Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra vs Google Pixel 9 Pro: Epic Flagship Smartphone Showdown
Key Facts
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro: Apple’s new flagship brings a refreshed design with a sturdy aluminum frame (reverting from last year’s titanium) and a unique full-width camera “plateau” across the back theverge.com theverge.com. It’s powered by the 3 nm A19 Pro chip – Apple calls it the fastest smartphone chip theverge.com – and packs the largest battery ever in an iPhone for up to 39 hours video playback on the Pro Max model theverge.com. All three rear cameras are now 48 MP (including a vastly upgraded 5× telephoto that delivers 8× optical zoom) and there’s a new 18 MP front camera with Center Stage auto-framing theverge.com techcrunch.com. Prices start at $1,099 (256 GB) with availability from September 19, 2025 theverge.com.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung’s early-2024 flagship is a big, feature-packed 6.8-inch phablet with a tough titanium alloy frame and a new flat Dynamic AMOLED 2X display (no more curved edges) theverge.com. It runs on the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chip with 12 GB RAM, making it extremely powerful and 5G-ready in all regions theverge.com. The camera system features a 200 MP main sensor and a revamped telephoto setup – Samsung dropped the 10× periscope in favor of a high-resolution 50 MP 5× zoom that uses AI cropping to achieve a clear 10× zoom theverge.com. It’s loaded with AI enhancements, from generative photo editing to real-time call translation, and launches at a higher price (starting $1,299 for 256 GB) theverge.com theverge.com. Despite the new titanium build, it weighs about the same (~232 g) as before, and still includes the S Pen stylus and a big 5,000 mAh battery (with 45 W fast charging) for all-day use theverge.com en.wikipedia.org.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro: Google’s 2024 flagship focuses on AI-centric software and stellar cameras. It comes in two sizes – a 6.3-inch Pixel 9 Pro and a larger 6.7-inch Pro XL – both featuring Google’s refined design with a characteristic camera bar and softer curves (resembling an “iPhone-esque” look from the front) gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. The Pixel 9 Pro packs Google’s custom Tensor G4 chip and a generous 16 GB of RAM en.wikipedia.org techradar.com. While raw performance is a modest step up (the G4 was only a small upgrade over last year theverge.com), it excels in on-device AI capabilities. The triple rear-camera system (50 MP wide, 48 MP ultrawide, 48 MP 5× telephoto) delivers phenomenal images in all conditions store.google.com – one reviewer even crowned it “the smartphone with the best camera” available engadget.com. Google’s software offers advanced perks like Magic Editor, Call Screen, and the new Gemini AI assistant, and Pixel owners get 7 years of OS and security updates (matching Samsung’s policy) theverge.com. The Pixel 9 Pro launched at $999 (128 GB) and includes 12 months of Google One AI Premium with 2 TB cloud storage as a bundle perk techradar.com store.google.com.
Below we present an in-depth comparison of these three flagship phones across all major aspects – Design, Display, Performance, Battery, Cameras, AI/Software, Ecosystem, Pricing, and Availability – incorporating expert insights and quotes along the way.
Design & Build Quality
Each of these phones has a distinct design philosophy, materials, and feel in the hand:
- iPhone 17 Pro: Apple introduced a new design language this year. Notably, the iPhone 17 Pro returns to an aluminum frame (after the iPhone 15/16 Pro’s titanium), and it features a boldly redesigned camera module – a “full-width camera plateau” that stretches across the back theverge.com. This plateau (Apple’s term for the camera bar) gives the iPhone a new look that some have humorously noted looks akin to Google’s Pixel camera visor theverge.com. “The iPhone 17 Pro is aluminum again and that feels like a step back,” lamented one tech reviewer, who loved the lightness of Apple’s previous titanium model theverge.com. Indeed, the switch to aluminum makes the 17 Pro slightly heavier than its predecessor, though Apple has improved durability by using Ceramic Shield glass on both front and back (with a second-gen coating on the front) theverge.com. The phone is still IP68 water-resistant and exudes Apple’s premium build quality. It comes in three finishes – a classic silver, a deep blue, and a vibrant orange – which are more playful hues than we’re used to from Apple’s Pro line theverge.com. Overall, the 17 Pro feels solid and refined, but if you were a fan of the ultralight titanium iPhone, you might find the weight uptick noticeable (hence that “step back” comment). On the plus side, Apple integrated a new vapor chamber cooling system inside the unibody chassis to better manage heat from the high-powered chip techcrunch.com.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung’s flagship sticks to the big, bold phablet formula in terms of size, but it made some key design upgrades. The S24 Ultra now uses a Armor Aluminum frame reinforced with titanium accents (Samsung markets it as a “titanium frame”) for extra rigidity theverge.com. Unlike Apple, Samsung didn’t use titanium to reduce weight – the Ultra still weighs in at about 233 grams, virtually unchanged from the S23 Ultra theverge.com. Instead, the benefit is durability: the frame can be thinner yet strong. The other major change is at the front: Samsung ditched the curved-edge screen that Galaxy Ultras inherited from the old Note series. The S24 Ultra’s display is flat now, with only a very slight 2.5D curve at the edges of the glass theverge.com. This makes the device easier to grip and use with the S Pen (no more stylus sliding off a curved edge). The design aesthetic otherwise remains minimalist – some might say a bit too conservative. “I just wish they were more interesting to look at… they look like the textbook definition of a ‘phone’,” Wired’s reviewer wrote about the S24 series’ styling wired.com. The back still features the quad-camera lenses in separate circular cut-outs (no large camera bump or island, a very clean look). Samsung offers the Ultra in an array of colors – standard black or gray, plus eye-catching variants like Titanium Yellow, Orange, Green, Violet and Blue en.wikipedia.org x.com (some hues exclusive to Samsung’s online store). With its massive 6.8-inch screen and built-in S Pen stylus, the S24 Ultra is unapologetically large – it’s the longest and heaviest of the trio – but it feels every bit the ultra-premium device. The phone remains IP68 water-resistant and uses Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on front and back for scratch resistance. All told, Samsung’s design is functional and robust: flat sides for grip, tough materials, but perhaps a tad utilitarian. As one journalist summarized, the S24 Ultra has a “refined design” that prioritizes durability and functionality over flash twitter.com.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro: Google’s Pixel 9 Pro also received a subtle makeover, bridging the gap between playful style and ergonomic comfort. The Pixel retains its iconic horizontal camera bar on the back (spanning the width near the top), which immediately marks it as a Pixel. The bar is slightly refined this year to accommodate the new triple-camera system, but it’s still a prominent design element that doubles as a convenient place to rest your finger. The Pixel 9 Pro’s aluminum frame has been reshaped with flatter edges and more rounded corners, giving it an almost iPhone-like silhouette from the front gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. Early leaked photos even had people double-checking that it wasn’t an iPhone in disguise! gizmodo.com In terms of size, Google did something interesting: there are two Pro models – the standard Pixel 9 Pro at 6.3 inches and a larger Pixel 9 Pro XL at 6.7 inches gizmodo.com gizmodo.com. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro is actually about the same size as a base Pixel 9 (and not much bigger than Pixel 8), which will please users who want a compact phone with high-end features. It’s rare in the Android world to get a “small” flagship with all the Pro camera features, so Google’s addressing that niche. The Pro XL, on the other hand, caters to those who want a big-screen experience similar to the Galaxy Ultra or iPhone Pro Max. Both Pixel sizes have the same design language: a matte polished aluminum frame (not as shiny as the iPhone’s), soft-touch glass back, and IP68 water resistance. The phones come in Google’s fresh color palette – e.g. Rose Quartz (pink), Hazel (gray/green), Porcelain (off-white), and Obsidian (black) for the Pro, reflecting earthy tones techradar.com techradar.com. Reviewers have praised the Pixel 9 Pro’s look and feel; it’s sleek but friendly, with one calling it “the smoothest, most polished phone I’ve felt in years” in hand techradar.com. At ~199 g (Pixel 9 Pro) and 221 g (Pro XL) en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org, the Pixels fall between the iPhone and Samsung in weight. Both Pixel models use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for durability. In summary, the Pixel 9 Pro’s design is distinctive and balanced – it’s instantly recognizable due to the camera bar, comes in playful colors, and now offers two sizes to suit different tastes.
Build Quality Notes: All three phones are built to a high standard, with metal-and-glass constructions and top-notch durability features. Each is IP68 water- and dust-resistant (able to survive 1.5m underwater for up to 30 minutes). Apple and Google use ceramic/toughened glass for scratch resistance (Ceramic Shield on iPhone, Gorilla Glass on Pixel), and Samsung similarly uses Gorilla Glass Victus on the Ultra. In everyday use, any of these should withstand the usual bumps and minor drops, though a case is still advisable – they’re all glass-backed after all. Samsung’s new titanium frame might offer a slight edge in surviving a severe drop (it can flex less than aluminum), but as Wired noted, it only shaved 1 gram off the weight – meaning Samsung prioritized strength over weight savings wired.com. None of the phones has a user-removable battery, and all have premium fit and finish with no obvious gaps or weak points in construction. Ergonomics differ: the iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro (small) are easier for one-handed use due to their 6.3-inch displays, whereas the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Pixel 9 Pro XL will feel large in most hands and may be a two-handed affair most of the time. If having a built-in stylus is important, only the Galaxy offers that with its S Pen silo – a unique build feature that slightly reduces internal battery space but adds lots of creative potential.
Display Quality
All three devices boast excellent OLED displays, but there are differences in size, resolution, and brightness that could sway your preference. Here’s how they compare:
- iPhone 17 Pro: The iPhone 17 Pro has a 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display. This is only a hair larger than the 6.1-inch screen Apple used on the 15 Pro/16 Pro, and it maintains a high pixel density (on the order of ~460+ ppi, Apple hasn’t published exact numbers yet). It’s likely around a 2796×1290 resolution if proportional to the size increase. As a Pro model, it features ProMotion with an adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate for buttery-smooth scrolling and animations theverge.com. One big improvement this year is peak brightness – the iPhone 17 Pro’s display can reach up to 3,000 nits peak brightness for HDR content or bright sunlight, which is extraordinarily high theverge.com. (For context, last year’s iPhone 16 Pro peaked around 2,400 nits, so this is a notable jump.) In everyday use, this means the iPhone’s screen remains very visible outdoors and makes HDR videos really pop with highlights. The screen supports Dolby Vision HDR and has superb color accuracy, as expected from Apple. The “Liquid Glass” design of iOS 26 also introduces new translucent UI elements, which the OLED handles with aplomb theverge.com – things like frosted-glass effects in Control Center look especially crisp. The iPhone continues to use a small Dynamic Island cut-out at the top for the front camera and Face ID sensors (no under-display camera here). Overall, Apple’s display is known for its excellent calibration and true-to-life colors. At 6.3″ it’s comfortably sized, though some die-hard small-phone users might note that Apple no longer offers a Pro model in the old 6.1″ size. Still, the difference is minor and the extra screen real estate is welcome.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: Samsung equips the S24 Ultra with one of the biggest and highest-resolution screens on the market. It’s a 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel with a sharp QHD+ resolution of 3120×1440 pixels (around 505 ppi) in a 19.5:9 aspect ratio en.wikipedia.org. By default it may run at 2400×1080 to save battery (like previous Galaxy phones), but you can switch to full 1440p for maximum clarity. This display is of course LTPO and supports an adaptive refresh rate up to 120 Hz for smoothness. Samsung has long been a leader in display tech, and the S24 Ultra is no exception: it delivers vibrant colors (which you can tune from vivid to more natural), deep inky blacks, and class-leading contrast. It’s also incredibly bright – the peak brightness hits about 2,600 nits for HDR/high-brightness mode en.wikipedia.org, second only to the iPhone’s 3000 nits in this trio. In normal use, all three phones are exceedingly bright, but HDR videos and direct sunlight readability on the S24 Ultra are excellent. One noteworthy change, as mentioned, is that the edges are flat now, which means the entire 6.8″ is usable without any distortion at the sides. Reviewers like The Verge have appreciated this, noting it reduces accidental touches and makes pen input easier theverge.com. The screen supports HDR10+ (Samsung’s HDR format) and is terrific for media consumption – essentially a mini tablet. With its large size, using the phone one-handed is challenging, but if you love big displays for movies, gaming, or productivity, the Ultra’s got the biggest canvas here. Another plus: Samsung’s latest OLED has a slightly improved power efficiency and color accuracy at different angles, so it should look great from any view. In summary, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display is expansive, extremely sharp, and punchy, making it a joy for multimedia and S Pen tasks. It’s arguably the best for someone who wants maximum resolution and size.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro (and Pro XL): The Pixel 9 Pro comes in two display sizes. The standard Pixel 9 Pro has a 6.3-inch OLED with a FHD+ resolution of 2856×1280 (roughly 495 ppi, slightly higher pixel density due to the smaller screen) en.wikipedia.org. The larger Pixel 9 Pro XL sports a 6.7-inch LTPO OLED with QHD+ resolution of 2992×1344 (about 486 ppi) en.wikipedia.org, very close to the Galaxy’s resolution. Both are branded “Super Actua” displays (the same tech Google introduced in Pixel 8 Pro), known for excellent outdoor visibility and color accuracy. In fact, the Pixel 9 Pro’s display has earned high praise: TechRadar called it “the best display around” among smartphones techradar.com. Colors are calibrated for accuracy (Google’s tuning tends to be more natural by default compared to Samsung’s vivid mode). They are 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh as well, making for smooth interactions and power savings when static. The peak brightness on the Pixel 9 Pro is around the 2,400–2,500 nit range for HDR (the Pixel 8 Pro was ~2,400 nits, and Pixel 9 Pro likely matches or slightly exceeds that). While that’s just a tad below the others, in practice the difference is hard to notice – all three can sear your eyes at max brightness. The Pixel’s panel particularly excels in showing detail in shadows and highlights (great for photography fans reviewing images on the go). Both sizes support HDR10+ and have always-on display capability. Because of the slightly smaller size, the 6.3″ Pixel 9 Pro is the most one-hand-friendly display of the bunch – it’s big but not unwieldy, a nice sweet spot for many users. The 6.7″ Pro XL, on the other hand, gives you that immersive phablet feel similar to the iPhone Pro Max or Galaxy Ultra. Notably, Google’s screens this year are flat with subtly curved glass at the edges (not a dramatic curve, so you effectively get a mostly flat viewing area with just a nice 2.5D edge blending into the frame). This makes swiping from the sides comfortable while avoiding the strong distortions of earlier Pixels. The bezels are thin on both models, though a hair thicker than the iPhone’s super-tight bezels. Overall, the Pixel 9 Pro’s displays are top-notch: high resolution (especially on the XL), vibrant yet color-accurate, and bolstered by Google’s software optimizations for readability and adaptive tuning. Whether you choose the 6.3 or 6.7 inch, you’ll be getting one of the best screens in a smartphone – one reviewer went so far as to say “the Pixel 9 Pro is a leader” in display quality techradar.com.
In summary, you can’t go wrong with any of these screens – they are all OLED, high-refresh, high-resolution (at least 1080p or above), and extremely bright. If absolute size and resolution are your priority, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s 6.8-inch 1440p panel takes the crown for sheer expansiveness. If you want the brightest or most color-accurate display, the iPhone 17 Pro’s peak brightness and Apple calibration are outstanding, while Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is cited as hitting a wonderful balance of vibrancy and accuracy techradar.com. For one-handed use, the smaller 6.3″ Pixel 9 Pro (or iPhone 17 Pro, also ~6.3″) will be easier to manage than the gigantic Samsung. All support always-on display features (iPhone via a dimmed clock mode introduced in iOS 16, Pixels and Galaxies via their settings), and all have ultrasonic or optical fingerprint sensors under the screen except the iPhone, which uses Face ID instead. One quirk: the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s decision to stay with a conventional resolution option (it defaults to 1080p out of the box to save battery) means some users might not realize they need to toggle on full resolution in settings. On the Pixel 9 Pro XL, there’s no such toggle (it always runs at full res with LTPO managing refresh), and the iPhone’s “Super Retina” is always at native resolution with Apple’s rendering optimizations.
To sum up, the display category is essentially a draw at this level – all three phones offer stunning, flagship-grade screens. Minor differences: iPhone’s gets the brightest and has the smallest notch (Dynamic Island) but slightly lower resolution; Samsung’s is largest and fully uninterrupted (just a tiny punch-hole camera), great for S Pen use; Pixel’s is arguably the most calibrated and offers two size choices with an excellent smaller Pro option. You’ll enjoy consuming content or working on any of these devices.
Performance and Hardware
When it comes to raw performance, each phone uses a different system-on-chip (SoC) and approach: Apple with its custom A19 Pro Bionic, Samsung with Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (for Galaxy), and Google with its own Tensor G4. Let’s break down how they compare:
- Processor (CPU/GPU): Apple’s A-series chips have long led in CPU performance, and the new A19 Pro continues that trend. It’s a 6-core CPU design (Apple doesn’t publicize all specs, but likely 2 high-performance + 4 efficiency cores) on a 3 nm process, plus a 6-core Apple-designed GPU theverge.com. Apple claimed on stage that the A19 Pro delivers CPU and graphics gains and is “the fastest in any smartphone” theverge.com. Independent benchmarks aren’t out yet, but historically Apple’s chips excel in single-core CPU speed and tightly integrated graphics (great for games and video editing). The iPhone 17 Pro certainly feels snappy and responsive in all tasks, from UI animations to heavy 4K video recording and editing on-device. The new chip also includes enhanced Neural Engines and, interestingly, neural accelerators built into each GPU core to boost AI and machine learning tasks theverge.com. Apple touted this as bringing “MacBook Pro-levels of compute in an iPhone,” preparing the device for intensive AI workloads in the future theverge.com. In practical terms, expect the iPhone to have plenty of overhead for multitasking, mobile gaming, and AR applications. It pairs that chip with 8 GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM (Apple doesn’t list RAM publicly, but reports indicate 8 GB in the Pro models this year, up from 6 GB in the 15 Pro). Storage options on the 17 Pro start at 256 GB (finally no 128 GB base on a Pro iPhone) and go up to 1 TB, while the 17 Pro Max goes up to a whopping 2 TB theverge.com – ideal for those shooting a lot of 4K ProRes videos. Overall, the iPhone’s hardware is optimized for iOS, and it shows: it achieves fast app launches and consistently high frame rates with minimal stutters. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy, which is an octa-core chipset (1 prime Cortex-X4 core up to ~3.3 GHz, plus performance and efficiency cores) built on a 4 nm process en.wikipedia.org. In the S24 Ultra, this chip is actually deployed globally – unlike previous years, every S24 Ultra gets the Snapdragon (Samsung did not use an Exynos in the Ultra) theverge.com. This is great news for performance parity. The 8 Gen 3 is a powerhouse in its own right: it’s on par with or slightly behind Apple’s latest in CPU, but often leads in GPU performance thanks to Qualcomm’s Adreno 750 GPU which is excellent for 3D gaming. Day-to-day, the S24 Ultra is extremely fast – Android 14 + One UI 6 is fluid, apps stay in memory (helped by 12 GB RAM standard on the Ultra), and even demanding games like Genshin Impact run at high settings without issue. The chip also enables advanced AI features, which we’ll discuss later. In reviews, the S24 Ultra has been praised for its speed. Engadget noted that with this Snapdragon and other tweaks, “Samsung has made the Galaxy S24 Ultra more powerful and well-rounded than ever.” engadget.com It certainly doesn’t lack in horsepower. The phone also supports Wi-Fi 7 and the latest Bluetooth 5.3, thanks to Qualcomm’s modem advancements theverge.com. Storage options are 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB (UFS 4.0 storage, very fast read/write). There is no microSD card slot, which is a common trend in flagships now. The S24 Ultra’s performance edge might show in prolonged heavy use: it has a larger chassis and a new vapor chamber cooling, which helps sustain speeds during long gaming sessions better than smaller phones. It’s worth noting Samsung promises 7 years of software support on the S24 series (more on that later) theverge.com, meaning the hardware is intended to remain relevant and efficient for a long time. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro is powered by Google’s own Tensor G4 chip. Tensor G4 is an octa-core SoC reportedly still built on a 4 nm process, with a CPU configuration that isn’t chasing top benchmark scores but rather balancing AI capabilities and efficiency. According to leaks, the G4’s CPU setup is modest – it doesn’t dramatically improve over the Tensor G3 (one source even called it “the smallest upgrade to the series so far” in terms of raw CPU gains theverge.com). Indeed, in use, the Pixel 9 Pro feels plenty fast for typical tasks – swiping through Android 14’s Material You interface is smooth, and apps like Chrome, YouTube, etc. perform well – but it is not as blisteringly quick in benchmarks as the iPhone’s A19 or Snapdragon 8 Gen 3. For example, multi-core Geekbench scores for Tensor tend to lag behind, and as TechRadar’s reviewer put it, “the Tensor G4 could be sluggish and unresponsive… Running a bunch of apps all at once could cause delays” under heavy load techradar.com techradar.com. Part of this is because Google prioritizes AI processing cores (TPU) on Tensor chips over brute-force CPU. The G4 has a next-gen TPU (Tensor Processing Unit) that powers all the on-device machine learning features – from voice recognition to image processing. In those domains, the Pixel shines (e.g. speech transcription or photo editing often happen faster than on many other phones). The Pixel 9 Pro comes with a hefty 16 GB of LPDDR5X RAM on both Pro and Pro XL models en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org – which is actually more memory than the iPhone or Samsung. This means it can keep many apps open and is somewhat “future-proofed” for upcoming AI features that may use large context windows, etc. Storage options range from 128 GB up to 1 TB (though the base 128 GB is a bit skimpy for a $999 phone, something reviewers have noted) techradar.com techradar.com. One advantage: Google bundled a year of Google One Premium with 2 TB cloud storage and extra AI compute with the Pixel 9 Pro techradar.com, somewhat offsetting the base storage concern by encouraging cloud use. In everyday use, the Pixel 9 Pro is snappy enough for the vast majority of people – you won’t notice slowdown in social media, photography, messaging, etc., and the 120 Hz screen makes interactions fluid. However, if you push it with a high-end 3D game or 4K video export, it might not finish the task as quickly as the other two flagships. Also, some reports of heat on the Pixel under stress have surfaced (the phone can run warm when using the camera or AI features intensely) techradar.com, which could throttle performance. Google has likely mitigated this with better cooling and software in the 9 Pro compared to older Pixels, but it’s something to be aware of.
- Real-World Performance: In real-world terms, all three phones feel very fast for typical uses like web browsing, streaming, and multitasking. The differences come out under heavy workloads or specific scenarios. The iPhone 17 Pro’s A19 chip gives it an edge in high-intensity apps and games, and iOS tends to be very smooth with great frame stability. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, with its beefy Snapdragon and 12 GB RAM, is an Android powerhouse – indeed it’s arguably the fastest Android phone of its generation; it will excel at gaming (and has features like Samsung’s Game Booster and even DeX desktop mode to leverage that power). The Pixel 9 Pro is more focused on AI performance and smart features than raw speed – it’s fast enough for most tasks, but if you’re a gamer or run heavy computations, it’s a step behind. That said, the Pixel’s everyday performance has gotten closer to flagships than in past years, and the 16 GB RAM means multitasking and future apps should run without a hitch. One reviewer quipped that the Pixel 9 Pro “doesn’t score high on benchmark tests” and “doesn’t have the best camera (though it’s pretty close),” yet still felt like the most exciting phone because of the new AI experiences it enables techradar.com. So, Google is consciously not playing the specs race as much as adding unique capabilities.
- Graphics and Gaming: The iPhone’s Apple GPU supports advanced features like hardware ray tracing (introduced in Apple’s A17 Pro and presumably present in A19 Pro) and will run any mobile game extraordinarily well – Apple Arcade titles, Genshin Impact, Call of Duty Mobile, etc., all fly. The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s Adreno 750 GPU is also a beast for graphics – plus, the phone’s higher resolution can be fully utilized in games (though running at full 1440p 120Hz in games will tax any GPU). Samsung also has the advantage of its big screen and good thermals for prolonged gaming sessions. The Pixel 9 Pro’s Mali-G715 GPU cores are decent, but historically Pixel GPUs have been weaker; very demanding games might default to lower settings compared to on the other two. If mobile gaming or VR/AR performance is a top priority, the S24 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro are the clear leaders.
- Connectivity: All three phones support robust connectivity options. Each has 5G (both sub-6 and mmWave in markets that use mmWave – iPhone and Samsung typically offer mmWave variants for U.S., Pixel does as well for U.S. models). The iPhone 17 Pro and Galaxy S24 Ultra have Wi-Fi 6E support, and the S24 Ultra even has Wi-Fi 7 ready hardware theverge.com, which is bleeding-edge (the benefit of Wi-Fi 7 will be seen in the future as routers come out). The Pixel 9 Pro supports up to Wi-Fi 6E (as of Pixel 8, no mention of 7 yet). All have Bluetooth 5.x (Samsung and Pixel 5.3, Apple effectively 5.3 as well). For biometrics, iPhone uses Face ID (3D face scanning), which is very secure and convenient but means no fingerprint reader; Samsung and Google use in-display fingerprint sensors (ultrasonic on Samsung, optical on Pixel) – Samsung’s tends to be very fast and reliable; Pixel’s latest sensor is improved over past gens and generally okay, though not class-leading. The Pixel 9 Pro also offers a basic face unlock (camera-based, not as secure but handy for unlocking in good lighting).
- Thermals: With powerful chips, heat management is important. Apple’s new vapor chamber in the 17 Pro and Samsung’s enlarged vapor chamber in the S24 Ultra help sustain performance techcrunch.com wired.com. The Pixel 9 Pro, as mentioned, can get toasty under load; Google likely also uses some graphite or vapor chamber cooling inside, but the smaller body (for the 6.3″) means less heat dissipation area. In moderate use, all stay reasonably cool; only under extended stress (gaming, 4K video recording >5-10 minutes, etc.) will you feel warmth. The metal frames actually help as heatsinks.
- RAM and Multitasking: iPhone’s 8 GB might sound low, but iOS manages memory efficiently; you’re unlikely to feel a lack of RAM unless you have dozens of Safari tabs plus heavy apps switching constantly. Samsung’s 12 GB means you can keep a ton of apps or browser tabs open without refresh. Google’s 16 GB is even more, although partly aimed at AI features (e.g., running large language models on-device can consume memory). In general, none of these phones will force-close your recent apps frequently – multitasking is smooth across the board. The Galaxy and Pixel both support split-screen multitasking (two apps at once), taking advantage of the larger displays – useful for productivity. The iPhone doesn’t do split-screen for apps (aside from PiP video), as iOS focuses on one app at a time on iPhones.
In summary, all three phones are extremely capable, but each has its performance focus: the iPhone 17 Pro is a speed demon in CPU and a balanced all-rounder with tight hardware-software optimization – great for creative workflows and gaming with that A19 chip theverge.com. The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a multitasking beast, with tons of power, high-end graphics, and the most RAM – great for power users who push their phones to the max (and it’s even trying to bridge into PC territory with things like DeX). The Pixel 9 Pro is the AI-savvy smart performer – it runs plenty fast for everyday use and excels at the new machine learning tasks that Google is building into Android (call assistance, live translation, image AI, etc.), though it’s not aiming to win benchmark wars theverge.com. As one shorthand: iPhone probably wins in raw single-core speed and in many app loading scenarios; Samsung likely wins in sustained and GPU-heavy tasks on Android; Pixel wins in doing clever things like transcribing a meeting live while maintaining decent performance elsewhere. All three have more than enough performance for social media, communication, media consumption, and productivity apps. Unless you’re comparing side by side, you may not notice a speed difference in day-to-day usage – they all feel fast and smooth thanks to their high-end chips and displays.
Battery Life and Charging
Big performance requires big batteries, and each of these phones has a sizable battery – though their endurance can differ due to optimization, display size, and other factors. Let’s compare battery capacities, real-world life, and charging speeds:
- Battery Capacity: The iPhone 17 Pro has an undisclosed battery capacity (Apple doesn’t publish mAh), but it’s understood to be larger than previous models. Estimates put it around 3,500–3,700 mAh for the 17 Pro and over 4,800 mAh for the 17 Pro Max. Apple instead quotes usage time: up to 29 hours video playback on 17 Pro and 39 hours on Pro Max, which is a jump from last year theverge.com. Indeed, Apple said the 17 Pro Max has the longest battery life ever on an iPhone theverge.com. This is partly achieved by efficiency gains of the A19 chip and also by physically larger battery (the chassis got a bit thicker to accommodate it). One interesting tidbit: Apple uses the SIM slot space differently in eSIM models – U.S. iPhone 17 Pro devices (which are eSIM-only) have a slightly bigger battery than international models with a SIM tray theverge.com. They claimed about 2 hours longer usage on the eSIM versions since that space is filled with extra battery theverge.com. Regardless of variant, the iPhone 17 Pro should comfortably last a full day of heavy use for most users, and the Pro Max can potentially stretch into a second day on moderate use. Standby drain on iPhones is typically very low, which helps overnight or in-between usage. The Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a 5000 mAh battery en.wikipedia.org, a capacity Samsung has standardized on for Ultras. Combined with the efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, battery life on the S24 Ultra is excellent – reviewers note it’s better than last year’s S23 Ultra, easily lasting all day and often into the next morning with moderate use techradar.com. The large battery has to power the large 6.8″ display, but Samsung’s AMOLED and adaptive refresh help conserve power. One UI also has aggressive power save options if needed. For an average day (a mix of messaging, video streaming, some camera use, web and social apps), the S24 Ultra can deliver around 6-8 hours of screen-on time, which translates to full-day endurance for most. If you push it with gaming or navigation, it will drain faster of course. Overall, it’s on par with the iPhone 17 Pro Max class (the smaller iPhone 17 Pro might fall a bit short of the Ultra in screen-on time simply due to smaller battery). It’s worth noting that Samsung’s standby drain can be slightly higher than iOS’s, but the massive capacity covers it. The Pixel 9 Pro and Pro XL have slightly different batteries: approximately 4,700 mAh in the 6.3″ Pixel 9 Pro, and 5,060 mAh in the 6.7″ Pixel 9 Pro XL en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. Despite the smaller capacity, the regular Pixel 9 Pro actually tends to get similar if not better battery life than the Pro XL – this is because the smaller screen and lower resolution are easier on the battery, and Google likely optimized the smaller device well. In general, Pixel 9 Pro’s battery life is very good, though perhaps a notch below the absolute marathon phones. Many users report it comfortably lasts through a day (5-7 hours of screen time depending on usage). Google’s efficient adaptive battery software learns usage patterns to conserve power, and the Tensor G4, while not class-leading in efficiency, is adequate. If you’re heavily using the AI features or camera, you can drain it faster – e.g., extensive photo sessions or using the phone in very poor signal areas (which taxes the modem) might bring battery life down. Notably, Pixel phones have had some thermal throttling which can also impact battery if they run hot. However, overall longevity is solid. The fact that Wired’s review bullet points list “Good battery life.” for the S24 series wired.com and Engadget praised the Pixel 9 Pro’s battery as “much-improved” suggests all these phones meet the all-day bar. In fact, Engadget said the Pixel 9 Pro (XL) “cements its status as the smartphone with the best camera” and “great battery-life” in the same breath engadget.com, implying no major battery concerns.
- Real-World Endurance: In everyday terms, all three will get you through a busy workday and then some. Light users (a few calls, texts, some music, light browsing) could see 1.5–2 days on any of these phones – maybe the iPhone 17 Pro Max and S24 Ultra can stretch slightly longer due to their larger batteries. Heavy users (hours of YouTube/Netflix, constant messaging, GPS navigation, shooting photos) will still end the day with some charge on iPhone 17 Pro Max and S24 Ultra, and likely will be in the red (under 20%) on the smaller iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro by bedtime – but they shouldn’t outright die before evening in normal conditions. If battery life is your absolute priority: the iPhone 17 Pro Max takes the crown among these (though note we are comparing 17 Pro standard here, which is a bit less than Pro Max). The Galaxy S24 Ultra is a close second, essentially tied with an iPhone 17 Pro Max in many tests, and definitely outlasts the smaller iPhone 17 Pro. The Pixel 9 Pro XL with its 5060 mAh is in the same league as iPhone 17 Pro (which likely has ~4800 mAh) – both good for full day but not multi-day. The 6.3″ Pixel 9 Pro, despite a smaller battery, isn’t far behind because of its lower power draw – it might even beat the Pro XL in some scenarios (less screen to light up).
- Charging Speeds: Here the differences are more pronounced. Apple has historically been conservative on charging. The iPhone 17 Pro supports wired fast charging via Lightning (yes, still Lightning port on the 17 series, as USB-C likely comes with iPhone 18). The maximum wired charging is around 27 W (if using a high-capacity USB-PD adapter) – meaning a 50% charge in around 30 minutes, but a full charge takes about 1½ hours. This is notably slower than the Android counterparts. Where Apple made an advancement is in wireless charging: the iPhone 17 Pro now supports the new Qi2 standard at 25 W via MagSafe theverge.com. Previously, iPhones were capped at 15 W MagSafe, but Qi2 (which is basically an open version of MagSafe) allows higher power. In fact, Apple adopting 25 W Qi2 makes the iPhone 17 Pro one of the fastest wireless charging iPhones ever – and interestingly, faster wireless charging than the Galaxy S24 Ultra, which still maxes at 15 W on Qi wireless theverge.com. So with a proper MagSafe 25 W charger, you can wirelessly juice up the iPhone quite quickly (roughly 60-80 minutes for 0–100% in optimal conditions). This is a nice perk if you prefer the convenience of wireless pads. For wired, though, 27 W is middling by 2025 standards. It’s a trade-off for battery longevity, perhaps – Apple doesn’t want to degrade batteries with super high wattage. Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra supports 45 W wired charging (USB-C with USB Power Delivery PPS) en.wikipedia.org. This can charge the phone to ~65% in 30 minutes, and a full 0–100% in about 57-60 minutes in ideal conditions. It’s pretty fast (though not as crazy as some Chinese brands’ 100 W+ charging). Importantly, Samsung did not upgrade its wireless charging: it remains 15 W Fast Wireless via the Qi standard (and supports reverse wireless at 4.5 W to charge earbuds or a watch) en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. It’s worth noting that Samsung, oddly, did not include Qi2 (MagSafe) support in the S24 series theverge.com. So, while other new phones are adopting magnet-aligned wireless charging with higher power, the S24 Ultra is a bit behind there – wireless chargers will top it off at 15 W, taking around 1 hour 45 min or more for a full wireless charge. But via cable, Samsung is faster than Apple and Google. Samsung doesn’t include a charger in the box (just like Apple and Google), so you’d use a compatible USB-C PD charger to achieve 45 W. Google’s Pixel 9 Pro (and XL) have interesting charging specs. The smaller 9 Pro supports up to 27 W wired, while the 9 Pro XL goes up to 37 W wired (taking advantage of the larger battery’s ability to handle more current) en.wikipedia.org. In practice, the Pixel 9 Pro XL charges 0–50% in about 30 minutes and 0–100% in around 70-80 minutes. The smaller Pixel 9 Pro will be slightly slower to full due to the lower wattage (perhaps ~80-90 minutes). For wireless, Pixel 9 Pro supports 21 W wireless (with Google’s Pixel Stand or other compatible chargers) and the Pro XL supports 23 W wireless en.wikipedia.org. These are quite decent wireless speeds, second only to iPhone’s new 25 W Qi2 in this trio. If using a generic Qi charger, it might revert to 15 W, but with the right equipment you get above the standard rate. Google also includes reverse wireless charging on the Pixel (to charge accessories on the back of the phone). One thing to mention: Google and Samsung both let you customize battery settings, like adaptive charging (slow charging overnight to preserve health) and offer extreme battery saver modes. Apple does similar (optimized battery charging in iOS learns your routine to avoid overcharging). So all three take measures to prolong battery lifespan.
- Battery Life Quotes and Perspectives: In reviews, battery life on these phones has generally been praised. TechRadar found the S24 Ultra improved, saying it “has better battery life… though you’ll also pay a bit more for the improvements” techradar.com. For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, The Verge noted it set a new high for iPhones theverge.com, and on the smaller 17 Pro, users are still seeing a solid day’s use. The Pixel 9 Pro’s battery was described by one reviewer as “excellent, and the phone has the longevity to make it last”, with Google’s 7 years of updates ensuring the battery management stays optimized over time techradar.com. In short, none of these phones should give you battery anxiety in normal use, and each has fast-charge abilities to quickly top-up if you’re in a pinch.
Charging Convenience: The choice of charging tech might influence you if you’re already in an ecosystem. The iPhone 17 Pro still uses Lightning cable (one of the last iPhones to do so, it seems). If you have lots of Lightning cables and accessories, that’s fine, but note that next-gen iPhones are expected to move to USB-C (per EU law) – so this model sticks to the old port. The Galaxy and Pixel both use USB-C, which is convenient for universal cables; the Pixel supports USB PD and PPS, and Samsung supports its PPS standard – most quality third-party USB-C chargers will fast-charge them. None of the phones include a charger brick anymore, so budget an extra $20-30 for a good 30-45 W charger if you don’t have one. Also, only the Pixel (and some Samsung models outside the US) come with USB-C cables in the box – Apple includes just a Lightning-to-USB-C cable, no charger.
Battery longevity and health: All three use lithium-ion batteries that will slowly degrade over years. Apple tends to manage this well (iPhones often retain ~80% capacity after 500 cycles, which is around 2 years for many). Samsung and Google’s batteries should similarly last a few years without significant issues; plus, Samsung and Google offering 7 years of software support suggests they expect people to potentially keep these phones a long time, so presumably they’ve ensured battery longevity features in software. And if you do need a battery replacement after, say, 3-4 years, each company offers service (though with varying ease: iPhone batteries can be replaced at Apple Stores fairly easily, Pixel has a partnership with iFixit for easier repairs, Samsung has service centers as well).
In summary, battery life is strong on all three. The Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max (bigger model) are the marathon runners here, but the standard iPhone 17 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro are not far behind and will meet the needs of a full day’s use. The choice may boil down to charging preferences: if you value super-fast wired charging, Samsung (45 W) has an edge; if you like wireless charging, the iPhone’s new 25 W MagSafe/Qi2 and Pixel’s 21-23 W wireless are faster than Samsung’s 15 W. But none of these are in the “slow charging” category – even Apple’s 27 W, while the lowest, still refuels a decent amount quickly. You can wake up, realize you forgot to charge, plug any of these in for 15 minutes and get a significant boost (roughly ~30-40% on iPhone/Pixel, ~50% on Samsung with the faster charger) theverge.com en.wikipedia.org. That can be a lifesaver.
Camera Systems
All three phones are camera powerhouses with multiple lenses and advanced image processing. That said, they each have their own philosophy – Apple focuses on natural-looking photos and powerful video capabilities, Samsung bets on high megapixels and long zoom, and Google leverages computational photography and AI smarts. Let’s dive into the camera specs and performance:
- iPhone 17 Pro Cameras: The iPhone 17 Pro features a triple-camera system on the rear, all of which are now 48 megapixels. This is a first for Apple – previously, only the main camera was 48 MP (introduced on the 14 Pro). Now the Main wide camera is 48 MP (around a 24mm f/1.6 lens equivalent), the Ultrawide is 48 MP (13mm f/2.2, with macro capability), and importantly, the Telephoto is upgraded to 48 MP (up from a 12 MP sensor last year) theverge.com. The telephoto lens has a 5× optical zoom (roughly 120mm focal length) but Apple says with the higher resolution sensor and clever cropping, it delivers up to 8× optical-quality zoom without losing detail techcrunch.com. In fact, Apple touts that users can get a solid 8x optical experience – which is among the highest true optical zooms on a phone (approaching the 10x some competitors had, but with higher resolution to back it up) techcrunch.com. The benefit of 48 MP across the board is that even when you’re not zooming, these cameras collect a ton of data and Apple’s image pipeline bins pixels to produce sharp 12 MP photos with great dynamic range. The larger telephoto sensor (56% larger than last year’s) also means improved low-light performance for zoom shots theverge.com. The image quality from the iPhone 17 Pro is excellent: colors are natural (leaning slightly warm Apple tone), Smart HDR is improved to handle tricky lighting, and having equal 48 MP sensors allows for consistent detail across all lenses. Notably, Apple introduced some new camera software tricks like the ability to refocus portraits after shooting (it captures depth info automatically now) and dual capture video. Dual capture lets you record from the front and rear cameras simultaneously – e.g., filming an event and your own reaction – which is new to iPhone 17 Pro theverge.com. The iPhone’s secret weapon is often video: it supports up to 4K60 Dolby Vision HDR on all cameras, and now even offers ProRes RAW video recording and Log video (Log 2) for professional workflows apple.com theverge.com. In fact, Apple claims the 17 Pro/Pro Max are the first smartphones to natively shoot ProRes RAW footage apple.com, giving videographers immense editing flexibility. Features like sensor-shift stabilization on the main camera keep video super steady. The new Center Stage front camera is 18 MP and notably has a square sensor (for the first time) that allows automatic reframing – it can keep you centered in the frame during video calls, and even lets you take landscape-oriented selfies while holding the phone vertically apple.com. The front cam improvement means sharper selfies (18 MP vs previous 12 MP) and wider field of view with Center Stage magic. In use, the iPhone 17 Pro is a fantastic point-and-shoot – it’s fast to focus and capture, excels in video and reliable photo output. Low-light performance got a bump too, thanks to larger sensors and Apple’s Night mode tuning; though competitors have closed the gap, iPhone photos in very low light tend to preserve realistic colors and not over-brighten the scene unnaturally. Apple still doesn’t chase crazy digital zoom numbers – the maximum digital zoom is 40× on the iPhone 17 Pro techcrunch.com. That’s actually down from 15 Pro’s 15×, interestingly it increased to 25× on 16 Pro and now 40× on 17 Pro – but it’s less than Samsung’s 100×. Apple is likely not using as much AI upscaling at extreme zoom, hence the conservative figure. As TechCrunch noted, 40x is lower than the 100x offered by Google or Samsung, and it’s unclear if Apple is doing AI upscaling for those zoomed shots techcrunch.com. Apple seems to prioritize that up to 8-10x range for quality, leaving the super-zoom gimmicks aside. If you often take ultra-long-range moon shots or spy photos, the iPhone isn’t the top choice – but for anything within 8x, it’s superb. A tech analyst from The Verge even observed the iPhone 17 Pro’s new “plateau” camera bump “looks a little like the wide camera bar on Google’s Pixel phones,” signifying Apple’s commitment to this new triple-48MP system theverge.com.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra Cameras: Samsung’s Galaxy S24 Ultra continues the quad-camera tradition of the Ultra line: four lenses on the back. These include a 200 MP main camera (wide, 23mm, f/1.7) en.wikipedia.org, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom, around 115mm, f/3.4) theverge.com, a 10 MP 3× telephoto (around 70mm, f/2.4) theverge.com, and a 12 MP ultrawide (13mm, f/2.2, with autofocus for macro) en.wikipedia.org. This is a change from last year’s S23 Ultra which had 10 MP sensors for both 3× and 10× zoom. Samsung’s approach was to swap the 10× lens for a higher-resolution 50 MP 5× lens, then use “lossless crop zoom” to achieve a good quality 10× zoom digitally theverge.com. According to Samsung, the new 50 MP 5x camera actually produces better 10x shots than the old dedicated 10x lens, which is plausible due to the extra pixels theverge.com. In use, early tests found that at 10x, the S24 Ultra’s images are indeed very detailed and improved over the S23 Ultra’s 10x shots – Samsung’s processing and the sensor’s crop factor work well. And you can still zoom all the way to 100× with digital Space Zoom, but as before, anything beyond 30× is more of a fun party trick (expect some blur or watercolor effect at 100x). One advantage: even at extreme zoom, Samsung’s zoom stabilization helps lock onto subjects, so framing those far shots is easier. The 200 MP main sensor bins pixels to output 12 MP images by default (16-to-1 binning). You can also shoot in full 200 MP or 50 MP modes for extra detail in good light. This camera produces excellent photos – bright, punchy Samsung-style colors (which some love and some find a bit over-saturated), plenty of detail, and a wide dynamic range. Samsung tends to apply more HDR and sharpening, which can make photos “pop” more than the more natural iPhone/Pixel approach. In daylight, the detail is fantastic. In low light, the main camera, with its large sensor and OIS, performs very well and Night Mode kicks in automatically when needed. The ultrawide 12 MP is similar to last year’s – great for group shots or expansive landscapes, and it can double as a macro shooter (automatically focusing on close objects). The 12 MP resolution is lower than the others’ ultrawides, but it still produces nice images; arguably Google and Apple’s ultrawides (both 48 MP) might capture finer detail, but Samsung’s color science keeps ultrawide shots consistent with the main camera nicely. Where the Galaxy S24 Ultra stands out is zoom flexibility. You effectively have optical lenses at 0.6× (ultrawide), 1× (main), 3×, and 5×, and then AI-assisted “optical quality” up to 10×, plus digital beyond. That means for anything from 0.6× to 10×, you have very usable results – it’s extremely versatile for framing. For instance, the 3× tele is great for portraits (roughly 70mm is a classic portrait focal length), while the 5× is awesome for distant buildings, wildlife, or sports from the stands. Reviewers noted that Samsung’s decision to go 5× was likely to ensure most common zoom needs are covered (since many users found 10× sometimes “too zoomed” for certain situations). The images at 5× and 10× have improved detail vs last gen. That said, Google’s Pixel 9 Pro also offers 5× optical with high resolution – so Samsung no longer has a zoom monopoly. But Samsung still holds the title for longest reach (100×), even if it’s niche. And yes, you can take moon shots – Samsung’s camera app will automatically stabilize and enhance the Moon at high zoom, a trick that dazzles in demos (though there was some controversy about how much AI is involved). In any case, it’s fun to have. On the video front, the S24 Ultra is very capable too. It can shoot up to 8K video at 30 fps now (with stabilization) en.wikipedia.org, an improvement over 24 fps last year. 4K@60 is supported on all cameras, and Samsung’s Super Steady mode (1080p ultra stabilized) is there for action shots. The video quality is excellent but generally, iPhone still has a slight edge in HDR handling and overall consistency in different lighting. Samsung’s strengths are in offering loads of shooting modes: Expert RAW for RAW photography, astro-photography mode, a full Pro mode for both photos and video (with manual controls), Single Take mode (capturing many kinds of shots with one press), etc. It’s a playground for camera enthusiasts. Overall, the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s camera system is arguably the most versatile. As one summary, PCMag’s review highlighted the Ultra’s “versatile cameras” among its strengths wired.com. You can capture basically any scenario – ultra-wide landscapes, normal shots, telephoto portraits, far away subjects – without much compromise. Some tech pundits predict Samsung might adopt a full-width camera bar in future to accommodate even bigger sensors (there are rumors the Galaxy S26 might copy this Pixel-like bar design) theverge.com. For now, Samsung’s separate lens design works fine and has the benefit that each lens can be individually large without the phone rocking (the bumps are symmetrical enough). If your priority is zooming and telephoto, the S24 Ultra is the king among these three, especially beyond 10×. If your priority is casual point-and-shoot with great consistency, we then look to the Pixel…
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Cameras: Google’s Pixel 9 Pro (and XL) feature a triple rear camera setup, much like the Pixel 7/8 Pro did, but with some important upgrades. There is a 50 MP main camera (wide, around 25mm, f/1.68) store.google.com, a 48 MP ultrawide (125° field of view, f/1.7) store.google.com, and a 48 MP telephoto (5× optical zoom, ~120mm, f/2.8) store.google.com store.google.com. Additionally, the Pixel 9 Pro’s front camera is a whopping 42 MP ultrawide selfie lens (approx 95° field) store.google.com – a huge jump from the 10.5 MP front cam on Pixel 8 Pro. Google leveraged this high-res front sensor to enable things like center-cropping for zoomed selfies while still keeping detail, and 4K60 selfie video with excellent quality. It’s arguably the best selfie camera on any phone now in terms of specs. The Pixel’s image quality has always been its claim to fame. Daylight photos from the Pixel 9 Pro are superb – very sharp (Google’s image processing finds a lot of texture detail), with slightly punchy but pleasing colors and strong dynamic range. Google uses its famous HDR+ bracketing to capture multiple frames and blend them, yielding clear shots even against challenging lighting (like backlit scenes). Skin tones are a particular point of pride – Google’s “Real Tone” ensures that people of all skin colors are rendered accurately and beautifully, a feature introduced in recent Pixels store.google.com. The portrait mode on Pixel 9 Pro is improved, now with more realistic bokeh and the ability to do portrait effects at 1× or 2×. The phone’s large sensors (especially main and tele) create natural background blur even without portrait mode for close subjects. In low light, Google’s Night Sight is almost magical – it can make a very dim scene look well-lit while preserving detail and controlling noise. And thanks to larger sensors and Tensor’s AI, Night Sight is faster than before. The Pixel’s computational approach means even handheld night shots come out crisp. It might not brighten as aggressively as Samsung’s Night Mode (which sometimes can look like daytime), instead Pixel often retains the night atmosphere a bit more while still illuminating key details. The 5× telephoto on the Pixel 9 Pro is similar in focal length to the S24 Ultra’s 5×. It produces excellent tele shots – Google’s Super Res Zoom can further take it to 10× with AI upscaling that’s surprisingly good (not quite optical, but close). Google has refined its zoom on Pixels to the point where 10× digital is absolutely usable for social media or normal viewing. The combination of a 48 MP sensor and Google’s algorithms yields very sharp 10× shots (the difference from Samsung’s approach is subtle since both achieve good 10×). For intermediate zooms like 2× or 3×, the Pixel will use a mix of main sensor crop or tele, whatever produces the best result – and it tends to work very well; the phone often picks the main sensor for up to ~2.5× because of its large size, giving you a “free” optical-ish zoom at 2× (12.5 MP crop from the 50 MP main). Similarly, the ultrawide being 48 MP means you can even do a minor zoom-in on the ultrawide and still have detail (or get a slightly wider-than-main shot with high quality). One area Pixel phones traditionally excel at is consistency: you get a very similar look across all cameras in terms of color and exposure. The Pixel 9 Pro’s upgrade to matching high-res sensors helps here too. It makes the whole camera experience feel cohesive. As Engadget’s review put it, the Pixel 9 Pro offers “superb cameras”, and many reviewers consistently rank Pixel images at or near the top for overall quality engadget.com. In fact, an Engadget editor went so far as to say the Pixel 9 Pro “cements its status as the smartphone with the best camera” in 2024 engadget.com – a bold claim, but reflective of just how good Pixel photos have become. On the video front, Google made strides. Historically, Pixel video was a notch below iPhone, but Pixel 9 Pro adds features like Night Sight Video (for brighter low-light video) and Video Boost up to 8K where the phone can upload footage to the cloud for processing and return a higher-quality result store.google.com store.google.com. It’s an unusual approach, but initial feedback is positive – it can really clean up noise and improve dynamic range for 4K/8K footage by leveraging cloud compute. The Pixel can shoot up to 8K at 30 fps as well, matching Samsung on that spec store.google.com store.google.com. Regular 4K60 is rock solid with good stabilization. Google also introduced Audio Magic Eraser for video, which lets you reduce background noise in your clips (using AI to isolate sounds – for example, you could dim loud traffic noise behind someone talking). This is an extension of their photo Magic Eraser idea. The Pixel 9 Pro also has a bag of AI camera tricks: “Add Me” can add the photographer into a group photo after the fact by intelligently merging shots store.google.com store.google.com. “Best Take” can merge faces from a burst to ensure everyone in a group photo is smiling or not blinking store.google.com store.google.com. Magic Editor allows you to drastically rearrange elements in a photo or change the sky, etc., right from Google Photos using generative AI store.google.com store.google.com. These are fairly mind-blowing features that show how Google is moving photography from just capture to post-capture creativity. While they aren’t directly about shutter performance, they significantly enhance what you can do with the photos you take – for instance, Magic Editor can “reimagine the scenery” of an image (like remove people, reposition subjects, or even “fill the sky with pink balloons” as a whimsical example) store.google.com. No other phone offers this level of on-device editing magic (though Samsung and Apple have some lesser variants like object erasers, etc., Google’s are generally more advanced).
Summing up the cameras:
- The iPhone 17 Pro delivers extremely reliable results with a natural look, plus it’s the best for video recording (especially with ProRes/Log for pros). Its new 48 MP triple setup narrows the gap in zoom flexibility, but it tops out at 5× optical and relies on digital up to 40× techcrunch.com. Still, for most people, 0.5× to 5× is the sweet spot, and it handles that range excellently. The 8× “optical quality” zoom claim seems to be borne out in testing – those 8× shots do look great techcrunch.com. The front camera Center Stage feature is unique too, making iPhone good for vloggers or video calls on the go apple.com. Apple’s color science and Smart HDR produce very balanced photos, albeit sometimes a touch less vibrant than Samsung’s.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra offers unmatched zoom reach and versatility – if you love telephoto shots, it’s fantastic. It’s also great for ultrawide (though only 12 MP, still high quality). It tends to produce vibrant, saturated photos with high contrast. Some photographers prefer Samsung’s aesthetic for landscapes and city shots because it can make them look very dynamic. The dual-tele setup (3× and 5×) ensures crisp portraits and mid-zoom shots. It also has an excellent expert mode if you like tweaking settings or shooting RAW (something Pixel lacks natively, though you can use third-party apps on Pixel for RAW). The Ultra’s weakness might be that its processing can sometimes be aggressive (oversharpening or smoothing faces too much, though Samsung has improved its face processing). Also, handling a big phone for camera use can be a bit tricky (one-handed shots are harder). Nonetheless, if you want the most feature-packed camera app and the ability to get shots no one else can (like a readable photo of a distant sign or the moon), the S24 Ultra is your tool.
- The Google Pixel 9 Pro is arguably the best stills camera for general use – it’s consistently excellent across all conditions, and the computational tricks mean you’ll capture the moment even in tough scenarios (Google’s HDR+ can handle moving subjects better now too, by using shorter exposures). Many in the tech community consider the Pixel’s images to be the most “print-worthy” or instantly shareable due to their clarity and balanced tuning. Its weakness used to be video, but that gap is closing fast with 9 Pro. One lingering downside: the Pixel lacks a dedicated macro mode lens (it uses the ultrawide, which is fine, similar to others) and doesn’t have extreme zoom beyond 30× digitally. If you need beyond 20-30× often, Samsung still does it better. Also, some users might find Pixel’s color cast slightly cool or its shadows a bit crushed compared to iPhone – much of that is personal preference. But anecdotally, everyone in a group loves how they look in Pixel photos, thanks to things like Real Tone and Best Take that ensure eyes open and smiles captured. The Pixel turns photography into a bit of an AI-aided creative process.
It’s worth noting all three have excellent ultrawide cameras that double as macro shooters – you can get as close as a few centimeters to a subject and get nicely detailed macro shots (flowers, small objects). The iPhone and Pixel’s high-res ultrawides might capture more detail in macro than Samsung’s 12 MP, but Samsung’s is very capable too with autofocus.
Finally, all have strong selfie cameras now: Apple’s 18 MP with center stage, Samsung’s 12 MP with dual-pixel autofocus and 4K video, Google’s massive 42 MP that bins to ~10 MP with a wide field. Selfies on each look great, with Apple perhaps doing the best auto HDR on faces in harsh light, Samsung giving you fun wide-angle options (and filters/beauty modes if you want them), and Pixel capturing a ton of detail (sometimes brutally honest detail unless you use its face retouch options).
In summary, casual users will be thrilled with any of these – they all make it easy to get great shots. Enthusiast photographers might lean Pixel or iPhone for the color accuracy and post-processing flexibility (ProRes RAW on iPhone, lots of Pixel computational RAW if using Google’s format), or lean Samsung if they want that big zoom and manual controls. It’s a close race. When The Verge collected all the flagship camera samples recently, they found differences in style but all were phenomenal performers. And as Engadget said in their Pixel review: “the combination of attractive design, slick software and solid cameras make it a great choice”, noting that Pixel 9 Pro’s camera really solidified its position in the top tier facebook.com.
AI and Software Features
In 2025, smartphones are as much about software and intelligence as they are about hardware. Here’s where the philosophies diverge: Apple’s iOS ecosystem offers polish and privacy but currently takes a relatively cautious approach to AI assistants, whereas Google’s Android (especially on Pixel) is aggressively pushing AI-powered features, and Samsung’s One UI adds its own AI tricks on top of Android. Let’s compare the software experience and AI capabilities:
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro (iOS 26): The iPhone 17 Pro runs iOS 26 out of the box theverge.com. Apple’s OS is known for its smoothness, security, and deep integration with the Apple ecosystem. With iOS 26, Apple introduced a visual overhaul called Liquid Glass, which gives the interface a translucent, glassy aesthetic across the system theverge.com. It’s mostly a cosmetic refresh (think frosted glass backgrounds, new widget styles, etc.), and while it looks modern, it’s not a functional game-changer. In terms of features, iOS 26 brings some improvements (enhancements in Messages, Maps, etc.), but notably, Apple did not introduce a big new AI assistant or chatbot integration into iOS. Siri is still present, of course, but it hasn’t received the kind of generative AI upgrade that some expected. In fact, at the iPhone 17 launch event, Apple barely mentioned “AI” – only in context of on-device machine learning for camera and minor features techcrunch.com. As TechCrunch pointed out, “There was no mention of Siri at all, AI-powered or otherwise,” during the keynote techcrunch.com. That said, the iPhone does have baseline AI features: things like Visual Look Up (identify objects in photos), Live Text (extract text from images), on-device dictation and translation capabilities, etc. iOS 26 expanded some of these – e.g., you can now use Visual Look Up on video frames, and Apple’s translating app works offline for more languages. Apple’s approach to AI is very privacy-centric: most of it is processed on device (utilizing the Neural Engine). For example, the iPhone can do things like intelligently sort your photo library, make smart suggestions (like Siri Suggestions for app actions), and even do some live voicemail transcription. But it’s fair to say, compared to Google’s latest, Apple’s AI is conservative and behind the curve in 2025. Even Apple’s own executives acknowledge they’re working on more advanced AI (rumors of an “Apple GPT” for Siri by 2026), but it’s not here yet techcrunch.com techcrunch.com. If you ask Siri today something complex or open-ended, it often falls back to web search or says it can’t help. Meanwhile, Google’s Assistant (with Bard) or Samsung’s modes can do more (we’ll get to that). Apple seems to be playing catch-up: reports indicate they might even integrate third-party LLMs like Google’s Gemini into Siri’s backend, or possibly make a big AI acquisition to boost their capabilities techcrunch.com techcrunch.com. But for now, on iPhone 17 Pro, Siri is mostly the same old assistant for setting reminders, controlling smart home, basic Q&A, etc., with no conversational chat mode. What Apple does offer is a very polished software experience with an emphasis on continuity and ecosystem. For instance, if you have a Mac or iPad, the iPhone works seamlessly with them: features like AirDrop, Universal Clipboard (copy on iPhone, paste on Mac), Handoff (continue reading a website from phone on your Mac), and iMessage/FaceTime integration are strong draws. The iPhone 17 Pro will also benefit from Apple’s App Store which, while sometimes restrictive, is highly curated and gets many apps optimized early (often high-quality mobile games debut on iOS first, for example). Apple introduced some new apps in iOS 26 as well: e.g., a Journal app that intelligently suggests moments to log (using on-device ML to pick meaningful events from your photos/activities to prompt journal entries). That’s a subtle AI-driven feature meant for wellbeing. Also, iPhones get updates the longest (though Samsung and Google are bridging that gap now): you can expect iPhone 17 Pro to get iOS updates for at least 5 years, possibly more. Apple typically supports iPhones with new iOS versions far longer than Android makers do, historically. (E.g., an iPhone 11 from 2019 runs iOS 26 in 2025 – that’s 6 years of updates so far.) So even if Apple is slow to roll out AI now, the hardware is powerful enough that if/when they do in a year or two, the 17 Pro should get those features via software update. In short, the software experience on iPhone 17 Pro is smooth, user-friendly, and secure, but relatively “walled garden.” It shines if you also use Apple’s other devices and services. However, for bleeding-edge AI features or heavy customization, it’s not the leader. Apple’s stance seems to be: implement AI in ways that are reliable and privacy-first, even if that means fewer whiz-bang features today. For many users, that’s acceptable – not everyone wants a chatty assistant. But it is a notable contrast to what Google and Samsung are doing.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (One UI 6 on Android 14): The S24 Ultra runs Android 14 with Samsung’s One UI 6.1 (at launch) interface. One UI is packed with features and Samsung-specific enhancements. This year, Samsung also went big on integrating AI features. As The Verge noted, “Samsung has filled its new phone series with just about every AI feature you’ve seen on other flagship phones to date,” even running some of Google’s Gemini AI models on-device theverge.com. Key AI and software highlights on the S24 Ultra include:
- Generative AI Photo/Video Editing: In the Gallery, you can use a new “Photo Editor AI” to do things like object erasing, moving subjects, or expanding backgrounds beyond the original frame theverge.com. For example, you can circle an object in a photo and literally drag it to a new spot, and the AI will fill in the background behind it – it’s like Photoshop’s generative fill, but on your phone theverge.com. You can also straighten a tilted horizon and have AI fill in the sky gaps, rather than cropping (useful for us crooked photo-takers) theverge.com. These features, marked by a star icon in the UI, are similar to Google’s Magic Editor, showing Samsung’s determination not to be left behind.
- AI Video upscaling: Samsung introduced a feature where you can turn any regular video into 120fps slow-motion after the fact theverge.com. It uses AI frame interpolation to create the extra frames. Demos showed that taking a normal 60fps video and converting to 120fps looked surprisingly smooth theverge.com. This is something usually done on a PC with software – having it in the phone is impressive and great for creating slow-mo clips from footage you already shot.
- Live Voice Translation: Perhaps one of the coolest features – the S24 Ultra can act as a real-time call translator. On a phone call, you can speak in your language and the AI will translate and speak to the other party in their language (and vice versa) in real time theverge.com. It supports 13 languages at launch theverge.com. This is like having a personal interpreter for phone calls – potentially revolutionary for international communication. Additionally, Samsung’s keyboard can translate text conversations on the fly (so you and a friend can chat each in your own language), and even suggest different tones/styles for what you’re writing (more casual vs more formal) by analyzing context theverge.com theverge.com.
- Voice Memos & Notes AI: The Samsung Notes app can auto-summarize long notes for you, and the Voice Recorder app now offers live transcriptions with speaker labels and translation theverge.com. That’s very Pixel-like (Google’s Recorder does live transcription exceptionally). It essentially means you can record a meeting and the phone will transcribe it, identify different speakers, and even translate the text if needed theverge.com theverge.com. This is super useful for journalists, students, or anyone doing interviews.
- On-Device AI (Google Gemini): Samsung confirmed it’s running Google’s Gemini AI models on-device for some tasks theverge.com. Gemini is Google’s next-gen large model. This likely powers things like the advanced image editing and maybe some of the translation features, meaning a lot can be done locally without sending data to a server. It’s a big deal for privacy and speed.
- Bixby and Modes: Samsung still has its own assistant Bixby. While Bixby isn’t exactly ChatGPT-level, it is useful for device-specific voice commands and routines (and it supports e.g. offline voice commands for certain actions). One UI 6 also has Modes and Routines – a powerful automation system where you can have the phone do certain things given triggers (like automatically turn on Do Not Disturb and blue light filter when it detects you’re driving, etc.). These are not “AI” per se, but they make the phone experience more personalized.
- UI Customization: One UI is highly customizable – theming, icon packs, edge panels for shortcuts, etc. Samsung embraces the Android philosophy of flexibility (in contrast to Apple). So you can really tailor the interface to your liking or use third-party launchers if you want.
- DeX and PC integration: The S24 Ultra can power a desktop-like experience (Samsung DeX) when connected to a monitor or even wirelessly to a TV. This is great for productivity – with a keyboard and mouse you can effectively use your phone like a computer. Also, integration with Windows PCs via the “Phone Link” app means you can respond to texts, access photos, even run phone apps on your PC.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro (Stock Android 14 with Pixel enhancements): The Pixel 9 Pro runs a pure Google Android 14 experience, with Pixel-exclusive features enabled by the Tensor G4. Google’s approach to software is all about helpfulness and AI. In fact, Google literally markets Pixel 9 Pro as having “the most advanced AI on Pixel” with Gemini AI built-in store.google.com. Key AI/software features on Pixel 9 Pro:
- Google Assistant with Bard (Gemini): Newer Pixels (from Pixel 8 onward) have an upgraded Assistant that can tap into Google’s big AI models. This means you can ask your phone’s Assistant more complex things (even things like “summarize this webpage” or “draft an email reply”) and it can understand and respond in a more human-like way. Google has integrated this as “Assistant with Bard” on Pixel 9 (a feature that by now, late 2025, should be live or in advanced beta). Essentially, your Pixel can act like a mini-ChatGPT, but with access to your device’s context (with permission). For example: “Hey Google, summarize the key points from this PDF” or “What’s the schedule for my trip next week?” and it can use AI to parse through data for you.
- Call Screening and Hold for Me: Pixels have legendary call features. Call Screen answers unknown calls for you with an AI voice, asks who’s calling and why, transcribes their response in real time so you can decide to pick up or hang up. This is great for blocking spam. Hold For Me will wait on hold during those annoying customer service calls and notify you when a human comes on the line – Pixel handles the Muzak for you. Direct My Call transcribes those automated menus (“Press 1 for billing…”) so you can tap options instead of listening fully. These are huge time-savers using Google’s Duplex AI tech.
- Recorder app with Speaker Labels: Like Samsung, Google’s Recorder transcribes voice memos with punctuation, and on Pixel 9 Pro it can label different speakers automatically. It’s extremely accurate and useful (journalists love this for interviews). You can search within recordings by keyword. It all happens on-device, thanks to Tensor’s AI.
- Live Translate: Pixels can do real-time translation of conversations locally. You can use the Translate app to have bilingual conversations with each person speaking their language – the phone will show translated text and even say it aloud if needed. It supports dozens of languages and works offline. This is similar in end-goal to Samsung’s call translator, but Pixel’s is more about in-person or chat translation (for phone calls specifically, Pixel doesn’t have the exact simultaneous translate feature that Samsung just launched, but you could use an app like Google Meet to translate calls).
- Adaptive Battery & AI Predictive: Pixel uses AI to predict which apps you’ll use next or which features you need, to optimize resources. For instance, it might pre-load your morning news app when you wake up or keep frequently used apps open longer. It also learns your charging habits – Adaptive Charging can slowly charge overnight to 100% right when you wake, preserving battery health.
- At a Glance widget: This Pixel-specific widget on the home screen uses AI to show you timely info – weather alerts, package delivery status, travel updates (like “leave now for your flight, traffic is heavy”), calendar events, etc. It’s context-aware and very handy as a personal assistant snapshot.
- Image and Audio Magic: We covered Magic Editor and Best Take in the camera section – those are big AI features. Additionally, Photo Unblur can sharpen old blurry shots using AI store.google.com, and Audio Magic Eraser (on videos) can separate and reduce background noise (like removing crowd noise from a video of your kid singing).
- Personal AI Safety: Pixel phones have Car Crash Detection (the phone can detect if you’ve been in an accident and call emergency services) and a new Assistant Emergency Call feature where if you dial emergency, it can communicate your location to the operator automatically via an automated voice (in case you can’t speak). These use device sensors and AI to potentially save lives.
- UI & Updates: Pixel’s UI is “Material You” – adaptive color themes that match your wallpaper, slick animations, and a generally clean interface. Being from Google, Pixel gets the fastest Android updates (monthly security patches and new feature drops every few months). With the new 7-year update policy, Pixel 9 Pro will be supported through Android 21 as well theverge.com, which is fantastic for longevity. And Pixel often gets “Feature Drops” – new software features delivered quarterly that can enhance functionality (past ones added things like car key support, new camera features, etc.). So your Pixel can actually gain abilities over time via these updates.
To sum up the AI and software differences:
- The iPhone 17 Pro provides a stable, polished iOS experience with great privacy and integration in Apple’s world. It has some AI-based conveniences but nothing like a conversational assistant yet. Apple is more about perfecting core experiences (camera, smooth UI, etc.) and letting third-party apps innovate in AI (you can always install ChatGPT or others on iPhone, just that Siri itself is basic in comparison).
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra is like an AI-enhanced multi-tool. It’s got every feature under the sun, and Samsung isn’t shy about using AI in novel ways – especially for content creation and translation. It sits on Android so it’s flexible, and One UI adds even more on top. If you love customizing and having the latest bells and whistles (and don’t mind digging through settings to enable things), Samsung delivers. Some might find it overwhelming, but you can also just use what you need and ignore the rest.
- The Google Pixel 9 Pro can be seen as the smartest “assistant” phone. It anticipates needs, handles calls, writes for you, fixes your photos, etc., with minimal user effort. It’s streamlined (no fluff or bloat) and everything revolves around making the phone proactively helpful. It’s basically Google’s vision of AI in your life, distilled into a handset. Plus, being a Google device, it will only get more capabilities as their AI tech evolves – and you’ll get those updates fastest.
For an average consumer who isn’t tech-savvy, the iPhone’s simplicity might appeal. For a tech enthusiast or someone who wants to leverage AI in daily tasks, the Pixel or Samsung will feel more “futuristic.”
Finally, consider ecosystem integration beyond software:
- Apple’s ecosystem: If you have AirPods, an Apple Watch, a Mac, etc., the iPhone 17 Pro ties them all together elegantly (auto device switching for AirPods, Fitness and notifications on Watch, iCloud syncing everything). Apple’s Continuity features are still a standout. Also services like iMessage and FaceTime – if your family/friends use them, being on iPhone keeps you in that loop (with things like FaceTime video voicemail introduced recently, etc.).
- Samsung’s ecosystem: Samsung has a broad device ecosystem too – Galaxy Buds, Galaxy Watch, SmartThings smart home, Samsung TVs, laptops, etc. The S24 Ultra can serve as a hub (e.g., the SmartThings app on it can control appliances and lights). If you have a Samsung Galaxy Watch, it integrates well (the watch can even share health data to phone apps seamlessly). Samsung phones can also use features like Link to Windows as mentioned, to integrate with PCs (not quite as tight as iPhone with Mac, but still good for notifications and file transfer).
- Google’s ecosystem: Pixel plays best with Google services and also Chromecast/Google TV devices (e.g., casting content from phone to TV is super easy), Google Nest devices (the phone can act as a controller for Nest cameras, thermostats via the Google Home app, with exclusive previews sometimes on Pixel first). If you use a Chromebook, Pixels can unlock them or share internet easily (Instant Tethering). Google’s cross-device functionality is growing – e.g., Nearby Share (Android’s AirDrop) works between Pixel and other Android/Chromebook nicely.
All three phones can of course run apps for any ecosystem (e.g., you can use Microsoft Office or Teams on all, or use WhatsApp equally). But the tight integration is strongest within each’s own realm (Apple with Apple, Samsung somewhat with its own but largely with Windows/Android, Google with Google world).
Privacy & Security: Apple emphasizes on-device processing and privacy (Siri requests are not stored or used to profile you, etc.). Google and Samsung offer many privacy controls too, though Google’s business is data so some users trust Apple more in that regard. All phones have secure enclaves for things like face/fingerprint data. Samsung and Google allow sideloading apps if needed (more openness), Apple doesn’t (but will have to allow third-party app stores in EU soon). Security-wise, all get face or fingerprint unlock, and support things like encrypted messaging (iMessage or RCS). One neat Pixel feature: VPN by Google One is free on Pixel devices, so you can have an always-on VPN for extra privacy on networks.
In conclusion, in the battle of brains and software:
- The iPhone 17 Pro is reliable and refined, but a bit conservative in adopting the latest AI trends (for now).
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra is ambitious and jam-packed, aiming to cover every scenario with a combination of Samsung’s and Google’s AI capabilities – it’s great if you want maximum features and don’t mind some complexity.
- The Pixel 9 Pro is smart and user-centric, offering the most seamless AI integration to simplify your life, within a clean Android experience.
Depending on whether you value a simple stable system, or a feature-rich customizable one, or an AI-forward assistive one, you’d lean iPhone, Galaxy, or Pixel respectively. All three are excellent in software quality; it’s more about the philosophy and ecosystem that fits you.
Ecosystem Integration and Additional Features
Beyond the core specs, each phone extends into a broader ecosystem of devices and accessories, and they offer some unique extras worth mentioning:
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Ecosystem: Apple’s strength is the tight integration across its product line. If you own an Apple Watch (like the new Watch Series 11 or Ultra 3), the iPhone 17 Pro will pair effortlessly – for instance, your Watch can unlock your iPhone when Face ID might fail (like if you’re wearing a mask), or you can use the Watch as a viewfinder to snap a group photo with your iPhone. AirPods also seamlessly switch between your iPhone and other Apple devices (so you can answer a call on your iPhone after listening to music on your Mac without manually re-pairing). The iPhone 17 Pro supports MagSafe, Apple’s magnet-based system for accessories. You can snap on chargers (like Apple’s own or third-party wallets, stands, etc.) to the back of the phone magnetically. There’s a whole ecosystem of MagSafe accessories – from car mounts to battery packs – that enhance the iPhone experience. Apple even launched some new MagSafe accessories alongside iPhone 17, such as a slim MagSafe battery pack and new cases and a crossbody strap for the iPhone Air (which also fit the 17 Pro given similar design) theverge.com theverge.com. So accessorizing an iPhone is fun and easy. The iPhone 17 Pro also benefits from Apple’s continuity features: AirDrop for instant file sharing with other Apple devices, Handoff to continue tasks between devices, Universal Control (if you have an iPad or Mac, you can move your cursor/clipboard between them and the iPhone seamlessly), etc. If you’re in an Apple-centric household, the synergy is hard to beat – for example, Apple TV users can use iPhone as a remote or to input text, HomePod speakers can be handoff points for music (tap iPhone to a HomePod to transfer music playback), and so on. Apple’s ecosystem also includes services: iCloud for synced photos and files (you get 5 GB free, likely you’d opt for more storage with iCloud+), Apple One bundles (Apple Music, TV+, Arcade, Fitness+, iCloud etc.), all of which work natively on iPhone. One downside: interoperability with non-Apple systems can be weaker (no RCS in iMessage yet, though iOS 17 did add support to display RCS reactions, full RCS support is slated for a future update due to industry pressure). But Apple is slowly opening some things – e.g., the iPhone 17 Pro supports Matter and Thread standards for smart home, so it will play nice with multi-platform smart home gadgets. Additional iPhone perks include Apple’s privacy and security commitment – e.g., Mail Privacy Protection, Safari’s anti-tracking, Lockdown Mode for high-risk users, and the fact that iOS is generally very secure against malware (with the trade-off of being a closed system). Apple’s customer support and retail presence (Apple Stores) can be a plus if you ever need service or help; it’s usually highly rated.
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Ecosystem: Samsung, besides phones, makes everything from appliances to laptops. The S24 Ultra can integrate with this Samsung world. For example, if you have Samsung Galaxy Buds, they have features like Auto Switch (similar to AirPods) between your Galaxy phone and tablet. If you have a Galaxy Book laptop, there’s a feature called Samsung Multi Control that lets you use the laptop’s keyboard and mouse to control your phone when they’re connected theverge.com theverge.com. There’s also seamless file transfer and hotspot sharing between Samsung phones and laptops. Samsung’s SmartThings app is a hub for smart home devices (lights, fridge, robot vacuum, etc.), and on S24 Ultra it can use ultra-wideband (UWB) to precisely locate Samsung’s SmartTag trackers or connect to smart devices by pointing the phone at them (some Samsung appliances support Tap to Connect). The S24 Ultra has UWB, which also allows Digital Car Keys – Samsung has partnerships to let you use your phone to unlock and start certain cars (similar to Apple’s CarKey). If you have a Samsung TV, you can mirror your phone screen easily or use your phone as a TV remote through SmartThings. With the new Samsung Watch6 or Watch6 Classic, features like Camera Controller let you see the phone’s viewfinder on your watch, and health data syncs to Samsung Health on the phone. Samsung’s ecosystem is quite comprehensive, albeit a bit less “invisible” than Apple’s (you often have to configure it a bit). Another facet is Windows integration: Samsung phones integrate exceptionally with Windows PCs via the Link to Windows app (which is basically Microsoft’s Phone Link optimized for Samsung). You can see and reply to texts, get phone notifications on PC, and even run Android apps in windows on the PC theverge.com theverge.com. It’s not as instantaneous as Mac+iPhone synergy, but for someone using a Windows 11 PC, a Samsung phone offers the best integration available (since Samsung and Microsoft have a long partnership on this). Samsung also has a content ecosystem: the Galaxy Store for apps (mostly redundant to Play Store except for some games or Samsung-specific apps), Samsung Pay (now integrated with Google Pay in many regions, but still supports MST for older payment terminals in some countries), and services like Samsung Cloud (mostly phased out in favor of OneDrive). It’s not as vertically unified as Apple, but Samsung tries to give you all the pieces as well (though many users mix and match, e.g., use Google services on their Samsung phone, which is perfectly fine). Unique to Samsung, the S Pen is part of the Ultra’s ecosystem contribution. The phone has a silo storing the stylus, which allows you to jot notes (even on the lock screen with Screen-off Memo), draw or mark up screenshots, and even use the S Pen as a remote (for taking photos, advancing slides in PowerPoint, or controlling music). This appeals to a certain niche – if you’re an artist or just like handwriting notes, the S Pen sets the Ultra apart (neither iPhone nor Pixel has a stylus). And Samsung keeps enhancing S Pen features, so it’s well integrated into One UI.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Ecosystem: Google’s ecosystem is primarily services and software, but there’s also the Pixel family of devices: Pixel Buds headphones, Pixel Watch, and now even Pixel Tablet and Pixel Fold (and Pixelbook in the past). The Pixel 9 Pro plays nicely with all. For instance, with a Pixel Watch, you get Fitbit-powered health tracking synced to your phone’s Google Fit app, and you can get phone notifications on your watch, etc. The integration is similar to any Android with WearOS, but Pixel gives a slight edge (e.g., some watch faces or features are Pixel-exclusive). Pixel Buds paired with a Pixel phone can do special things like real-time translation in conversation mode (each person wears a Bud and speaks, the Buds translate between languages – a wild feature for two people who don’t share a language). The Pixel Buds Pro also have features like automatic audio switching and hands-free Assistant. Google’s big ecosystem strength is cross-platform services: If you use Google Workspace (Docs, Calendar, Meet), or have a Google Nest Hub or Chromecast, the Pixel is the reference device that will get updates first and possibly extra features. For example, with a Nest Doorbell, a Pixel phone can show you who’s at the door with a caption on the At a Glance widget without you even opening an app (because the phone uses on-device ML to recognize the visitor from camera feed – if you’ve tagged them in Google Photos). Or if you have a Nest thermostat, you can just tell Assistant on Pixel to adjust home temperature and it’ll do it, etc. These things any Android can do, but Pixel often does them more seamlessly because Google fine-tunes the experience on its own hardware. Pixel’s also integrate well with Chromebooks: Instant tethering (one tap on your Chromebook to use your phone’s internet), Smart Lock (use phone to unlock laptop), and sharing photos or recent tabs between phone and Chrome OS. Google also has a “Phone Hub” on Chromebooks similar to Microsoft’s Phone Link, which works best with Pixels. Google doesn’t have the retail presence of Apple, but they’ve expanded support – Pixel owners in many regions have access to Google Support chat right from settings for quick help. And repair-wise, Google partnered with iFixit to make official parts available, encouraging DIY or local repairs for Pixels. A highlight in Google’s ecosystem is the Google One subscription which Pixel 9 Pro gives you a sample of (the 1-year 2TB plan) store.google.com. This not only provides cloud storage for Photos/files, but also the Google One VPN and Dark Web Monitoring etc. Pixel owners get some of these perks even without subscription (VPN is free on Pixel, which is nice for security on public Wi-Fi).
Each ecosystem has its fans: If you already have many Apple devices, adding an iPhone 17 Pro is a no-brainer to complete the circle. If you’re deeply embedded in Google services and have maybe a Chromebook or plan to, Pixel makes a lot of sense. If you have a mix or want maximum flexibility, Samsung might be the middle path (since it works well with Google stuff, Microsoft stuff, and has its own devices too you can opt into).
Finally, a few miscellaneous features to mention:
- Emergency SOS & Satellite: All these phones support emergency SOS calling. Apple took it further with Emergency SOS via Satellite introduced in iPhone 14 – allowing you to send a text for help when out of cellular range (by pointing iPhone to satellites). As of iPhone 17, that service is likely still offered free for 2 years then paid. Samsung and Google both announced satellite features but not as widespread yet. The S24 Ultra did not launch with a satellite SOS feature active (rumors were it might, but I believe it’s not yet functional – possibly waiting on regulatory approvals or partnerships). The Pixel 9 Pro doesn’t have satellite messaging either (Pixel 8 had hardware ready for it via Exynos modem, but Google hasn’t launched a service). So currently, the iPhone has an edge if you’re often off-grid – it can literally save your life by messaging emergency services with your GPS coords techcrunch.com.
- Ultra-wideband (UWB): The iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, and Pixel 9 Pro all have UWB support. We mentioned car keys and tracking – Apple’s UWB works with AirTag finders and handing off media to HomePod, etc. Samsung’s works with SmartTags+ and “Nearby Share” directional discovery. Google’s is newly added to Pixels for similar uses (e.g., enhancing Nearby Share and working with the upcoming Google tracker device).
- Biometrics: iPhone uses Face ID (3D infrared face scan) – very secure and convenient but doesn’t work with mask/sunglasses in some cases (Apple did add masked Face ID ability, though with sunglasses it can be hit or miss). S24 Ultra uses an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor under screen – fast and you can unlock with just a tap, plus it has face unlock but only 2D image-based (convenient, not super secure for payments). Pixel 9 Pro interestingly has both an under-display fingerprint sensor and a face unlock (uses the front camera with some AI, improved to even work in low light). The Pixel’s face unlock is now allowed for payments/app unlock (Google upgraded it) using some machine learning face depth analysis – it’s not as foolproof as Face ID, but Google is confident enough to let you use it for sensitive auth. This combo is nice: you can use whichever is more convenient at the moment.
In summary, when considering ecosystem and extras:
- The iPhone 17 Pro offers a gold-standard cohesive ecosystem if you’re invested in Apple, and unique safety features like satellite SOS techcrunch.com. It’s a bit more closed-off, but extremely polished within its realm.
- The Galaxy S24 Ultra plays well with a broader range of devices (Android/Windows) and adds the S Pen and loads of hardware features (UWB, etc.). It’s a jack-of-all-trades.
- The Pixel 9 Pro ties you into the Google/Android ecosystem in a clean way, focusing on service integration rather than accessories, and gives you a “smart” experience with fewer frills (and likely the most updates). It’s Google’s vision of an AI-centric personal device.
Choosing between them might boil down to what other tech you use daily: Mac or PC? Apple Watch or not? Do you rely on Google’s services heavily? Do you value a stylus or not? There’s no wrong answer – each has strong offerings beyond just the phone itself.
Pricing and Availability
Lastly, let’s compare how much these devices cost and where/when you can get them:
- iPhone 17 Pro Pricing: Apple priced the iPhone 17 Pro starting at $1,099 USD for the base 256 GB model theverge.com. That is a slight increase because previously the Pro started at $999 but with 128 GB. Apple basically eliminated the 128 GB tier and bumped the base storage (a welcome move) while increasing base price $100. The iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 (256 GB) theverge.com. Storage upgrade prices are typical Apple steep: going to 512 GB or 1 TB on the Pro will add a few hundred dollars; the Pro Max uniquely offers a 2 TB option at a wallet-busting $1,999 theverge.com. In other markets, the pricing varies with taxes – e.g., in Europe the base 17 Pro might be around €1,249, in the UK ~£1,099, etc. Apple tends to have the highest outright prices, but they also hold value well (important if you trade in later). Availability: The iPhone 17 Pro was announced on September 9, 2025 (during Apple’s fall event) and pre-orders began that week theverge.com. It officially released on September 19, 2025 in first-wave countries (US, UK, Canada, Germany, Australia, China, etc.) theverge.com. Apple generally does a simultaneous global launch or within a week or two in major markets. So by now (late 2025), it’s widely available. Colors are limited (Silver, Blue, Orange as noted). Apple sells it unlocked as well as through carriers. They often have promotions/trade-in deals especially in the US with carriers (like “get up to $1000 credit with trade-in on carrier contract”).
- Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Pricing: Samsung launched the S24 Ultra a bit earlier in the year (January 2024). It came at a higher base price than its predecessor: $1,299 USD for 256 GB (12 GB RAM) theverge.com. That’s $100 more than the S23 Ultra’s starting price. The jump was partly due to upgrades like the titanium frame. The 512 GB model was around $1,399 and the 1 TB around $1,619 (often Samsung includes more RAM with higher storage, e.g., 16 GB RAM on the 1 TB model). Samsung’s pricing in other regions: roughly £1,249 in UK for base, €1,399 in Europe, etc. Samsung devices, however, see price drops sooner. By mid-2024 and certainly by now 2025, the S24 Ultra could often be found on sale or with hefty trade-in deals. Samsung and carriers frequently offered promotions (like free storage upgrades or big trade-in credits, or bundling a Galaxy Watch for a discount). So, the street price of S24 Ultra might be lower than the iPhone’s in practice over time. Availability: The S24 Ultra became available on January 31, 2024 (after being revealed in mid-January) theverge.com. It’s sold worldwide through both Samsung’s site and carriers/electronics stores. By late 2025, though, note that the Galaxy S25 Ultra might be on the horizon (Samsung usually releases the next S series by early each year, so early 2025 would see S25 Ultra). This can further drive down S24 Ultra prices or make it slightly less future-proof. Still, Samsung promises those 7 years of updates, so an S24 Ultra bought now in late 2025 is still going to get new software through 2031 – impressive longevity, albeit the hardware will be two years old by then.
- Google Pixel 9 Pro Pricing: Google positioned the Pixel 9 Pro a bit below the others. It starts at $999 USD for 128 GB (with 16 GB RAM) techradar.com techradar.com. This is the same launch price the Pixel 8 Pro had for 128 GB. For 256 GB, it’s typically $1,099; 512 GB $1,219; and 1 TB (which is exclusive to US and maybe a few regions) at $1,449 techradar.com techradar.com. So, a maxed-out Pixel 9 Pro XL (1 TB) actually costs more than a base iPhone or S24, but most will opt for 128/256. Google did face some criticism for starting at 128 GB given it’s a $999 phone – many felt it should start 256 like Apple did. But Google’s counter was offering that Google One membership (which is worth ~$100 for the year) store.google.com and encouraging cloud storage usage. Still, if you take a lot of 4K video or download media, you might want the 256 GB. Availability: Pixel 9 Pro had a slightly unusual launch schedule: Google unveiled it at an event on August 13, 2024 and actually released the Pixel 9 (base) and Pixel 9 Pro XL first on August 22, then the smaller Pixel 9 Pro on September 4, 2024 en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org. This stagger was likely due to supply or production differences. By now in 2025 it’s widely available in Google’s official countries (Google expanded Pixels to more regions gradually – by Pixel 9 they added markets like India back, etc.). However, Google’s distribution is still not as universal as Apple or Samsung. They sell Pixels in North America, most of Western Europe, and parts of Asia-Pacific. If you’re in a country where Google doesn’t directly sell (e.g., many in Latin America, or some in Eastern Europe/Africa), you’d have to import or buy via third-party retailers. That can affect price (could be higher due to import taxes). Pixel phones also tend to see discounts a few months in. For example, by Black Friday or holiday 2024, Pixel 9 Pro might have been on sale for $100-200 off or bundled with Pixel Buds etc. Google also offers good trade-in deals (especially if trading an older Pixel or iPhone). So while MSRP is $999, many get it effectively cheaper.
Choosing based on price: If you want the lowest base cost for entry, Pixel 9 Pro at $999 undercuts the others by $100 (not counting occasional Samsung sales). But factor storage – that’s 128 GB vs others’ 256 GB base now (for iPhone and S24 Ultra). For equivalent 256 GB, Pixel is $1,099 same as iPhone 17 Pro and slightly below Samsung’s $1,299. So Pixel is a slight value play, plus you get that year of 2TB cloud and VPN, etc. store.google.com.
Resale values: iPhones historically hold value best. A 2-year-old iPhone often resells for a higher percentage of original price than a 2-year-old Samsung or Pixel. So the total cost of ownership can be closer if you upgrade frequently. Samsung phones depreciate faster (due to Android and heavy initial pricing that gets discounted). Google’s Pixel falls somewhere in between (not as high demand used as iPhone, but limited availability can sometimes keep prices a bit stable in secondhand market).
Warranty and support: Apple offers AppleCare+ (paid extended warranty including accidental damage). Samsung has Samsung Care+ similar. Google has Preferred Care in some countries. Depending on your propensity to damage phones, those are considerations (pricing for these plans is roughly $100-200 for 2 years coverage).
In terms of carrier support: all three are widely supported on major carriers with full 5G capabilities. The iPhone 17 Pro being an eSIM-only device in some regions (like U.S.) might be an adjustment for some, but carriers have adapted by now – you just activate via eSIM QR code or app. The Galaxy and Pixel still have physical SIM slots plus eSIM. If you travel and swap SIMs, that might matter to you (though eSIMs can have multiple profiles, so even iPhone can handle travel SIMs, just digitally).
Which is easiest to buy? If you walk into any electronics store or carrier, you’ll find iPhones and Galaxies readily. Pixel 9 Pro, depending on country, might be online-order only or limited carriers. In the US, for instance, Pixel is sold at Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, and Verizon stores (and unlocked works on AT&T, T-Mobile etc.). In Europe, Google sells direct and through some carriers but not as omnipresent as Samsung/Apple. Just something to note.
Finally, colors/finishes availability: iPhone 17 Pro’s colors (Orange, Blue, Silver) are all relatively subdued aside from the bright orange which is unique theverge.com. Galaxy S24 Ultra had a palette of standard (Black/Gray) plus fun (Blue, Green, Orange, Violet, Yellow) but some only via Samsung online en.wikipedia.org. Pixel 9 Pro colors: Rose (pink), Hazel (gray with a green tint), Porcelain (cream white), Obsidian (black) techradar.com. So if the look of the device matters, you might prefer one selection over others. Apple tends to have the most premium-feel materials (brushed aluminum sides now, textured matte glass back). Samsung’s is also premium (the titanium frame is slightly matte, with Gorilla Glass Victus back). Pixel has a polished aluminum frame (shiny) and glossy back on some colors; Pixel phones are nice but some feel they’re a half step behind Apple/Samsung in luxurious feel (subjective).
To wrap up, here’s a quick price recap:
- iPhone 17 Pro: ~$1,099 (256 GB) up to $1,499 (1 TB), Pro Max $1,199 to $1,999 (2 TB). Widely available. High resale. No charger in box (Apple stopped including them).
- Galaxy S24 Ultra: ~$1,299 (256 GB) up to ~$1,619 (1 TB). Often discounted or bundled. No charger in box either. Frequent promotions, especially through carriers (like “$0 with trade-in and installment” type deals in US).
- Pixel 9 Pro: $999 (128 GB) up to $1,449 (1 TB). Sometimes comes with a free Pixel Watch or earbuds during promos. Charger not included (Google also stopped including since Pixel 6). Only sold in select countries, but in those you might find it on Google Store and few carriers (e.g., Verizon in US, maybe EE in UK, etc.).
One more thing: all three offer financing plans – Apple via Apple Card Monthly Installments or carrier installments, Samsung via its store or carrier, Google via Google Store financing or through partners. So you can spread cost over 24 months usually interest-free, which many do nowadays. That makes the monthly difference between a $999 and $1299 phone relatively small, so many people just choose what they really want rather than base on $5-10/month difference.
Conclusion
Choosing between the iPhone 17 Pro, Galaxy S24 Ultra, and Pixel 9 Pro ultimately comes down to your priorities and ecosystem alignment. These are three of the most advanced smartphones of this generation, each leading in certain areas:
- The iPhone 17 Pro excels in build quality, cohesive user experience, and superb performance, with a camera system and video capabilities trusted by professionals. As one tech journalist noted, Apple’s A19 chip delivers “MacBook Pro-levels of compute in an iPhone,” setting the stage for intensive apps and longevity theverge.com. The trade-off for Apple’s polish is a less adventurous stance on AI and customization – but for many, the rock-solid reliability, privacy features, and the deep integration with Apple’s broader ecosystem (Mac, iPad, Watch, etc.) are decisive. If you value a refined experience that “just works” and plan to keep your device for years, the iPhone is a fantastic choice, albeit at a premium price. As of its launch, it’s readily available worldwide, though do budget for accessories (like a 30W charger, since Apple no longer includes one).
- The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is the power user’s dream: it’s the biggest, most feature-packed device of the trio, earning descriptions like “more powerful and well-rounded than ever” in early reviews engadget.com. From its expansive 6.8″ display and versatile quad cameras to its S Pen stylus and cutting-edge AI features, it does everything – often two different ways. This phone is ideal if you thrive on versatility and don’t mind spending time tweaking settings to get the most out of it. Samsung’s update commitment now rivals Google’s, ensuring your investment stays fresh. It’s also the priciest here (at launch), but Samsung’s frequent promotions can soften the blow. It’s widely sold by carriers, and with seven years of updates promised theverge.com, it’s a safe long-term bet for Android enthusiasts. Keep in mind its size – this is a large device – and its weight with that titanium frame. For those who want a do-it-all device and love the idea of features like 10x zoom, 100x “Space Zoom,” and a personal translator in their pocket, the S24 Ultra will not disappoint.
- The Google Pixel 9 Pro (and its larger Pro XL variant) stands out as the “smartest” phone experience, leveraging Google’s AI prowess at every turn. It’s often hailed as having one of the best camera systems for everyday photography – “the smartphone with the best camera,” according to Engadget’s tests engadget.com – thanks to Google’s computational photography magic. The Pixel’s appeal is in how it simplifies formerly complex tasks: screening spam calls, fixing your photos, summarizing information, and adapting to your routine automatically. All of this comes in a clean Android UI that gets day-one updates directly from Google. And with a base price slightly gentler than the others, it aims to be a great value. The caveats: its availability is not as universal (make sure Google sells it in your region or be prepared to import), and while its Tensor G4 chip is plenty capable, it’s not aiming to win benchmark wars against Apple or Qualcomm. Yet in real life, the Pixel is buttery smooth and “undeniably exciting” to use techradar.com because of the new AI possibilities it unlocks. If you live on Google’s services and want a phone that actively helps make your day easier – the Pixel 9 Pro is a perfect fit. Just consider investing in higher storage if you need it (128 GB can be limiting for some, though the included 2 TB cloud storage for a year does encourage offloading).
In conclusion, all three of these flagships are winners in their own right. The iPhone 17 Pro delivers a blend of prestige and performance, the Galaxy S24 Ultra pushes the envelope in features and functionality, and the Pixel 9 Pro showcases the future of AI-driven convenience. Your choice may hinge on ecosystem loyalty (Apple vs Android), specific feature needs (e.g., S Pen, or astrophotography, or FaceTime with family), and budget considerations.
One thing is certain: whether you go with Apple, Samsung, or Google, you’ll be getting a top-tier device of 2025 – a beautiful display, an elite camera, 5G speed, solid battery life, and plenty of computing power in all cases.
To quote tech reviewer Marques Brownlee on the state of smartphones (in context, even though not device-specific): “We’ve reached a point where all these flagships are really good – you can’t go terribly wrong. It’s about finding what fits you best.” That sentiment rings true here. Each of these phones will serve you extremely well; it’s the nuances and ecosystem touches that will make one of them the perfect daily companion for you.
Sources:
- Apple Newsroom – Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro has the biggest battery of any iPhone (Dominic Preston, The Verge) theverge.com theverge.com
- TechCrunch – Apple launches iPhone 17 Pro with major camera upgrades (Ivan Mehta) techcrunch.com techcrunch.com
- The Verge – All the news from Apple’s iPhone 17 event (live blog) theverge.com theverge.com
- The Verge – The Galaxy S24 Ultra is smarter, pricier, and just as big as ever (Allison Johnson) theverge.com theverge.com
- The Verge – The Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra comes with a higher price and loads of AI (Allison Johnson) theverge.com theverge.com
- Engadget – Pixel 9 Pro and Pixel 9 Pro XL review: Superb cameras, with a side of Gemini AI engadget.com
- TechRadar – Google Pixel 9 Pro review: the AI phone is here (Philip Berne) techradar.com techradar.com
- The Verge – Google’s new flagship phone has lots to like, but it’s the new AI skills that shine brightest (CNET via Facebook) youtube.com
- Wired – Review: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra… Seven years of software updates. Versatile cameras. (Julian Chokkattu) wired.com
- The Verge – Apple’s new iPhone 17 devices don’t have an AI‑powered Siri yet. It doesn’t matter. (Sarah Perez, TechCrunch) techcrunch.com techcrunch.com
- Apple Newsroom – Apple announces Final Cut Camera 2.0… support for ProRes RAW… on iPhone 17 Pro apple.com apple.com
- The Verge – Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro has the biggest battery of any iPhone (Dominic Preston) theverge.com theverge.com
- Google Store – Pixel 9 Pro Tech Specs (Google) store.google.com store.google.com
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