Comparison
Galaxy S24 vs Pixel 8: Which Android Phone Should You Buy?
The Galaxy S24 is faster and has a real zoom lens. The Pixel 8 has the cleaner software and the more consistent point-and-shoot camera.
Get the Galaxy S24 if you want speed, a 3x zoom lens and a lighter phone. Get the Pixel 8 if you want the cleanest Android experience and a camera that nails the shot with zero effort. Both get 7 years of updates.
Quick verdict
- Best overall: Galaxy S24. Faster chip, telephoto lens, brighter screen, lighter.
- Best for photos with no effort: Pixel 8. Point, shoot, done.
- Tie: screen size, water resistance, 7 years of updates.
The short version
These are the two best compact Android phones from their year. Same 6.2-inch screen size, same 120Hz smoothness, same IP68 water resistance, same 7-year update promise.
The difference is personality. Samsung gives you more hardware and more features. Google gives you simpler software and smarter photo processing.
Spec comparison
| Galaxy S24 | Pixel 8 | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | January 2024 | October 2023 |
| Chip (Canada) | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy | Google Tensor G3 |
| Screen | 6.2" AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.2" OLED, 120Hz |
| RAM | 8GB | 8GB |
| Main camera | 50MP | 50MP |
| Ultra wide | 12MP | 12MP |
| Telephoto | 10MP, 3x optical | None |
| Battery | 4,000 mAh | 4,575 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25W | 27W |
| Weight | 167 g | 187 g |
| Updates | 7 years | 7 years |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Camera
The S24 has a dedicated 3x zoom lens. The Pixel 8 doesn't. If you take photos at concerts, of your kids on a field, or of anything across the room, that lens matters. The Pixel's 2x crop looks fine. Past that, the S24 wins easily.
For regular shots, the Pixel is the more consistent camera. Skin tones look natural, night shots are clean, and you rarely get a blurry photo. Samsung's photos are brighter and punchier, which some people love and some people find a bit much.
The Pixel's editing tools are great: Magic Eraser removes people from the background, and Best Take swaps in faces where everyone's eyes are open.
Performance and heat
The Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in Canadian S24s is the faster chip, and it runs cooler under load. Gamers should pick the S24.
The Tensor G3 is fine for everyday use, but it can run warm when you push it, and it's less efficient. You'll feel it in long gaming sessions or long video calls, not in scrolling.
Battery
The Pixel 8 has the bigger battery on paper, but the S24's more efficient chip closes the gap. In real use, both get most people through a day. Heavy users will be reaching for a charger by evening on either.
On a refurbished phone, battery health matters more than the spec sheet. Check our battery guide to see how to read it.
Software
Pixel software is clean, fast, and gets new Android features first. No duplicate apps.
Samsung's One UI has more settings, more features, and some extra Samsung apps you'll never open. It's polished and very customizable. Galaxy AI adds live call translation, Circle to Search (also on Pixel) and photo editing tools.
Both promise 7 years of OS and security updates, so either phone will stay supported for a long time. More on that in what 7 years of updates means.
Who should buy which
Get the Galaxy S24 if…
- You want a real zoom lens
- You game or run demanding apps
- You want a lighter phone
- You like to customize everything
Get the Pixel 8 if…
- You want clean, simple software
- You want great photos without tweaking settings
- You want new Android features first
- You love the photo editing tools
Price range
A refurbished Galaxy S24 starts at $323.99 in our store. On a tighter budget, the Galaxy S24 FE starts at $262.99 and keeps the 3x zoom and the 7 years of updates. Prices update live.
Want something bigger? Read the best phones under $300 or browse all refurbished Android phones.
FAQ
Does the Galaxy S24 sold in Canada use Exynos or Snapdragon?
Canadian Galaxy S24 models use the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy. Many other countries got the Exynos 2400.
Which has the better camera, the S24 or the Pixel 8?
For zoom, the S24, because it has a 3x telephoto lens. For consistent everyday point-and-shoot photos, many people prefer the Pixel 8.
How long will the Galaxy S24 and Pixel 8 get updates?
Both get 7 years of OS and security updates from launch: the Pixel 8 into 2030, the Galaxy S24 into 2031.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the Samsung Galaxy S24 pre-owned from $323.99, tested by real technicians with a 1-year warranty and 30-day returns.