Google Pixel vs Samsung Galaxy: Which Android Flagship Wins in 2026?

Based on benchmark tests, expert reviews from GSMArena and Tom's Guide, and real user experiences from Reddit and community forums

The short answer: The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra wins for most users with its superior raw performance (45% faster CPU), sharper cameras, longer battery life, and S Pen productivity features. It's also dropped to as low as $799—cheaper than the Pixel 9 Pro. However, the Pixel 9 Pro is the better choice if you want clean software, the fastest Android updates, and AI features baked into everything. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on Amazon for $799 →

The Fighters

	Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Price	$899 on Amazon	$799 on Amazon
Best For	Clean software lovers, AI enthusiasts	Power users, S Pen productivity
Display	6.8" OLED, 2,365 nits	6.8" OLED, 1,440 nits + anti-reflective
Processor	Google Tensor G4	Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Main Camera	50MP	200MP
Storage	128GB base	256GB base

Google Pixel 9 Pro in Porcelain color showing the distinctive camera bar design and clean aesthetic

The Death Match: 6 Rounds, 1 Winner

We're scoring each round from 1-10. Higher score wins the round. Let's fight!

Round 1: Raw Performance

The numbers don't lie here. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in the Galaxy S24 Ultra absolutely dominates Google's Tensor G4 chip in every benchmark test. GSMArena's testing shows the S24 Ultra scoring 7,076 in Geekbench 6 versus the Pixel's 4,854—that's a 45% advantage for Samsung.

In gaming benchmarks, the gap widens even further. The S24 Ultra hits 17,931 in 3D Mark compared to the Pixel's 8,841. That's more than double the graphics performance. If you play demanding games like Genshin Impact or Call of Duty Mobile, you'll notice smoother frame rates on Samsung.

The Pixel 9 Pro compensates somewhat with its 16GB of RAM (versus Samsung's 12GB), which helps with AI processing and multitasking. But for raw computing power, Samsung takes this round decisively.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
6/10	9/10

Round 1 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outperforms Tensor G4 by 45% in CPU and over 100% in graphics.

Score after Round 1: Pixel 6 | Samsung 9

Round 2: Camera Quality

Both phones pack serious camera hardware, but they take different approaches. The Pixel 9 Pro uses a 50MP main sensor with Google's legendary computational photography. The S24 Ultra counters with a massive 200MP sensor and dual telephoto lenses (3x and 5x).

According to PhoneArena's camera comparison, "sharpness is superior with the Galaxy S24 Ultra, and so is the dynamics." For video, GSMArena found that "the Galaxy S24 Ultra consistently delivers considerably sharper footage."

The Pixel produces warmer, more saturated photos that look great on social media. Samsung delivers cooler, more natural tones with better detail retention. At night, the S24 Ultra performs better—the Pixel "tends to overexpose the scene and try to turn the night into day."

One advantage for Samsung: the extra 3x telephoto lens. At 3x zoom, Samsung offers "more realistic colors and sharper details" while "the Pixel is too warm." At 5x, they're essentially tied since both have dedicated telephoto cameras.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
8/10	9/10

Round 2 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — More versatile zoom options and sharper video recording edge out Google's computational photography.

Score after Round 2: Pixel 14 | Samsung 18

Round 3: Software Experience

This is where Google claws back. The Pixel runs stock Android—clean, fast, and free of bloatware. Samsung's One UI is described by users as a "Swiss Army knife—jam-packed with features" but also criticized for having "two apps for everything" thanks to duplicate Samsung and Google apps.

A common Reddit sentiment: "Bloatware on Samsung is huge." Meanwhile, Pixel owners describe their software as "clean, smart Android—AI humming in the background, anticipating your needs without fuss" according to Rokform's comparison.

Google also delivers Android updates faster. Pixel phones get new OS versions and security patches day one. Samsung has improved dramatically but still lags by weeks or months.

Both offer 7 years of software support now, so longevity is a tie. But the daily experience differs significantly—minimalist versus maximalist.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
9/10	7/10

Round 3 Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro — Stock Android with no bloatware and instant updates beats One UI's feature overload.

Score after Round 3: Pixel 23 | Samsung 25

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra showcasing the S Pen and premium titanium design

Round 4: Battery Life & Charging

The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins this round, though not by a landslide. GSMArena found Samsung delivers "over an hour extra Active Use Score" compared to the Pixel 9 Pro XL. The S24 Ultra also showed stronger 4G call runtime and better gaming battery efficiency.

Charging speed favors Samsung too: the S24 Ultra reaches full charge in 65 minutes compared to the Pixel's 78 minutes. That's 13 minutes faster—meaningful when you're rushing out the door.

Some Pixel users have reported concerning battery drain issues. Android Authority's revisit mentioned "weird modem, battery drain, and strange overheating" that some owners experience due to background Google services.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
7/10	8/10

Round 4 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — One hour longer battery life and 13 minutes faster charging give Samsung the edge.

Score after Round 4: Pixel 30 | Samsung 33

Round 5: Build Quality & Reliability

Both phones have reported issues, but different problems. The Pixel 9 Pro has faced design concerns—TechRadar reported some units literally "peeling apart" at the camera bar. Google is now offering free repairs for faulty displays.

Samsung's issues center on the Gorilla Glass Armor coating—users report the anti-reflective layer wearing down and peeling after several months of use. The S24 Ultra's sharp corners also dig into hands during extended use, and the massive camera bump makes the phone wobble on flat surfaces.

The S24 Ultra includes an S Pen, premium titanium frame, and double the base storage (256GB vs 128GB). But some users on Samsung Community forums report persistent stuttering issues and lag despite trying factory resets.

This round is close, but Samsung's premium materials and included accessories give it a slight edge despite the reported software jank.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
7/10	8/10

Round 5 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — Titanium frame, included S Pen, and double storage outweigh the reported software stuttering issues.

Score after Round 5: Pixel 37 | Samsung 41

Round 6: AI Features & Extras

Google built the Tensor G4 specifically for AI. The Pixel 9 Pro includes Gemini built-in, Magic Eraser for photos, Call Screening that answers spam calls for you, and real-time transcription. These features feel native and seamless rather than bolted on.

Samsung has Galaxy AI with Circle to Search, Live Translate, and Generative Edit for photos. These features work well, but Android Authority notes that "against Samsung, Pixel has arguably better AI features and a non-bloated version of Android."

Where Samsung excels is ecosystem integration. SmartThings connects your TV, tablet, watch, and even refrigerator. DeX lets you use your phone as a desktop computer. The S Pen enables note-taking and precision input that no Pixel can match.

For pure AI assistance, Pixel wins. For ecosystem and productivity features, Samsung wins. We're calling this a tie.

Google Pixel 9 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
8/10	8/10

Round 6 Winner: Tie — Pixel's native AI features match Samsung's ecosystem advantages.

Person using smartphone to take photos, showcasing mobile photography capabilities

Final Score

Product	Total Score	Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra	49/60	WINNER
Google Pixel 9 Pro	45/60

The Winner: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

The Galaxy S24 Ultra wins this death match with superior raw performance, better camera versatility, longer battery life, and premium build quality. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 outperforms the Tensor G4 by 45% in CPU tasks and over 100% in graphics—numbers that matter for gaming and demanding apps.

The price situation in January 2026 makes this victory even more convincing. Samsung has dropped the S24 Ultra to $799-$1,049 depending on configuration and color, while the Pixel 9 Pro still sits around $899-$999. You're getting more phone for less money.

That said, the Pixel 9 Pro remains an excellent phone. If you value clean software over raw specs, the Pixel delivers a more refined daily experience. Google's AI features feel more integrated, updates arrive faster, and there's no bloatware to uninstall.

Ready to buy the winner? Get Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra on Amazon →

When the Loser Actually Wins

The Google Pixel 9 Pro isn't right for everyone, but it's the better choice if:

You hate bloatware — Stock Android means no duplicate apps, no carrier junk, no Samsung apps you'll never use
You want day-one updates — New Android versions and security patches arrive on Pixels first
AI assistance matters most — Gemini, Call Screening, and Magic Eraser feel native rather than added
You prefer a minimalist experience — Some people find One UI overwhelming; Pixel keeps things simple
You switched from iPhone — Pixel's interface is easier to learn than Samsung's feature-packed One UI

Google Pixel 9 Pro might be right for you: Check price on Amazon →

Frequently Asked Questions

Smartphone displaying camera app, ready to capture photos

Which phone takes better photos, Pixel or Samsung?

Samsung takes sharper, more detailed photos with better dynamic range. Pixel takes warmer, more Instagram-ready shots. For video, Samsung wins decisively with "considerably sharper footage" according to GSMArena. Most professional reviewers now consider them roughly equal, with preference coming down to color science taste.

How long will these phones receive updates?

Both phones offer 7 years of OS and security updates from their launch date. The Pixel 9 Pro will receive updates until at least August 2031, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra is covered until early 2031. Google tends to deliver updates faster, while Samsung may lag by a few weeks.

Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra worth it over the regular S24?

The Ultra adds a 200MP camera (vs 50MP), S Pen support, larger 6.8" screen, titanium frame, and larger battery. If you use the S Pen for note-taking or want the best zoom capabilities, the Ultra is worth it. If you want a more pocketable phone, the regular S24 at $799 is solid value.

Why are some Pixel 9 Pro users reporting problems?

Some units have experienced display issues and camera bar separation, prompting Google to offer free repairs. Battery drain and overheating issues have also been reported by some users. These appear to affect a minority of units, but it's worth checking reviews before purchasing.