Both phones start at $799 for a 128 GB model, share similar screen sizes, and cater to users who want a premium experience but without going overboard on their spending. But there are some notable differences that might make you lean towards one of them more than the other.

Pixel 10 vs Galaxy S25 differences explained:

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Pixel 10 is bigger and heavier at 204 g, but adds a 4,970 mAh battery and Pixelsnap magnetic charging. | Image by PhoneArena.

The Pixel 10, by comparison, is larger and noticeably heavier at 152.8 x 72.0 x 8.6 mm and 204 g. But that extra heft has a purpose: it packs a 4,970 mAh battery and built-in magnets for Google’s new Pixelsnap accessory ecosystem, enabling magnetic wireless charging along with add-ons like stands and grips.

The Pixel 10, meanwhile, debuts the Tensor G5 — Google’s first fully in-house SoC, built on TSMC’s 3nm process. Instead of chasing benchmarks, Google focuses on AI. The chip delivers a 34% faster CPU, a 60% stronger TPU, and 2.6× faster Gemini Nano execution compared to the Tensor G4. A new ISP also powers features like motion deblur, default 10-bit HDR video, and sharper low-light footage.

CPU Performance Benchmarks:

The Snapdragon 8 Elite inside the Galaxy S25 is has an obvious lead. In Geekbench, it scored nearly 75% higher in multi-core performance and comfortably outpaced the Pixel in the single-core.

GPU Performance

But it is important to mention that the Tensor G5 in the Pixel 10 isn’t about brute force. It’s Google’s first fully in-house SoC, designed with AI at the center. Compared to the Tensor G4, CPU performance is up by 34% and the TPU is 60% faster, enabling on-device features like Magic Cue, Camera Coach, and expanded Gemini Nano tasks. Day-to-day use is smooth, even if benchmarks don’t sound that impressive compared to the S25.

The Pixel 10 launches with Android 16 and new AI features like Magic Cue, which can proactively suggest actions (for example, pulling up your flight details when you call the airline). It also introduces Pixel Sense, a next-generation on-device assistant that ties into Gmail, Calendar, Maps, and more for deeper, context-aware help.

The S25 has a slightly larger main sensor, which helps in low light, and 8K video recording. Google has also introduced new features like Camera Coach (which we found a bit gimmicky), a refined HDR+ pipeline, and 10-bit HDR video across all cameras.

Main Camera

The truth is that the main cameras on both phones offer excelent image quality. That said, there are a couple of differences worth mentioning.

In an environment with less light, the two perform even more similarly. When it comes to the HDR, though, things seem to have flipped. The S25 was able to capture more detail both in the shadows and in the highlights (look at the right side of the image, where the curtain is).

Zoom Quality

Both phones have a dedicated telephoto camera, but the Pixel's comes with 5x optical zoom, and the S25 has 3x zoom. Naturaly, this means that at 5x, the Pixel 10 produces the better image. In comparison, the S25 looks overprocess and oversharpened, most likely compensating with software.

At 3x zoom, the image from the S25's telephoto camera looks much better. However, the Pixel definitely has the more color-accurate image in both the 5x and 3x scenarios, which gives it an edge, in my opinion.

Ultra-wide Camera

The ultra-wide image taken with the Pixel 10 shows more in the shadows and, again, has more accurate colors.

Selfies

Both phones capture great selfies, but they handle the colors differently. In this case, the scenario is rather difficult for the phone to figure out, as there is a pink hue coming from the surroundings. Whether the S25 took that into account and offered a more "natural" skin color, we can't know, but at the very least its wider angle makes it better for group selfies.

Camera Samples

PhoneArena Battery and Charging Test Results:

Where Samsung hit back was gaming. The Galaxy S25 lasted over 12 hours in our gaming test, more than double the Pixel 10’s 5 hours.

Charging speeds are not that different. The Galaxy S25 hit 54% in 30 minutes and fully charged in 1h 22m, while the Pixel 10 managed 50% in 30 minutes and a full charge in 1h 29m. Google’s advantage is Qi2 magnetic wireless charging, making it the first Android flagship with MagSafe-like accessory support.

The Pixel 10, though, just feels fresher. That extra telephoto lens was the right call, as it finally puts the base Pixel on equal footing with Samsung’s base model, and it even gains some lead compared to the just-released iPhone 17. Add in magnetic charging and Google’s latest AI tricks, and it feels like the more modern phone. Magic Cue and Camera Coach aren’t perfect yet, but they’re real hints at where the industry is going.

So what’s the smarter buy at $799? If you want the smallest, most future-proof flagship with raw power, grab the Galaxy. If you want a phone that feels new and different, one that pushes AI harder and isn’t afraid to experiment, the Pixel 10 is the one that might do it for you.