Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: Which small phone will be worth buying?
Samsung is gearing up to launch a new lineup of Galaxy phones early next year, and rumor season is officially underway. At this point, the exact name of Samsung’s base-model Galaxy for 2026 remains uncertain—it could be the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Galaxy S26 Pro. Regardless, we do know a 6.3-inch handset is expected to arrive just in time to compete with the Google Pixel 10.
Google recently unveiled the Pixel 10 series, presenting serious competition with notable upgrades such as an enhanced camera system and Qi2 magnetic support. These improvements put the ball in Samsung’s court to respond decisively with the Galaxy S26. If you’re on the hunt for a base-model Android flagship, your top choices in the coming months will likely be between these two smartphones.
Let’s take a closer look at how the Galaxy S26 might stack up against the Pixel 10 in this speculative comparison, based on the latest rumors and leaks.
### Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: Pricing and Availability
Samsung is expected to debut the Galaxy S26 series early next year. For context, the Galaxy S25 lineup was revealed on January 22, 2025, and became available for purchase on February 7. However, recent rumors suggest Samsung could push the launch back to February or March 2026.
At least three models are expected, including the base variant—potentially named the Galaxy S26 or Galaxy S26 Pro. Pricing details remain unclear. The current Galaxy S25 starts at $799 with 128GB of storage. If Samsung phases out the lower 128GB tier and ships the Galaxy S26 with 256GB as standard, a price increase could be on the horizon. There may also be new storage configurations, including 512GB or 1TB options.
Meanwhile, the Google Pixel 10 was revealed on August 20, 2025, and became available on August 28. It is priced at $799 for the 128GB base model, with a 256GB version costing $100 more. Color options include Indigo, Lemongrass, Frost, and Obsidian.
### Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: Design and Display
Samsung appears to be responding to consumer trends favoring larger phones. The Galaxy S26 is rumored to feature a 6.3-inch screen, matching the Google Pixel 10. This marks a size increase from previous models, with leaked CAD renderings suggesting dimensions of 149.3 x 71.4 x 6.96mm.
Despite the larger display, the Galaxy S26 may remain lighter than rivals. The Galaxy S25 weighs 162 grams and already undercut the Pixel series on heft. The new model will likely take design cues from recent Samsung phones like the Galaxy S25 Edge and Galaxy Z Fold 7, including a raised, oval-shaped camera platform housing three rear lenses.
If rumors hold true, the Pixel 10 is bigger across all dimensions, measuring 152.8 x 72 x 8.6mm. It is also one of the heaviest 6.3-inch phones on the market at 204 grams.
The Pixel 10 boasts a 6.3-inch Actual OLED panel with a resolution of 1080 x 2424 pixels. It supports a variable refresh rate from 60Hz to 120Hz and a peak brightness of 3,000 nits. By comparison, the Galaxy S26 may come equipped with a 6.3-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel featuring a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The Galaxy S25 maxed out at 2,600 nits, but Samsung could boost brightness with the S26 to better rival the Pixel 10.
Design-wise, the Pixel 10 has a glossy back with a pill-shaped camera bar that noticeably protrudes. Both phones will likely carry an IP68 rating for dust and water resistance.
### Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: Hardware and Specs
Hardware and performance could be the key differentiators between the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 10. Although details remain scarce, the Galaxy S26 is rumored to feature a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 “for Galaxy” chipset. The current Snapdragon 8 Elite already outperforms Google’s Tensor G5 chip found in the Pixel 10 in raw performance, gaming, and AI processing.
That said, Google’s Tensor G5 represents the company’s best system-on-a-chip yet, offering a 34% faster CPU on average and a TPU that’s up to 60% more powerful. The Pixel 10 generally performs smoothly during daily tasks, though gaming remains a weak spot.
There are some hardware omissions in the Pixel 10, such as a lack of UFS 4.0 storage support on the base model and a downgrade to Wi-Fi 6E. In contrast, the Galaxy S26 may support faster Wi-Fi 7 and could upgrade Bluetooth connectivity to variations matching or exceeding the Pixel 10’s impressive specs. Both phones are expected to receive seven years of full OS upgrades, making these connectivity improvements significant for users over time.
On the camera front, Google added a telephoto camera to the Pixel 10 for the first time, granting 5x optical zoom via a 10.8MP lens. This brings the total rear camera count to three: a 48MP main sensor, 12MP ultrawide, and the new telephoto lens.
Samsung is rumored to upgrade its cameras for the Galaxy S26—the first major update since the Galaxy S22. While the size of the improvements is unclear, expectations include a new primary shooter and an enhanced 50MP ultrawide camera. The telephoto lens may remain unchanged, giving the Pixel 10 an edge in zoom capabilities.
### Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Google Pixel 10: To Buy or To Wait?
The competition between Samsung and Google is heating up, making it an exciting time to shop for flagship Android phones. After several years of incremental upgrades, both companies are pushing to outdo each other with meaningful innovations.
Google’s Pixel 10 introduced a telephoto lens at the base level for the first time, matching the Galaxy S25. The Galaxy S26 is expected to debut magnetic Qi2 support, closing the gap to the Pixel 10.
Whether you choose the Pixel 10 now or wait for the Galaxy S26, you’re in for an excellent device. However, current rumors suggest the Galaxy S26 might be the model to beat, offering a larger display, upgraded camera sensors, Qi2 magnets, and a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip that could outperform the Pixel 10 by a considerable margin.
Keep in mind, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is still several months away, with a likely release window in January, February, or March 2026. If you prefer to wait for the latest Samsung flagship, patience will be required—but the potential rewards look promising.
https://www.androidcentral.com/phones/samsung-galaxy/samsung-galaxy-s26-vs-google-pixel-10
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