Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus

The Pixel 9 Professional XL would possibly sound like a brand new addition to the household, since we have by no means had a ‘Professional XL’ Pixel earlier than this, but it surely’s truly the Pixel 9 Professional that is the brand new addition with its smaller display screen measurement. The 9 Professional XL is the direct successor to the 8 Professional, however with the next price ticket and some enhancements.

Beginning at $1,099, the Pixel 9 Professional XL goes up in opposition to a formidable rival — the Galaxy S24 Plus. Each telephones include the identical stage of software program replace dedication, very helpful AI options, premium designs, and nice cameras. Choosing only one is a troublesome name, however that is the place we are available in. Let’s evaluate each to see which one could be probably the most sensible alternative.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Design

Design is normally a subjective matter, however I feel most will agree that the Google Pixel 9 Professional XL has a extra head-turning look. It is one thing model new and we do not have this aesthetic wherever exterior the Pixel 9 collection. We have seen the look of the Galaxy S24 Plus on earlier fashions and Samsung’s cheaper collection too. It is clear and easy, which some would possibly truly want. No matter which design catches your fancy, you possibly can anticipate wonderful construct high quality on each with premium supplies like glass and aluminum.

By way of ease of use although, the Galaxy has the higher hand right here because it’s means lighter and slimmer than the Pixel. We’re speaking 7.7mm versus 8.5mm in thickness, and 197g versus 221g in weight. The S24 Plus does have sharper corners which we discovered to be a bit of painful when holding it. The Pixel 9 Professional XL feels higher within the hand, in our expertise. Each get the IP68 score for correct mud and water-proofing.

The Galaxy S24 Plus and Pixel 9 Professional XL have almost the identical display screen sizes. The Pixel has a 6.8-inch Tremendous Actua OLED show with a crisp 2,992×1,344 decision. It will get a variable refresh charge of 1-120Hz, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for scratch safety, and a peak brightness of as much as 3,000 nits. The show appears nice generally and will get loads vivid too. Nonetheless, Google is caught on the 240Hz PWM dimming charge which can lead to extreme complications for these delicate to this, as our resident Pixel reviewer shortly came upon.

The Galaxy S24 Plus does not have this drawback, and it matches the 9 Professional XL when it comes to specs. It makes use of a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X show with a pointy 3,220×1,440 decision. There is a variable refresh charge of as much as 120Hz, Victus 2 scratch safety, and a peak brightness of as much as 2,600 nits.

One other factor price noting is that the 9 Professional XL’s show curves much more alongside the perimeters than the Galaxy, which might reduce off some UI parts like when gaming as an example. Each telephones additionally use ultrasonic fingerprint sensors, however we discovered the Pixel to be problematic when utilizing some display screen protectors.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: {Hardware} and specs

Whereas each telephones include 2024 {hardware}, the Galaxy S24 Plus simply beats the Pixel 9 Professional XL in the case of uncooked efficiency and gaming. That is largely due to the stronger Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, which is much more highly effective than the Tensor G4 within the Pixel. The S24 Plus has 12GB of RAM and comes with 256GB of base storage, together with a 512GB possibility. Costs begin at $999.99 and go as much as $1,199.99 from Samsung’s official web site. Provided that it has now been on sale for almost half a yr, you possibly can simply discover a deal on Amazon for the highest variant, for effectively below $1,000.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL has solely simply launched, and until you snagged a pre-order deal, you may probably be paying full worth for some time. The pricing is just not nice, to be brutally trustworthy. You will need to accept a measly 128GB of storage for $1,099, as going to 256GB to match the Galaxy’s base mannequin could be $1,199. There is a 512GB possibility too for $1,319, which I do not see many choosing.

Battery capacities and charging speeds are additionally completely different on each telephones. The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a 5,060mAh battery which may be charged at as much as 37W utilizing Google’s 45W wall charger. It may additionally do quick wi-fi charging as much as 23W utilizing the Pixel Stand (2nd Gen) charger. To this point in our preliminary assessment of the cellphone, battery life has been fairly stellar in real-world utilization, just like the Pixel 8 Professional.

The Galaxy S24 Plus has a barely smaller 4,900mAh battery, however prices at 45W wired. Wi-fi charging continues to be restricted to 15W. This small dip in capability should not part you although, as we repeatedly acquired a full day’s price of use after which some after we reviewed it.

The Galaxy S24 Plus packs a really related digital camera setup as its predecessor, which is to say, you possibly can anticipate high quality pictures whether or not day or evening. It nonetheless struggles to take sharp photographs of shifting topics, however this has improved in comparison with earlier than. Solely the primary digital camera will get a excessive 50MP decision, whereas the ultrawide and telephoto have a paltry 12MP and 10MP resolutions, respectively. The identical goes for the selfie digital camera, which is simply 12MP.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL is the alternative. It has both 50MP or 48MP resolutions for the rear cameras, and all three in style focal lengths are coated. Even the selfie digital camera is 48MP. Whereas a direct digital camera comparability ought to show which one is the sharper shooter, my cash is on the Pixel.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Software program

Within the replace dedication division, the Galaxy and Pixel are tied. Each provide seven years of help, together with OS upgrades and safety patches, which means you are good until 2031 with both cellphone. Relying in your taste of Android, you would go both means right here. The 9 Professional XL gives a leaner Android expertise with little to no fluff and bloatware. Plus, you might have entry to Pixel-exclusive options like the brand new Add Me digital camera trick. Proudly owning a Pixel means you may be the primary for updates, in addition to new options that Google would possibly add sooner or later.

Equally, the S24 Plus additionally will get helpful AI options and works finest with Samsung’s finest smartwatches, that are simply among the many finest. Though Galaxy AI options are now not unique to the S24 collection, there are some very useful ones like Chat Help. The software program interface is One UI, which has gotten means leaner over time, but it surely’s nonetheless no substitute for a real clear Android expertise.

Google Pixel 9 Professional XL vs. Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus: Which one must you purchase?

The Samsung Galaxy S24 Plus is, by a very good margin, the extra wise and sensible cellphone. It is cheaper, has a extra highly effective processor that’ll be related for longer, packs sufficient AI smarts to maintain most completely happy, and Samsung has been fairly on-point with updates off late. Its design lacks the ‘wow’ issue of the Pixel 9 Professional XL for certain, and its cameras are in all probability a notch behind what the Pixel has, but it surely nonetheless makes a really compelling case for itself, particularly when you possibly can have the highest 512GB mannequin for lower than the beginning worth of the 9 Professional XL.

The Pixel 9 Professional XL is a particular cellphone, little question. It gives that distinctive Android expertise that solely a Pixel can, and sure software program options will in all probability keep unique to Google’s personal {hardware}. If there is a particular function you are after that the 9 Professional XL has and you’ve got the finances, you need to be very proud of it. You would contemplate the usual Pixel 9 Professional too if measurement is not a deterrent. However remember that the brand new Tensor G4 is just not a lot highly effective than the G3, which wasn’t a recreation changer to start with. It is also thicker and heavier, the show flickering continues to be a problem you probably have delicate imaginative and prescient, and it is dearer.