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At Google's summer launch event, we got the all-new Pixel 11, Pixel 11 Pro, Pixel 11 Pro XL, and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold. Of those phones, the Pixel 11 Pro is arguably the flagship model of the pack, as is the Samsung Galaxy S26 of the S-series, so we wanted to pit them head-to-head to see where each one stands. 

Also: I've been a Google phone diehard for 10 years - here's my 5-part wishlist for Pixel 11

The Pixel series has a lot going for it this year, including better cameras, a better screen, and a bigger battery. Meanwhile the S26 has a blazing fast processor, a lighter body, and a better price tag. So let's dive in and figure out which device better earns your hard earned dollars if you're shopping for a new flagship.

Specifications

You should buy the Pixel 11 Pro if...

1. You want a better camera

Pixels are typically known for their cameras, and in this case, since the camera sensors in both phones are basically a dead heat, I'm going to give it to the Pixel 11 Pro. Samsung's camera performance is generally pretty good, but from a "pull it out of your pocket and snap a good photo" perspective, Google will usually win that race.

Also: The new Pixel 11 isn't enough to make me give up my Pixel 9 Pro - here's why

Plus, Google has a lot of AI post-processing power that it can utilize. Samsung has it too, but it's more focused on tricks you can do rather than just outputting a good photo, worthy of tossing onto Instagram. When it comes to capturing the moment, I'll take a Pixel with me every time.

2. You want a brighter, bigger screen

On paper, the Pixel comes with a slighter bigger and brighter screen in terms of resolution and peak brightness. It's not a huge difference, but the 1280 x 2856 resolution is better than the 1080 x 2340 resolution of the S26. Plus, the Pixel maxes out at 3,600 nits, 1,000 nits brighter than the Samsung. That will be most important when it comes to looking at your phone under direct sunlight in particular, so if you spend a lot of time outdoors, this is the phone to get.

Meanwhile, the Super Actua display is technology that Google has been working on for years now. The Actua display is among the brightest and sharpest displays you can get on a mobile device. Samsung's displays are no joke, to be sure, but the Pixel outshines it in almost every way.

3. You want a bigger battery and faster charging

The Pixel 11 Pro's battery is 4,850 mAh, which is almost as large as the one in Samsung's S26 Ultra, and absolutely dwarfs the 4,300 mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy S26. That means your phone will last longer on a single charge. It likely approaches being a two-day phone, while the S26 cannot claim the same.

The Pixel 11 Pro also charges faster with both wired and wireless charging. The 30W wired and 25W wireless charging are both faster than what Samsung can manage at 25W and 15W respectively. So you'll charge faster and last longer with the Pixel.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 if...

1. You want a faster processor

While the Google Pixel 11 Pro runs Google's latest Tensor G6 processor, it doesn't hold a candle to the S26's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor. It's blazing fast; faster than any other mobile chip on the market, except for Apple's M5, which you cannot buy in a phone. That means the phone will move faster, launch apps faster, and handle more processor-intensive tasks than the Pixel.

Also: I compared Google's pricier Pixel 11 series to Samsung's Galaxy lineup - here's the better value now

What that means day-to-day depends on what you need. Applying filters in photo apps, and editing videos are things many people do on the daily, and a fast processor will surely help with that. There's also the question of long-term phone use. The average phone user holds onto a phone for over three years according to recent surveys, so not only will you want a fast processor today, you'll want one for 2029 and whatever apps and AI exist then.

2. You want a lighter phone

This may not seem like the biggest deal, but the Samsung Galaxy S26 is almost 40 grams lighter than Google's counterpart. If this is a phone that you keep in your pants pocket, 40 grams can be significant. Even slipping this phone in and out of a bag will be easier. It's the kind of quality of life improvement that you don't really notice until you carry a heavier phone.

The phone is also smaller, with a slightly slimmer profile, including the camera bump. The camera visor on the back of the Pixel sticks out quite a bit. To be fair, so does the camera bump on the S26, but the fact that the S26's camera bump is vertical makes it easier to slip into a pocket without getting caught.

3. You want a cheaper phone

The Samsung Galaxy S26 sits a full $200 below the Pixel 11 Pro, or roughly 20% cheaper. That's a pretty big deal. With the extra money you can pick up a set of earbuds, or headphones, or just save it. Smartphones are getting more expensive, and any chance to save a little bit of money on a phone that offers just as good an experience should be taken as a win.

You'll also get a lot of value in the S26 with the same seven years of software support that Google provides for the Pixel 11 Pro. Software support is becoming a key issue as people are starting to hold onto phones longer, so if you can save some scratch and get the same support, that sounds like a deal to me.

Writer's choice

I simply enjoy using Google's software more than Samsung's. While it's true that OneUI is getting better year by year, Google's UI is so clean, it's hard not to love it. Add in that I live with Google services across the board -- Gmail, Calendar, Drive, etc. -- and the Pixel 11 Pro feels like a better fit overall.