Google Pixel 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S24+: Which Flagship Reigns Supreme?

Google's Pixel 8 and Samsung's Galaxy S24+ represent the pinnacle of Android development, but cater to different priorities. The Pixel 8 emphasizes computational photography and AI-driven features, while the S24+ focuses on raw processing power and a broader feature set. This comparison dissects their key differences to determine which device delivers the best overall experience.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing all-day battery life and consistently fast performance, the Samsung Galaxy S24+ emerges as the winner. Its 12:30h active use score and Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or Exynos 2400) chipset provide a noticeable edge, though the Pixel 8’s camera and AI features remain compelling.

PHONES
Phone Names Google Pixel 8 Samsung Galaxy S24+
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - GKWS6, G9BQD1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 71, 77, 78, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - GKWS61, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International
SpeedHSPA, LTE, 5GHSPA, LTE (up to 7CA), 5G
TechnologyGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2023, October 042024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2023, October 12Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame
Dimensions150.5 x 70.8 x 8.9 mm (5.93 x 2.79 x 0.35 in)158.5 x 75.9 x 7.7 mm (6.24 x 2.99 x 0.30 in)
SIMNano-SIM + eSIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN
Weight187 g (6.60 oz)196 g or 197 g (6.91 oz)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass VictusCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Resolution1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~428 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~513 ppi density)
Size6.2 inches, 91.1 cm2 (~85.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~91.6% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeOLED, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1400 nits (HBM), 2000 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUNona-core (1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X3 & 4x2.45 GHz Cortex-A715 & 4x2.15 GHz Cortex-A510)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)10-core (1x3.2GHz Cortex-X4 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 3x2.6GHz Cortex-A720 & 4x1.95GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetGoogle Tensor G3 (4 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm) - USA/Canada/ChinaExynos 2400 (4 nm) - International
GPUImmortalis-G715s MC10Adreno 750 (1 GHz) - USA/Canada/ChinaXclipse 940 - International
OSAndroid 14, upgradable to Android 16, up to 7 major Android upgradesAndroid 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
Dual50 MP (12 MP eff.), f/1.7, 25mm (wide), 1/1.31", 1.2µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.2, 126˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.9", 1.25µm, AF-
FeaturesLaser AF, Dual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Ultra HDR, panorama, Best TakeLED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Triple-50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm (wide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55" 1.4µm, Super Steady video
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps; gyro-EIS, OIS, 10-bit HDR8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
FeaturesHDR, panoramaHDR, HDR10+
Single10.5 MP, f/2.2, 20mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.22µm12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.3, A2DP, LE, aptX HD5.3, A2DP, LE
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS (G1), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5)GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, optical), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging27W wired, PD3.0, PPS, 50% in 30 min 18W wireless Reverse wireless Bypass charging45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4575 mAhLi-Ion 4900 mAh
Misc
ColorsObsidian, Hazel, Rose, MintOnyx Black, Marble Grey, Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Jade Green, Sandstone Orange, Sapphire Blue
ModelsGKWS6, G9BQD, GA04851-US, GZPFO, GPJ41SM-S926B, SM-S926B/DS, SM-S926U, SM-S926U1, SM-S926W, SM-S926N, SM-S9260, SM-S926E, SM-S926E/DS
Price€ 296.00 / $ 268.93 / £ 260.00 / ₹ 38,999$ 429.50 / € 549.00 / £ 445.98
SAR-1.16 W/kg (head)     0.84 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-0.74 W/kg (head)     1.25 W/kg (body)

Google Pixel 8

  • Exceptional computational photography and AI features
  • Seamless Google ecosystem integration
  • Compact and comfortable design

  • Shorter battery life compared to S24+
  • Less powerful chipset than Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

Samsung Galaxy S24+

  • Longer battery life and faster charging
  • Powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (or competitive Exynos 2400)
  • Brighter display with potential LTPO technology

  • Samsung’s One UI can be overwhelming for some users
  • Image processing can be overly saturated

Display Comparison

Both the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S24+ boast excellent displays, achieving nearly identical peak brightness levels at 1446 and 1452 nits respectively. This ensures excellent visibility even in direct sunlight. However, Samsung’s display technology is likely to be LTPO, enabling adaptive refresh rates for improved power efficiency, a feature not explicitly stated for the Pixel 8. While both offer vibrant colors, Samsung’s historically accurate color calibration may appeal to professionals, while the Pixel 8’s display is tuned for a more consumer-friendly look.

Camera Comparison

Both phones excel in photography and videography, but approach it differently. The Pixel 8 leverages Google’s renowned computational photography algorithms to produce stunning images, particularly in challenging lighting conditions. While sensor sizes aren’t specified, the Pixel 8’s strength lies in its software processing. The S24+ likely features a larger main sensor, enabling better light capture and detail. Samsung’s image processing tends to be more saturated and vibrant, appealing to a broader audience. Both phones offer robust video capabilities, but the Pixel 8’s video features are heavily integrated with its AI capabilities, such as Audio Magic Eraser. The usefulness of the 2MP macro cameras on both devices is questionable, offering limited benefit over the main sensor’s close-up capabilities.

Performance

The core performance difference lies in the chipset. The Galaxy S24+ utilizes the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (in USA/Canada/China) or the Exynos 2400 (International). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, with its Cortex-X4 prime core clocked at 3.39GHz, offers a significant performance uplift over the Pixel 8’s Google Tensor G3. The Tensor G3’s nona-core configuration, while optimized for AI tasks, doesn’t match the raw processing power of the Snapdragon. The S24+’s CPU architecture (8-core vs 9-core) and higher clock speeds translate to faster app loading, smoother multitasking, and better sustained performance in demanding games. The Exynos 2400 variant, while competitive, may exhibit slightly lower thermal efficiency than the Snapdragon, potentially leading to more throttling under prolonged load.

Battery Life

The Galaxy S24+ demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving an active use score of 12:30h compared to the Pixel 8’s 11:17h. While the Pixel 8’s older endurance rating of 83 hours suggests respectable standby time, the S24+’s larger battery capacity and more efficient chipset contribute to longer real-world usage. Charging speeds also favor the S24+, with 45W wired charging reaching 65% in 30 minutes, versus the Pixel 8’s 27W charging reaching 50% in the same timeframe. The S24+ also supports PD3.0 and PPS for faster charging, while the Pixel 8 offers convenient bypass charging.

Buying Guide

Buy the Google Pixel 8 if you need a smartphone with exceptional computational photography, seamless Google ecosystem integration, and a focus on AI-powered features like Magic Eraser and Best Take. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24+ if you prefer a device with longer battery life, faster charging, and a more versatile feature set, including DeX and a brighter display, even if it means sacrificing some of Google’s unique software experiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 2400 chip in the international Galaxy S24+ overheat during extended gaming sessions?
While the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 is known for its thermal efficiency, the Exynos 2400 has shown improvements over previous generations. However, it may run slightly warmer under sustained load compared to the Snapdragon variant, potentially leading to minor throttling in extremely demanding games. Samsung has implemented improved cooling solutions in the S24+ to mitigate this.
❓ Is the Pixel 8’s ‘Magic Eraser’ feature truly effective at removing unwanted objects from photos?
Magic Eraser is remarkably effective at removing small to medium-sized objects from photos, leveraging Google’s AI algorithms to intelligently fill in the background. However, its performance can vary depending on the complexity of the background and the size of the object being removed. Larger or more complex objects may leave noticeable artifacts.
❓ Does the Galaxy S24+ support frame rate boosts for popular games like PUBG Mobile?
Yes, the Galaxy S24+ supports frame rate boosts for many popular games, including PUBG Mobile, through Samsung’s Game Booster software. This allows users to prioritize performance and achieve higher frame rates, up to 90fps in some cases, for a smoother gaming experience. However, enabling this feature may impact battery life.
❓ How does the Pixel 8’s ‘Best Take’ feature work, and is it useful for group photos?
Best Take uses AI to combine multiple photos of a group, allowing you to select the best face for each person. It’s incredibly useful for group photos where someone blinked or had an awkward expression. The Pixel 8 analyzes each frame and suggests the optimal combination, saving you the hassle of manually editing multiple photos.