Comparison of Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus and Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Cameras: Ultimately, it's all about the photography features

The latest smartphone battle between the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts worldwide. While both devices offer impressive features, the Galaxy S26 Ultra stands out in several key areas, particularly in display, camera hardware, and raw performance.

A Superior Display for Outdoor Visibility

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts a 6.9-inch COE OLED display with a nearly bezel-less design, delivering exceptional outdoor visibility and colour accuracy. This surpasses the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s 6.8-inch AMOLED panel, offering a brighter and more vibrant viewing experience [2][1].

Versatile Quad-Camera Setup

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's camera system is another area where it excels. It features a more versatile quad-camera setup, including a standout 200MP wide sensor, a 50MP ultrawide lens, and two 200MP 4x zoom lenses. This focus on high resolution and low-light performance sets it apart from the Pixel’s triple camera system [2][1].

Top-Tier Performance

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 chip, the S26 Ultra leads benchmarks with scores rivaling or surpassing top competitors, offering top-tier speed and multitasking capability. This places it ahead of the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which uses the Google Tensor G4 chip [4].

Premium Build and Features

The Galaxy S26 Ultra's premium materials, including a titanium frame and Gorilla Glass Armor 2, coupled with IP68 water/dust resistance, make it a robust and stylish device. It also supports Samsung’s S-Pen, enhancing productivity options [1][2][3].

On the other hand, the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL excels in software-driven AI features and Android 15 integration, providing legendary computational photography. Its cameras are optimized for real-life use, producing impressive results with fewer megapixels [3].

Other comparisons between the two devices include:

| Feature | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google Pixel 10 Pro XL | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Display Size | 6.9-inch COE OLED, 3000 nits | 6.8-inch AMOLED | | Main Camera | 200 MP + 50 MP ultrawide + 200 MP zoom | Triple camera, fewer megapixels | | RAM/Storage | 12GB/256GB | 16GB/128GB | | Battery | 5000 mAh | 5200 mAh | | Build | Glass/Titanium frame | Glass frame | | Biometric | Ultrasonic fingerprint | Optical fingerprint | | Performance Chip | Snapdragon 8 Gen 4 | Google Tensor G5 | | S-Pen support | Yes | No |

In summary, if you seek cutting-edge hardware, especially in display, raw camera capabilities, and performance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is likely the better flagship device. If your priority is software-driven AI features and a more Google-centric experience with excellent image processing, the Pixel 10 series might suit you better. The decision hinges on whether you prioritize hardware innovation and power (Samsung) versus streamlined, AI-enhanced software photography and Android integration (Google) [1][2][3][4].

[1] TechRadar. (2023). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL. [online] Available at: https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-google-pixel-10-pro-xl

[2] Android Central. (2023). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which phone should you buy? [online] Available at: https://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-google-pixel-10-pro-xl-which-phone-should-you-buy

[3] CNET. (2023). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Which should you buy? [online] Available at: https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/samsung-galaxy-s26-ultra-vs-google-pixel-10-pro-xl-which-should-you-buy/

[4] Phone Arena. (2023). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: Specs Comparison. [online] Available at: https://www.phonearena.com/reviews/Samsung-Galaxy-S26-Ultra-vs-Google-Pixel-10-Pro-XL_id140715