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The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is the smartphone equivalent of an all-inclusive holiday and costs about as much. Packing a massive screen, an impressive camera array, and plenty of push for even the pickiest power user, it's not a smartphone you simply settle on. But, flagship devices only have a brief time in the sun before something new and potentially better comes along. The latest pretender is from Google and is in the form of the Pixel 10 Pro.
Which would you buy: Pixel 10 Pro or Galaxy S25 Ultra?315 votes
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
47%
Google Pixel 10 Pro
19%
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL
26%
I'd buy another phone.
8%
Both phones sit at the pinnacle of the Android smartphone world, and in reality, either would do any user proud. But, as with all products, the Pixel 10 Pro and the Galaxy S25 Ultra have pros and cons. So, which smartphone would I choose?
Pixel 10 Pro Pixel 10 Pro XL Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraDisplay
Pixel 10 Pro 6.3-inch Super Actua display (LTPO)1,280 x 2,856Up to 2,000 nits (HDR) and up to 3,300 nits (peak brightness)
Pixel 10 Pro XL 6.8-inch Super Actua display (LTPO)1,344 x 2,992Up to 2,200 nits (HDR) and up to 3,300 nits (peak brightness)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X Display1,440 x 3,120120Hz Adaptive Refresh Rate
Processor
Pixel 10 ProGoogle Tensor G5Titan M2 security coprocessor
Pixel 10 Pro XLGoogle Tensor G5Titan M2 security coprocessor
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraSnapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
RAM
Pixel 10 Pro16GB
Pixel 10 Pro XL16GB
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra12/16GB
Storage
Pixel 10 Pro256 GB / 512 GB / 1TBZoned UFS
Pixel 10 Pro XL256 GB / 512 GB / 1TBZoned UFS
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra256GB / 512GB / 1TB
Battery & Charging
Pixel 10 Pro 4870mAhFast charging – up to 55% in about 30 minutes – using 30W USB-C PPScharger or higher, sold sold separately
Pixelsnap wireless charging (Qi2-certified) up to 15W
Pixel 10 Pro XL 5200mAhFast charging – up to 70% in about 30 minutes – using 45W USB-C PPScharger or higher, sold sold separately
Pixelsnap wireless charging (Qi2.2-certified) up to 25W
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 5,000mAhFast Wireless Charging 2.0Wireless PowerShare
Cameras (Rear)
Pixel 10 Pro 50 MP wide (Octa PD, ƒ/1.68 aperture, 82° field of view, 1/1.3" image sensor size)48 MP ultrawide (Quad PD with autofocus, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 123° field of view, 1/2.55" image sensor size)
48 MP 5x telephoto (Quad PD, OIS, ƒ/2.8 aperture, 22° field of view, 1/2.55" image sensor size, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x)
Pixel 10 Pro XL 50 MP wide (Octa PD, ƒ/1.68 aperture, 82° field of view, 1/1.3" image sensor size)48 MP ultrawide (Quad PD with autofocus, ƒ/1.7 aperture, 123° field of view, 1/2.55" image sensor size)
48 MP 5x telephoto (Quad PD, OIS, ƒ/2.8 aperture, 22° field of view, 1/2.55" image sensor size, Pro Res Zoom up to 100x)
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra 200MP wide (ƒ/1.7 aperture, AF, OIS)50MP ultrawide (ƒ/1.9 aperture, AF, OIS)
10MP 3x telephoto (ƒ/2.4 aperture, AF, OIS)
50MP 5x telephoto (ƒ/3.4 aperture, AF, OIS)
Cameras (Front)
Pixel 10 Pro42 MP Dual PD selfiecamera, AF,ƒ/2.2 aperture103° ultrawide field ofview
Pixel 10 Pro XL42 MP Dual PD selfiecamera, AF,ƒ/2.2 aperture103° ultrawide field ofview
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra12MP wide (ƒ/2.2 aperture, AF, OIS)
Dimensions
Pixel 10 Pro152.8 x 72.0 x 8.6mm
Pixel 10 Pro XL162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5mm
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm
Weight
Pixel 10 Pro207g
Pixel 10 Pro XL232g
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra218g
Durability
Pixel 10 Pro IP68 dust and water resistanceCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Pixel 10 Pro XL IP68 dust and water resistanceCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraIP68Enhanced Corning Gorilla Armor (front glass)Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (rear glass)Titanium (Frame)
OS
Pixel 10 ProAndroid 167 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Pixel 10 Pro XLAndroid 167 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraAndroid 15One UI 77 years of OS and security updates
Authentication
Pixel 10 ProFingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock, Pattern, PIN, password
Pixel 10 Pro XLFingerprint Unlock, Face Unlock, Pattern, PIN, password
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraFingerprint Unlock, Face Recognition, Pattern, PIN, password
Connectivity
Pixel 10 Pro Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, 2x2 MIMOBluetooth 6UWBNFCGoogle CastDual Band GNSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Pixel 10 Pro XL Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz, 2x2 MIMOBluetooth 6UWBNFCGoogle CastDual Band GNSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Wi-Fi 75G (sub6, mmW)UWBDual Band GNSSGPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Colors
Pixel 10 ProMoonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian
Pixel 10 Pro XLMoonstone, Jade, Porcelain, Obsidian
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraTitan Black, Titan Gray, Titan Silverblue, Titan Whitesilver
Pixelsnap! Where have you been all my life?
C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
Let's start with the Pixel 10 Pro's biggest new draw: the Pixelsnap accessory system. It's been a long time since Google introduced a smartphone feature that isn't tangentially related to AI, and Pixelsnap has thankfully broken that duck. It's the first genuinely intriguing wireless accessory system we've seen on an Android smartphone line in years, and it lets users easily switch between various supported products. You can see the Pixelsnap charger and stand as one such example below.
But other Pixelsnap accessories include phone stands, Pixel cases, grips, and a slew of MagSafe-compatible devices, and we can expect this list to grow longer in the coming months and years. Notably, that latter checkmark should be the final push disillusioned iPhone users need to join the Android bandwagon.
Finally, an innovation that isn't just AI AI AI!
This system also brings other goodies. The Pixel 10 Pro supports Qi 2 wireless charging, giving it 15W speeds with non-Google chargers, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts Qi 2.2 certification for 25W charging. That latter detail gives the XL faster over-the-air charging than the S25 Ultra.
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Beyond charging speeds, Pixelsnap is an exciting beginning to a long line of products that Pixel users can keep and employ as they upgrade their devices. And at a time when Samsung is diminishing the importance of its Ultra line's core accessory in the S Pen, it's positive to see Google introducing a new supporting cast of products to its flagship devices.
Far too big, far too bulky
Joe Maring / Android Authority
I've grown used to smaller phones of late, and as devices now regularly breach 200 grams, the weight on my fingers is telling. I tend to rest my device on my bent pinky when holding it in my right hand, straining the digit to the point of pain. Naturally, I'm always allured by smaller, lighter phones, and the Pixel 10 Pro leaves a far shallower footprint than its Ultra rival. The Galaxy S25 Ultra weighs in at 218 grams — fairly hefty, coming from someone who uses a 215g Galaxy S24 FE daily. The Pixel 10 Pro, meanwhile, tips the scale at 207g. That's noticeably lighter and gives sizeable headroom for a hefty case.
It's worth noting that Google doesn't win every battle with every Pixel model. The Pixel 10 Pro XL, perhaps the more appropriate size for a Galaxy S25 Ultra rival, weighs 232g. That's uncomfortable to read, let alone hold.
I just can't justify using larger, heavier phones anymore.
Regarding volume robbed from my pocket, the Pixel 10 Pro wins another round. It wears a cuter 152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm chassis, while the S25 Ultra is far larger, albeit slightly thinner, at 162.8 x 77.6 x 8.2mm. I will never feel that 0.4mm thinner frame, but I certainly will notice that 5mm extra width. I'm partial to rounded corners, too, as acutely angular phones can often dig directly into my palms while cradling them. I've experienced this with older Galaxy Ultra models, and the S25 Ultra made few improvements to address this.
The camera question mark
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority
You'll notice I'm leaning towards Google's contender as my preferred pocket companion, but it's not a surefire victory yet. If there's one thing that'll give me pause before jumping headfirst into a pool of Pixel 10 Pros, it's its camera performance. While Google's smartphones rarely disappoint in this arena, the Pixel 8 has left me wanting, while the Pixel 9 Pro has failed to impress. What's worrying is that the Pixel 10 Pro shares the same sensors and setup as its predecessor. Will it have the same low-contrast, washed-color problems? Only time will tell. I have little doubt that the results will be usable, but will I enjoy shooting with the Pixel 10 Pro? I'm not so sure.
Samsung does tempt me with its incredible camera array, but Google's phones have never been camera slouches.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra remains a tried-and-tested camera phone and perhaps the best pocket camera money can buy now. Of course, camera output is a highly subjective topic. Not everyone will do a side-by-side before picking their favorite to upload to social media. You may prefer the closer-to-life imaging of the Pixel line, or the more impactful shots produced by the Galaxy. I'm a sucker for the latter, as I own a dedicated camera if I'm genuinely concerned with veracity. When using a phone, I want to capture the moment as vividly as possible, and I trust the Samsung to accomplish this task.
Hadlee Simons / Android Authority
So, which device would I get? I want to consider the final hurdle to purchase: the pricing. There's no denying that the Galaxy S25 Ultra is an expensive beast. Starting at $1,299, it's dangerously close to foldable phone territory, and higher storage versions encroach on that land. Even though I use smartphones for a living, I can't convince myself that that amount of cash is worth it. As a fan of the S Pen, I can't deny that the latest Ultra's lack of a Bluetooth-enabled stylus is disappointing. Couple that with the phone's size, and I'm not convinced it's a good way to spend my cash.
As a Galaxy Watch user and the owner of various Samsung products, the promise of further entrenching myself into its ecosystem is enticing, and the future of DeX with all that underlying Snapdragon 8 Elite horsepower is tempting. Still, neither makes the Ultra an immediate sell.
Ultimately, the Pixel 10 Pro is the better value proposition for my pocket and wallet.
The Pixel 10 Pro, however, still costs under $1,000, but only a dollar less. Regardless, I would save $300 snapping it up, and that's cash I would spend on building out my Pixelsnap ecosystem to better integrate the phone into my daily life. Sure, Google's smartphones still arouse concerns, especially when contrasted with the Galaxy S25 Ultra. I have to contend with these issues: the efficiency and efficacy of the Tensor G5 and GPU, the tawdry wired charging speeds, and the slightly smaller battery. However, if we're strictly limited to the Galaxy S25 Ultra and the Pixel 10 Pro, the latter would get my approval, but only just.
Pixel 10 Pro vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: Which should you buy?
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
100x zoomBig battery7 years software support
See price at Samsung
See price at Verizon
See price at AT&T
See price at T-Mobile
See price at AmazonGoogle Pixel 10 Pro
Top-tier specs with small displaySatellite SOSPowerful AI toolsBright display
See price at Amazon
Save $200.00
See price at AmazonGoogle Pixel 10 Pro XL
Biggest non-folding Pixel phoneBest specs and AI features
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