I’ve often wondered about the origin of the phrase “splitting hairs.” As it turns out, the phrase is from the 17th century and means what you’d expect: the hairs are so fine that attempting to split them is futile. I wouldn’t say that comparing the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is pointless. Still, any decision between the two will be made on the margins. I found that 95% of daily tasks were handled easily on both devices, with little difference in performance.
However, minor differences are magnified when phones are close in performance and price, and personal preferences tip the scales. If you’re wondering how to spend the $1,300 burning a hole in your pocket, the Pixel 9 Pro XL and Galaxy S24 Ultra are among the best options. I’ve had both by my side for a week. Here’s what you need to know.
What I like about the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Improved all around
I can’t blame anyone for giving up on Pixels over the last few years. A recent survey showed that Pixel owners were more likely to switch to another brand when buying a new phone. Google tried to scare off customers with shoddy software updates and hardware that didn’t meet expectations. I remember my awful Pixel 6 experience, suffering through a lousy fingerprint sensor, a horrible modem, and a half-baked Android 12.
I don’t forget, but I can forgive. If you’re looking for a reason to give Google another chance, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is that phone. It’s as much a mea culpa to disgruntled former owners as a love letter to those loyal enough to stick around. Everything that’s supposed to work does work. While Google doesn’t get a gold star for that (especially for $1,100), it is a welcome change.
It still catches me off guard when I look at the Pixel 9 Pro XL’s display and find a vibrant, readable panel. Google’s Super Actua technology works, and I’m relieved that a significant shortcoming of earlier Pixels is a thing of the past. Its fingerprint reader is snappy and accurate, and the face unlock on my Pixel is excellent. Google spent time improving the front-end user experience, and it shows.
I can describe the Pixel 9 Pro XL as snappy, smooth, and responsive, accolades I wouldn’t consider giving older generations. The Tensor G4 doesn’t have the same raw power as the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, which drives the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but you don’t run into limitations until you tax the chipset. I heard early reports of people having issues recording in 4K, claiming the G4 wasn’t up to the task, but I’ve had a good experience. The video is smooth, and I didn’t run into processing issues.
Google works with Samsung to deliver its latest and greatest AI features to Galaxy hardware. While I used Gemini Live more than I thought I would on my Pixel 9 Pro XL, it’s also available on my S24 Ultra. AI might not be a significant advantage, but I love how my Pixel pulls my information into the UI. One UI on my Galaxy S24 Ultra will populate my meetings and appointments from Google Calendar, but something about how my Pixel 9 Pro XL integrates them into the UI feels seamless.
It isn’t a conversation about a Pixel phone without mentioning the camera. I don’t see Google having the same point-and-shoot quality advantage it enjoyed in previous years, as Samsung and others have caught up. If anything, it’s more about your preference in post-processing. The Pixel 9 Pro XL gives images a warmer tone than I’m used to from Google photography. It isn’t bad, but if you love the harsh, cool colors of Pixel photos, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is an adjustment.
Here are camera samples from the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL:
Google still has an advantage in terms of shutter speed. The Galaxy S24 Ultra mostly corrected Samsung’s issue with shutter lag, but there is still some. If you’re a parent looking to capture a quick moment with your kids or pets, the Pixel 9 Pro XL is the better choice.
Here are camera samples from the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra:
What I like about the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Raw power and software
I don’t hate the Tensor G4, but a part of me wishes Google would adopt Snapdragon chipsets again so I could stop having this conversation. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is more powerful than the Pixel 9 Pro XL, and that’s frustrating given that the Pixel will cost $1,200 with 256GB of storage. If you are a heavy gamer, you’ll notice the difference immediately. Genshin Impact defaults to medium settings on my Pixel 9 Pro XL while still experiencing slowdowns. My Galaxy S24 Ultra auto-detects at high settings, and the game runs smoothly. It isn’t a dealbreaker, but it isn’t a non-issue either.
Even though both phones have 6.8-inch displays, the Galaxy S24 Ultra feels like a bigger device with its squared-off edges and slightly wider 19.5:9 aspect ratio. I doubt you’re looking at these two devices if you’re concerned about having a smaller phone, but it’s noticeable in the hand. Samsung elected for a natural color temperature on its panel for the S24 Ultra, but it’s still one of the best displays on the market.
It’s also worth noting that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s anti-reflective coating works well and makes a difference. When I used both outdoors, the Pixel 9 Pro XL was like a mirror, while the S24 Ultra handled glare much better, resulting in a better outdoor viewing experience.
I haven’t mentioned battery life because I consistently got comparable numbers from the S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL. You can expect over eight hours of screen-on time. Samsung isn’t known for its fast charging speeds, but it took Google until this year to match them with 45W wired charging. It isn’t exceptional for either, but it’s better than it used to be.
Deciding between these two phones will be a personal preference. I enjoy One UI. Samsung did a fantastic job releasing fast and reliable updates. While you can argue whether One UI is the best Android skin, it’s harder to dispute that Samsung published the most reliable software over the last four years. One UI is more heavily skinned than Material You on the Pixel 9 Pro XL, but I don’t mind. I used to be annoyed by manufacturers needlessly bogging down phones with UI elements, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra runs well.
I’ve always considered the S-pen to be a binary feature. Either you have uses for it, and you can’t live without it, or it stays in the silo for 95% of its life. I like having it for marking up documents or creating GIFs to send to friends, but I rarely used its Bluetooth functionality, like remotely triggering the shutter for a photo.
Closer than it’s been in a while
The Galaxy S24 Ultra is no longer head and shoulders better than the Pixel, but it’s still a half step ahead. You must decide whether the performance bump and software are worth the additional $200. Even though I respect what Google did this year and love the Pixel 9 Pro XL, I still prefer carrying an S24 Ultra in my pocket. I think we were lulled to sleep by Samsung’s safe design choices, but that shouldn’t overshadow the company putting out an excellent product.
If you’re comfortable spending extra and are an enthusiast, you’ll love the Galaxy S24 Ultra. If you’re a shutterbug looking for a sleek new design and excellent performance, Google gives you a lot to look forward to with the Pixel 9 Pro XL.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is much improved over its predecessors and is the best Pixel in years. It features a brand new Tensor G4, which does a better job with power and heat efficiency. It also gets fantastic battery life. The Pixel 9 Pro XL sports a 6.8-inch Super Actua display, making it the best and brightness display on a Pixel.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
$1059 $1300 Save $241
Samsung didn’t change much for the Galaxy S24 Ultra, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent smartphone. It sports a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with 12GB of RAM, making it capable of handling intense tasks. It also features a beautiful 6.8-inch AMOLED panel. If you’re looking for the most powerful, versatile phone on the market, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is hard to beat.
