Switching from Samsung Galaxy to Google Pixel: what you gain and lose

If your Samsung Galaxy is getting old, a Google Pixel is a fair upgrade. If you already own a newer Galaxy, the switch is probably not worth it. That is the bottom line of an Engadget comparison published after Google revealed the Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro in August 2026.

What you gain

Pixels carry very little bloatware, which means preinstalled apps you did not ask for. There is no Bixby assistant to turn off and no duplicate Samsung apps to remove. Google's phones also get new Android features first, along with quarterly updates called Pixel Drops.

• Seven years of Android updates on Pixel phones, including the cheaper A-series.
• Samsung's Galaxy A phones get six years of updates.
• New Pixel 11 camera tools, including Camera Looks filters and a built-in scrolling teleprompter.
• Gemini AI that can take over tasks like phone calls or hailing an Uber.

Cameras

Older Pixels leaned on software tricks to match Samsung's hardware. That gap is shrinking. The Pixel 11 Pro XL has cameras that rival the Galaxy S26 Ultra's. Some people say Google's phones are better for everyday photos, thanks to quick shots, near-zero shutter lag and natural colors. Samsung tends toward more vivid color.

What you lose

The Galaxy S26 Ultra beats the Pixel 11 Pro XL on battery life, with faster charging and better endurance. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip is also quicker than the Pixel's Tensor G6, especially in demanding games and speed tests. The Pixel handles day-to-day tasks well.

Video is another gap. The S26 Ultra can shoot 8K at 30 frames per second and 4K at 120. The Pixel 11 Pro tops out at 4K at 60. It can produce 8K only through Video Boost, which relies on cloud computing.

• No DeX, Samsung's desktop mode. Android's own version is still early.
• Fewer customization tools than Samsung's Modes and Routines.
• No Pixel equivalent of the Galaxy Z Flip or a phone with stylus support.
• Samsung Health Monitor, which tracks blood pressure and ECG on the Galaxy Watch 9, works only with Samsung devices.

Who should switch

Power users will likely prefer Samsung's approach. For everyone else, Pixels are great everyday phones with faster updates. Newer Galaxy phones like the S26 compete well with Google's best, and the Pixel 11 Fold is less exciting than Samsung's passport-style Galaxy Z Fold 8.