Huawei Pura X vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: A Head-to-Head Flagship Battle

The Huawei Pura X represents a return to form for Huawei's flagship ambitions, while the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra continues to refine the ultra-premium Android experience. This comparison dissects the core differences between these two powerhouses, focusing on chipset architecture, camera capabilities, and charging technologies to determine which device delivers the best overall value.
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🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user prioritizing sustained performance and a mature software ecosystem, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra emerges as the winner. Its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, coupled with superior battery life and a brighter display, provides a more consistently polished experience. However, the Pura X’s faster charging and unique design may appeal to Huawei loyalists.

PHONES
Phone Names Huawei Pura X Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
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 bandsLTE1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International
5G bandsSA/NSA1, 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 / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G
Launch
Announced2025, March 202024, January 17
StatusAvailable. Released 2025, March 20Available. Released 2024, January 24
Body
BuildGlass front, glass back or eco leather back, aluminum frameGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor), glass back (Corning Gorilla Armor), titanium frame (grade 2)
DimensionsUnfolded: 143.2 x 91.7 x 7.2 mmFolded: 91.7 x 74.3 x 15.1 mm162.3 x 79 x 8.6 mm (6.39 x 3.11 x 0.34 in)
SIMNano-SIM + Nano-SIM· 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
Weight193.7 g or 195.9 g (6.84 oz)232 g or 233 g (8.18 oz)
Display
Protection-Corning Gorilla Armor
Resolution1320 x 2120 pixels, 16:10 ratio (~396 ppi density)1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~505 ppi density)
Size6.3 inches, 114.9 cm2 (~87.5% screen-to-body ratio)6.8 inches, 113.5 cm2 (~88.5% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeFoldable LTPO2 OLED, 1B colors, HDR Vivid, 120Hz, 2500 nits (peak)Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak)
Platform
CPUOcta-core (1x2.5 GHz Taishan Big & 3x2.15 GHz Taishan Mid & 4x1.53GHz Cortex-A510)8-core (1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A520)
ChipsetKirin 9020 (7 nm)Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm)
GPUMaleoon 920Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
OSHarmonyOS 5.0Android 14, up to 7 major Android upgrades, One UI 8.0
Memory
Card slotNoNo
Internal256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
Main Camera
FeaturesLaser AF, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDRLaser AF, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama
Quad-200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.52", 1.12µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video
Triple50 MP, f/1.6, 23mm (wide), PDAF, OIS 8 MP, f/2.4, 80mm (telephoto), PDAF, OIS, 3.5x optical zoom 40 MP, f/2.2, 13mm (ultrawide), AF 1.5 MP multi-spectral channel red maple primary color camera-
Video4K, 1080p, gyro-EIS, HDR Vivid8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS
Selfie camera
Features-HDR, HDR10+
Single10.7 MP, f/2.2, (wide)12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF
Video1080p, HDR Vivid4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
Sound
35mm jackNoNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.2, A2DP, LE, L2HC5.3, A2DP, LE
Infrared portYes-
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a+B2b), GALILEO (E1+E5a+E5b), QZSS (L1+L5), GLONASS, NavICGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPort 1.2USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct
Features
SensorsFingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compassFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging66W wired 40W wireless 7.5W reverse wireless 5W reverse wired45W wired, PD3.0, 65% in 30 min 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless
Type4720 mAhLi-Ion 5000 mAh
Misc
ColorsRed, Green, Gray, White, BlackTitanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, Titanium Orange
ModelsVDE-AL00SM-S928B, SM-S928B/DS, SM-S928U, SM-S928U1, SM-S928W, SM-S928N, SM-S9280, SM-S928E, SM-S928E/DS
PriceAbout 960 EUR$ 514.94 / C$ 929.99 / £ 630.00 / € 658.53 / ₹ 84,999
SAR-1.26 W/kg (head)     0.62 W/kg (body)
SAR EU-1.06 W/kg (head)     1.30 W/kg (body)

Huawei Pura X

  • Significantly faster 66W wired charging
  • Potentially more unique design language
  • Strong reverse wireless charging capabilities

  • Kirin 9020 chipset may throttle under sustained load
  • Software ecosystem may be less mature than Samsung's

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

  • Superior performance with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
  • Exceptional battery life (13:49h active use)
  • Brighter and more efficient display

  • Slower 45W wired charging
  • Higher price point

Display Comparison

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts a significantly brighter display, reaching a measured 1447 nits, crucial for outdoor visibility. While the Pura X’s display specs are not provided, Samsung’s panel likely utilizes LTPO technology for adaptive refresh rates, enhancing power efficiency. The S24 Ultra’s higher peak brightness translates to a more vibrant and readable experience in direct sunlight, a key advantage for users frequently outdoors. The S24 Ultra's display is also likely to have a higher PWM dimming frequency, potentially reducing eye strain for sensitive users.

Camera Comparison

While both phones are expected to deliver excellent image quality, the S24 Ultra likely holds an advantage due to Samsung’s established camera expertise and image processing algorithms. The Pura X’s camera specs are not detailed, but the S24 Ultra’s larger sensor size and advanced OIS system will likely result in better low-light performance and sharper images. The S24 Ultra’s video capabilities are also likely to be more refined, offering features like 8K recording and advanced stabilization. We'll ignore any 2MP macro lenses on either device as they offer minimal practical benefit.

Performance

The core difference lies in the chipsets: Huawei’s Kirin 9020 (7nm) versus Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm). The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4nm process offers superior transistor density and thermal efficiency compared to the Kirin 9020’s 7nm node. This translates to less throttling under sustained load, benefiting gamers and power users. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s CPU configuration – a Cortex-X4 prime core alongside Cortex-A720 performance cores – provides a performance edge over the Kirin 9020’s Taishan architecture, which, while capable, lacks the widespread optimization of ARM’s reference designs. The S24 Ultra’s LPDDR5x RAM further contributes to faster data access and overall system responsiveness.

Battery Life

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra demonstrates a clear advantage in battery endurance, achieving 13:49 hours of active use. While the Pura X’s battery capacity is unknown, its 66W wired charging significantly outpaces the S24 Ultra’s 45W charging, allowing for a quicker top-up. The Pura X also offers 40W wireless and 7.5W reverse wireless charging, exceeding the S24 Ultra’s 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless capabilities. However, the S24 Ultra’s superior battery life mitigates the slower charging speed for many users.

Buying Guide

Buy the Huawei Pura X if you prioritize incredibly fast charging speeds (66W wired) and a distinctive design aesthetic, and are comfortable with the Huawei ecosystem. Buy the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra if you demand the most consistently powerful performance, a class-leading camera system, and the longevity of Samsung’s software support, even if it means slightly slower charging.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Kirin 9020 in the Pura X suffer from significant thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions?
Given the 7nm process node and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s superior thermal efficiency, the Kirin 9020 is likely to experience more noticeable throttling during prolonged, demanding tasks like gaming. While Huawei employs cooling solutions, the fundamental architectural advantage lies with the Snapdragon.
❓ How does the 66W charging on the Pura X compare to the 45W charging on the S24 Ultra in real-world scenarios?
The Pura X’s 66W charging will significantly reduce charge times, potentially reaching a full charge in under 40 minutes, while the S24 Ultra takes closer to an hour. Samsung claims 65% charge in 30 minutes, but the Pura X will likely offer a more substantial charge in the same timeframe.
❓ Is the reverse wireless charging on the Pura X useful for charging accessories like earbuds or smartwatches?
With 7.5W reverse wireless charging, the Pura X can conveniently top up accessories, though it's slower than dedicated chargers. It's ideal for emergency charging or slow overnight top-ups, but not for quickly replenishing accessory batteries.
❓ What kind of software support can Huawei Pura X users expect compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra?
Samsung typically provides longer software support (4 years of OS updates, 5 years of security patches) than Huawei, which has faced restrictions impacting its software ecosystem. S24 Ultra users can expect a more consistent and prolonged software experience.