GoKawiilSamsung announced the Galaxy S26 at its Unpacked event in February. It gave the base model a battery boost but hiked its starting price by $100 over the Galaxy S25. This comes at a time when Samsung's closest Android rival, Google, is bridging the gap between its base and Pro models. The company added a dedicated telephoto camera to its latest-generation Pixel 10, which helps the Pixel 10 reach the Galaxy S26's camera versatility.
Both phones have a 6.3-inch screen, three cameras on the back and exclusive software features -- all while sharing the latest Android perks, like Quick Share's new ability to send photos and files over AirDrop to Apple devices. However, the Google Pixel 10 undercuts its Samsung rival by $100, but it comes with half the storage, starting with 128GB. Is it worth saving $100, or does the new Galaxy S26 deserve its new price tag? I compared both phones to find out. Here's how the Samsung Galaxy S26 compares to the Google Pixel 10.
The Galaxy S26 has a side panel for app and feature shortcuts. David Lumb/CNET
Design and build
Both Samsung and Google phones have the same display size but offer a different experience. The Galaxy S26 feels more immersive due to its thinner bezels, whereas the Pixel 10 gets brighter in direct sunlight. Both phones are IP68-rated for dust and water resistance, and they both have Gorilla Glass 2 Victus cover glass. So, durability shouldn't be a concern on either device.
Samsung's $899 flagship phone has a 6.3-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 2,340 by 1,080 pixels (at 411ppi), while the Pixel 10 packs a 6.3-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2,424 by 1,080 pixels (at 422ppi). The latter has a higher pixel density but the difference is negligible, and you'll have trouble noticing it in day-to-day use. However, you'll notice the Pixel 10 being more legible outdoors, thanks to its 3,000 nits peak brightness as compared to the S26's 2,600 nits of brightness.
I'm disappointed with the fact that Samsung is limiting its new Privacy Display feature to the top-of-the-line Galaxy S26 Ultra. The S26 could've been a stronger value with this capability, but it being a hardware-related improvement, that likely would have added to the price.
The Pixel 10's display has a 3,000-nit peak brightness. Celso Bulgatti/CNET
Both phones support a 120Hz high refresh rate. However, the S26 automatically dials that down to 1Hz to be more efficient during mundane activity. The Google Pixel 10, in comparison, can only go down to 60Hz, which isn't a deal-breaker, but its screen is less battery efficient than Samsung's.
Both the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10 are compact phones by today's standards. However, the S26 is more pleasing to hold and comfortable to use, thanks to its lightweight design. At 167 grams, it weighs considerably less than the 204-gram Pixel 10. For context, Samsung's big S26 Ultra is just 10 grams more than Google's small phone. The Korean company did a fantastic job when designing its new models to keep the weight in check. Google's Pixel 10 does include built-in magnets for attaching to wireless chargers and wallet accessories, while a case with magnets is needed to do the same with the Galaxy S26.
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