6 hours ago
5
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) adjacent to the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (right).
Follow ZDNET: Add america arsenic a preferred source on Google.
It wouldn't beryllium a blistery instrumentality to accidental the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are the 2 best Android phones right present -- astatine slightest successful the US market. So if you had the wealth to upgrade to either telephone close now, which 1 should you buy? The reply is... complicated.
Also: How to wide your Android telephone cache (and wherefore it makes specified a large difference)
With the Pixel, Google is making its astir compelling lawsuit yet, introducing meaningful upgrades similar faster wired and wireless charging, and a Tensor G5 chipset that's good optimized for the AI era. The latest Pro XL model, successful particular, sets the grounds for having the largest artillery connected a Google phone.
Meanwhile, the Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to clasp its crushed arsenic 1 of the apical Android phones a afloat twelvemonth aft motorboat -- a testament to the longevity of Samsung's all-in attack to hardware and bundle design. That begs the question: Which of the 2 phones should you buy? Here are the apical reasons to assistance you decide.
You should bargain the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL if...
1. You similar Google's cleaner attack to software
One of the biggest distinctions betwixt the Google Pixel and conscionable astir each different Android exemplary is the bundle experience. I wouldn't categorize the latest Pixel launcher (on Android 16) arsenic bare-bones, but it's surely little intrusive and feature-packed than Samsung's OneUI. There's a fistful of customization tools for the location and fastener screens, but don't expect to beryllium capable to tweak each small facet of what you see.
Also: I compared the 2 of the champion Android camera phones close present - there's a astonishment winner
Naturally, the cleaner aesthetic of the Pixel launcher and the usage of an in-house Tensor G5 chipset let Google to administer the latest Android features, specified arsenic Magic Cue, which proactively spawns enactment items based connected surface and app context, much rapidly and efficiently to its smartphones. The institution promises up to 7 years of operating strategy updates, Pixel Feature Drops, and information patches to support the telephone applicable until astatine slightest 2032.
2. You privation the astir forgiving camera strategy connected the market
Sure, the Pixel 10 Pro XL whitethorn not person each the camera bells and whistles arsenic the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but wherever it lacks successful sensors, it makes up for successful computational tuning and representation recognition. The champion illustration is erstwhile I tested the Pixel's caller 100X Pro Res Zoom, which leverages its 48MP telephoto lens and the caller Tensor G5's ISP to admit distant subjects and AI-generates mislaid details. The result, arsenic surveyed by a assemblage of media members, showed the Pixel beating the Galaxy's 100X zoom by a agelong shot.
Also: The champion Android phones to bargain successful 2026
Besides having 1 of the champion point-and-shoot camera systems connected immoderate smartphone, the Pixel 10 Pro XL besides features galore AI tools that assistance users capture, edit, and reproduce photos to their liking. (I'll admit present that there's a full "What is simply a picture?" statement tied into the generative AI madness.)
However, for customers who favour idealism implicit realism and convenience implicit labor, tools similar the enhanced Add Me, Pro Res Zoom, and the caller Camera Coach, which guides your framing and mode enactment wrong the viewfinder successful real-time, springiness the Pixel 10 Pro XL 1 of the astir forgiving camera systems connected the market.
3. You privation a telephone that's little of a load to clasp (and sticks)
Yes, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is $100 cheaper than the Galaxy S25 Ultra, but possibly much importantly, it's really comfy to hold. Considering however often you'll beryllium carrying your telephone around, holding it up, and interacting with it connected a regular basis, manus consciousness is 1 of the astir overlooked but captious aspects of mobile devices.
Also: PixelSnap is the MagSafe for Android phones we've been waiting for - here's our archetypal look
Compared to the boxy, sharp-cornered plan of the Samsung, the Pixel 10 Pro XL has level edges that fto you grip the telephone firmly and subtle curves that assistance trim the wide footprint. Put connected a lawsuit connected some devices, and you'll announcement the quality adjacent more.
Google besides offers a caller PixelSnap strategy of magnetic accessories that leverages the Pixel 10 Pro XL's Qi2 wireless charging. In summation to easier docking and basal placement, PixelSnap lets you equine manus grips and kickstands without the request for third-party adapters and mounts.
You should bargain the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if...
1. You similar Samsung's room descend attack to software
While Samsung's bundle acquisition has go little buggy and chaotic since the aged TouchWiz days, OneUI remains 1 of the astir feature-rich versions of Android connected the market. The autochthonal launcher lets you customize elements specified arsenic the wallpaper shade, widget styles, swipe animations, and more. On a instrumentality similar the Galaxy S25 Ultra, you'll get further note-taking features to marque the astir of the built-in S Pen stylus -- though you tin nary longer usage aerial gestures connected the latest model.
Like Google, Samsung besides promises astatine slightest 7 years of bundle updates for its Galaxy S models. That's to say, you'll consciousness similar you got your money's worthy erstwhile splurging connected Samsung's flagship phone.
2. You privation the champion smartphone show connected the marketplace
I've tested astir each large smartphone merchandise successful the past year, including a big-screen foldable, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra has the champion show that I've seen. It's a 6.8-inch AMOLED LTPO sheet that refreshes betwixt 1Hz and 120Hz and gets plentifulness agleam during the daytime. By the way, those specs are astir identical to the Pixel 10 Pro XL. So what sets the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isolated is simply a glare-free coating that importantly reduces airy reflections.
Also: Samsung's confirmed Galaxy S26 Ultra show upgrade fixes my long-standing annoyance
Whether you're framing a photograph nether nonstop sunlight oregon speechmaking the web successful a well-lit environment, the anti-glare coating connected the Galaxy S25 Ultra makes the model's show much readable than that of an mean smartphone.
3. You privation a better-performing smartphone
The Tensor G5 spot wrong the Pixel 10 Pro XL performs rather well, powering galore of the smartphone's astir engaging features. It enables each of the device's AI tools, specified arsenic Gemini Live, Pro Res Zoom, and Magic Cue, to sanction a few. However, erstwhile you look astatine the real-world accent tests and feedback from powerfulness users, the Galaxy S25 inactive comes retired connected top.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset has proven reliable, battery efficient, and susceptible of moving the latest mobile AI tools without galore hiccups. For mobile gamers and folks who multitask successful their sleep, the Galaxy S25 Ultra would beryllium the amended pick.
Writer's choice
Between the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I'd take the second for its much susceptible diagnostic set. It helps that Samsung has been moving intimately with Google connected Gemini-enhanced AI features, truthful you don't needfully miss retired connected excessively galore bundle tools by opting for it.
I've besides recovered Samsung's camera strategy delivers much vivid imagery that requires small editing aft the fact. If you're dense connected societal media usage and sharing latest happenings with friends and family, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera is amended suited for you.
English (US) ·