BeastCompare

Galaxy S26 vs Google Pixel 9a: Which One Should You Buy?

Galaxy S26 edges ahead with a BeastScore of 84.0/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26

Galaxy S26
84/ 100
Launch price$899
Google · 2025

Google Pixel 9a

Google Pixel 9a
84/ 100
Launch price$499
Head-to-head

Galaxy S26 wins 3 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

Galaxy S26
Galaxy S26
3 wins
Google Pixel 9a
Google Pixel 9a
2 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
Galaxy S26Google Pixel 9a
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedGalaxy S26
    90
    80
  • CameraGalaxy S26
    91
    82
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieTie
    60
    60
  • BatteryGoogle Pixel 9a
    70
    86
  • DisplayTie
    90
    90
  • ConnectivityGalaxy S26
    100
    88
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueGoogle Pixel 9a
    68
    80
Key differences
  • Google Pixel 9a has the bigger battery5,100 mAh vs 4,300 mAh
  • Galaxy S26 charges faster25W vs 23W
  • Galaxy S26 has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • Galaxy S26 is lighter167 g vs 186 g
  • Google Pixel 9a launched cheaper$499 vs $899
  • Google Pixel 9a has a sharper selfie camera13 MP vs 12 MP
  • Galaxy S26 has newer Bluetooth6 vs 5.3
  • Galaxy S26 has more RAM12 GB vs 8 GB
  • Galaxy S26 has the faster chipExynos 2600 vs Google Tensor G4
  • Galaxy S26 has faster Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 vs Wi-Fi 6E
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S26
  • ✓19 g lighter (167 g vs 186 g), easier to hold
  • ✓50 MP main camera
  • ✓6.3" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy Google Pixel 9a
  • ✓$400 cheaper at launch ($499 vs $899)
  • ✓Bigger 5,100 mAh battery (+800 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S26Google Pixel 9a
1. Display & Screen
Screen typeDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2XOLED
Screen Size6.3"6.3"
Resolution & Density2340x1080 (409 ppi)2424x1080 (422 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz adaptive120 Hz
Brightness2,600 nits peak2,700 nits peak
Screen ProtectionNot listedNot listed
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S26 Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorExynos 2600 (2nm)Google Tensor G4 (4nm)
CPU CoresNot listedNot listed
GPU GraphicsXclipse 960 'Juno' (RDNA 4)Mali-G715 MP7
Operating SystemAndroid 16Android 15
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR8 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB128GB / 256GB
Storage SpeedNot listedNot listed
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S26 Wins Camera
Primary Camera50 MP, f/1.8, OIS48 MP, f/1.7, OIS, Samsung GN3
Telephoto Zoom10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OISNone (digital zoom only)
Ultrawide Camera12 MP, f/2.213 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / DepthNoneNone
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
Not listed
Front Video
Not listed
Not listed
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/2.213 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S26 Lightest Chassis
Dimensions149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm154.7 x 73.3 x 8.9 mm
Weight167 g186 g
Build MaterialsNot listedNot listed
SIM TypeNot listedNot listed
Water ResistanceIP68IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Google Pixel 9a Wins Battery
Battery Capacity4,300 mAh5,100 mAh
Wired Fast Charging25W wired fast charging23W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging15W wireless charging7W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedNot listed
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth6.05.3
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB-C 3.2
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedNot listed
Satellite FeaturesNot listedNot listed
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedNot listed
Launch Price$899$499
Our verdict

Galaxy S26 wins — BeastScore 84.0/100

The Galaxy S26 is the better pick for most people thanks to its faster charging (25W vs 23W) and sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP). The Google Pixel 9a is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (5,100 mAh vs 4,300 mAh).

Buy Galaxy S26 if you want

Optical telephoto zoom (1 telephoto lens) · More RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB

Buy Google Pixel 9a if you want

Larger battery: 5,100 mAh vs 4,300 mAh · Lower launch price: $499 vs $899

Common questions

Which is better: Galaxy S26 or Google Pixel 9a?

The Galaxy S26 is the better pick for most people thanks to its faster charging (25W vs 23W) and sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP). The Google Pixel 9a is worth a look if you prefer its bigger battery (5,100 mAh vs 4,300 mAh). BeastScore: Galaxy S26 84.0/100, Google Pixel 9a 83.7/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 9a?

Galaxy S26 has a 6.3-inch display and 4300 mAh battery. Google Pixel 9a has a 6.3-inch display and 5100 mAh battery.

How do Galaxy S26 and Google Pixel 9a compare for speed?

Galaxy S26 scores 90/100 for performance; Google Pixel 9a scores 80/100.

Similar Smartphones

Galaxy S26+
Samsung

Galaxy S26+

iPhone 17 Pro Max
Apple

iPhone 17 Pro Max

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold
Google

Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold

OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite 5G
Oneplus

OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite 5G

Xiaomi Poco X8 Power 5G
Xiaomi

Xiaomi Poco X8 Power 5G

vivo V80 Lite 5G (India)
Vivo

vivo V80 Lite 5G (India)

Oppo A6
Oppo

Oppo A6

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra
Motorola

Motorola Razr 50 Ultra

More Smartphones comparisons

vs

Galaxy S24 vs Galaxy S26

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S25 vs Galaxy S26

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S26+ vs Galaxy S26

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S26 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 FE 5G

Compare →
vs

Galaxy S26 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Compare →
vs

OnePlus 13 vs Galaxy S26

Compare →
vs

Google Pixel 9a vs Pixel 10a

Compare →
vs

Pixel 7a vs Google Pixel 9a

Compare →

Gear for the Galaxy S26

All Amazon Finds →
Amazon FindsAirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs BoseWhich flagship earbuds fit your phone.See the picks Amazon FindsApple Watch vs Galaxy Watch vs Pixel WatchThe right watch for your phone.See the picks Amazon FindsBest power banksFast charging for a full day out.See the picks Amazon FindsBest USB-C chargersSmall GaN bricks that charge fast.See the picks

Related articles

All articles →
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)Flagship Showdown
14 min read

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 vs. Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold vs. Honor Magic V3 vs. OnePlus Open: The Definitive Flagship Foldable Architecture, Hinge Engineering, Crease-Free Displays, and Camera Benchmark Showdown (2026)

An exhaustive microarchitectural breakdown, hinge mechanism durability, crease analysis, dual-screen multitasking benchmarks, and periscope camera shootout across the 4 premier book-style foldables of 2026.

Read →
Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57" vs. Odyssey OLED G9 49" vs. ASUS ROG Swift PG49WCD vs. LG UltraGear 45GS96QB: The Definitive Flagship Super Ultrawide & Curved Gaming Monitor Architecture, Dual 4K 7680x2160 vs. Dual QHD QD-OLED, DisplayPort 2.1 Bandwidth (UHBR 13.5/20), 240Hz Refresh Rates, 2,392 Mini-LED Local Dimming Zones vs. Infinite Contrast OLED, KVM Multitasking, and GPU Driveability Shootout (2026)Flagship Monitor Shootout
16 min read

Samsung Odyssey Neo G9 57" vs. Odyssey OLED G9 49" vs. ASUS ROG Swift PG49WCD vs. LG UltraGear 45GS96QB: The Definitive Flagship Super Ultrawide & Curved Gaming Monitor Architecture, Dual 4K 7680x2160 vs. Dual QHD QD-OLED, DisplayPort 2.1 Bandwidth (UHBR 13.5/20), 240Hz Refresh Rates, 2,392 Mini-LED Local Dimming Zones vs. Infinite Contrast OLED, KVM Multitasking, and GPU Driveability Shootout (2026)

A comprehensive architectural shootout of the world's most advanced curved super ultrawide monitors. We compare Samsung's 57-inch Dual 4K Quantum Mini-LED titan against 49-inch Gen 2 QD-OLEDs and LG's 45-inch 800R curved WOLED across DisplayPort 2.1 bandwidth tunneling, 240Hz motion clarity, text rendering subpixel matrices, multi-window KVM workflows, and GPU horsepower requirements.

Read →
Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?Tech News
6 min read

Pixel 10a Now $599 vs Galaxy A57 & iPhone 17e: Still Worth It?

Google quietly raised the Pixel 10a from $499 to $599 in early October, and Samsung pushed the Galaxy A57 up to $599.99 the same week. That puts three "budget" phones at the same $599 starting price as the iPhone 17e. Here is what changed, how the three compare, and which one makes sense now.

Read →