Pixel 11 Pro XL vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra: There’s only one I’d spend my money on

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The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra arrived earlier this year to a much more positive reception than its predecessor. Not only is the new flagship thinner than ever, but it has faster charging, camera improvements, and more. Of course, the smartphone market doesn’t stand still. The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL has formally arrived, offering a natural alternative to Samsung’s flagship.

So, which smartphone should you choose? The answer will vary depending on who you ask, but I’d personally pick the Pixel 11 Pro XL for a variety of reasons.

This year’s Galaxy S26 Ultra camera configuration once again offers four cameras. It also sticks to the same sensor size and megapixel count as its predecessor across every lens, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any changes. On the hardware end, the maximum aperture has been improved on its primary and 5x telephoto cameras, which allows greater light capture. There are also plenty of software-side changes, including new features like advanced AI-driven creator tools.

The Pixel 11 Pro XL offers a lower megapixel count on its main sensor when compared to the Galaxy S26 Ultra, but don’t let that fool you. The Pixel 11 Pro XL’s main camera might still just be 50MP, but Google has already shown how much it can do with a modest pixel count, and there’s even a new 1/1.3-inch sensor this time around. There are also a few improvements to the telephoto camera, including a 1/1.95-inch periscope lens with upgrades like 5x native zoom, 10x optical quality zoom, and 120x Pro Zoom.

To be honest, neither camera package is a massive leap forward, but I tend to prefer the way the Pixel handles photography. Samsung doesn’t have the red and green issues it once did, but I still feel like pictures are a tad too oversaturated for my taste. I also find that Google’s camera app and features tend to suit me better. While we’ve yet to see full photography comparisons, it’s safe to say the Pixel 11 series offers one of the strongest camera experiences in the smartphone world, and it will all come down to individual preference.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra already had a great display that’s fairly easy to see in all but the most intense light. That’s nothing compared to the Pixel 11 Pro XL, though. Google’s display is capable of an impressive 3,600 nits, a boost of 1,000 nits compared to Samsung’s high-end flagship.

Now, the difference in brightness probably won’t matter for everyone, but it’s great for outdoorsy types. I love to kayak, hike, and cycle outdoors, and most of the time I find that my Galaxy S24 is more than readable enough, even in direct sunlight. That said, I have to max it out, and I still struggle a little to read it from time to time.