As a lot as we love the OnePlus 13, most patrons searching for a new Android cellphone are in all probability going to decide on between Google or Samsung handsets. They’re obtainable via U.S. carriers, are acquainted to longtime Android customers, and supply best-in-class software program. Now that the Samsung Galaxy S25 and Google Pixel 9 are out, I used each telephones side-by-side to determine which one is greatest.
We have already got a full breakdown of how the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 shake up on paper, so I will give attention to the intangibles right here. Issues like how every cellphone feels within the hand or what it is like to make use of Pixel UI or One UI 7 every day. Boy, are there lots of them. You would possibly suppose that because the base-model representatives of the Galaxy S25 and Pixel 9 collection, these two telephones have lots in widespread, however that simply is not the case.
The most important factor you will discover when choosing up both gadget is that the Galaxy S25 is lighter, and never by an insignificant margin. It solely weighs 162, which makes it the lightest main flagship available on the market within the U.S. By comparability, the Pixel 9 weighs 198 grams, and that is greater than the Galaxy S25 Plus. Google could have found out methods to make the Pixel 9 really feel premium this era, nevertheless it hasn’t cracked the right weight but.
The Galaxy S25’s weight, plus its compact type issue total, makes me wish to decide it up greater than the Pixel 9. It is extra comfy to carry, and I can promise that you will discover the 36-gram distinction with no need to take a look at the spec sheet. It makes much more of a distinction if you happen to like to make use of your smartphone with a case, as a result of that’ll in fact add extra weight and thickness.
The Google Pixel 9 is bigger than the Samsung Galaxy S25 total, and I am unsure that is factor. The previous has a 6.3-inch show, whereas the latter has a 6.2-inch show. At 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm, the Galaxy S25 is downright tiny, particularly whenever you issue within the rear cameras. They protrude much less from the again glass than the Pixel 9’s digicam bar, so it will not rock as a lot on a desk.
The shows themselves use related know-how. They’re each OLED panels with 120Hz variable refresh fee assist and excessive brightness capabilities. I would say the Galaxy S25 is barely much less reflective and is simpler to view exterior, however each are wonderful and flat screens.
When the Pixel 9 first got here out, it was my favourite Android base mannequin but, and I believed it was able to going toe-to-toe with the iPhone 16. It might’ve taken lots for the Galaxy S25 to high the Pixel 9 in my guide, and Samsung did simply the fitting issues for that to occur. To be clear, Samsung did not do all the pieces completely. I needed to see new digicam {hardware} and a recent design. Nevertheless it did the proper issues.
What do I imply by that? Nicely, Google has at all times had a pitch with the Pixel lineup. By going with the Pixel 9, you may not have a cellphone that wins each benchmark. Nonetheless, you are going to get a tool that may be very well-optimized, has improbable software program, and excels at AI duties. Here is the factor: the Samsung Galaxy S25 is arguably higher optimized, with just-as-good software program, and with higher AI duties.
Samsung and Qualcomm labored collectively to make the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chipset, and it is a breakthrough. Geekbench 6 checks under present a snapshot of how the Galaxy S25 performs in opposition to the Pixel 9 in artificial workflows. Samsung wins, and it is not significantly shut.
Benchmark | Samsung Galaxy S25 (Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy) | Google Pixel 9 (Tensor G4) |
|---|---|---|
Geekbench 6 (single-core) | 3,025 | 1,572 |
Geekbench 6 (multi-core) | 9,640 | 3,792 |
Extra importantly, the Galaxy S25 is now the chief in AI processing — a title the Pixel 9 held not too way back. Google’s Tensor G4 processor ran laps across the outgoing Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 within the Galaxy S24, because it might course of as much as 45 tokens per second. Qualcomm answered with a Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy cellular platform that may deal with 70 tokens per second for AI duties, besting Google’s flagship.
So, the Galaxy 25 is healthier at uncooked efficiency and AI processing, however what about software program? I have been the primary to criticize One UI through the years — I’ve written a number of articles slamming Samsung’s tendencies to lavatory telephones down with bloat and duplicate apps. Nonetheless, there is no such thing as a getting round the truth that One UI 7 is a breakthrough, and it’d beat Pixel UI for the primary time.
The rationale I fairly get pleasure from One UI 7 on the Galaxy S25 is that it provides you the very best of each Google AI and Galaxy AI. It has nice Gemini and Circle to Search assist and was the primary cellphone to assist Gemini’s multi-app actions. It additionally has Magic Editor assist through Google Photographs. On high of that, it has all of Samsung’s magic, together with Object Eraser, AI Drawing Help, and AI Choose.
It isn’t an exaggeration to say that Samsung is providing the very best of each worlds with the Galaxy S25. In the meantime, Google might need just a few Pixel software program exclusives, however there is no solution to get the expansive Galaxy AI suite on a Pixel 9.
Put all of it collectively, and I feel the selection between the Galaxy S25 and the Pixel 9 is evident. The previous is lighter, extra compact, and quicker, with extra AI and software program options.
Now, earlier than you run to purchase a Galaxy S25 for $800, there’s a limitation it is best to learn about. It is the digicam system, which has been recycled for the reason that Galaxy S22 collection and is getting extraordinarily outdated. As you’ll be able to see from the photographs I’ve captured with the Galaxy S25 within the gallery under, that results in outcomes which can be simply okay.
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In the event you want higher cameras, get the Google Pixel 9. That is mainly the one purpose I would suggest the Pixel 9 over the Galaxy S25, which isn’t one thing I anticipated to write down earlier than testing these telephones side-by-side.
The truth is that Samsung has formally surpassed Google when it comes to uncooked efficiency, optimization, and AI processing. With lots of Google’s greatest AI options coming to the Galaxy S25, there’s little purpose to favor the Pixel 9 because it at present stands.
The highest compact Android
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 is quicker and smaller than the Google Pixel 9 — with extra AI options due to the inclusion of each Galaxy AI and Google AI. As such, if you need the very best small Android flagship as we speak, it is the best choice. Nonetheless, you will have to look previous dated digicam {hardware} and a well-recognized design.
