I put the Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL through a 7-round face-off — here's the winner

Two of the best Android phones right now have a lot in common, including AI features that save me time. That’s why a Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL face-off is necessary to find out which flagship is truly better.

Even though it’s been out for months, I’m constantly pulled back to the Pixel 10 Pro XL for its outstanding AI features, which remain the benchmark to beat. If that’s not enough, its astrophotography performance is stellar, and I’ve found even more value in the Pixel 10 Pro XL now that it offers a desktop PC mode when connected to a monitor.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newest flagship on the scene. Samsung dives even deeper into Galaxy AI this time around. For example, I was impressed by Gemini’s new task automation when the AI chatbot placed a Dunkin’ order all on its own by simply asking it. You also get a new Privacy Display that keeps prying eyes off your phone.

I’ll compared the Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL across several categories to declare a winner.

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Specifications

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Price and release

For years, Pixel phones were known for their deep discounts — but those days are over. Despite still being the cheaper option at $1,199, the Pixel 10 Pro XL technically received a $100 price hike over its predecessor. However, Google also ditched the 128GB base model, making 256GB the new default.

As much as I anticipated a price increase for the Galaxy S26 Ultra, I was relieved when Samsung announced it would remain at the same $1,299 starting price. While that's still a stretch for most people, I still think it offers more value this year thanks to innovative hardware like the Privacy Display.

Still, it is hard to overlook the $100 savings you get with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, which makes it the more attainable choice for most buyers.

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Design

For the last two generations, I’ve preferred Google’s designs over Samsung’s — and that doesn't change here. The Pixel 10 Pro XL remains the more charming of the two with its glass meets metal construction. Other details, like its rounded corners and refreshing color options, continue to capture my attention.

Samsung has updated the Galaxy S26 Ultra's design by a smidge, but it still largely embodies the industrial look of its predecessors. It is the epitome of a slate design, featuring slightly less curved corners, flat edges, and elevated camera cutouts. However, to Samsung’s credit, it is notably lighter than the Pixel 10 Pro XL, weighing in at just 7.55 ounces vs 8.2 ounces.

Ultimately, it comes down to the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s unique aesthetic and how it stands out compared to other flagship designs.

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Display

No other phone has a brighter screen than the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Our lab testing revealed a peak brightness of 2,555 nits — which is practically blinding compared to the competition. Not surprisingly, its 6.8-inch Super Actua display dazzles whether I’m gaming indoors or streaming a show outside.

In comparison, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display is much dimmer, topping out at 1,806 nits. When viewed side-by-side outdoors in direct sunlight, the difference in brightness is immediate. However, the S26 Ultra remains perfectly usable by today’s standards, thanks to its rich colors and wide viewing angles.

Yet, one new feature complicates the comparison: the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display. When enabled, it shields the screen from prying eyes — a feature I’ve found incredibly valuable when using my phone in public. While it dims the screen substantially, it’s a fair trade-off for total privacy. For this reason, I’d take the utility of a privacy display over the raw brightness of the Pixel.

Winner: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Cameras

These are two of the best camera phones around, thanks largely to their robust hardware and helpful software tools. Between the two, the Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a bit more utility with its quadruple camera setup, which consists of a 200MP main sensor, 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto, and a 50MP telephoto with 5x zoom. You can’t knock the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s hardware either, which features a 50MP main shooter, 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP 5x telephoto.

While both phones cover the full focal range, the extra shooting modes of the Galaxy S26 Ultra make it more versatile for my workflow. Google offers Pro Controls with the Pixel 10 Pro XL, but they aren't nearly as deep as the tools at my disposal with the Galaxy S26 Ultra — which includes a Pro Video mode where I can manually adjust ISO, shutter speed, focus, and more.

I also appreciate how both phones offer a multitude of AI-assisted tools to enhance my results. For example, the Galaxy S26 Ultra features an updated Photo Assist tool that lets me type in specific photo edits, while the Pro Res Zoom on the Pixel 10 Pro XL enhances zoomed-in shots so effectively that it makes me question if we even need more than 5x optical zoom.

In my 200-photo shootout between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL, Samsung narrowly came out on top. I’ll share photo examples that show how each phone behaves and where I saw the biggest differences.

Impressively, the Galaxy S26 Ultra captures better portraits because of how it mimics the look of an actual portrait lens. While both phones add that creamy, blurred-out background, I noticed that the Galaxy S26 Ultra handles depth of field more realistically. This is apparent in how it creates a natural fall-off between my hand closest to the camera and my right shoulder.

I love the macro shots I captured of the flower above, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s stronger contrast and richer colors make it pop.

Judging from the photos above, it looks like both ultrawide cameras cover the same range — but the brighter exposure of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s shot makes the building in the middle truly stand out in the scene.

I tested their zoom performance by focusing on a sign down 6th Avenue in New York City and setting both to their maximum 100x zoom. Since Pro Res Zoom kicks in at this level, the Pixel 10 Pro XL uses AI to enhance the shot — resulting in a sharper, more defined picture. However, at zoom levels below 30x, the difference between the two is minimal.

Low light is typically the true test that reveals which is the better camera. I like how both phones brighten the scene with their respective night modes, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra retains more definition in the tree while also properly exposing the sky.

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Performance

I know the average user will be pleased by the performance of both phones. Not only do the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 10 Pro XL handle everyday tasks equally well, but their 120Hz display refresh rates provide that extra snappy feel.

However, the synthetic benchmark tests we ran in our lab make it obvious that the Galaxy S26 Ultra is superior in every facet. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, it puts the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s Tensor G5 to shame. The Geekbench 6 single and multi-core scores make it clear just how much more powerful the Galaxy S26 Ultra is compared to the Pixel.

It’s also a one-sided affair regarding graphics processing; the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 delivers significantly smoother frame rates during gaming and heavy workflows.

Winner: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Battery life and charging

Surprisingly, it’s the Pixel 10 Pro XL that has the larger 5,200 mAh battery. You’d think the extra capacity would allow it to pull ahead of the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh cell, but it doesn’t — which really highlights the power efficiency of Samsung's chipset and software optimizations.

In our battery drain test, the Pixel 10 Pro XL averaged 14 hours and 20 minutes. That’s a respectable time for a modern phone, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted much longer at 16 hours and 40 minutes. Both phones provide a solid day of use with enough gas left in the tank by the end of the night, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra consistently finishes with a larger reserve.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra also charges faster thanks to its upgraded 60W wired speed, which reached 77% in just 30 minutes. Considering the Pixel 10 Pro XL features 45W wired charging, I’m not surprised it only reached 64% in the same amount of time.

One upgrade the Pixel 10 Pro XL gains that the Galaxy S26 Ultra does not is magnetic wireless charging support via PixelSnap. Now, I can use my favorite MagSafe chargers and accessories, like my MagSafe wallet, with the Pixel 10 Pro XL.

As much as I love this functionality, it’s not enough to overcome the Galaxy’s superior endurance and significantly faster charging speeds.

Winner: Galaxy S26 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Software

This is a tough category because while the Pixel 10 Pro XL is still the AI phone to beat, Samsung has injected new features into One UI 8.5 that make the experience just as satisfying. For me, Gemini’s new automated app actions are truly impressive because it takes tasks that usually consume my time and handle them automatically — and my Dunkin' ordering experience is proof.

Another interesting Galaxy AI feature is Now Nudge, which proactively provides contextual actions based on my activity. It takes the legwork out of manual tasks. For example, when I receive a text about an upcoming appointment, Now Nudge understands the context and immediately offers to check my calendar.

On the productivity front, I still prefer the Galaxy S26 Ultra as a multitasking powerhouse. Not only can it run four apps simultaneously, but Samsung DeX has received an update that makes it even more effective at juggling multiple windows in a desktop setting.

However, despite Samsung’s great strides, the Pixel 10 Pro XL remains my choice because of how naturally its AI features perform. A prime example is my Call Screening test, where the Pixel 10 Pro XL does a far superior job of handling calls on my behalf.

I also find that Ask Photos outperforms Samsung’s Photo Assist when handling complex edits because the results don't just look more authentic, they're also significantly more accurate. Then there's Voice Translate, which uses generative AI to translate phone conversations in real-time. It takes my spoken English and translates it into German, complete with an authentic sound that includes my natural inflections and conversational tone.

While the Pixel 10 Pro XL now has a useful desktop mode that mirrors Samsung DeX, it isn't quite as polished — though it's still a viable laptop replacement. Ultimately, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra matches its rival in the sheer volume of AI features, the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s tools simply perform better in daily use.

Winner: Pixel 10 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Pixel 10 Pro XL: Verdict

Samsung earns the win in this face-off, but I wouldn’t count out the Pixel 10 Pro XL. As intuitive as the Pixel 10 Pro XL’s AI features are, the Galaxy S26 Ultra still offers better overall value for just $100 more.

Not only is it a camera powerhouse that meets my high expectations, but I’ve also come to rely on its innovative Privacy Display — even if the screen is dimmer. While the S26 Ultra's software package still trails the Pixel in terms of AI features, it offers more than enough for demanding users who prioritize productivity. Ultimately, it’s the definitive powerhouse that checks every box.

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