Pixel 9 vs Galaxy S24
Few matchups in the flagship smartphone class come up as often as the Pixel 9 against the Galaxy S24. Scoring each area separately, the Pixel 9 comes out on top 2 times out of 6. Its lead is sharpest in performance.
At a glance
- Display Tie
- Performance Pixel 9 wins
- Memory & Storage Tie
- Camera Trade-off
- Battery & Charging Pixel 9 wins
- Software & Updates Tie
- Price Pixel 9 wins
- Display6.0
- Performance5.6
- Camera3.5
- Battery & Charging1.8
- Display5.8
- Performance1.9
- Camera2.4
- Battery & Charging0.7
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
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The Pixel 9 has 4 GB more RAM
If ram is one of your priorities, this settles it: the Pixel 9 leads clearly with 12 GB to the Galaxy S24’s 8 GB. Opening a single app, you won’t feel the difference. With lots of tabs, a game and the camera in rotation, the Pixel 9 has more room to work with.
-
The Pixel 9 has 18% more battery capacity
The numbers aren’t close. The Pixel 9 lists 4,700 mAh for battery capacity, while the Galaxy S24 lists 4,000 mAh. Extra capacity also ages better: after a few years of charge cycles, the Pixel 9 has more headroom left.
-
The Galaxy S24 has a 1.09 oz lighter build
A clear win for the Galaxy S24: 5.89 oz against 6.98 oz. Few specs in this matchup are as one-sided. The Galaxy S24 is easier on your wrist during long reading or gaming sessions.
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The Galaxy S24 has an extra rear camera
Here the Galaxy S24 pulls well ahead of the Pixel 9, with 3 compared to 2. An extra rear camera usually means another focal length (ultra-wide, telephoto or macro) and more freedom in framing.
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The Pixel 9 has a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide
The Pixel 9 doesn’t just edge this one; 48 MP against 12 MP is a lead you’ll feel. If you rarely switch to the wide view, this won’t matter much; if you use it often, it will.
Design & Size
- Pixel 9 6.02 in × 2.83 in × 0.33 in
- Galaxy S24 5.79 in × 2.78 in × 0.30 in
Side by side, the Pixel 9 is the one that fills more space; the Galaxy S24 keeps things tighter. There’s 1.09 oz between them, and the Galaxy S24 is on the lighter side. A thickness gap of 0.04 in separates them, with the Galaxy S24 on the thin side.
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.02 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.83 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.98 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Display
Too close to call
In the display category, the Pixel 9 and the Galaxy S24 land in almost the same place. Don’t let display decide this one; look at the other sections instead.
Performance
Pixel 9 leads
The Pixel 9 dominates the performance section, and the gaps are large enough to matter in daily use. On the Pixel 9, you get 4 GB more RAM. More RAM lets a phone keep more apps open in the background, so switching back to them is instant instead of a reload. In short, the Pixel 9 is the better-equipped phone for performance.
RAM
Pixel 9: 12 GB Galaxy S24: 8 GB Extra memory also gives the Pixel 9 more headroom for heavier apps and for software updates in the years ahead.
Memory & Storage
Too close to call
On memory & storage, the Pixel 9 and the Galaxy S24 are effectively level. Treat memory & storage as common ground and look elsewhere for the deciding factor.
Camera
Trade-off
It depends what you value in camera: the Pixel 9 brings a sharper 48 MP ultra-wide, the Galaxy S24 brings an extra rear camera. Which phone wins on camera depends on which of those strengths you’ll actually use.
Rear cameras
Pixel 9: 2 Galaxy S24: 3 More cameras help most when each covers a different view, so check the table to see what the Galaxy S24’s extra lens adds.
Ultra-wide camera
Pixel 9: 48 MP Galaxy S24: 12 MP A sharper ultra-wide keeps more detail at the edges of landscape, architecture and group shots.
Battery & Charging
Pixel 9 leads
This is one of the Pixel 9’s strongest areas. On battery & charging, the Galaxy S24 falls well short. The Pixel 9 makes its case with 18% more battery capacity. A bigger battery usually means longer days between charges, although chip efficiency and screen size also shape real endurance. If this section decides it for you, choose the Pixel 9.
Battery capacity
Pixel 9: 4,700 mAh Galaxy S24: 4,000 mAh Capacity isn’t everything, but when two phones are otherwise close, more milliamp-hours is the simplest endurance advantage there is.
Software & Updates
Too close to call
There’s little to choose between them when it comes to software & updates. In short, software & updates is a draw; the decision lies elsewhere.
Full Specifications
Display
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3 in | 6.2 in |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2424 x 1080 | 2340 x 1080 |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 416 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,700 nits | 2,600 nits |
| Always-on display | Yes | Yes |
Performance
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G4 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US) |
| CPU cores | 8 | 8 |
| Process node | 4 nm | 4 nm |
| RAM | 12 GB (winner) | 8 GB |
Memory & Storage
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Base storage | 128 GB | 128 GB |
| Max storage | 256 GB | N/A (not specified) |
| microSD slot | No | No |
Camera
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Ultra-wide camera | 48 MP (winner) | 12 MP |
| Telephoto camera | N/A (not specified) | 10 MP |
| Optical zoom | N/A (not specified) | 3× |
| Rear cameras | 2 | 3 (winner) |
| Front camera | 11 MP | 12 MP (winner) |
| Max video | 4K60 | 8K30 |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4,700 mAh (winner) | 4,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 27 W | 25 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
| Port | USB-C | USB-C |
Software & Updates
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 14 (One UI 6.1) |
| Promised OS updatesManufacturer commitment | 7 years | 7 years |
Design & Build
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 6.02 in | 5.79 in |
| Width | 2.83 in | 2.78 in |
| Thickness | 0.33 in | 0.30 in (winner) |
| Weight | 6.98 oz | 5.89 oz (winner) |
| Water & dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Frame | Aluminum | Armor Aluminum |
Price
| Spec | Pixel 9 | Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $799 | $800 |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
In launch price, the two are close: the Pixel 9 came in $1 lower. If value matters, the Pixel 9 makes a strong case: it saves $1 and wins more of the comparison.
All prices are official US launch prices, last checked August 2024. Actual prices at stores may differ.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the Pixel 9 if…
- you keep lots of apps open at once (12 GB vs 8 GB of RAM)
- you want the bigger battery (4,700 mAh vs 4,000 mAh)
- you often shoot landscapes, buildings or group photos (48 MP vs 12 MP ultra-wide)
- you’d put the $1 saving toward something else
Choose the Galaxy S24 if…
- you notice every gram in your pocket (5.89 oz vs 6.98 oz)
- you want more lenses to choose from (3 vs 2 rear cameras)
- you care about a thin profile in your pocket (0.30 in vs 0.33 in)
- you want the sharper selfie camera (12 MP vs 11 MP)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I buy the Pixel 9 or the Galaxy S24?
The Pixel 9 wins more of the areas we compared, so it’s the safer pick unless you know that a 1.09 oz lighter build would make a real difference in your routine.
Does the Pixel 9 last longer on a charge than the Galaxy S24?
The Pixel 9 does better here. It lists 4,700 mAh for battery capacity, while the Galaxy S24 lists 4,000 mAh.
Is the Pixel 9 bigger than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 is actually the more compact one. It measures 5.79 × 2.78 × 0.30 in, while the Pixel 9 comes in at 6.02 × 2.83 × 0.33 in.
Does the Pixel 9 perform better than the Galaxy S24?
The Pixel 9 has the edge in performance thanks to 4 GB more RAM.
Which costs less, the Pixel 9 or the Galaxy S24?
Going by launch prices, the Pixel 9 costs $1 less than the Galaxy S24. Prices as of August 2024; current offers may differ.
Is the Pixel 9 lighter than the Galaxy S24?
The Galaxy S24 is lighter, by 1.09 oz.
Executive Summary
Whenever Google and Samsung go head to head, I learn something about what each one cares about, and the Pixel 9 and the Galaxy S24 are no exception. To me, the standout is that the Pixel 9 offers 4 GB more RAM. Plus, the Pixel 9 gets 18% more battery capacity, which I wouldn’t overlook. Where the Galaxy S24 fights back is a 1.09 oz lighter build.
If you’d rather have strength in performance, go with the Pixel 9. If portability is what you’d miss, go with the Galaxy S24.
My pick: the Pixel 9, with one exception: if you value a 1.09 oz lighter build above everything else, go for the Galaxy S24.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.