I used the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10, and picking a winner wasn’t easy

The Samsung Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 10 are more similar than you think.

Samsung appears to be done chasing specs, opting for modest upgrades on the Galaxy S26. The company is more focused on the user experience and pushing Galaxy AI into the background.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because Google’s done the same with the Pixel 10 and Gemini, with mixed results.

Samsung and Google’s relationship may be closer than ever, but that doesn’t mean the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 are interchangeable.

There are important reasons to buy each phone. I’ve used both, and here’s what would convince me to spend my hard-earned money.

What I enjoy about the Galaxy S26

A fantastic feel in the hand and powerful specs

If you’re considering a Galaxy S26, a few items will stand out in comparison to the Pixel 10.

First on the list is the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, which powers the Galaxy S26. It’s absolutely everything you’d expect from Qualcomm’s flagship chipset, and it provides all the power you will need for everything from high-end gaming to video and photo editing.

Most people who love to sit back and complain about Pixels highlight the chipset, and the Galaxy S26 gives you the raw power you want. The phone delivers silky-smooth performance, and I can’t see that changing anytime soon.

I’m pleased Samsung upgraded its compact flagship model to 12GB of RAM last year, and that’s continued with the Galaxy S26.

I’ve been able to multitask without issues, and 12GB of RAM should give enough overhead for future software upgrades and possible Galaxy AI features.

While both the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 are compact flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S26 feels much better in the hand. It’s lighter and thinner, weighing only 167g and measuring 7.2mm thick.

Google didn’t prioritize shedding weight on its flagships late last year, and the difference is noticeable.

If you’re buying a compact flagship because it feels compact, the Galaxy S26 gets the nod.

Samsung increased the Galaxy S26’s display size to 6.3 inches. It’s a gorgeous panel to look at, and even though it’s 1080p, I don’t mind that at smaller sizes.

I even prefer the viewing angles of the Galaxy S26 to those of the more expensive S26 Ultra, thanks to the smaller flagship not having the Privacy Display.

I love what Google’s done with its Actua displays, but the Galaxy S26 panel still comes out ahead.

Software is more of a mixed bag.

Yes, One UI 8.5 is excellent on the Galaxy S26. It features smooth animations, and while it’s not a massive upgrade from One UI 8, there are still some features, like new Quick Panel customizations, that I enjoy.

Despite Samsung’s sales pitch, the S26 isn’t a phone I’d buy because of Galaxy AI. I don’t feel it’s a significant departure from the Galaxy AI experience on the Galaxy S25 models.

Sure, it’s early, and I’m willing to give the phone more time to learn patterns and for Now Brief to come up with something useful, and I’m curious if Now Nudge does its job, but Galaxy AI is just not a reason why I’d run out and plunk down money on a phone.

The camera discussion is shifting. I still believe the Pixel 10 produces a better technical image than the Galaxy S26, but I don’t care.

My daughter’s ball pit is the ultimate equalizer. This first photo was taken on the Pixel 10. Is it closer to what I actually saw and more color-accurate? Absolutely. Is it the image I want to upload to social media? No.

This second image was taken on the Galaxy S26, and it’s vibrant, saturated, and lively — precisely what I want going up on Instagram, and I don’t think I’m alone in holding that opinion.

Yes, you can get there on the Pixel 10 with some editing, but for point-and-shoot warriors looking to click and go, the Galaxy S26 gets the job done.

Even though I like the photos I get from the Galaxy S26, that doesn’t mean I forgive Samsung for its lack of upgrades.

The Galaxy S26 should’ve seen some improvements to its camera sensor this year. I don’t know how much longer Samsung can keep getting away with the same camera hardware in phones costing close to $900, but it appears the company is keen to find out.

Samsung also increased the battery size on the Galaxy S26 to 4,300mAh. It gets me through an entire day of mixed use, but it’s not a phone I’d comfortably go into a second day without topping off.

Yes, there is a $100 price gap between the two, and I don’t love that the Galaxy S26 starts at $900 this year. However, Samsung did increase the base storage to 256GB, meaning that if you want to spec out the Pixel 10 to match, you’d wind up spending north of $800 anyway.

What I enjoy about the Pixel 10

Google got plenty of small things right

The Pixel 10 feels like it’s binary. Either you understand the phone and enjoy it, or you don’t and spend your days complaining about it on the internet.

I don’t have any problems with the Tensor G5. I don’t experience any overheating on my Pixel 10, and I suspect many who still bemoan Tensor chipsets are coming from a much older Pixel that experienced legitimate issues. The current generations have been excellent.

The March software update brings driver improvements, but I’ve been able to play games like Genshin Impact on medium settings on the Pixel 10 without issues from the start.

Sure, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 in the Galaxy S26 will get you better gaming performance, but the Pixel 10 isn’t hopeless. If you don’t spend your days sliding around in Call of Duty Mobile, the Pixel 10 will serve you well.

The Pixel 10 includes 12GB of RAM, with some of that reserved for Gemini functions. The Pixel 10 runs smoothly overall, and unless you’re really taxing the chipset, you’ll be hard-pressed to notice a difference between the two.

The Pixel 10 may not be as sleek or light as the Galaxy S26, but it uses that extra space to pack in a significantly larger battery. The Pixel 10 includes an over 4,900mAh cell. While I wouldn’t push the Galaxy S26 into a second day without an outlet nearby, I don’t have that fear with the Pixel 10.

If you love compact flagships, but battery life is a major consideration, the Pixel 10 strikes the right balance for you. There’s also Qi2 compatibility for Pixelsnap and other accessories. It’s a feature I’ve grown to enjoy.

I’m on record as saying Material 3 Expressive is the best Android 16 design I’ve seen. One UI 8.5 is fantastic, and Samsung’s done a wonderful job creating clean, feature-rich software.

However, I still prefer Material 3 Expressive. It’s slightly more intuitive, and it’s the best option if you’re switching to Android for the first time.

Google’s software also feels more alive. Quarterly Pixel Feature Drops keep the device fresh, and I love the little extras like Now Playing, which is now its own app for easier use. I appreciate the new additions to At a Glance and Magic Cue, even if not everyone sees them the same way I do.

Just like I wouldn’t buy a Galaxy S26 for Galaxy AI, I still wouldn’t buy a Pixel 10 for Gemini, but I prefer Google’s AI roadmap.

I mentioned that I prefer Samsung’s color science to Google’s, and that’s evident on the Pixel 10. Google added a telephoto lens, at least closing the gap between devices.

While I like my photos more saturated, Night Sight gets the nod as the best low-light photography between the two phones. If you like snapping a lot of photos in less-than-ideal lighting, the Pixel 10 should top your list.

You know which buyer you are already

Like last year, there’s nothing that would sway a Pixel or Galaxy user to try the other phone.

If you’re a former iPhone user wading into Android for the first time, I recommend picking up the Pixel 10 as your compact flagship.

However, if you need that raw power and want a light and thin flagship in your pocket, the Galaxy S26 is the phone you should consider.

• 

  SoC

  Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

  RAM

  12 GB

  Storage

  256 or 512 GB

  Battery

  4,300 mAh

  Operating System

  Android

  Colors

  Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

  The Samsung Galaxy S26 features a larger 6.3-inch display and a new Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset. For 2026, it now comes with 256GB of base storage and a larger 4,300mAh battery. It still comes with 7 years of software support, with One UI 8.5 running at launch.

  
  

• 

  SoC

  Google Tensor G5

  RAM

  12GB

  Storage

  128GB / 256GB

  Battery

  4970mAh

  Operating System

  Android 16

  Front camera

  10.5 MP Dual PD selfie camera

  This striking-looking addition to the Pixel line offers a slew of Gemini features, an 5x telephoto lens, and seven years of updates, making this a smartphone that will last you a while.