It is Samsung Unpacked season, which implies antsy cellphone patrons are getting a number of new fashions to noticeably think about. In the event you’re an influence consumer specifically, chances are you’ll be weighing the brand new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra towards the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, each of which might be argued to supply the perfect of Android phones within the first half of 2026.
Since Unpacked, the ZDNET crew has hung out with each telephones to get a way of their distinctive strengths and weaknesses. In the event you’re cut up between the 2, listed here are the important thing shopping for causes for every, together with our alternative if we needed to decide one.
You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…
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1. You like Samsung’s kitchen sink strategy to software program
Whereas Samsung’s software program expertise has develop into much less buggy and chaotic for the reason that outdated TouchWiz days, OneUI, now on model 8.5, stays one of the vital feature-rich variations of Android in the marketplace. The native launcher allows you to customise components corresponding to wallpaper shade, widget kinds, swipe animations, and extra.
On a tool just like the Galaxy S26 Extremely, you will get further note-taking options to profit from the built-in S Pen stylus — although you may now not use Bluetooth gestures like you would with older fashions. There are a number of new Galaxy AI options as nicely, together with context-based Now Nudge, just like Google’s Magic Cue, and an upgraded rip-off detection software.
Samsung additionally continues to match Google’s promise of at the least seven years of software program updates for its Galaxy S models. That’s to say, you will really feel such as you received your cash’s price when splurging on Samsung’s flagship cellphone.
2. You need the superior smartphone show, in a number of methods
I’ve examined nearly each main cellphone launch up to now yr, together with a big-screenfoldable, and the Galaxy S26 Extremely has the perfect show I’ve seen. It is a 6.8-inch AMOLED LTPO panel that refreshes between 1Hz and 120Hz and will get a lot brilliant through the daytime. By the best way, these specs are almost an identical to the Pixel 10 Professional XL. What units the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely aside is its glare-free coating, which considerably reduces mild reflections, and its new Privateness Show.
Privateness Show is a {hardware} improve that alters how the S26 Extremely’s pixels disperse mild, making the display seem off when considered at an off-angle. This function behaves equally to a privateness display protector, tinting your display when vital notifications or content material seem so passersby or eavesdropping strangers cannot see what you may.
3. You need a better-performing smartphone
The brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset has already set benchmark information in contrast with earlier variations, and we anticipate it to outperform Google’s Tensor G5 usually efficiency and energy administration. This goes hand in hand with Samsung’s upgraded 60W wired charging charge, which lets the S26 Extremely prime up from 0 to 75% in half an hour.
You should purchase the Google Pixel 10 Professional XL if…
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1. You like Google’s cleaner strategy to software program
One of many largest distinctions between the Google Pixel and nearly each different Android mannequin is the software program expertise. I would not categorize the most recent Pixel launcher, on Android 16, as bare-bones, however it’s definitely much less intrusive and feature-packed than Samsung’s OneUI. There is a handful of customization instruments for the house and lock screens, however do not anticipate to tweak each little side of what you see.
Naturally, the cleaner aesthetic of the Pixel launcher and the usage of an in-house Tensor G5 chipset permit Google to distribute the most recent Android options and safety updates. Like Samsung, the corporate guarantees as much as seven years of working system updates, however Google additionally packages frequent Pixel Characteristic Drops and safety patches to maintain its telephones related till at the least 2032.
2. You need probably the most forgiving digicam system in the marketplace
Positive, the Pixel 10 Professional XL might not have all of the digicam bells and whistles of the Galaxy S26 Extremely, however the place it lacks in sensors, it makes up for it in computational tuning and picture recognition. One of the best instance is after I examined the Pixel’s 100X Professional Res Zoom, which leverages its 48MP telephoto lens and the Tensor G5’s ISP to acknowledge distant topics and AI-generates misplaced particulars. The consequence, as surveyed by a crowd of media members, confirmed the Pixel beating the Galaxy’s 100X zoom by a protracted shot.
Apart from having top-of-the-line point-and-shoot digicam methods on any smartphone, the Pixel 10 Professional XL additionally options many AI instruments that assist customers seize, edit, and reproduce photographs to their liking. I will acknowledge right here that there is a complete “What is a picture?” debate tied into the generative AI insanity.
Nevertheless, for patrons who favor idealism over realism and comfort over labor, instruments like the improved Add Me, Professional Res Zoom, and the brand new Digital camera Coach, which guides framing and mode choice inside the viewfinder in actual time, give the Pixel 10 Professional XL one of the vital forgiving digicam methods in the marketplace.
3. You need a cellphone that is much less of a burden to carry, and sticks
Sure, the Pixel 10 Professional XL is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Extremely, however maybe extra importantly, it is really comfy to carry. Contemplating how usually you will be carrying your cellphone, holding it up, and interacting with it every day, hand really feel is without doubt one of the most ignored but important facets of cell gadgets.
In contrast with the boxy, sharp-cornered design of the Samsung, the Pixel 10 Professional XL has flat edges that allow you to grip the cellphone firmly and delicate curves that assist cut back the general footprint. Put a case on each gadgets, and you will discover the distinction much more.
Google additionally provides its PixelSnap system of magnetic equipment that leverages the Pixel 10 Professional XL’s Qi2 wi-fi charging. Along with simpler docking and stand placement, PixelSnap allows you to mount hand grips and kickstands with out the necessity for third-party adapters and mounts. Samsung, disappointingly, nonetheless does not supply built-in magnet assist.
Author’s alternative
Between the Google Pixel 10 Professional XL and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely, I might select the latter for its extra succesful function set, however I might maintain off on shopping for the Samsung except there is a becoming trade-in deal or normal low cost. Some retailers could also be bundling present playing cards with S26 Extremely preorders proper now, in order that’s price contemplating.
It helps that Samsung has been working carefully with Google on Gemini-enhanced AI options, and now with Perplexity, too, so you do not essentially miss out on too many software program instruments by choosing it.
I’ve additionally discovered Samsung’s digicam system delivers extra vivid imagery that requires little modifying after the actual fact. In the event you’re heavy on social media utilization and sharing the most recent happenings with family and friends, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely’s digicam is best fitted to you.
