Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: Best Big Android Compared
The two most credible big-screen Android flagships of 2026. Galaxy S25 Ultra was runner-up Phone of the Year at MKBHD's 2025 Smartphone Awards; Pixel 9 Pro XL shares the same camera array and software as the 9 Pro (which won 2024 Most Improved). They cost $300 apart.
Updated · Verdict based on MKBHD Smartphone Awards results and spec analysis.
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google · 2024 · From $1099
Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
Samsung · 2025 · From $1299
Round wins
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL: 2 · Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 4 ·Ties: 2
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.8-inch OLED, 120Hz LTPO | 6.9-inch QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz LTPO |
| Processor | Google Tensor G4 | Snapdragon 8 Elite |
| RAM | 16GB | 12GB |
| Camera | 50MP main + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 5x telephoto | 200MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x telephoto |
| Battery | 5,060 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| OS | Android 14 | Android 15 (One UI 7) |
| Starting price | $1099 | $1299 |
| Released | 2024 | 2025 |
Round-by-round breakdown
Display
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 6.9-inch with anti-reflective coating, ~2,600 nits typical. Pixel 9 Pro XL: 6.8-inch Super Actua, ~3,000 nits peak. Galaxy wins on outdoor legibility.
Performance
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraSnapdragon 8 Elite (S25 Ultra) outperforms Tensor G4 (Pixel 9 Pro XL) by roughly 35% in benchmarks.
Camera
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraGalaxy S25 Ultra: 200MP main + 5x periscope + 3x + ultrawide. Pixel 9 Pro XL: triple 50MP including 5x telephoto. Samsung wins on zoom reach and resolution flexibility.
AI features
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 9 Pro XL has the broader and more polished on-device AI: Magic Editor, Pixel Studio, Audio Magic Eraser. Galaxy AI is broad on paper but less consistently useful.
Battery
TiePixel 9 Pro XL: 5,060 mAh, 7+ hours screen-on. Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000 mAh, 8+ hours screen-on. Samsung wins marginally on real-world endurance.
S Pen
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraS Pen is a genuine Samsung differentiator. No equivalent on Pixel.
Software updates
TieBoth ship 7 years of major Android updates. Pixel updates land first; Samsung adds broader features.
Price
Winner: Google Pixel 9 Pro XLPixel 9 Pro XL: $1,099. Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299. Pixel is $200 cheaper at base.
Final verdict
Buy the Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want the most capable big-screen Android — better zoom, S Pen, brighter display. Buy the Pixel 9 Pro XL if you want clean Android with the best AI features and don't need 5x periscope or stylus utility — and you save $300.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Galaxy S25 Ultra: which to buy?
S25 Ultra for hardware spec sheet supremacy (S Pen, 5x periscope, brighter display). Pixel 9 Pro XL for clean Android, the best AI features, and saving $200.
Is the Pixel 9 Pro XL big enough vs the Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Almost — 6.8 vs 6.9 inches. The displays are functionally similar in size; the Galaxy S25 Ultra is taller and slightly heavier.
Which has the better camera, Pixel 9 Pro XL or Galaxy S25 Ultra?
Samsung wins on zoom and resolution flexibility. Pixel wins on consistency and computational features. Neither won MKBHD's 2025 Best Camera (Oppo Find X9 Pro did).