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It is Samsung Unpacked season, which implies antsy telephone consumers are getting a number of new fashions to significantly take into account. For those who’re an influence consumer particularly, it’s possible you’ll be weighing the brand new Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely in opposition to the Google Pixel 10 Professional XL, each of which may be argued to supply the perfect of Android telephones within the first half of 2026.
Since Unpacked, the ZDNET workforce has hung out with each telephones to get a way of their distinctive strengths and weaknesses. For those who’re break up between the 2, listed here are the important thing shopping for causes for every, together with our selection if we needed to choose one.
You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…
1. You favor Samsung’s kitchen sink strategy to software program
Whereas Samsung’s software program expertise has change into much less buggy and chaotic because the previous TouchWiz days, OneUI, now on model 8.5, stays some of the feature-rich variations of Android available on the market. The native launcher permits you to customise parts comparable to wallpaper shade, widget types, swipe animations, and extra.
On a tool just like the Galaxy S26 Extremely, you will get further note-taking options to take advantage of the built-in S Pen stylus — although you may not use Bluetooth gestures like you might with older fashions. There are a number of new Galaxy AI options as effectively, together with context-based Now Nudge, much like Google’s Magic Cue, and an upgraded rip-off detection software.
Samsung additionally continues to match Google’s promise of no less than seven years of software program updates for its Galaxy S fashions. That’s to say, you will really feel such as you bought your cash’s price when splurging on Samsung’s flagship telephone.
2. You need the superior smartphone show, in a number of methods
I’ve examined virtually each main telephone launch up to now 12 months, together with a big-screen foldable, 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 loads vibrant throughout the daytime. By the best way, these specs are practically similar 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 screen seem off when considered at an off-angle. This characteristic behaves equally to a privateness display screen protector, tinting your display screen when essential 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 count on it to outperform Google’s Tensor G5 generally 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…
1. You favor 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, but it surely’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 count on 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 no less than 2032.
2. You need essentially the most forgiving digital camera system available on the market
Certain, the Pixel 10 Professional XL might not have all of the digital camera 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 outcome, as surveyed by a crowd of media members, confirmed the Pixel beating the Galaxy’s 100X zoom by an extended shot.
Apart from having among the finest point-and-shoot digital camera techniques 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’s an image?” debate tied into the generative AI insanity.
Nonetheless, for purchasers who favor idealism over realism and comfort over labor, instruments like the improved Add Me, Professional Res Zoom, and the brand new Digicam Coach, which guides framing and mode choice inside the viewfinder in actual time, give the Pixel 10 Professional XL some of the forgiving digital camera techniques available on the market.
3. You need a telephone 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 truly comfy to carry. Contemplating how typically you will be carrying your telephone, holding it up, and interacting with it every day, hand really feel is likely one of the most ignored but very important facets of cellular units.
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 telephone firmly and refined curves that assist scale back the general footprint. Put a case on each units, and you may discover the distinction much more.
Google additionally presents 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 permits 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 selection
Between the Google Pixel 10 Professional XL and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely, I might select the latter for its extra succesful characteristic 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 intently 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 digital camera system delivers extra vivid imagery that requires little modifying after the actual fact. For those who’re heavy on social media utilization and sharing the most recent happenings with family and friends, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely’s digital camera is best fitted to you.
