Galaxy S24 vs Pixel 8
An honest, side-by-side look at the Galaxy S24 vs Pixel 8 decision — specs, camera, battery and our price — so you can buy the right one with confidence.
These are the two obvious pre-owned Android picks around the £250 mark, and they answer the same question differently. The Galaxy S24 is the all-rounder with the brighter screen and longer battery; the Pixel 8 is the camera-and-software phone that costs less.
Both are promised seven years of updates from launch, so neither is a short-term buy.
Galaxy S24 vs Pixel 8: specs side by side
| Feature | Galaxy S24 | Pixel 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Released | 2024 | 2023 |
| Display | 6.2" AMOLED, 120Hz, 2600 nits | 6.2" OLED, 120Hz, 2000 nits |
| Chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 / Exynos 2400 | Google Tensor G3 |
| Camera | 50MP main, 3× tele, 12MP ultrawide | 50MP main, 12MP ultrawide |
| Battery | 4,000mAh | 4,575mAh |
| Standout | Galaxy AI, 7 years of updates, flat screen | 7 years of updates, Magic Editor, Best Take |
| Our price from | £315 | £220 |
The verdict
The Galaxy S24 wins on hardware: a brighter 2600-nit screen, a faster chip, a 3× optical telephoto the Pixel 8 simply does not have, and better battery life in heavy use.
The Pixel 8 wins on price and on photos of people — Google's processing, Best Take and Magic Editor still produce better everyday shots straight out of the camera, and it gets Android versions first.
Buy the Galaxy S24 if…
You want the more capable all-round phone — brighter screen, optical zoom, longer battery — and you are happy to pay a bit more.
Shop tested & certified Galaxy S24Buy the Pixel 8 if…
You want the best point-and-shoot camera and the cleanest Android for the least money, and you can live without a telephoto lens.
Shop tested & certified Pixel 8Common questions
Is the Pixel 8 camera better than the Galaxy S24?+
For people and everyday scenes, generally yes — Google's processing is still the best in the class. The S24 wins when you need to zoom, because it has a 3× optical telephoto lens and the Pixel 8 crops digitally.
Which lasts longer, the Galaxy S24 or Pixel 8?+
Both are supported with updates into 2030–2031. Day to day the S24 usually lasts longer on a charge, and its battery tends to be in better shape on the used market because it was a more expensive phone that owners looked after.