Between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and Pixel 9, the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes out ahead in main camera and wired charging, while the Pixel 9 wins on weight. Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 75.6 and the Pixel 9 scores 63.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 12.1 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, wired charging, antutu, among others.
Pick the Pixel 9 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.
Both ship with comparable refresh rate, 5g support, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Galaxy S26 Ultra 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 Ultra wins
- ▲Main camera — 300.00% more. 200 MP vs 50 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 140.74% more. 65 W vs 27 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 86.29% more. 2310000 vs 1240000.
- ▲RAM — 33.33% more. 16 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲Pixel density — 18.72% more. 501 ppi vs 422 ppi.
- ▲Front camera — 14.29% more. 12 MP vs 10.5 MP.
- ▲Screen size — 9.52% more. 6.9 " vs 6.3 ".
- ▲Battery capacity — 6.38% more. 5000 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
Why Google - Pixel 9 wins
- ▲Weight — 34.00 g less. 198 vs 232.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 232 g | 198 glead |
| Thickness | 8.6 mm | 8.5 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.9 "lead | 6.3 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 501 ppilead | 422 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nits | 2700 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 200 MPlead | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MPlead | 10.5 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAhlead | 4700 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 Wlead | 27 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Google - Pixel 9 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 9?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has 6.4% more battery — 5000 mAh vs 4700 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 9?+
Pixel 9 is 34g lighter — 232g vs 198g.
Is Galaxy S26 Ultra waterproof?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has an IP68 rating.
Does Pixel 9 support 5G?+
Yes, Pixel 9 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 9?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26 Ultra or Pixel 9?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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