifications too, significantly in stills. In video, alternatively, it provides a wider characteristic set that makes it extra interesting for critical use.
In abstract, Google is certainly making the perfect Pixel cellphone – that’s to say, should you’re the kind of one that likes the Google method of doing issues, the Pixel 8 Professional is for you, and you’ll rationalize round its shortcomings. However should you’re after essentially the most full-featured Android smartphone, that may be the Galaxy S24 Extremely.
- The much less reflective show
- The more durable construct
- The longer battery life
- The S Pen
- The rather more highly effective chipset
- The general superior digicam
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 Extremely for: