Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 11 Pro: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Galaxy S26 price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

Pixel 11 Pro price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

No clear winner. Pick on price, or on what each one is best for.

My phone

Galaxy S26 vs Pixel 11 Pro

Galaxy S26
SAMSUNG

Galaxy S26

$789 at Amazon
Pixel 11 Pro
GOOGLE

Pixel 11 Pro

$1,099 at Best Buy
  1. Galaxy S26: up to 30xZoomDiffersPixel 11 Pro: up to 120x
  2. Galaxy S26: 512GBLargest storageDiffersPixel 11 Pro: 1TB
  3. Galaxy S26: 12MPFront camera+30 MPPixel 11 Pro: 42MP
  4. Galaxy S26: 6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 1–⁠120Hz refresh rate; up to 2,600 nits peak brightnessDisplayPixel 11 Pro: 6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 1280×2856, 495ppi, 1–⁠120Hz; up to 3,600 nits peak brightness; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with anti-scratch coating
  5. Galaxy S26: $789Price today$310 apartPixel 11 Pro: $1,099
Galaxy S26
Buy at Samsung$849.99
We may earn a commission.
Pixel 11 Pro
Buy at Newegg$1,070
We may earn a commission.
All the details

Key differences

  • Zoom: up to 30x vs up to 120xGalaxy S26: up to 30x ConfirmedSourcePixel 11 Pro: up to 120x ConfirmedSource
  • Largest storage: 512GB vs 1TBGalaxy S26: 512GB (256GB or 512GB) ConfirmedSourcePixel 11 Pro: 1TB (256GB, 512GB or 1TB Zoned UFS) ConfirmedSource
  • Front camera: 12MP vs 42MPGalaxy S26: 12MP (12MP wide AF (85° field of view)) ConfirmedSourcePixel 11 Pro: 42MP (42MP autofocus) ConfirmedSource
  • Peak brightness: 2,600 nits vs 3,600 nitsGalaxy S26: 2,600 nits ConfirmedSourcePixel 11 Pro: 3,600 nits ConfirmedSource
  • Weight: 167g vs 204gGalaxy S26: 167g (71.7 × 149.6 × 7.2mm; 167g (Sub6 model)) ConfirmedSourcePixel 11 Pro: 204g (152.7 × 71.9 × 8.4mm; 204g) ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Galaxy S26 Guide names it for travel.Travel: Light at 167 grams and IP68 rated against water and dust, it rides in a pocket through a long travel day. Our read
  • The Pixel 11 Pro Guide names it for work.Work: Half an hour on a 30W charger gets it to 55% between meetings, and the 512GB and 1TB models carry 16GB of memory. Our read

From what each Guide names the product best for. Both Guides also name photos and video and gaming.

Side by side

FeatureGalaxy S26Pixel 11 Pro
Display6.3-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X6.3-inch Super Actua LTPO OLED, 1280×2856, 495ppi, 1–120Hz
Battery4,300mAh typical4,850mAh typicalSamsung4,300 mAhGoogle4,850 mAh
ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy or Exynos 2600, dependingGoogle Tensor G6 with Titan M3 security coprocessor
Connectivity5G Sub6, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.4, UWB5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, UWB, Thread, NFCSamsung5 GGoogle5 G
DesignFortified materials for long-lasting durabilityGorilla Glass Victus 2 anti-scratch front, Victus 2 silky matte back, spacecraft-grade aluminum frame
SoftwareAndroid 16 with One UI 8.5Android 17
Memory12GB RAM12GB RAM with 256GB storageSamsung12 GBGoogle12 GB
Storage256GB or 512GB256GB, 512GB or 1TB Zoned UFSSamsung256 GBGoogle256 GB
Rear camera50MP wide AF + 12MP ultra-wide FF + 10MP 3x telephoto AF50MP wide + 48MP ultra-wide with Macro Focus + 48MP 5x telephotoSamsung50 MPGoogle50 MP
Front camera12MP wide AF42MP autofocusSamsung12 MPGoogle42 MP
VideoRear: up to 8K at 30fps and 4K at 60fpsRear: up to 8K at 24/30fps with Video Boost and 4K at 60fpsSamsung8 KGoogle8 K
ChargingUp to 25W wiredAbout 55% in 30 minutes with 30W-or-higher USB PPS charger
Size71.7 × 149.6 × 7.2mm152.7 × 71.9 × 8.4mm; 204g
ColorsCobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky BlueCanyon, Olive, Fog, Obsidian
Water resistanceIP68 water and dust resistanceIP68 dust and water resistance
UnlockFingerprint sensorFingerprint Unlock and Face Unlock
SoundStereo supportStereo speakers

Pixel 11 Pro

Buy at Newegg$1,070
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

We may earn a commission.

Review scores

The Verge
7 out of 108 out of 10

Sources

SamsungGoogleSamsungSamsungGoogleSamsung
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Google Pixel 11 Pro XL