Between the Galaxy S26+ and Pixel 9, the Galaxy S26+ comes out ahead in antutu and wired charging, while the Pixel 9 wins on several specs. Overall, the Galaxy S26+ scores 68.5 and the Pixel 9 scores 63.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Galaxy S26+ edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.5 vs 63.5), but the 5.0-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Galaxy S26+ if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are antutu, wired charging, pixel density, among others.
The Pixel 9 similarly doesn't carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable ram, main camera, refresh rate, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Galaxy S26+ is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Samsung - Galaxy S26+ wins
- ▲AnTuTu — 77.42% more. 2200000 vs 1240000.
- ▲Wired charging — 66.67% more. 45 W vs 27 W.
- ▲Pixel density — 21.56% more. 513 ppi vs 422 ppi.
- ▲Front camera — 14.29% more. 12 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- ▲Screen size — 6.35% more. 6.7 " vs 6.3 ".
- ▲Battery capacity — 4.26% more. 4900 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
- ▲Weight — 2.00 g less. 196 vs 198.
Why Google - Pixel 9 wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 glead | 198 g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mmlead | 8.5 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 "lead | 6.3 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 513 ppilead | 422 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nits | 2700 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MPlead | 10.5 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4900 mAhlead | 4700 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 Wlead | 27 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26+ or Pixel 9?+
Galaxy S26+ has 4.3% more battery — 4900 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26+ or Pixel 9?+
Galaxy S26+ is 2g lighter — 196g vs 198g.
Is Galaxy S26+ waterproof?+
Galaxy S26+ has an IP68 rating.
Does Pixel 9 support 5G?+
Yes, Pixel 9 supports 5G.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26+ or Pixel 9?+
Pixel 9 has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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