Summary
- The Pixel 10 Pro XL is not your regular Android flagship. It features one of the largest screens on a conventional smartphone, and a good one no less.
- The Galaxy S25 Ultra boasts an even bigger screen, but somehow, Samsung has managed to make the smartphone thinner and lighter.
- While one runs on the Tensor G5, Google’s latest and most powerful chipset, the S25 Ultra runs on the Snapdragon 8 Elite. So, which one should you choose?
The Pixel 10 Pro XL offers the best hardware and software combination on a Google flagship. Whether it’s the bright AMOLED screen, the triple-rear camera setup, or system-wide Gemini integration, the phone excels in every aspect. However, is it better or worse than the $1299.99 Galaxy S25 Ultra? Let’s find out.
Price & Availability
The Pixel 10 Pro XL (256GB) is available from $1,199 in the United States via the Google Store. You can also get a $100 discount at Best Buy if you’re willing to activate the handset with either Verizon or AT&T.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) debuted at $1,299.99 in January 2025. However, you can get the baseline variant at $949.99 from Best Buy, but you’ll have to activate it with either Verizon or AT&T.
256GB | 512GB | 1TB | |
Pixel 10 Pro XL | $1,199 | $1,319 | $1,549 |
Galaxy S25 Ultra | $1,299.99 | $1,419.99 | $1,659.99 |
Camera Visor vs. Protruding Lenses
Of the two phones, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is the thinner (8.2mm vs. 8.5mm) and lighter (218 grams vs. 232 grams) option. Otherwise, they share a similar form factor, as both are big-screen Android flagships that use Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for their back panel and feature a metallic frame (aluminum on the Pixel vs. titanium on the Galaxy handset).
Both phones also have a very different approach to physical design. While the Pixel 10 Pro XL features rounded corners and the iconic horizontal camera visor on the back, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is more like a rectangular slab (with boxy edges), and a flat back panel with the protruding camera lenses at the top left.
For those concerned about dust and water resistance, both handsets come with an official IP68 rating. Even though both handsets have a minimal yet contemporary look, Samsung provides seven titanium-infused colorways with the S25 Ultra, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL is available in only four shades: Moonstone, Jade, Porcelain, and Obsidian.
S25 Ultra Offers a Bigger Screen
Google’s top-of-the-line Pixel 10 Pro XL boasts a Super Actua LTPO OLED screen with a resolution of 2992 x 1344 pixels (486 ppi), variable refresh rate (1-120Hz), and a peak brightness of 3,300 nits (limited to 2,200 nits in high-brightness mode). Additional features include support for HDR10+ content and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection.
The S25 Ultra also features an LTPO AMOLED screen, but with a slightly bigger footprint (6.9-inch), noticeably thinner bezels, a sharper resolution of 3120 x 1440 pixels (498 ppi), and support for 480Hz PWM dimming (which makes the screen more comfortable on the eyes).
Although the screen also supports variable refresh rate and HDR10+ content, it can only achieve a peak brightness of 2,600 nits. Another notable difference is Gorilla Armor 2 protection on the front screen, which improves visibility by reducing reflections.
Tensor G5 vs. Snapdragon 8 Elite
This year, the Pixel 10 series gets Google’s new Tensor G5 (3nm) SoC, which offers a substantial performance upgrade when compared to the Tensor G4 on the Pixel 9. The chipset features a 3.78 GHz prime core (as part of a 1+5+3 octa-core CPU), a new Imagination DXT GPU (without ray tracing), and a new TPU that is optimized to run the Gemini Nano AI model at faster speeds.
The Tensor G5 is paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. What’s good is that Google has included Zoned UFS technology on the 512GB and 1TB variants, improving the overall read/write speed and the lifespan of the storage module. Moreover, the Pixel 10 Pro XL can easily handle your everyday tasks, mid-tier video games, and casual video editing with ease.
However, if you want a handset that does everything as quickly as possible on a smartphone, you might want to consider the Galaxy S25 Ultra, primarily because it features the Snapdragon 8 Elite (3nm) chipset. With two 4.47 GHz prime cores, a 1.2 GHz GPU (with hardware-accelerated ray tracing), and the Hexagon NPU capable of on-device AI processing, the chipset delivers unmatched speed and smoother graphics.
Aside from the chipset, you get up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage. Without discussing the benchmarks, the S25 Ultra offers higher peak performance, which may be useful when playing demanding video games at the highest settings or editing 4K videos on the smartphone with multiple effects and layers on the timeline.
Android 16 vs. One UI 7
Out of the box, the Pixel 10 Pro XL runs on Google’s latest Android 16 operating system. Although the update doesn’t include a major visual overhaul, it does include several meaningful additions, such as the Material 3 Expressive user interface, Live Updates (similar to Live Activities on iOS), Health Connect, which can now manage your medical records, and enhanced security.
Besides these features, the Pixel also gains new AI-based capabilities through deeper integration of the Gemini AI assistant in the operating system. For instance, the Magic Cue feature surfaces actionable insights throughout Google apps, provides real-time (offline) translation during voice calls, enhances visual assistance via Live Camera, integrates NotebookLM, and includes a couple of camera-specific features that we’ll talk about in a bit.
The Galaxy S25 Ultra currently runs on One UI 7, but soon, it will get the stable One UI 8 update based on Android 16. For now, the handset offers features such as an improved home screen and app drawer, different sections for notifications and quick settings, the Edge Panel, Samsung’s Now Brief and Now Bar, cross-app via Gemini extensions, and AI Select, among other Galaxy AI features.
Like the Pixl 10 Pro XL, the S25 Ultra will also get seven years of major operating system and security updates. However, the former also gets quarterly Pixel Drops.
Galaxy S25 Ultra Offers Four Rear-Facing Cameras
While both handsets follow a similar approach to smartphone photography, the Galaxy S25 Ultra has two telephoto lenses, making its camera setup more versatile, especially for users who work with higher focal lengths or zoom levels.
Pixel 10 Pro XL | Galaxy S25 Ultra | |
Primary Sensor | 50MP (f/1.7, 1/1.31″, OIS) | 200MP (f/1.7, 1/1.3″, OIS) |
Telephoto Sensor (1) | 48MP (f/2.8, 1/2.55″, OIS) for 5x optical zoom | 10MP (f/2.4, 1/3.52″, OIS) for 3x optical zoom |
Telephoto Sensor (2) | N.A. | 50MP (f/3.4, 1/2.52″, OIS) for 5x optical zoom |
Ultrawide Sensor | 48MP (f/2.8, 1/2.55″, AF), covers 123° FOV | 50MP (f/1.9, 1/2.5″, AF), covers 120° FOV |
Selfie Sensor | 42MP (f/2.2, 103° FOV, AF) | 12MP (f/2.2, AF) |
As far as the trending AI-based photo editing features are concerned, you get them on both the flagships (Magic Editor on the Pixel and Generative Edit on the Galaxy). Other features, such as a dedicated Pro mode, nighttime video modes, and audio isolation (Audio Magic Eraser on the Pixel and Audio Eraser on the Galaxy), are also present on both smartphones.
What’s new on the Pixel 10 Pro XL is the Camera Coach feature, which provides you with real-time guidance on improving the overall composition of your pictures. Then there’s Edit with Ask Photos, which lets you edit pictures with simple voice commands, such as “change the color of the sky to dark blue,” or “remove the stranger from the background.” The handset should also capture wider and sharper selfies.
For the first time, the Pixel also provides up to 100x Pro Res Zoom, which is similar to the 100x Space Zoom on the Galaxy S25 Ultra. Although both handsets feature only a 5x optical zoom lens, they utilize computational photography and a touch of generative AI to enhance the results. Besides, both phones can capture RAW photographs.
A striking difference, however, is the S25 Ultra’s ability to record 8K videos (30 fps) natively, while the Pixel 10 Pro XL uses cloud processing to upscale videos (what Google calls Video Boost). It is also better at capturing 4K videos (up to 120 fps), capturing high-resolution 200MP photos from the primary camera, and offers Galaxy Log video recording.
Pixelsnap Wireless Charging and Better Connectivity
Despite featuring a slightly bigger 5,200 mAh battery, the Pixel 10 Pro XL doesn’t outperform the S25 Ultra’s 5,000 mAh battery in early reviews. There remains a significant gap in the actual usage time, favoring Samsung’s flagship.
On the other hand, the Pixel 10 Pro XL (like the other Pixel 10 models) is among the first mainstream Android flagships to offer magnetic wireless charging, a feature that the company calls Pixelsnap charging. It utilizes Qi2 standard to its fullest, enabling 25W wireless charging with Google’s first-party or Qi2-certified third-party accessories.
Meanwhile, the S25 Ultra remains Qi2-ready, implying that you’d have to get a magnetic case for the smartphone before attaching it to magnetic wireless chargers. Beyond this, both handsets support the same 45W wired charging speed.
Both phones offer satellite connectivity, Ultra-Wideband support for precision tracking via the Find Hub, support for mmWave and Sub-6 GHz 5G, and Wi-Fi 7. Notable differences include Bluetooth v6.0 and dual-band GPS on the Pixel 10 Pro XL.
Which Phone Is Right for You?
If you already own a two or three-year-old Pixel handset and you’re happy with how Google’s smartphone runs and feels, you can consider trading in the handset for an upfront discount on the Pixel 10 Pro XL. At $1,199.99, the Pixel 10 Pro XL is as good as conventional flagships can get, save for the raw CPU and GPU performance (something that shouldn’t hamper your day-to-day usage).
However, if you prefer Samsung’s One UI user interface and all the customization options it offers, and you already have a bunch of Samsung accessories to pair with the smartphone, the S25 Ultra should be an easy option for you. The Galaxy S25 Ultra offers exceptional raw performance, an additional telephoto camera that improves photo quality within the 1x to 5x zoom range, lasts longer between charges, and also features a built-in S Pen (without Air Actions).
- Brand
-
Google
- SoC
-
Google Tensor G5
- Display
-
6.8-inch Super Actua, 20:9
- RAM
-
16 GB RAM
- Storage
-
128 GB / 256 GB / 512 GB with Zoned UFS / 1 TB with Zoned UFS
- Battery
-
5200mAh
Need a bigger phone? The Pixel 10 Pro XL offers just that. While you largely get the same experience as the 10 Pro, you’ll get a bigger screen and bigger battery—so you won’t be missing out on anything over the standard-sized 10 Pro.
- SoC
-
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
- Display
-
6.9″, 3120 x 1440, LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz
- RAM
-
12GB
- Storage
-
256GB, 512GB, 1TB
- Battery
-
5,000mAh
- Ports
-
USB-C
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is a top-of-the-line smartphone with a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display and a 120Hz refresh rate. It boasts the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and a 5,000mAh battery with 45W Super Fast Charging 2.0.
I’ve also compared the Pixel 10 Pro with the Pixel 9 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro, if that’s something you’re interested in.