This time around, we’re comparing devices from Samsung and Google. To be more accurate, we’ll be comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a. These two phones are actually quite different. The Galaxy S26+ is a member of Samsung’s flagship series of smartphones, while the Pixel 10a is a budget offering from Google. The latter is notably more affordable, so keep that in mind.
These are considerably different devices in general, actually, which should make the comparison that much more interesting. We will first list the specifications of both smartphones. Following that, we’ll talk about their designs, displays, performance, battery life, cameras, and audio output. Let’s get to it, shall we?
Specs
Samsung Galaxy S26+
Google Pixel 10a
| Samsung Galaxy S26+ | Google Pixel 10a | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm | 153.9 x 73 x 9 mm |
| Weight | 190 grams | 183 grams |
| Display | 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X | 6.3-inch pOLED |
| Refresh rate | 1-120Hz (adaptive) | 120Hz |
| Resolution | 3120 x 1440 | 2424 x 1080 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy / Samsung Exynos 2600 | Google Tensor G4 |
| RAM | 8GB/12GB | 8GB |
| Storage | 256GB/512GB (UFS 4.0) | 128GB/256GB (UFS 3.1) |
| Main camera | 50MP (wide, f/1.8 aperture, 1/1.56-inch sensor size, 1.0um pixel size, dual pixel PDAF, OIS) | 48MP (wide, f/1.7 aperture, 1/2.0-inch sensor size, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS) |
| Ultra-wide camera | 12MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV, 1.4um pixel size) | 13MP (ultrawide, f/2.2 aperture, 120-degree FoV, 1/3.1-inch sensor size) |
| Telephoto camera | 10MP (f/2.4 aperture, 1/3.94-inch sensor size, 1.0um pixel size, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom) | N/A |
| Periscope telephoto camera | N/A | N/A |
| Selfie camera | 12MP (f/2.2 aperture, 1/3.2-inch sensor size, 1.12um pixel size) | 13MP (f/2.2 aperture, 96.1-inch sensor size) |
| Battery size | 4,900mAh | 5,100mAh |
| Charging | 25W wired, 20W wireless (Qi2 Ready), 4.5W reverse wireless (charger not included) | 30W wired, 10W wireless (charger not included) |
| Colors | Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold | Obsidian, Fog, Lavender, Berry |
Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a: Design
The moment you lay your eyes on the two phones, you’ll notice how different they are. When you look at them from the front, you’ll notice that they both have flat displays. However, the bezels around the Galaxy S26+’s display are thinner, and the display camera hole up top is smaller than the one on the Pixel 10a. The Galaxy S26+ also has less rounded corners in comparison. The bezels are uniform on both phones, though.
Both devices include a flat frame all around. They also have physical keys on the right side, but the layout is different. The Galaxy S26+’s power/lock key sits below the volume up and down buttons. The Pixel 10a, on the other hand, has a power/lock key above the volume up and down buttons. That’s how Google does it for whatever reason; it’s the complete opposite of basically every other Android smartphone OEM.
If we flip them around, you’ll notice that their backplates are also different. Yes, they’re both flat, but these two devices have different camera layouts. The Galaxy S26+ has three vertically-aligned cameras in the top-left corner. They sit on top of a camera island. The Pixel 10a, on the other hand, has two horizontally aligned cameras in the top-left corner. They do not protrude on the back.
The Galaxy S26+ is made out of aluminum and glass. The Pixel 10a, on the other hand, has a frame made of aluminum, but its backplate is made of plastic. Both devices are IP68 certified for water and dust resistance. The Pixel 10a is shorter, narrower, and thicker in comparison. It is also 7 grams lighter. Both devices are kind of slippery, but the Pixel 10a is less so, and its smaller size also helps.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a: Display
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ features a 6.7-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X display. That panel is flat, and it has an adaptive refresh rate (1-120Hz). HDR10+ content is supported, while the peak brightness is 2,600 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is around 91%, while the resolution here is 3120 x 1440 pixels. The display aspect ratio this phone offers is 19.5:9. Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protects this display.
The Google Pixel 10a, on the other hand, has a 6.3-inch P-OLED display, which is also flat. It has a refresh rate of 120Hz, while the peak brightness is 3,000 nits. The screen-to-body ratio is around 84%, while the resolution is 2424 x 1080 pixels. The display aspect ratio is 20:9. Corning’s Gorilla Glass 7i protects this panel.
Now, both of these displays are good. They’re vivid, have good viewing angles, and have good touch response. The Galaxy S26+ does have several advantages, though. It offers a sharper display, even though you won’t really notice the difference. It also has an LTPO display, so its refresh rate can go lower when needed, which is good for battery consumption. Other than that, they’re both great.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a: Performance
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is fueled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy processor in some regions, while the Exynos 2600 is used in others. These are 3nm and 2nm chipsets, respectively. Those two processors are backed by 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and Samsung is using UFS 4.0 flash storage inside of these phones. Do note that you cannot expand that storage, however.
The Google Pixel 10a, on the flip side, is fueled by the Google Tensor G4 processor. That is a 4nm chip from Google. That processor is backed by 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 flash storage. Much like Samsung, Google is not supporting storage expansion here either. So be careful when choosing between the 128GB and 256GB storage options that are available.
Now, the Galaxy S26+ is definitely the more powerful smartphone. It has a more powerful chip, not to mention that it also has faster storage in comparison. You can see the difference in a direct comparison, as the Galaxy S26+ is more snappy. You can also notice the difference when it comes to gaming, if you’re playing really demanding games at high settings. However, the Pixel 10a offers good performance on its own, and quite frankly it’s more than enough for almost anyone… well, as long as you’re not a gamer.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a: Battery
Samsung opted for a 4,900mAh battery in the Galaxy S26+. Google, on the other hand, chose to use a 5,100mAh battery in the Pixel 10a. Neither of these two batteries is a silicon-carbon battery, hence the lower capacity than we’re used to seeing from Chinese OEMs. The Pixel 10a has a notably larger battery, despite the fact it has a considerably smaller display. That means it has better battery life, right?
Well, we all know that it doesn’t necessarily mean that, as we cannot make such assumptions based on specs. This comparison is actually a good example why that is. The Galaxy S26+ actually proved to offer better battery life than the Pixel 10a in our tests. It simply can hold a charge longer during general day-to-day use and provide higher screen-on times. The Pixel 10a is not far behind, though. Neither of them will break any records when it comes to battery life, but they’ll provide more than enough juice for most people.
The Galaxy S26+ supports 45W wired, 20W wireless, and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. The Google Pixel 10a, on the other hand, supports 30W wired, 10W wireless, and bypass charging. The Galaxy S26+ can be fully charged in an hour, while the Pixel 10a takes about an hour and a half to get there. Do note that neither phone comes with a charger, though, so you’ll need to get a compatible one separately.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a: Cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has three cameras on the back. A 50-megapixel main camera sits back there. It has an f/1.8 aperture and a 1/1.56-inch sensor size, while it supports dual pixel PDAF and OIS. A 12-megapixel ultrawide camera (f/2.2 aperture, 1/2.55-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV) is also included, as is a 10-megapixel telephoto snapper (f/2.4 aperture, 1/3.94-inch sensor size, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom).
The Google Pixel 10a, on the other hand, has two cameras on the back. A 48-megapixel main camera is included. This one has an f/1.7 aperture, with a 1/2.0-inch sensor size. It also supports dual pixel PDAF, and OIS. The second camera is a 13-megapixel ultrawide unit with an f/2.2 aperture, 1/3.1-inch sensor size, and a 120-degree FoV.
Despite the fact that the Google Pixel 10a has a smaller main camera sensor, it can keep up in terms of image quality. In low light as well. They both do a good job in both day and night conditions, but they’re far from being the best cameras on the market. They’re good, though. The Galaxy S26+ does have the advantage in the ultrawide and telephoto camera sectors, though. That telephoto camera on the Galaxy S26+ is not exactly good, but it’s better than not having a telephoto camera. Don’t expect it to do well in low light, though.
Audio
Both of these smartphones support stereo speakers. In fact, the loudness between them is very similar. The sound output quality is good from both phones, though they’re not the best in either loudness or audio quality. Still, they’re more than good enough.
There is on audio jack on either phone, though. You can connect your wired headphones to their Type-C ports, if you’d like. If you prefer wireless connectivity, both of these smartphones support Bluetooth 6.0.
The post Phone Comparisons: Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Google Pixel 10a appeared first on Android Headlines.
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