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The PerfectRec phone team Learn more
Updated February 12, 2024·
If you prioritize spending less, the Google Pixel 6a with a plastic back might be suitable for you, although it has a smaller screen and lower maximum brightness compared to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. The Pixel 6a has decent camera capabilities, but if photography is a major concern, the Galaxy S24 Ultra offers superior camera features, including more cameras and higher photo quality, but at a higher price. The Pixel's battery life is respectable, but the Galaxy S24 Ultra's is significantly longer. For multitasking and high-performance needs, the Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts more RAM and a more advanced processor than the Pixel 6a. Additionally, if you value a high-refresh-rate screen, the Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with that feature, unlike the Pixel 6a's standard refresh rate. Lastly, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which has a glass back, is equipped with an integrated stylus, adding to its premium features. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Google Pixel 6a
- The Google Pixel 6a has no clear advantages over the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
- Best in class for taking photos
- Very good for recording videos
- Excellent battery life
- Best in class display quality
- Best in class performance
Key differences
Overall Camera Quality
7.6
9.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has excellent overall camera quality, while the Google Pixel 6a has good overall camera quality.
The Google Pixel 6a is praised for its photo software experience and takes good quality selfies, but the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra excels with a superior selfie camera and more advanced photo software experience, ensuring clearer, more versatile shots especially in various lighting conditions.
Photo Quality
7.4
9.7
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes best in class photos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good photos.
The Google Pixel 6a takes very good photos, especially for selfies, which is a core strength showcased by its selfie quality evaluation, also benefited from a strong software experience including features like Magic Eraser. In contrast, despite its more advanced camera hardware, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra might not deliver the same level of selfie performance due to a combination of resolution, software experience, dynamic range, and low light performance not being as tailored towards selfies.
Video Quality
7.2
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra takes very good videos, while the Google Pixel 6a takes good videos.
The Google Pixel 6a delivers good-quality videos due to its software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, low-light performance, and mic quality, all rated from good to very good. Conversely, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, despite having very good video software experience, stabilization, dynamic range, and mic quality, takes poor videos in low-light conditions, which significantly impacts overall video quality.
Battery
7.6 Hours
10.4 Hours
The Google Pixel 6a has 7.6 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra has 10.4 hours of battery life.
Screen Size
The Google Pixel 6a has a screen size of 6.1 inches and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is 6.8 inches.
Cost
$400
$1,300
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Google Pixel 6a has a price of $400 and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra costs $1,300.
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How the Google Pixel 6a and the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra compare to other phones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Google Pixel 6a | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$400 | $1,300 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Samsung | ||
Operating System | |||
Operating System | Android | Android | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | July 21, 2022 | January 24, 2024 | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Screen Size | |||
Screen Size | 6.1" | 6.8" | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 2400 x 1080 | 3120 x 1440 | |
Variable refresh rate | |||
Variable refresh rate | No | Yes | |
Pixels Per Inch | |||
Pixels Per Inch | 429 | 505 | |
Display Type | |||
Display Type | OLED | OLED | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Tensor | SD8G3 | |
Internal Storage | |||
Internal Storage | 128 GB | 256 GB | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 6 GB | 12 GB | |
CAMERA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Overall Camera Quality Score | |||
Overall Camera Quality Score | 7.6/10 | 9.4/10 | |
Photos Score | |||
Photos Score | 7.5/10 | 9.7/10 | |
Videos Score | |||
Videos Score | 7.3/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Rear Cameras | |||
Rear Cameras | Main, Ultrawide | Main, Ultrawide, Telephoto, Super Telephoto | |
Main Camera | |||
Main Camera | 12.2 megapixels + OIS | 200 megapixels + OIS | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 7.6 Hours | 10.4 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 4410 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
Wireless Charging | |||
Wireless Charging | No | Yes | |
Wireless charging Speed | |||
Wireless charging Speed | 0 W | 15 W | |
Reverse wireless charging | |||
Reverse wireless charging | No | Yes (4.5 watts) | |
PHYSICAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Size | |||
Size | 5.99" x 2.83" | 6.39" x 3.11" | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 6.28 oz | 8.18 oz | |
Back Material | |||
Back Material | Plastic | Glass | |
Stereo Speakers | |||
Stereo Speakers | No | No | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Dual SIM | |||
Dual SIM | Yes | Yes | |
Bluetooth Version | |||
Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | |
A2DP | |||
A2DP | Yes | Yes | |
WiFi Version | |||
WiFi Version | 6e | 7 | |
NFC | |||
NFC | Yes | Yes | |
US 5G Bands | |||
US 5G Bands | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 (SA/NSA/Sub6) 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71, 77, 78 | (SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave)1, 7, 25, 28, 41, 66, 71, 78, 258, 260, 276 | |
OTHER FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Biometric unlock | |||
Biometric unlock | Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | Face unlock, Fingerprint sensor: Under Display | |
Unlockable Bootloader | |||
Unlockable Bootloader | Yes (Except Verizon Models) | No | |
Color | |||
Color | Chalk, Sage, Charcoal | Titanium Blue, Titanium Orange, Titanium Violet, Titanium Yellow, Titanium Black, Titanium Gray, Titanium Green | |
Stock Android | |||
Stock Android | Yes | No | |
SD Card | |||
SD Card | No | No | |
Shopping
Google Pixel 6a
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Dig into reviews and images
Ars Technica
Ron Amadeo | July 2022
"it's very hard to find fault with the Pixel 6a. It has a processor that, in the US at least, blows away other Android phones in this price range. The design is great, the camera is fine, and the price is right. What's not to like?"
Get a great deal on the Google Pixel 6a or the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
About Google
Google can be considered a relatively new player in the smartphone industry, joining as late as 2016 with their phone, the Google Pixel. Since then, the Pixel lineup has undergone many changes, but it has always been characterized by a focus on photography and clean software, by providing a pure Android experience. By virtue of Google being the creator of the Android operating system, Pixels are known for receiving timely software updates and for being supported with updates for a long time. Additionally, over the past few generations of devices, Google started designing their own processors. This allowed for the implementation of unique software features that are not present in any other phone, such as automatic call screening and unique voice transcribing capabilities.
About Samsung
Samsung is one of the most recognizable names in the smartphone industry, standing as the undisputed best-selling brand of Android smartphones in the United States for many years now. Samsung is known for offering a variety of smartphones in all available price points, as well as for implementing cutting-edge technology and innovative features in their flagship devices, ones that often shape the market going forward. The company offers its own unique spin on Android, called One UI, which focuses on offering a multitude of features and is heavily customizable, according to user preference.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec phones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest phone information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Phones evaluated
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Proprietary Phones ratings developed
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Recommendations made
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About the phone team
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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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