Samsung’s current non-foldable flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S24 Ultra, features Samsung Display’s M13 series display panel. According to the company, the peak brightness of the phone’s display is 2,600 nits, which is higher than that of its two main rivals, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (2,000 nits) and the Google Pixel 8 Pro (2,400 nits). DXOMark confirms those numbers (1, 2, 3).Summarize in one-click with Galaxy AI
However, when you look at the brightness that the Galaxy S24 Ultra’s screen offers while watching HDR content, it is much lower than that of its rivals. According to Android Authority, the peak HDR brightness of the Galaxy S24 Ultra at 10% white window is 1,159 nits. Whereas, that of the iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Pixel 8 Pro is 1,567 nits and 1,467 nits respectively.
The Galaxy S24 Ultra’s display doesn’t perform as well as its rivals in this regard not because the screen is not capable enough but because the phone’s adaptive brightness is holding it back, which you can read in more detail on Android Authority. Whatever the case, the Galaxy S24 Ultra is behind its rival when it comes to peak HDR brightness.
That’s a shame because Samsung is the one supplying display panels to Google for the Pixel 8 Pro and Apple for the iPhone 15 Pro Max. As such, people expect the displays of Samsung’s own phones to perform better than those in their rivals. Well, if you think that’s bad, Google’s upcoming Pixel 9 series phones will make the Galaxy S24 Ultra look even worse.
Pixel 9 series to feature Samsung Display’s M14 series AMOLED panel
According to a new report from Android Authority, Google’s upcoming Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, and Pixel 9 Pro XL will feature Samsung Display’s M14 series display, which will offer a peak HDR brightness of 1,800 nits on the Pixel 9 and 2,050 nits on the Pixel 9 Pro and the Pixel 9 Pro XL. That’s a huge jump over the Pixel 8 Pro and also the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
The story continues after the video…
Google could launch the Pixel 9 series in October 2024. Almost three to four months after that, Samsung will launch the Galaxy S25 Ultra. It should also feature Samsung Display’s M14 series display, which could have similar or higher brightness than the Pixel 9 series. In other words, Samsung could be on the back foot only for a few months.
We hope that Samsung fixes the issue with adaptive brightness while viewing HDR content on its smartphones to remain competitive in this matter.