There is a clear winner for me

Whereas Professional Max’s, Extremely’s, and Professional XL’s get all the eye yearly, the bottom fashions have gotten the extra compelling choice to me, bringing flagship energy and sufficient high-end options to a compact physique. Extra importantly, they’re considerably cheaper than their largest siblings. The Samsung Galaxy S25 brings all the required upgrades you’d anticipate from an annual replace, bringing the battle to Google’s personal “inexpensive flagship,” the Pixel 9.

I’ve used Pixel smartphones for the reason that very starting (the Pixel 2 XL stays a favourite), and after evaluating them to quite a few Samsung flagships through the years, I really feel assured in my opinions. In fact, it’s at all times a good suggestion to attend for our hands-on testing and detailed evaluations of the Galaxy S25, however I can’t think about my choice shifting until we discover one thing actually worrisome. In terms of the Galaxy S25 vs Pixel 9 battle, for me, there’s a transparent winner.

Design decisions are subjective, however because the title says, I desire the Pixel 9’s design over the Galaxy S25’s. The pill-shaped digital camera housing offers the cellphone a singular, immediately recognizable look. There’s no doubting the cellphone for something aside from the Pixel 9. The Galaxy S25 is, in fact, distinctly Samsung, however that’s so far as the differentiation goes. You’d be hard-pressed to select the Galaxy S25 out from a lineup of Galaxy S flagships going again a few generations and even some Galaxy A units at first look. Good or unhealthy, no two generations of Pixel telephones look the identical, which I actually like.

Samsung sticking with the tried and true isn’t essentially a nasty factor, although. It’s a clear, practical design and clearly makes use of premium supplies that may really feel nice within the hand, particularly with its compact dimension. I additionally agree that consumers completely don’t must improve to the most recent flagship yearly, which makes the same design between latest generations much less of a priority. However as somebody who does get a brand new cellphone yearly, or on the most two, I’d like one thing completely different once I purchase one.

The Pixel 9 is heavier and bigger than the Galaxy S25, although. What’s higher is your alternative as soon as once more. I’ve giant palms and like the additional weight; a “heavy” cellphone simply feels higher to me. However when you’re after a compact, light-weight choice, the Galaxy S25 is the much better alternative. Sturdiness is identical throughout the board, with each coming with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 panels, metallic frames, and an IP68 score for mud and water resistance.

The Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 wasn’t going to win any benchmark efficiency comparisons anyway, however the Galaxy S25’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy, a souped-up model of the flagship processing bundle, leaves the previous even additional behind. I don’t see it making an enormous distinction in on a regular basis utilization, however I additionally hardly ever push my cellphone a lot past enjoying Actual Racing 3 commonly and taking plenty of photos.

If something, the cranked-up iteration of the Snapdragon 8 Elite may need points with overheating if our exams of the usual processor are something to go by. However that’s for my reviewer colleagues to determine. On paper, the Galaxy S25 has a giant benefit right here. A key improve to the Galaxy S25’s RAM, now at 12GB, additionally brings it as much as par with the Pixel 9. This was one among our negatives when evaluating the Pixel 9 with final yr’s Galaxy S24, so it’s good to see Samsung make the change.

On the digital camera facet of issues, Samsung and Google are each saving their finest for the Professional and Extremely. The Pixel 9’s digital camera is fairly nice, with the upgraded 48MP ultrawide lens making a distinction, however neither can be on the stage of its premium siblings. The Galaxy S25’s digital camera setup stays unchanged from final yr. It has the benefit of a 3rd digital camera with its 10MP 3x telephoto lens, however that appears like an “on paper” distinction that gained’t matter an excessive amount of. I’ll watch for our hands-on digital camera exams, however the S25’s digital camera must be not less than nearly as good as what we acquired final yr, so I’m not apprehensive.

The Pixel 9 has a bigger 4,700mAh battery in comparison with the Galaxy S25’s 4,000mAh unit. The Pixel 9 ought to present extra longevity on a single cost, however we’ll must run the Galaxy S25 by our battery exams first. The unhealthy information is that neither cellphone will cost notably quick, which continues to be fairly disappointing to see in 2025.

Whereas {hardware} comparisons would require hands-on testing, the Galaxy S25 ought to take the win in most elements.

The Galaxy S25’s One UI 7 brings a slew of additional options to Galaxy AI, however the largest takeaway is that Google Gemini would be the default assistant and can energy plenty of the cellphone’s generative AI options. Whereas Google has been specializing in AI smarts on its smartphones for longer, particularly in the case of the digital camera, Samsung has caught up, or not less than borrowed what’s obligatory, to make each telephones fairly related by way of AI-powered options.

In fact, One UI and the Pixel Launcher are in any other case as completely different as will be. Since I largely use Pixel telephones, I desire the cleaner and easier launcher, and our Android software program rankings agree. Nevertheless, if you need one thing that’s full of options, One UI is the choice to go for.

Each telephones provides you with seven years of main software program upgrades and safety updates, so that you’ll be capable of maintain on to both for a very long time. Nevertheless, how shortly the Galaxy S25 will get these updates stays a query, particularly because it will get older and Samsung prioritizes newer releases. In the meantime, any Pixel ought to theoretically be among the many first to get the yearly OS improve.

The Pixel 9 is the winner for me, however it’s shut

• Google Pixel 9: Begins at $799
• Samsung Galaxy S25: Begins at $799

The Pixel 9 is in the end the winner for me, however it’s actually a toss-up between the 2, relying in your choice. I just like the Pixel 9’s design and added weight, however anybody on the lookout for a correct compact cellphone will desire the Galaxy S25. Equally, I really feel much more at dwelling with the Pixel’s software program, whereas the Samsung flagship admittedly has much more options when you use them. Neither digital camera is one of the best within the enterprise, however they aren’t far behind and can be extraordinarily succesful.

Whereas I haven’t talked about the Galaxy S25 Plus a lot, it’s a higher different to the S25 and the Pixel 9. You get a bigger, higher-resolution show if that’s what you like, and its bigger battery ought to present higher battery life. Nevertheless, at its beginning worth of $999, the S25 Plus is extra in step with the Pixel 9 Professional, which is compact however has a much better digital camera setup.

I’ll say that the Galaxy S25 and S25 Plus are the extra highly effective smartphones, and that may assist with longevity when you plan to maintain the cellphone anyplace near so long as its seven years of updates enable. In the event you’re on the lookout for a flagship that may final, get the Galaxy S25. For nearly every little thing else, I’d choose the Pixel 9.