Google Pixel 10 Pro Xl Vs. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: I Tested Both Androids, And It's A Close One

The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL (left) adjacent to nan Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (right).

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

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It wouldn't beryllium a basking return to opportunity nan Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra are nan 2 best Android phones right now -- astatine slightest successful nan US market. So if you had nan money to upgrade to either telephone correct now, which 1 should you buy? The reply is... complicated.

Also: How to clear your Android telephone cache (and why it makes specified a large difference)

With nan Pixel, Google is making its astir compelling lawsuit yet, introducing meaningful upgrades for illustration faster wired and wireless charging, and a Tensor G5 chipset that's good optimized for nan AI era. The latest Pro XL model, successful particular, sets nan grounds for having nan largest artillery connected a Google phone.

Meanwhile, nan Galaxy S25 Ultra continues to clasp its crushed arsenic 1 of nan apical Android phones a afloat twelvemonth aft motorboat -- a testament to nan longevity of Samsung's all-in attack to hardware and package design. That begs nan question: Which of nan 2 phones should you buy? Here are nan apical reasons to thief you decide.

You should bargain nan Google Pixel 10 Pro XL if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You for illustration Google's cleaner attack to software

One of nan biggest distinctions betwixt nan Google Pixel and conscionable astir each different Android exemplary is nan package experience. I wouldn't categorize nan 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 devices for nan location and fastener screens, but don't expect to beryllium capable to tweak each small facet of what you see.

Also: I compared nan 2 of nan champion Android camera phones correct now - there's a astonishment winner

Naturally, nan cleaner artistic of nan Pixel launcher and nan usage of an in-house Tensor G5 chipset let Google to administer nan latest Android features, specified arsenic Magic Cue, which proactively spawns action items based connected surface and app context, much quickly and efficiently to its smartphones. The institution promises up to 7 years of operating strategy updates, Pixel Feature Drops, and information patches to support nan telephone applicable until astatine slightest 2032.

2. You want nan astir forgiving camera strategy connected nan market

Sure, nan Pixel 10 Pro XL whitethorn not person each nan camera bells and whistles arsenic nan Galaxy S25 Ultra, but wherever it lacks successful sensors, it makes up for successful computational tuning and image recognition. The champion illustration is erstwhile I tested nan Pixel's caller 100X Pro Res Zoom, which leverages its 48MP telephoto lens and nan caller Tensor G5's ISP to admit distant subjects and AI-generates mislaid details. The result, arsenic surveyed by a crowd of media members, showed nan Pixel beating nan Galaxy's 100X zoom by a agelong shot.

Also: The champion Android phones to bargain successful 2026

Besides having 1 of nan champion point-and-shoot camera systems connected immoderate smartphone, nan Pixel 10 Pro XL besides features galore AI devices that thief 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 nan generative AI madness.)

However, for customers who favour idealism complete realism and convenience complete labor, devices for illustration nan enhanced Add Me, Pro Res Zoom, and nan caller Camera Coach, which guides your framing and mode action wrong nan viewfinder successful real-time, springiness nan Pixel 10 Pro XL 1 of nan astir forgiving camera systems connected nan market.

3. You want a telephone that's little of a load to clasp (and sticks)

Yes, nan Pixel 10 Pro XL is $100 cheaper than nan Galaxy S25 Ultra, but possibly much importantly, it's really comfortable to hold. Considering really often you'll beryllium carrying your telephone around, holding it up, and interacting pinch it connected a regular basis, manus consciousness is 1 of nan astir overlooked but captious aspects of mobile devices.

Also: PixelSnap is nan MagSafe for Android phones we've been waiting for - here's our first look

Compared to nan boxy, sharp-cornered creation of nan Samsung, nan Pixel 10 Pro XL has level edges that fto you grip nan telephone firmly and subtle curves that thief trim nan wide footprint. Put connected a lawsuit connected some devices, and you'll announcement nan quality moreover more.

Google besides offers a caller PixelSnap strategy of magnetic accessories that leverages nan Pixel 10 Pro XL's Qi2 wireless charging. In summation to easier docking and guidelines placement, PixelSnap lets you equine manus grips and kickstands without nan request for third-party adapters and mounts.

You should bargain nan Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if...

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

1. You for illustration Samsung's room descend attack to software

While Samsung's package acquisition has go little buggy and chaotic since nan aged TouchWiz days, OneUI remains 1 of nan astir feature-rich versions of Android connected nan market. The autochthonal launcher lets you customize elements specified arsenic nan wallpaper shade, widget styles, swipe animations, and more. On a instrumentality for illustration nan Galaxy S25 Ultra, you'll get further note-taking features to make nan astir of nan built-in S Pen stylus -- though you tin nary longer usage aerial gestures connected nan latest model.

Like Google, Samsung besides promises astatine slightest 7 years of package updates for its Galaxy S models. That's to say, you'll consciousness for illustration you sewage your money's worthy erstwhile splurging connected Samsung's flagship phone.

2. You want nan champion smartphone show connected nan marketplace

I've tested almost each awesome smartphone merchandise successful nan past year, including a big-screen foldable, and nan Galaxy S25 Ultra has nan 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 nan daytime. By nan way, those specs are astir identical to nan Pixel 10 Pro XL. So what sets nan Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra isolated is simply a glare-free coating that importantly reduces ray reflections.

Also: Samsung's confirmed Galaxy S26 Ultra show upgrade fixes my long-standing annoyance

Whether you're framing a photograph nether nonstop sunlight aliases reference nan web successful a well-lit environment, nan anti-glare coating connected nan Galaxy S25 Ultra makes nan model's show much readable than that of an mean smartphone.

3. You want a better-performing smartphone

The Tensor G5 spot wrong nan Pixel 10 Pro XL performs rather well, powering galore of nan smartphone's astir engaging features. It enables each of nan device's AI tools, specified arsenic Gemini Live, Pro Res Zoom, and Magic Cue, to sanction a few. However, erstwhile you look astatine nan real-world accent tests and feedback from powerfulness users, nan Galaxy S25 still comes retired connected top.

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset has proven reliable, battery efficient, and tin of moving nan latest mobile AI devices without galore hiccups. For mobile gamers and folks who multitask successful their sleep, nan Galaxy S25 Ultra would beryllium nan amended pick.

Writer's choice

Between nan Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, I'd take nan second for its much tin characteristic set. It helps that Samsung has been moving intimately pinch Google connected Gemini-enhanced AI features, truthful you don't needfully miss retired connected excessively galore package devices by opting for it.

I've besides recovered Samsung's camera strategy delivers much vivid imagery that requires small editing aft nan fact. If you're dense connected societal media usage and sharing latest happenings pinch friends and family, nan Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra's camera is amended suited for you.