Tech head-to-head
Google Pixel 8vsSamsung Galaxy S24
8.2 against 8.4 overall, which settles nothing. Google Pixel 8 takes Value 8.4 to 7.6, and that is the axis to decide on.
Google Pixel 8
8.2
Same seven-year update promise as the Pro in a smaller body, minus the telephoto and the bigger battery.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Samsung Galaxy S24
Samsung
8.4
Snapdragon in US units, seven years of Samsung updates, and the steadiest battery of the small phones here.
Price and availability change constantly, so we don't quote them here — the link opens current listings on eBay. eBay listings come from individual sellers: condition, battery health, and what's in the box differ from one to the next, so read the listing and the return terms before you buy.
Where they diverge
The widest gap is Value, Google Pixel 8 ahead 8.4 to 7.6. They come closest on Ease of use, 8.4 to 8.3. Left of center is Google Pixel 8, right is Samsung Galaxy S24.
Which one to pick
Take the Google Pixel 8
Leads on Value and Ease of use.
- You want the longest update runway available in a compact used phone
- One-handed use matters more to you than zoom
- You are buying a phone for a parent or teenager and want it patched for years
Take the Samsung Galaxy S24
Leads on Performance, Durability and Design.
- You want a small phone that will still get security patches into the 2030s
- Battery life matters more to you than having the newest camera
- You use a Galaxy watch, earbuds, or tablet already
What each one gets wrong
Google Pixel 8
- Zoomed photos at concerts or kids' games are a regular thing for you
- You are a heavy user on a phone that is already three years into its battery
Samsung Galaxy S24
- You dislike One UI's duplicate Samsung apps next to Google's
- The listing is a carrier model you cannot confirm is paid off and unlocked
Specs, side by side
| Spec | Google Pixel 8 | Samsung Galaxy S24 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.2-inch OLED, 60–120Hz | 6.2-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 1–120Hz |
| Chip | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (US models) |
| Memory | 8GB RAM | 8GB RAM |
| Battery | 4,575mAh typical | 4,000mAh |
| Cameras | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto |
| Charging | 27W wired, 18W wireless (Pixel Stand 2) | 25W wired, 15W wireless |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Updates | OS and security through October 2030 (Google) | Seven OS upgrades and seven years of security (Samsung) |
Rankings they both appear in
Questions
- Only 0.2 separates them. What breaks the tie?
- Value does, at 8.4 against 7.6. That axis covers what the same money buys elsewhere. Samsung Galaxy S24 leads on Performance, Durability and Design. If Value and Ease of use matter more to you, take the Google Pixel 8 instead.
- Why are the totals this close?
- The total is the plain average of the 5 Tech axes, so opposite results cancel. Google Pixel 8 averages 8.2 and Samsung Galaxy S24 averages 8.4, a gap of 0.2, while the individual axes run as far apart as 0.8.
- Which one ranks higher in "Used Android phones: the update date sets the order"?
- Samsung Galaxy S24 sits at #1 in "Used Android phones: the update date sets the order", Google Pixel 8 at #3.