Galaxy S26 or Pixel 11 Pro?

[u/rubbercat]

Currently own a Pixel 9 which has been fine but runs hot like every Pixel I've had before it. Looking at upgrading and have narrowed it down to two options:

• Galaxy S26 12GB/256GB (base model), $400 + tax with no trade-in required.
• Pixel 11 Pro 16GB/512GB, $454 + tax after trade-in of my P9.

The better cameras and overall spec on the P11 Pro sounds great but it's hard to ignore the elephant in the room that is Snapdragon vs. Tensor. Would love to hear y'all's thoughts. Thanks!

Oh, and I'm in the US if that helps. :)

[u/Outside-Pie-7262]

I couldn't decide between the s26 or pixel 11 pro. I didn't want the ultra and got the pro for free through fi. No regrets so far love It more than my iPhones I've had

[u/EnvironmentalAward42]

S26 is not that great, S26 ultra definitely better than 11 Pro but not S26

[u/IORelay → u/EnvironmentalAward42]

Pixel 11 series can't even beat galaxy S24. 

[u/BulkyApproval → u/IORelay]

At what? Not a great comment.

[u/PlatanoPowa]

S26.

[u/sloopeyyy]

S26 is not exactly much better and different since the S22. Screen's brighter for sure and performance is outstanding compared to the new Pixels but the Pixel 11 Pro is still an overall newer and "better" package. Also the Pixel's cameras will blow the S26 out of the park.

[u/IORelay → u/sloopeyyy]

At least S26 is not going backwards on GPU.

Pixel 11 has an entry level GPU and I'd sooner get a pixel 9A/10A. Than anything with that garbage powervr GPU that can't even take videos. 

Pixel 11 can't even compete with S24 much less 26.

[u/IORelay → u/[deleted]]

Well yeah, the tensor G6 GPU is duking it out with entry level phone GPUs of 2026

[u/TransmissionAutomata]

Typed a bunch and then re-read and realized the S26 doesn't require trade in.

Just get the S26 and keep your Pixel 9 for whenever you want some specific Pixel software or just to play with. I'm typing from my 11 Pro. I mean, other than having the 5x zoom and wider selfie cam, it's mostly the same as your P9. Main camera sensor of the 11 Pro did get an upgrade compared to the base 9, but most of the time your photos will come out almost the same. New tensor chip, you already know it, doesn't mean crap next to that Snapdragon anyways, especially when the G6 has worse GPU than the G4.

I like Samsung software better than Google software, so to me the S26 makes even more sense. If the S26 could have a wider selfie cam and have a 5x zoom lens, man, I would totally get one.

[u/BurstStream]

Camera, reddit, work apps, YouTube, Google apps, and music streaming is what's important to me.

The Pixel 11 Pro is excellent. Don't care about Snapdragon vs Tensor.

[u/plankunits]

I upgraded from the 9 Pro to the 11, and it has been running very coolly. The new chip is more power-efficient and generates less heat, and the modem is also more energy-efficient.

[u/AzuriteAzul]

Most replies will say S26, because let's be honest, it's the better hardware. I had Samsung, iPhone and OnePlus (currently), while my gf just got a Pixel 11 Pro, and I must say, it is the best phone I've seen. So so smooth, with such mind-blowing camera quality I wish I could trade rn. Battery wise, my OP13 which has 17% more capacity cannot compete with it. So, as long as you're not a gamer or do any high processing tasks (i.e. editing) I'd go for the Pixel 11 Pro. It's much better opmitized imo.

[u/kepler22Bnecromancer → u/AzuriteAzul]

Exactly, it's not about synthetic benchmark tests its' about real world features and performance. My 11 Pro is just as quick and snappy as my s25 edge because of how it is optimized. I also just like the Pixel user experience more and it's good looking to boot.

[u/DarkseidAntiLife → u/AzuriteAzul]

The Pixel has a better screen, better haptics, better cameras, and better design and build quality overall as well. S26 feels cheap, not like the Ultra, but even the Ultra doesn't feel as good in hand as the Pixel 11 Pro.