Samsung simply unveiled the Galaxy S25, its newest compact flagship telephone. The South Korean tech large’s newest telephone could look identical to its predecessor with a brand new coat of paint, however the newly launched telephone packs a way more highly effective processor and a few actually spectacular AI options, a few of that are powered by Google’s AI mannequin – Gemini.
Then again, we’ve got the Pixel 9, which is commonly touted because the go-to telephone for digicam and AI fans. Whereas Google’s newest Pixel sequence telephone overcomes a number of shortcomings that affected its predecessor, it nonetheless isn’t as spectacular as Samsung’s latest compact flagship. In case you are unable to determine whether or not it is best to look forward to the Galaxy S25 or go along with the Pixel 9, right here’s a complete comparability between the 2 that may enable you make the choice.
Design and show
Each Google and Samsung have hit a roadblock on the subject of designing telephones, and new telephones solely appear to be an iterative over their earlier variations. The Galaxy S25 and the Pixel 9 each have an iPhone-like appear and feel, due to their aluminium frames and curved corners, which make them snug even in case you are holding them with one hand for hours.
However when you have a look at them carefully, you’ll discover that the Pixel 9 has extra rounded edges in comparison with Samsung’s newest Galaxy S sequence telephone. The Galaxy s25 and the Pixel 9 each have a matte-like glass again, are IP68 rated and provide the identical degree of safety, which means you’ll be able to take them on a seaside, and even wash them underwater.
The Galaxy S25 sports activities a 6.2-inch 120Hz display AMOLED display, and whereas the Pixel 9 has an analogous decision and refresh fee, it’s simply 0.1-inch greater, measuring 6.3-inch. Each units are protected by Corning’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the entrance.
By way of dimension, Samsung’s newest compact Galaxy S sequence telephone is a bit smaller, and it’s possible you’ll not discover the distinction between the 2, however this 12 months, Samsung has made the Galaxy S25 a lot thinner than the Pixel 9. (7.2mm vs 8.5mm to be exact)
Digital camera
Samsung’s and Google’s strategy to the digicam island can’t be extra completely different. The South Korean telephone maker’s newest vanilla Galaxy S25 takes a minimalistic strategy with three vertically aligned digicam cutouts, whereas Google has opted for its signature pill-shaped digicam island, with its fundamental and ultrawide sensor aligned horizontally.
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Each designs have their execs and cons, like whenever you hold the Galaxy S25 on a flat floor, the digicam lens may get scratched, whereas this will not be the case for the Pixel 9, as it should relaxation on the surface glass of its pill-shaped island. The Galaxy S25 has a telephoto sensor, which the Pixel 9 misses out on, however relying in your wants, the higher digicam telephone may differ.
On paper, the Galaxy S25 has a 50MP main lens accompanied by a 12MP ultrawide shooter and a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom whereas the Pixel 9 packs a 50MP main digicam alongside a 48MP ultrawide lens.
In case you usually end up clicking zoomed-in footage, the Galaxy S25 is the one for you because it incorporates a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom. Nevertheless, when you largely rely upon the first digicam and the ultrawide lens, the Pixel 9 could be a good possibility because it has a higher-resolution ultrawide sensor
Google and Pixel additionally take a special strategy to their image-processing algorithms. You might contemplate the Pixel 9 could be the one for you when you desire natural-looking pictures when in comparison with Samsung’s strategy of constructing photographs seem barely saturated. The Pixel 9 additionally has the next decision ultrawide digicam (48MP vs 12MP), however the Galaxy S25 arguably has higher digicam capabilities on paper with its telephoto lens, making it the clear winner amongst the 2, a minimum of on paper.
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Efficiency and software program
That includes Qualcomm’s newest and quickest chipset up to now – the Snapdragon 8 Elite, the Galaxy S25 gives considerably larger uncooked efficiency in comparison with the Pixel 9’s Tensor G4 sensor. Each chipsets provide lag and stutter-free efficiency on the subject of multitasking, however the Galaxy S25 is the clear winner by a large margin on the subject of gaming, processing energy and energy effectivity.
The Galaxy S25 comes with Android 15 out of the field and can get 7 years of OS and safety updates, however the Pixel 9 comes with Android 14. Nevertheless, the software program replace coverage is similar, which means the Galaxy S25 will get another OS replace than Google’s newest compact telephone. The Galaxy S25 runs on One UI 7, Samsung’s most closely customised and AI-packed Android model up to now, whereas the Pixel 9 additionally packs quite a few AI methods up its sleeve bundled with inventory Android that many discover simpler to make use of.
AI options
Google Pixel telephones are identified for his or her intuitive AI options, and the Pixel 9 is not any exception. Nevertheless, with One UI 7, Samsung appears to be beating Google at its personal recreation. Not solely does the Galaxy S25 provide include Google’s on-device Gemini mannequin, but in addition brings a brand new Gemini powered function that lets customers ask the AI to regulate choose built-in Samsung apps utilizing voice.
Along with customary AI options like stay voice name translation, interpreter mode, capability to summarise articles, edit photographs and sketch to picture performance, One UI 7 additionally brings in some new and helpful options that may enable you do a variety of issues like Now Bar, which supplies you an outline of your day utilizing AI and in-depth customisation choices utilizing Goodlock.
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Then again, the Pixel 9 provides you entry to Google’s new Screenshot app and superior picture enhancing choices, AI powered wallpaper generator and extra that aren’t out there on most smartphones. One factor to notice right here is that Google usually updates its Pixel telephones with Pixel Drops, which frequently introduce new options.
One other benefit the Galaxy S25 has over the Pixel 9 is that the previous has a separate part within the Settings app known as “Galaxy AI”, which rapidly lets customers toggle the AI options. Relying in your utilization, you can not go fallacious with both one, however for almost all of customers, Samsung’s Galaxy AI options are far more helpful in daily duties.
Battery
The Samsung Galaxy S25 has a 4,000mAh battery that ought to simply final a day on gentle to average utilization, however heavy customers could must plug within the telephone someday early night to get by the day.
Then again, the Google Pixel 9 has a 4,700mAh battery that may simply final a day. Typically, Google is understood to push buggy updates which can or could not have an effect on the battery life, however even in case you are an influence consumer, the Pixel 0 ought to simply final a day.
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As for charging speeds, each telephones are nonetheless caught in early 2010’s, with Samsung providing 25W wired charging whereas the Pixel helps 27W wired charging. Nevertheless, these compact flagships do include 15W wi-fi charging help.
Samsung Galaxy S25 vs Pixel 9: Which one must you purchase?
In case you just like the inventory Android expertise and desire a telephone that may simply final a day and click on good footage, the Pixel 9 is a no brainer. With the Galaxy S25, Samsung has upped the sport by providing a way more highly effective chipset that additionally caters to players, helpful Galaxy AI options and a telephoto sensor, which is a should for digicam fans. Nevertheless, the small battery capability will not be sufficient for heavy customers.
As for which telephone to purchase, we suggest going with the Galaxy S25 due to Samsung’s well timed and fewer buggy updates. extra intuitive AI options and higher digicam {hardware}. Nevertheless, these trying to purchase a Google telephone and need to expertise the most recent Android can go along with the Pixel 9.