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Phone comparison

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Short answer

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, unless you want a Pixel camera.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster, charges much faster and is lighter and thinner than the Pixel 11 Pro XL. The Pixel 11 Pro XL has a brighter screen, a cleaner Android, and cameras that many reviewers prefer for photos. Reviewers found battery life good on both phones.

Updated Oct 16, 2026

Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

$1,299 launch price

Compass Score 8.0 from 32 critic reviews

Change phone

Get it if you want the best point-and-shoot camera on Android, clean software and seven years of updates, and you do not play demanding games.

Skip it if you play demanding games, or you have small hands, since reviewers called the phone big and heavy.

See prices Full review

Reviewers' pick for most people

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1,399 launch price

Compass Score 8.6 from 59 critic reviews

Change phone

Get it if you play demanding games, want the fastest charging, or want a lighter phone with a privacy screen and a stylus.

Skip it if you own a Galaxy S24 or S25, since reviewers found the changes small.

See prices Full review

What reviewers found

Topic by topic

Each row is something review sites agreed on. Open a row for the details.

Performance Galaxy S26 Ultra has the edge

The Galaxy is clearly faster. Reviewers found its Snapdragon chip ahead of the Pixel's Tensor G6 in benchmarks, and the Pixel struggled or stuttered in demanding games. For everyday use, both feel smooth.

5 sites agree: CNET, Digital Trends and 3 more

Camera Pixel 11 Pro XL has the edge

Reviewers split. Many praised the Pixel's detail and natural color in photos, and one said it takes better stills than the Galaxy. Others found the Galaxy's photos good too, and its video well rated.

5 sites agree: BGR, PhoneArena and 3 more

Display

The Pixel's screen gets brighter, at 3600 nits against 2600 nits, and reviewers found it better outdoors. Only the Galaxy has a privacy display, which blocks side views but slightly mutes color.

3 sites agree: Digital Trends, CNET and 1 more

Build Galaxy S26 Ultra has the edge

The Galaxy is 214g and 7.9mm thick. The Pixel is 227g and 8.5mm, and reviewers called it large and heavy.

4 sites agree: CNET, Tech Advisor and 2 more

Prices

Where to buy

The lowest prices we track today.

Google Pixel 11 Pro XL

Best Buy New · Unlocked · 256GB $1,299 See deal Certified refurbished 1 seller from $949.99 See refurbished

See all 7 Pixel 11 Pro XL deals →

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Best Buy New · 256GB $1,099.99 See deal

Samsung New $1,299.99 See deal

Amazon New $1,299.99 See deal Certified refurbished 1 seller from $849.99 See refurbished

See all 13 Galaxy S26 Ultra deals →

Today the Pixel 11 Pro XL costs $199.01 more at the lowest new price we track.

Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper Pixel 11 Pro XL means giving up most on: Wired charging, Weight

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Price (MSRP)

$1,299

$186/yr of support

$1,399

$200/yr of support

Android

Processor

Google Tensor G6

Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Octa-core

Camera zoom

10×

5×

Battery life

16h 45m

GSMArena Active Use

16h 23m

GSMArena Active Use

Wired charging

30W

60W

Wireless charging

25W

Display

Color, 120Hz

3600 nits peak

Color, 120Hz

2600 nits peak

Software support

Until 2033

7 years guaranteed

Until 2033

7 years guaranteed

Repairability

—

5/10

iFixit

Weight

227g (8 oz)

214g (7.5 oz)

Fingerprint

Yes

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.

Spec data

How they compare

Choosing the cheaper Pixel 11 Pro XL means giving up most on: Wired charging, Weight

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Price (MSRP)

$1,299

$186/yr of support

Price (MSRP)

$1,399

$200/yr of support

Android

Processor

Google Tensor G6

Processor

Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Octa-core

Camera zoom

10×

Camera zoom

5×

Battery life

16h 45m

GSMArena Active Use

Battery life

16h 23m

GSMArena Active Use

Wired charging

30W

Wired charging

60W

Wireless charging

25W

Wireless charging

25W

Display

Color, 120Hz

3600 nits peak

Display

Color, 120Hz

2600 nits peak

Software support

Until 2033

7 years guaranteed

Software support

Until 2033

7 years guaranteed

Repairability

—

Repairability

5/10

iFixit

Weight

227g (8 oz)

Weight

214g (7.5 oz)

Fingerprint

Yes

Fingerprint

Yes

Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Specifications are sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases and may contain errors. Suggest a correction →

Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

DxOMark v6

168

photo 171 · video 162

157

photo 160 · video 153

AnTuTu v10

1.93M

3.89M

GSMArena endurance

16h 45m

Active Use

16h 23m

Active Use

iFixit repairability

—

5/10

Third-party data

Testing & benchmarks

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

DxOMark v6

168

photo 171 · video 162

DxOMark v6

157

photo 160 · video 153

AnTuTu v10

1.93M

AnTuTu v10

3.89M

GSMArena endurance

16h 45m

Active Use

GSMArena endurance

16h 23m

Active Use

iFixit repairability

—

iFixit repairability

5/10

Physical comparison

Size & weight

Footprint · to scale

Pixel 11 Pro XL

6.4" × 3"

Galaxy S26 Ultra

6.4" × 3.1"

Thickness · to scale

Pixel 11 Pro XL

0.3"

Galaxy S26 Ultra

0.3"

Pixel 11 Pro XL

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Height

6.4" (162.7 mm)

6.4" (163.6 mm)

Width

3" (76.5 mm)

3.1" (78.1 mm)

Depth

0.3" (8.5 mm)

0.3" (7.9 mm)

Weight

227g (8 oz)

214g (7.5 oz)

Screen

6.8"

6.9"

Height

6.4" (162.7 mm)

Height

6.4" (163.6 mm)

Width

3" (76.5 mm)

Width

3.1" (78.1 mm)

Depth

0.3" (8.5 mm)

Depth

0.3" (7.9 mm)

Weight

227g (8 oz)

Weight

214g (7.5 oz)

Screen

6.8"

Screen

6.9"

Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.

Common questions

Pixel 11 Pro XL vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: FAQ

Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 11 Pro XL better for gaming?

The Galaxy S26 Ultra. Reviewers found the Pixel 11 Pro XL's Tensor G6 chip falls behind in demanding games, and several told gamers to look elsewhere. Reviewers had no such complaints about the Galaxy's Snapdragon chip.

Which has the better camera, the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Pixel 11 Pro XL?

Reviewers split. Several favored the Pixel 11 Pro XL for photos and called it the best point-and-shoot on Android. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also got strong praise, and some reviewers found the two close.

Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 11 Pro XL have better battery life?

Neither wins outright. In CNET's testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted well over a day and a half. In GSMArena's test, the Pixel 11 Pro XL's active use score was 16 hours 45 minutes, close to the Galaxy's 16 hours 23 minutes.

Which is better, the Pixel 11 Pro XL or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Based on aggregated critic reviews, the Galaxy S26 Ultra earns a Compass Score of 8.6 compared to 8.0 for the Pixel 11 Pro XL. That 0.6-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.

Which phone is more affordable, the Pixel 11 Pro XL or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Pixel 11 Pro XL launches at $1,299, which is $100 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,399. Factoring in guaranteed software support, the Pixel 11 Pro XL works out to roughly $186/year compared to $200/year for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The cheaper phone also wins on long-term cost per year of support.

Which phone gets software updates longer, the Pixel 11 Pro XL or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Both the Pixel 11 Pro XL and Galaxy S26 Ultra are guaranteed updates through 2033 (7 years from launch). Neither has a software longevity advantage. Both phones will receive the same duration of OS upgrades and security patches.

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