Google Pixel 11 vs. Galaxy S26: 6 reasons I’m buying Pixel this year

The 12 months 2026 is popping out to be fairly a boring one for smartphones (thanks largely to manufacturers coping with skyrocketing RAM prices), and maybe one of the best examples of which can be the new Google Pixel 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S26.

Neither telephone brings a large improve over its predecessor. Nevertheless, in the event you’re selecting between the Pixel 11 and Galaxy S26 as your subsequent Android telephone, there are many smaller variations that would in the end sway your determination.

After evaluating each telephones carefully, there are a couple of causes I’d really choose the Google Pixel 11 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 this time round — and I feel you need to, too.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 might be one of many lightest flagship smartphones you should buy proper now. However that slim and light-weight design additionally comes with one main draw back: a smaller battery. And that’s most likely my greatest motive for choosing the Pixel 11 over the Galaxy S26.

The Galaxy S26 ships with only a 4,300mAh battery, which, in my view, is extraordinarily small for an Android flagship in 2026. That’s additionally one thing we observed in our Galaxy S26 review.

It’s adequate to get via a day of regular use, however push the telephone more durable with gaming, navigation, or a number of digital camera use, and also you’ll most likely be searching for a charger earlier than the day is over.

The Pixel 11, however, packs a a lot bigger 4,840mAh battery. That’s really bigger than the battery within the Galaxy S26 Plus, regardless of the Pixel 11 being nearer in general and display screen measurement to the common Galaxy S26.

Samsung has started improving battery capacity with its newest Galaxy Z Fold collection, however that therapy hasn’t made its approach to the Galaxy S collection simply but. Whereas we haven’t examined the Pixel 11’s battery life extensively, the sheer distinction in battery capacities makes us imagine it ought to comfortably outlast the Galaxy S26.

It’s 2026, and imagine it or not, Google’s Pixel lineup stays one of many solely flagship Android smartphone collection to supply full Qi2 help out of the field. Fortunately, the Pixel 11 continues that development.

Similar to the Pixel 10 collection final 12 months, the Pixel 11 comes with Qi2 magnets constructed immediately into the telephone. Which means you don’t want a third-party case or accent to make use of MagSafe and Qi2 equipment. As an alternative, they merely connect magnetically to the again of the telephone.

Not solely that, however the Pixel 11 also supports Qi 2.2, which implies it could now cost wirelessly at as much as 25W. That’s significantly sooner than the Galaxy S26, which tops out at 15W wi-fi charging.

The Galaxy S26, like earlier Galaxy telephones, is simply Qi2 Prepared. It helps the underlying Qi2 wi-fi charging know-how however doesn’t have the Magnetic Energy Profile in-built. So if you wish to use magnetic Qi2 equipment, you’ll nonetheless want a appropriate Samsung or third-party case.

My greatest criticism with the Galaxy S26 is that Samsung elevated the value by $100 whereas leaving the digital camera {hardware} precisely the identical because the Galaxy S25. You’re primarily getting the identical digital camera setup as final 12 months, though you’re paying extra for the telephone.

The Pixel 11 additionally prices $100 greater than its predecessor, however at the very least Google has made some significant digital camera upgrades. The telephone now includes a new 48MP major sensor that Google claims can seize as much as 56% extra mild than earlier than.

The ten.8MP telephoto and 13MP ultrawide cameras haven’t modified, however Google has upgraded the zoom capabilities, with the telephoto digital camera now supporting as much as 30x most zoom — beforehand restricted to 20x on the Pixel 10.

And even with out that, I desire the Pixel 11’s telephoto setup. It affords 5x optical zoom out of the field, whereas the Galaxy S26’s telephoto digital camera tops out at simply 3x. We nonetheless have to correctly check the Pixel 11’s cameras, after all, however on {hardware} alone, Google has made the extra significant upgrades this 12 months.

One of many best causes to select a Samsung Galaxy telephone over a Pixel has at all times been efficiency. Samsung often ships its Galaxy S collection with Qualcomm’s newest flagship Snapdragon chipset, and the 2 corporations typically work collectively to fine-tune the chip particularly for Galaxy units.

However the Pixel 11 may need lastly addressed a number of the greatest issues we’ve had with Tensor through the years. The new Tensor G6 is constructed on TSMC’s 2nm course of, which is extra superior than the 3nm course of utilized by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 contained in the Galaxy S26.

I’m not anticipating the Pixel 11 to all of a sudden beat the Galaxy S26 in uncooked efficiency, however actually, it doesn’t have to. What I’m extra excited about is whether or not the transfer to 2nm lastly fixes two of my greatest complaints with Pixel telephones: overheating and poor effectivity.

In fact, we’ll be placing the Tensor G6 via full testing over the approaching days and evaluating it immediately in opposition to the Galaxy S26. However based mostly on the {hardware} alone, I’m a lot much less involved about Pixel efficiency this 12 months.

One of many greatest advantages of proudly owning a Google Pixel has at all times been getting Android updates sooner than everybody else. And in the event you’re shopping for an Android telephone in 2026, there’s a superb likelihood you need entry to the newest Android options as quickly as they’re out there.

Samsung has finished an excellent job bettering its replace coverage and dashing up main Android releases for Galaxy units over the previous few years, however it nonetheless hasn’t fairly matched Google.

As a rule, new Android variations and Function Drops arrive on Pixel telephones first earlier than ultimately making their approach to different producers. So, in the event you’re somebody who likes attempting new Android options as quickly as they launch, or just desires to remain on the newest software program, the Pixel 11 stays the apparent alternative.

Lastly, one among my greatest complaints with Samsung’s Galaxy S collection is that the corporate doesn’t seem to be doing much with the design anymore. We’ve reached a degree the place differentiating one Galaxy S technology from one other is turning into more and more troublesome.

There’s nothing essentially unsuitable with the Galaxy S26’s design, however it simply doesn’t really feel notably distinctive or immediately recognizable. The general design language has change into a bit too bland for my liking.

The Pixel lineup, however, has constructed an identification of its personal over the previous few generations, particularly with the distinctive digital camera visor on the again. You’ll be able to often spot a Pixel from throughout the room with out even seeing the emblem.

So, if you would like a telephone with a bit extra persona and one thing that’s instantly distinguishable from every part else in the marketplace, I’d choose the Pixel 11 over the Galaxy S26.

All issues thought of, I’d choose the Google Pixel 11 over the Galaxy S26. However that doesn’t imply the Galaxy S26 is a nasty telephone by any means.

If you happen to’re searching for a extra feature-rich Android expertise, the Galaxy S26 with One UI will most likely nonetheless be the higher alternative. Samsung merely offers you extra options to mess around with, together with the confirmed efficiency of the Snapdragon chipset.

However for every part else that issues to me, together with the larger battery, built-in Qi2 help, upgraded cameras, and sooner Android updates, I’d personally go together with the Pixel 11 this time round.