Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Google Pixel 10 Pro XL: I compared both Androids, and this model wins

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It's officially Unpacked week, which means antsy phone buyers are getting several new models to seriously consider. If you're a power user in particular, you may be weighing the new Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra against the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL, both of which can be argued to offer the best of Android phones in the first half of 2026.

Also: Samsung Unpacked 2026 live blog: Galaxy S26 Ultra specs, Buds 4 Pro, preorder deals, more

Ahead of Unpacked, the ZDNET team spent time with both phones to get a sense of their unique strengths and weaknesses. If you're split between the two, here are the key buying reasons for each and our choice if we have to pick one.

You should buy the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if...