Google announced its newest phone for 2026, the Pixel 11, at a New York City event on Wednesday hosted by Trevor Noah. However, Samsung revealed its Galaxy S26 back in February. But you’ll find the best of Google and Samsung in their respective Pixel 11 Pro/11 Pro XL and Galaxy S26 Ultra models. What’s strange is that the highest-end models aren’t the best-selling. It’s the standard models that end up in most hands.
But which one do you get, the $900 Galaxy S26 or the $899 Pixel 11? Both devices have a 6.3-inch screen, a trio of cameras on the back and exclusive features like Magic Capture that uses AI on Pixel phones to pull the best images from a short video and Horizontal Lock on the Galaxy phones that keeps a video’s horizon level no matter how much you twist, shake and rotate while recording. They also share the latest Android perks, like Quick Share’s ability to send photos and files over AirDrop to Apple devices and Gemini AI.
The Pixel 11 still has that new phone smell, and while you can preorder it, it won’t be in stores until Aug. 20. It has faster wireless charging, a subtly redesigned camera bar and its camera gets a longer 30x digital zoom range. But Google did away with the lower-priced model with 128GB of storage, making the 256GB Pixel 11 the new baseline. For all the refinements, new software and AI features it has, it misses out on HiLight, a new take on a notification LED and Camera Looks, think iPhone Photography Styles done the Google way.
So does that mean you should get the Galaxy S26? Like the Pixel 11, it gets modest improvements over the previous generation, such as a larger battery, but Samsung relies on software and AI enhancements to make the S26 stand out. Unlike the Pixel 11, you can buy the Galaxy S26 right now. In fact, at the time of this writing, its regular $900 price has been discounted. You can snag a Galaxy S26 for $775 ($125 off).
All this makes for a good rivalry between these two phones from Google and Samsung. If you’re looking to buy a new Android phone, now is a fantastic time. Here’s how Google’s Pixel 11 compares with Samsung’s Galaxy S26.
Pixel 11 vs. Galaxy S26: Design and build
Both Google and Samsung phones have the same display size, but offer slightly different experiences. The Pixel 11 has thicker bezels but gets brighter outdoors, whereas the Galaxy S26 feels more immersive due to its thin, uniform bezels. Both devices are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, so they can handle getting a drink spilled on them or being dropped in a toilet – as long as the toilet isn’t more than a meter deep (3 feet). They also have Gorilla Glass 2 Victus for protection against drops and scratches.
The Pixel 11 has a slightly higher resolution of 2,424×1,080 pixels (422ppi), whereas the Galaxy S26 has a resolution of 2,340×1,080 pixels (411ppi). In use, the difference isn’t huge and would be hard to discern unless you had them side by side.
The Samsung Galaxy S26 and its larger sibling, the Galaxy S26 Plus on display at a Samsung event.
Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET
You’ll notice a bigger difference if you hold both phones under direct light because the Pixel 11 is more legible, thanks to its 3,000-nit peak brightness as compared with the S26’s 2,600 nits of brightness. Both phones support a 120Hz high refresh rate, but only the Galaxy S26 can dial that down to 1Hz to be more efficient during mundane activities, which can help with battery life. In contrast, the Google Pixel 11 can go down to only 60Hz.
As for the build, Google has slashed the weight of its standard model by 9 grams, down to 196 grams, nearly the same as two sticks of butter. The Galaxy S26, in comparison, weighs only 167 grams – about as much as a medium-sized apple – and will be a more comfortable phone to hold.
Samsung’s phone lacks built-in Qi magnets. It supports Qi2.2 wireless charging speeds, but you’ll need to buy a case with magnets to use magnetic accessories like portable battery packs. By contrast, Google’s Pixel 11 supports Qi2.2 charging speeds and magnetic accessories like those branded PixelSnap by Google, as well as most MagSafe attachments for the iPhone.
Pixel 11 vs. Galaxy S26: Cameras
Here are three Galaxy S26 phones, each of which has a triple-camera array on the back.
Celso Bulgatti/CNET
Google and Samsung haven’t given their new standard models a significant camera upgrade. Both models have three cameras on the back, accompanied by a few AI tricks in the software. You can get decent shots from both phones, but do not expect Pixel Pro- or Galaxy S Ultra-like results.
Pixel and Galaxy camera resolutions
| Wide-angle | Ultrawide | Telephoto | Selfie | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pixel 11 | 48 megapixels | 13 megapixels | 10.8 megapixels | 10.5 megapixels |
| Galaxy S26 | 50 megapixels | 12 megapixels | 10 megapixels | 12 megapixels |
Samsung’s biggest upgrade this year included gimbal-like stabilization with the Horizontal Lock feature. It is like having video autostabilization on steroids. Once turned on, you get remarkably steady videos even in hectic environments. Other Galaxy AI features include tools for object removal, the ability to change your outfit in a photo and using prompts to make photo editing, among other things.
In comparison, Google’s noticeable upgrades include Camera Looks, which offers a variety of color profiles and analog film looks designed to give your photos a more creative flair. There’s also Magic Capture, which is definitely aimed at parents. You record a short video clip, and AI picks out the best still images from the clip. You don’t have to worry about finding the perfect moment to snap a picture, and you can be in the moment more. The Pixel 11 is limited to recording 4K videos (the Galaxy S26 can record 8K videos), but you get features like 30x digital zoom, which CNET Senior Editor Mike Sorrentino was obsessed with testing during a press demo. Like Samsung, Google has a range of AI tools to help edit photos and videos.
Pixel 11 vs. Galaxy S26: Battery and performance
With a 4,985-mAh capacity, the Pixel 11 has a much bigger battery than the Galaxy S26’s 4,400 mAh. I expect the Pixel 11 to last longer than its Samsung rival, but we’ll have to wait for CNET’s battery tests for a conclusion. In previous tests, the Galaxy S26 lasted nearly as long as the Pixel 10, which had a 4,970-mAh battery.
In terms of performance, both phones have flagship prowess. The Pixel 11 is powered by an in-house Tensor G6 chip, which Google says is more efficient than the Tensor G5 chip in the Pixel 10 series. Google co-designed the silicon architecture alongside its latest AI models from Google DeepMind to deliver better quality with lower latency. It is paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage. There’s no 128GB model this year, which means there is no longer a $799 option.
In comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy chip (an optimized version for Galaxy AI). You get the same 12GB RAM and 256GB or 512GB storage options. Both phones are powerful enough to breeze through day-to-day tasks and should still work well even after years of software updates.
The Google phone runs Android 17 with Pixel UI, whereas the Galaxy S26 is still on Android 16 with One UI on top. Samsung is testing its Android 17-based One UI 9 for the S-series models, but it is currently in beta.
Both phones have their own software merits. For instance, Pixel UI has a new feature called Rambler for better voice-to-text dictation. It automatically removes filler words like “um” and “ah” from your voice memo to give you clear, concise text. I also like Android 17’s Bubbles feature, which would likely be more intuitive for multitasking than Samsung’s split-screen approach in One UI.
However, I think that the Galaxy S26 will appeal to those who like customizing their software experience. With apps like Good Lock and Expert Raw, you can get more out of similar hardware on the Galaxy S26.
If you’re still wondering about the differences between the two phones, check out the specs comparison below.
Google Pixel 11 specs vs Samsung Galaxy S26
| Google Pixel 11 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED, 2,424×1,080 pixels, 120Hz refresh rate | 6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,340×1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 422 ppi | 411 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.0×2.8×0.3in | 5.89×2.82×0.28 |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 152.4×71.1×7.6mm | 149.6×71.7×7.2 |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 195 g (6.9 oz) | 167g (5.89 oz.) |
| Mobile software | Android 17 | Android 16 |
| Camera | 48-megapixel (wide), 13-megapixel (ultrawide), 10.8-megapixel (telephoto) | 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) |
| Front-facing camera | 10.5-megapixel | 12-megapixel |
| Video capture | 4K at 60fps | 8K |
| Processor | Tensor G6 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| RAM + storage | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | No | None |
| Battery | 4,985 mAh | 4,300 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | Under display |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | 30W wired charging, 25W Qi 2.2 wireless charging, Gemini, Magic Capture, Creator Suite Rambler, Live Translate with American Sign Language, IP68 dust and water resistance, 7 years of software and security updates | 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging; lacks built-in magnets; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover screen; Galaxy AI |
| US price starts at | $899 (256GB) | $900 (256GB) |
