Samsung Galaxy S10+ vs Google Pixel 4 XL: A Detailed Comparison in 2024

The Samsung Galaxy S10+ and Google Pixel 4 XL represent distinct philosophies in the Android flagship space. Released in 2019, both phones now offer compelling value on the used market, but cater to different priorities. The S10+ aimed for a feature-rich experience with a versatile camera and vibrant display, while the Pixel 4 XL prioritized computational photography and a clean software experience. This comparison revisits these titans to determine which holds up better today.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

For the average user in 2024, the Samsung Galaxy S10+ emerges as the more practical choice. Its superior battery endurance (91h vs 73h) and more versatile feature set, including wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, outweigh the Pixel 4 XL’s computational photography strengths, especially given the price difference.

PHONES
Phone Names Samsung Galaxy S10+ Google Pixel 4 XL
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 - Global, USAHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - Global1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66, 71 - Global
SpeedHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (7CA) Cat20 2000/150 MbpsHSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE (5CA) Cat18 1200/150 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTEGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE
 -1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 46, 48, 66, 71 - USA
Launch
Announced2019, February 20. Released 2019, March 082019, October 15
StatusDiscontinuedAvailable. Released 2019, October 22
Body
BuildGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 6), ceramic back, ceramic frameGlass front (Gorilla Glass 5), glass back (Gorilla Glass 5), aluminum frame
Dimensions157.6 x 74.1 x 7.8 mm (6.20 x 2.92 x 0.31 in)160.4 x 75.1 x 8.2 mm (6.31 x 2.96 x 0.32 in)
SIM· Nano-SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIMNano-SIM + eSIM
Weight175 g / 198 g (ceramic) (6.17 oz)193 g (6.81 oz)
 -IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Display
ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass 6Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Resolution1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~522 ppi density)1440 x 3040 pixels, 19:9 ratio (~537 ppi density)
Size6.4 inches, 103.8 cm2 (~88.9% screen-to-body ratio)6.3 inches, 98.0 cm2 (~81.3% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeDynamic AMOLED, HDR10+P-OLED, 90Hz, HDR
 -Always-on display
Platform
CPUOcta-core (2x2.73 GHz Mongoose M4 & 2x2.31 GHz Cortex-A75 & 4x1.95 GHz Cortex-A55) - EMEA/LATAMOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485) - USA/ChinaOcta-core (1x2.84 GHz Kryo 485 & 3x2.42 GHz Kryo 485 & 4x1.78 GHz Kryo 485)
ChipsetExynos 9820 (8 nm) - EMEA/LATAMQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm) - USA/ChinaQualcomm SM8150 Snapdragon 855 (7 nm)
GPUMali-G76 MP12 - EMEA/LATAMAdreno 640 - USA/ChinaAdreno 640
OSAndroid 9.0 (Pie), upgradable to Android 12, One UI 4.1Android 10, upgradable to Android 13
Memory
Card slotmicroSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) - dual SIM model onlyNo
Internal128GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM
 -UFS 2.1
Main Camera
Dual-12.2 MP, f/1.7, 27mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 16 MP, f/2.4, 50mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 2x optical zoom
FeaturesLED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaDual-LED flash, Pixel Shift, Auto-HDR, panorama
Triple12 MP, f/1.5-2.4, 26mm (wide), 1/2.55", 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.4, 52mm (telephoto), 1/3.6", 1.0µm, AF, OIS, 2x optical zoom 16 MP, f/2.2, 12mm (ultrawide), 1/3.1", 1.0µm, Super Steady video-
Video4K@60fps (no EIS), 4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS & OIS4K@30fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30fps (gyro-EIS)
Selfie camera
Dual10 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/3", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF 8 MP, f/2.2, 22mm (wide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm, depth sensor-
FeaturesHDRHDR
Single-8 MP, f/2.0, 22mm (wide), 1.22µm, no AF TOF 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps1080p@30fps
Sound
3.5mm jack -No
35mm jackYesNo
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
NFCYesYes
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEOGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO
RadioFM radio (USA & Canada only)No
USBUSB Type-C 3.1, OTG, DisplayPortUSB Type-C 3.1
WLANWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6, dual-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA
Features
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Battery
Charging15W wired, PD2.0 15W wireless (Qi) 4.5W reverse wireless18W wired, PD2.0 Wireless
TypeLi-Ion 4100 mAh, non-removableLi-Po 3700 mAh, non-removable
Misc
ColorsPrism White, Prism Black, Prism Green, Prism Blue, Canary Yellow, Flamingo Pink, Ceramic Black, Ceramic White, Cardinal Red, Smoke BlueClearly White, Just Black, Oh So Orange
ModelsSM-G975F, SM-G975U, SM-G975W, SM-G975U1, SM-G9750, SM-G975N, SM-G975X, SC-05LG020P, G020, GA01181-US, GA01182-US, GA01180-US
Price$ 289.88 / C$ 449.97 / € 230.00About 180 EUR
SAR1.06 W/kg (head)     1.03 W/kg (body)-
SAR EU0.52 W/kg (head)     1.58 W/kg (body)-
Pricing
128GB 6GB RAM-$ 364.52
64GB 6GB RAM-$ 274.99
RENEWED-$ 149.00
Tests
Audio quality- Noise -93.9 / Crosstalk -94.1
Battery life- Endurance rating 73h
Camera- Photo / Video
Loudspeaker- Voice 80dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 88dB
Performance- AnTuTu: 323305 (v7), 403267 (v8) GeekBench: 10171 (v4.4), 2267 (v5.1) GFXBench: 21fps (ES 3.1 onscreen)

Samsung Galaxy S10+

  • Superior battery life (91h Endurance rating)
  • Wireless PowerShare (reverse wireless charging)
  • More versatile camera system (likely with ultra-wide and telephoto lenses)
  • Vibrant 'Infinite' contrast display

  • Regional Exynos variant may have lower efficiency
  • Software updates have likely ended

Google Pixel 4 XL

  • Exceptional computational photography
  • Clean and fast Android experience
  • Faster 18W wired charging
  • Competitive price on the used market

  • Significantly shorter battery life (73h Endurance rating)
  • No reverse wireless charging
  • Potentially limited software support

Display Comparison

The Galaxy S10+ boasts an 'Infinite' contrast ratio (nominal) and a respectable 4.514 contrast ratio in sunlight, suggesting a vibrant and readable display even outdoors. While the Pixel 4 XL’s display specs aren’t provided, Google historically focused on color accuracy. The S10+'s higher contrast ratio likely translates to more punchy visuals, beneficial for media consumption. The S10+’s larger size also provides more screen real estate for multitasking.

Camera Comparison

Both devices excel in photography, but approach it differently. The Pixel 4 XL is renowned for its computational photography prowess, leveraging Google’s image processing algorithms to produce stunning images, particularly in low light. The S10+ offers a more versatile camera system, likely including ultra-wide and telephoto lenses (specs not provided), allowing for greater creative flexibility. While both capture video, the Pixel 4 XL’s strength lies in still photography, while the S10+ offers a broader range of shooting options.

Performance

Both phones utilize the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 (7nm), but the S10+ had regional variations with the Exynos 9820 (8nm). The Snapdragon 855 is a capable chip, but the 7nm process node generally offers better power efficiency than the 8nm Exynos. However, the S10+’s octa-core CPU configuration differs slightly depending on the region, with the USA/China variant having a potentially faster Kryo 485 core arrangement. In real-world usage, both phones will handle most tasks smoothly, but the Snapdragon 855’s thermal efficiency might give the Pixel 4 XL a slight edge in sustained performance.

Battery Life

Battery life is a clear win for the Galaxy S10+, with an Endurance rating of 91 hours compared to the Pixel 4 XL’s 73 hours. This translates to a significantly longer time between charges. The Pixel 4 XL compensates with 18W wired charging, slightly faster than the S10+'s 15W charging, and adds wireless charging. However, the S10+ includes 15W wireless charging *and* 4.5W reverse wireless charging, adding to its versatility. The larger battery capacity in the S10+ is the primary driver of its superior endurance.

Buying Guide

Buy the Samsung Galaxy S10+ if you need all-day battery life, a vibrant and feature-rich display, and a more complete package of hardware features like wireless charging. Buy the Google Pixel 4 XL if you prioritize a clean Android experience, exceptional still photography in challenging conditions, and don't mind sacrificing battery life for a streamlined user interface.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Does the Exynos 9820 chip in the S10+ overheat during demanding tasks like gaming?
The Exynos 9820 is known to run warmer than the Snapdragon 855. While it won't necessarily overheat to the point of shutting down, users may experience some thermal throttling during extended gaming sessions, potentially leading to slightly reduced performance. The Snapdragon 855 variant found in the USA/China models will generally perform better in this regard.
❓ Is the Pixel 4 XL's camera still competitive in 2024, given newer smartphone cameras?
Absolutely. The Pixel 4 XL’s computational photography remains remarkably effective, even compared to newer phones. Its ability to produce excellent images in low light and its accurate color reproduction are still highly competitive. While it lacks the sheer megapixel count of some newer sensors, Google’s software processing continues to deliver impressive results.
❓ How does the lack of expandable storage on both phones affect long-term usability?
The lack of microSD card support on both devices means you're limited to the internal storage you purchase. For the Pixel 4 XL, this is particularly important to consider, as the base 64GB model can fill up quickly with photos, videos, and apps. Opting for the 128GB version is highly recommended if you plan to use the phone for an extended period.
❓ Are software updates still available for either the Galaxy S10+ or the Pixel 4 XL?
Official software updates from Samsung and Google have largely ceased for both devices. However, the Pixel 4 XL, being a Google phone, may receive security patches for a slightly longer period. Users interested in maintaining up-to-date software may consider custom ROMs, but this requires technical expertise and voids the warranty.