It’s Samsung Unpacked season, which means phone buyers are seriously getting plenty of new models to consider. If you’re a particular power user, you may be considering new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Compared to the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, both can be argued to offer the best Android phones in the first half of 2026.
Since the unpacked, the ZDNET team has spent time with both phones to understand their unique strengths and weaknesses. If you’re torn between the two, here are the top reasons to buy for each, as well as our pick if we had to choose one.
You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if…
Prakhar Khanna/ZDNET
1. You like Samsung’s kitchen sink approach to software
While Samsung’s software experience has become less cluttered and chaotic since the old TouchWiz days, OneUI, now at version 8.5, remains one of the most feature-rich versions of Android on the market. The native launcher lets you customize elements like wallpaper shade, widget styles, swipe animations, and more.
On devices like the Galaxy S26 Ultra, you’ll get additional note-taking features to make the most of the built-in S Pen stylus – although you can no longer use Bluetooth gestures like older models. It also has several new Galaxy AI features, including a context-based Now Nudge similar to Google’s Magic Cue and an advanced scam detection tool.
Samsung continues to fulfill Google’s promise of at least seven years of software updates for its Galaxy S models. All that is to say, you’ll feel like you got your money’s worth when spending on a Samsung flagship phone.
2. You want a better smartphone display in more ways than one
I’ve tested nearly every major phone released last year, including a big-screen foldable, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra has the best display I’ve seen. It’s a 6.8-inch AMOLED LTPO panel that refreshes between 1Hz and 120Hz and gets quite bright during the day. Well, these specs are almost identical to the Pixel 10 Pro XL. What sets the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra apart is its glare-free coating, which significantly reduces light reflections, and its new privacy display.
Also: Comparison of each Samsung Galaxy S26 model: Should you buy the Base, Plus, or Ultra?
Privacy Display is a hardware upgrade that changes the way the S26 Ultra’s pixels scatter light, making the screen appear turned off when viewed from an off-angle. This feature behaves similar to a privacy screen protector, tinting your screen when important notifications or content is visible so that passersby or eavesdropping strangers can’t see what you see.
3. You want a better performing smartphone
The new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 Elite chipset has already set benchmark records compared to previous versions, and we expect it to outperform Google’s Tensor G5 in general performance and power management. This goes hand in hand with Samsung’s advanced 60W wired charging rate, which lets the S26 Ultra top up from 0 to 75% in half an hour.
You should buy Google Pixel 10 Pro XL if…
Kerry Wan/ZDNET
1. You like Google’s clean approach to software
The biggest difference between the Google Pixel and almost every other Android model is the software experience. I wouldn’t classify the latest Pixel launcher on Android 16 as bare-bones, but it’s certainly less intrusive and feature-packed than Samsung’s OneUI. There are a handful of customization tools for the Home and Lock screens, but don’t expect to change every little aspect of what you see.
Also: I just compared the two best Android camera phones – one is a surprise winner
Naturally, the clean aesthetic of the Pixel Launcher and the use of the in-house Tensor G5 chipset allows Google to deliver the latest Android features and security updates. Like Samsung, the company promises up to seven years of operating system updates, but Google also packages frequent Pixel feature drops and security patches to keep its phones relevant until at least 2032.
2. You want the most forgiving camera system on the market
Sure, the Pixel 10 Pro XL may not have all the cameras of the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but where it lacks in sensors, it makes up for in computational tuning and image recognition. The best example is when I tested the Pixel’s 100X Pro Res Zoom, which takes advantage of its 48MP telephoto lens and the Tensor G5’s ISP to identify distant subjects and AI to generate lost details. The results, as polled by a crowd of media members, showed the Pixel beating the Galaxy’s 100X zoom by a long shot.
Also: Best Android phones to buy in 2026
Apart from having one of the best point-and-shoot camera systems on any smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro XL also has several AI tools to help users capture, edit, and repurpose photos to their liking. I will admit here that the whole “what is a picture?” The generative AI madness debate.
However, for customers who prioritize idealism over realism and convenience over labor, tools like advanced Add Me, Pro Res Zoom, and the new Camera Coach, which guides framing and mode selections within the viewfinder in real time, give the Pixel 10 Pro XL one of the most forgiving camera systems on the market.
3. You want a phone that’s lightweight and grippy
Yes, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is $200 cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but perhaps more importantly, it’s actually comfortable to hold. Considering how often you carry your phone, hold it and interact with it daily, hand feel is one of the most neglected but important aspects of mobile devices.
Too: PixelSnap is the MagSafe for Android phones we’ve been waiting for – here’s our first look
Compared to Samsung’s boxy, sharp corner design, the Pixel 10 Pro XL has flat edges that let you grip the phone firmly and subtle curves that help reduce the overall footprint. Put a case on both devices, and you’ll notice the difference even more.
Google also offers its PixelSnap system of magnetic accessories that take advantage of the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Qi2 wireless charging. In addition to easy docking and stand placement, the PixelSnap lets you mount hand grips and kickstands without the need for third-party adapters and mounts. Samsung, disappointingly, still doesn’t offer built-in magnet support.
author’s choice
Between the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, I’d choose the latter for its more capable feature set, but I’d avoid buying the Samsung unless there’s a suitable trade-in deal or general discount. Some retailers are bundling gift cards with S26 Ultra pre-orders right now, so that’s worth considering.
It helps that Samsung is working closely with Google on Gemini-enhanced AI features, and now with Perplexity too, so you won’t necessarily miss out on a lot of software tools by choosing this.
I’ve also found that Samsung’s camera system produces more vivid photos, requiring much less editing. If you use social media a lot and share the latest happenings with friends and family, the camera on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is better suited for you.
