When it comes to picking a flagship phone in 2025 without blowing past the $800 mark, two names dominate the conversation, Google’s Pixel 8 and Samsung’s Galaxy S24.
At first glance, they seem evenly matched both are sleek, powerful, AI packed, and promise seven years of updates. But look closer, and you’ll see some big differences in performance, display, and camera philosophy. So, which one deserves your money? Let’s break it down.
Design & Display - Minimalism vs Industrial Edge
The Pixel 8 feels like a smooth pebble in your hand, with a matte back and Google’s signature camera bar stretching across the rear. It’s available in playful colors, giving off a friendly, understated vibe.The Galaxy S24, on the other hand, has flat aluminum sides, sharp lines, and individual camera lenses popping from the back a more modern, tech forward look.
Both phones share a 6.2 inch AMOLED screen with silky 120 Hz refresh rates. However, the S24 steps ahead with a variable refresh rate down to 1 Hz for better efficiency and a blazing 2,600 nit peak brightness, making it easier to read in sunlight. The Pixel 8 tops out at 2,000 nits and sticks to a 60–120 Hz range.
Performance - Powerhouse vs Practical
If you’re chasing raw speed, the Galaxy S24 flexes harder. In the US, it’s powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3; in other regions, you’ll see Samsung’s own Exynos 2400. Both options are backed by UFS 4.0 storage, making file transfers and app loads noticeably snappier.The Pixel 8 runs Google’s Tensor G3 chip with UFS 3.1 storage. While it can’t match the S24’s benchmark scores, it’s tuned for AI driven tasks, like real time photo edits, instant translations, and smart voice features. Day to day performance is smooth just not as lightning fast for gaming or heavy multitasking.
Battery Life & Charging - Bigger Tank vs Faster Pit Stop
The Pixel 8 packs a 4,575 mAh battery, slightly larger than the S24’s 4,000 mAh cell. In real world tests, it can stream video for over 9.5 hours about an hour longer than Samsung’s flagship.However, the S24 fights back in other areas. Its web browsing efficiency is excellent, and in gaming, it can last longer than the Pixel 8. Charging speeds are close:
- Pixel 8: 27 W wired (~1h 24m), 18 W wireless
- Galaxy S24: 25 W wired (~1h 12m), 15 W wireless
Camera Systems - Computational Genius vs Versatile Zoom
Google’s Pixel series is famous for doing more with less. The Pixel 8’s dual camera setup 50 MP wide and 12 MP ultrawide relies heavily on computational photography. Features like Best Take (swapping faces in group shots) and the Magic Editor make photo editing a breeze.Samsung’s Galaxy S24 packs a more traditional triple setup: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, and a 10 MP telephoto lens with 3× optical zoom. This extra hardware gives it the edge in capturing distant details without losing quality.
For selfies, the Pixel offers a wider field of view and more natural skin tones, while the S24’s front camera delivers sharper, more stabilized shots.
Software & AI Features - Clean vs Customizable
Both phones promise seven years of OS and security updates a big win for longevity. Pixel 8 runs pure Android 15, free of extra bloat, with deep Google AI integration. You get features like AI powered call screening, voice dictation that actually keeps up, and Bard powered smart replies.Galaxy S24 comes with One UI 7.0, a more customizable skin with Samsung’s Galaxy AI tools think real time translations, enhanced search, and advanced image remastering.
It boils down to whether you want the clean simplicity of stock Android or the feature packed flexibility of Samsung’s interface.
Price & Value - The Deciding Factor
Price may be where your decision gets easier. Pixel 8 Starts around $699, and Galaxy S24 Starts around $799. That $100 difference could go toward accessories, a case, or even a mid range smartwatch.Which Should You Buy?
Pick the Galaxy S24 if you want the brightest display, the fastest performance, and a versatile triple camera setup with optical zoom.Pick the Pixel 8 if you value AI powered photography, a bigger battery, cleaner Android, and saving $100 without losing core flagship perks.