GoKawiilJoe Maring / Android Authority
The year 2026 is turning out to be quite a dull one for smartphones (thanks in large part to brands dealing with skyrocketing RAM prices), and perhaps the best examples of that are the new Google Pixel 11 and the Samsung Galaxy S26.
Neither phone brings a massive upgrade over its predecessor. However, if you’re choosing between the Pixel 11 and Galaxy S26 as your next Android phone, there are plenty of smaller differences that could ultimately sway your decision.
After comparing both phones closely, there are a few reasons I’d actually pick the Google Pixel 11 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 this time around — and I think you should, too.
Pixel 11 vs. Galaxy S26: Which phone would you pick? 110 votes Google Pixel 11 40 % Samsung Galaxy S26 28 % Waiting for reviews 18 % None of these 14 %
The Pixel 11 has the battery advantage
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is probably one of the lightest flagship smartphones you can buy right now. But that slim and lightweight design also comes with one major downside: a smaller battery. And that’s probably my biggest reason for picking the Pixel 11 over the Galaxy S26.
The Galaxy S26 ships with just a 4,300mAh battery, which, in my opinion, is extremely small for an Android flagship in 2026. That’s also something we noticed in our Galaxy S26 review.
It’s good enough to get through a day of normal use, but push the phone harder with gaming, navigation, or lots of camera use, and you’ll probably be looking for a charger before the day is over.
That 4,300mAh cell is simply too small to get any real work done.
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