The Google Pixel 11 Pro XL and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are two of the most anticipated Android flagships of the year. With the Pixel 11 Pro XL set to launch at the August 12 Made by Google event, it's natural to wonder how it will stack up against its rival, the Galaxy S26 Ultra. While the Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to offer some impressive upgrades, it's clear that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has already set a high bar for itself. In this article, we'll take a deep dive into the key specifications and features of both phones, and offer our expert analysis on which one comes out on top. Personally, I think the Galaxy S26 Ultra has the edge in most areas, but Google hasn't given up yet. It's a close call, and we'll have to wait and see what the Pixel 11 Pro XL has to offer to make a definitive decision. But for now, let's explore the strengths and weaknesses of both phones and see what they bring to the table.
Display and Design
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a larger 6.9-inch screen, while the Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to have a 6.8-inch display. However, the Pixel 11 Pro XL's screen is tipped to be brighter, with a 3,600 nit display compared to the S26 Ultra's 2,600 nit display. This should make the Pixel 11 Pro XL more visible in bright situations. Both phones are expected to have rounded corners, but the Pixel 11 Pro XL has a horizontal triple-lens camera bar, while the S26 Ultra has a vertical quad-lens system. The Pixel 11 Pro XL also lacks the 'Pixel Glow' feature, which is rumored to serve as a notification light on the back of the device.
Performance
Performance is not the area where Google usually excels, and the Tensor G6 chip in the Pixel 11 Pro XL is rumored to drop to seven cores, which could impact its performance. The chip will be built on TSMC's 2nm process, which improves transistor density and boosts performance and power efficiency. However, Google is utilizing a MediaTek M90 modem, which is several years old and could impact the phone's overall performance. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, on the other hand, is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, which is expected to perform well in benchmarks.
Cameras
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200MP main camera lens, partnered with a 50MP ultrawide lens, 50MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom, and a 10MP secondary telephoto capable of 3x optical zoom. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to have a 50MP main camera, 48MP ultrawide, and a 48MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. While the camera hardware is impressive, it's important to note that software has become a crucial part of the photography process, and we'll have to wait and see how the Pixel 11 Pro XL's cameras perform in real-world testing.
Software and AI
Software is where Pixel phones excel, and the 11 Pro XL will have access to the latest Android updates, quarterly Pixel drops with new features, and the latest AI Google has to offer. Samsung's One UI has had some hiccups in rolling out updates, but it tends to be pretty good at getting new updates to users fairly quickly. The crossover between Pixel and Galaxy phones when it comes to AI features is also notable.
Battery and Charging
The Pixel 11 Pro XL has a slightly smaller 5,115 mAh battery compared to the S26 Ultra's 5,000 mAh battery. The Pixel 10 Pro XL lasted 14 hours and 35 minutes in a custom battery test, while the S26 Ultra lasted 16 hours and 10 minutes. The Pixel 11 Pro XL is expected to offer 45W charging, which is slightly below the S26 Ultra's 60W speeds. However, both phones should offer 25W Qi2.2 wireless charging speeds.
Outlook
Despite the Galaxy S26 Ultra's strong performance and impressive camera capabilities, the Pixel 11 Pro XL has some upgrades that could make it a compelling choice. However, it's clear that the Galaxy S26 Ultra has set a high bar for itself, and it's not easy to compete with such a well-rounded device. The only way to figure out which phone is better is with hands-on testing, and we'll have to wait and see what Google actually has in store for us.
