Head to head

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra leads 9 to 3 on the 12 rankable specs, but Google Pixel 9 costs $500 less.

Catalog as of September 1, 2026

Why, in numbers

Weight: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 232 g (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 9 lists 198 g (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Size: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 6.8 inches (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 9 lists 6.3 inches (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Chipset: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lists Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4 nm) (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 9 lists Google Tensor G4 (4 nm) (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Max optical zoom: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 5x optical (10x lossless / 100x digital) (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 9 lists 2x optical quality crop (8x digital) (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).
Capacity: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra lists 5,000 mAh (Samsung sheet, 2026-09-02); Google Pixel 9 lists 4,700 mAh (Google sheet, 2026-09-02).

Manufacturer list price, not a live offer. Confirm current pricing before you buy.

Buying for

Every rankable spec counts once. Pick a lens to score only what matters for your phone.

Your devices

Select your ecosystem to flag non-functional features or platform lock-in.

Straight answer

Overall: 9 to 3

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Leads 9 of 12 rankable overall specs; Google Pixel 9 takes 3.
Size: 6.8 inches vs 6.3 inches
Max optical zoom: 5x optical vs 2x optical quality crop
Google Pixel 9 is $500 cheaper. Pay the difference only if size matters to you.

9 Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra12 rankable of 48 specsGoogle Pixel 9 3

Deal-breakers

tick what would make you walk away

No stylusrow
No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.
Clear:Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra · S Pen (integrated, IP68)Trips:Google Pixel 9 · No
No headphone jackrow
Wired headphones need a USB-C dongle.
Trips:Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 9 · No
No charger in the boxrow
Budget another $20 to $40 for a fast charger.
Trips:Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 9 · No
No microSD slotrow
Storage is fixed at what you buy.
Trips:Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra · NoTrips:Google Pixel 9 · No

At a glance

The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.

5 of 6 differ

Weight

Samsung

232 g

Google

198 g

Size

Samsung

6.8 inches

Google

6.3 inches

Chipset≠

Samsung

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4 nm)

Google

Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)

RAMsame

Samsung

12 GB

Google

12 GB

Max optical zoom

Samsung

5x optical (10x lossless / 100x digital)

Google

2x optical quality crop (8x digital)

Capacity

Samsung

5,000 mAh

Google

4,700 mAh

True 3-Year Cost of Ownership (TCO)

Upfront price + 3 years of consumables, fees & essential add-ons

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Upfront list price$1,299

Essential add-ons (45W Super Fast Charging 2.0 brick (no charger in box))+$35

3-Year Estimated Total$1,334

Google Pixel 9

Upfront list price$799

Essential add-ons (45W USB-C PPS charging brick (no charger in box))+$30

3-Year Estimated Total$829

Pocket, Palm & Desk Usability Check

One-handed reachability, pocket weight, and table wobble when typing without a case.

Ergonomic & Spatial Check

One-Handed Palm Reach

Widths under 72mm allow thumb access to opposite screen edges without shifting grip.

Samsung

6.8" display with 79.0mm wide squared edges (stretches palms)

Google

6.3" display with 72.0mm width (comfortable one-hand hold)

Desk Typing Table Wobble

Horizontal visor cameras sit flat on desks without annoying rocking while typing.

Samsung

Individual camera lens rings cause corner wobble on flat tables

Google

Horizontal camera bar spans across back: zero desk wobble!

Pocket Weight & Heft

Samsung

232g (substantial titanium brick)

Google

198g (completely stable when typing on flat desks)

The 90-Day Owner Regret Check

Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.

Post-Purchase Truths

Samsung: What to watch for

Ergonomics
Sharp 90-degree squared corners dig aggressively into palms.
One-handed typing causes the pointed lower corner to dig into your palm tissue unless cushioned by a rounded silicone case.
Hardware Quirk
Anti-reflective Gorilla Armor glass smudges easily with skin oils.
While outdoor glare reduction is class-leading, finger oils create noticeable rainbow sheen smudges in bright sunlight.

Google: What to watch for

Hidden Cost
No wall charging adapter included in the retail box.
Packaging contains only a Type-C cable; high-speed wall charging bricks must be purchased separately if you do not already own one.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra$1,2999 wins

Google Pixel 9$7993 wins

Body Display Platform Memory Rear camera Front camera Battery & charging Audio Connectivity Features

38 of 48 attributes differ. Identical rows are dimmed.

Body

leads 1-0

Body specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Dimensions	162.3 × 79.0 × 8.6 mm	152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm
Weight	232 g	198 g (wins this row: lower)
Build	Gorilla Armor front and back, titanium frame	Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front and back, satin metal frame
Water / dust rating	IP68 (1.5 m / 30 min)	IP68 (1.5 m / 30 min)
Colors	Titanium Black, Gray, Violet, Yellow (plus exclusives)	Obsidian, Porcelain, Wintergreen, Peony
Stylus	S Pen (integrated, IP68)	No

Display

leads 3-1

Display specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Type	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, flat	Actua OLED
Size	6.8 inches (wins this row: higher)	6.3 inches
Resolution	1440 × 3120 (QHD+) (wins this row: higher)	1080 × 2424
Pixel density	~505 ppi (wins this row: higher)	~422 ppi
Refresh rate	1–120 Hz LTPO	60–120 Hz Smooth Display
Peak brightness	2,600 nits peak	2,700 nits peak / 1,800 nits HBM (wins this row: higher)
HDR	HDR10+	HDR10, HDR10+, Ultra HDR
Protection	Corning Gorilla Armor, anti-reflective	Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Always-on display	Yes	Yes

Platform

5 differences

Platform specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Operating system	Android 14, One UI 6.1 (upgradable)	Android 14 (upgradable)
Software support	7 major OS versions + 7 years security	7 years of OS, security, and Feature Drops
Chipset	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (4 nm)	Google Tensor G4 (4 nm)
CPU	8-core (1× Cortex-X4 + 5× A720 + 2× A520)	8-core (1× Cortex-X4 + 3× A720 + 4× A520)
GPU	Adreno 750	Mali-G715 MC7

Memory

leads 1-0

Memory specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
RAM	12 GB	12 GB
Storage	256 GB UFS 4.0 (wins this row: higher)	128 GB UFS 3.1
Storage options	256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB	128 GB / 256 GB
microSD	No	No

Rear camera

leads 2-1

Rear camera specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Main	200 MP, f/1.7, 24 mm, 1/1.3", OIS, multi-direction PDAF (wins this row: higher)	50 MP Octa PD, f/1.68, 25 mm, 1/1.31", OIS
Ultrawide	12 MP, f/2.2, 13 mm, 120°	48 MP Quad PD with Macro Focus, f/1.7, 123° (wins this row: higher)
Telephoto	10 MP 3x + 50 MP 5x periscope (both OIS)	None (Super Res Zoom up to 8x)
Max optical zoom	5x optical (10x lossless / 100x digital) (wins this row: higher)	2x optical quality crop (8x digital)
Stabilization	OIS on main and both telephotos	OIS on main wide lens
Video	8K 30 fps, 4K 120 fps, HDR10+	4K 24/30/60 fps, 10-bit HDR

Front camera

leads 1-0

Front camera specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Selfie camera	12 MP, f/2.2, punch-hole (wins this row: higher)	10.5 MP Dual PD with autofocus, f/2.2
Selfie video	4K 60 fps	4K 60 fps

Battery & charging

leads 2-0

Battery & charging specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Capacity	5,000 mAh (wins this row: higher)	4,700 mAh
Wired chargingNot on the official sheet	45 W (charger sold separately) (wins this row: higher)	27 W fast charging
Wireless charging	15 W Qi / Fast Wireless	15 W wireless with Pixel Stand / Qi
Reverse wireless	4.5 W Wireless PowerShare	Yes (Battery Share)
Charger in box	No	No

Audio

1 differences

Audio specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Speakers	Stereo tuned by AKG	Stereo speakers
Headphone jack	No	No

Connectivity

3 differences

Connectivity specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Cellular	5G (sub-6 + mmWave, region-dependent)	5G (sub-6 + mmWave)
Wi-Fi	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3	Bluetooth 5.3
NFC	Yes (Samsung Pay / Google Wallet)	Yes
USB	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.2
SIM	Dual nano-SIM + eSIM (region-dependent)	Single Nano-SIM + eSIM

Features

3 differences

Features specifications. Middle column is Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, right column is Google Pixel 9.
Biometrics	Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint + face unlock	Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint + Face Unlock
Extra controls	S Pen button, programmable side key	Power and Volume keys
Standout features	S Pen, Samsung DeX, Galaxy AI, Vision Booster	Gemini Live AI, Pixel Screenshots app, Add Me, Clear Calling

Most rows are from the official spec sheet. Marked rows are other published figures or our summary, not lab tests we ran.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra source Google Pixel 9 source

Which one should you buy

Pick this one if

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

Android flagship with S Pen, 200MP camera, 6.8-inch QHD+ AMOLED, and seven years of OS updates.

S Pen built in
200MP main + 5x periscope telephoto
7 years of OS and security updates

What you give up

Larger and heavier than iPhone 16 Pro
No charger in the box
Flat 6.8-inch body is harder one-handed

Full Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra specs →

Pick this one if

Google Pixel 9

Standard Pixel with 120Hz Actua OLED display, Tensor G4 processor, and 12GB of RAM.

Smooth 120Hz Actua display with 2,700 nits peak brightness
Generous 12GB RAM for snappy on-device Gemini AI
Industry-leading 7 years of full software support

What you give up

No telephoto zoom lens
Slower charging compared to Chinese brand rivals

Full Google Pixel 9 specs →

Best for each use

Photos

Camera first: zoom reach, sensors, stabilisation and video

For photos, buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Leads 3 of 4 rankable photos specs; Google Pixel 9 takes 1.
Max optical zoom: 5x optical vs 2x optical quality crop
Main: 200 MP, f/1.7, 24 mm, 1/1.3", OIS,… vs 50 MP Octa PD, f/1.68, 25 mm, 1/1.31", OIS
Google Pixel 9 is $500 cheaper. Pay the difference only if max optical zoom matters to you.

Battery & updates

All-day battery, fast top-ups and years of software support

For battery & updates, buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.

Leads 2 of 2 rankable battery & updates specs.
Capacity: 5,000 mAh vs 4,700 mAh
Wired charging: 45 W vs 27 W fast charging
Google Pixel 9 is $500 cheaper. Pay the difference only if capacity matters to you.

Games & video

Games and streaming: chip, refresh rate, brightness, speakers

Tied on games & video. Google Pixel 9 is cheaper.

The 2 rankable games & video specs split 1 to 1.
Saves $500 at list price.

Every answer above is scored from published figures. A lens uses only the rows that matter for that use, including marked rows that are not on the official sheet. Switch lenses interactively in the panel above.

Done deciding?

Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra spec sheet Google Pixel 9 spec sheet

Manufacturer pages: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra ↗ · Google Pixel 9 ↗

Common questions

Which is cheaper, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Google Pixel 9?

Google Pixel 9 costs $500 less at list price.

What is the biggest catch with the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or Google Pixel 9?

Google Pixel 9 has this deal-breaker: no stylus. No pen input for handwritten notes or markup.

Which is better for photos, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra or the Google Pixel 9?

For photos, buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. Leads 3 of 4 rankable photos specs; Google Pixel 9 takes 1. Max optical zoom: 5x optical vs 2x optical quality crop

What cannot be compared from spec sheets?

Of the 48 specs tracked here, 36 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.

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