Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
40.2Performance90
51.5Display62.7
46.5Camera74
47.5Battery61.2
94.7Features94.7
2 spec wins — Google Pixel 8a14 spec wins — Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
InnoReviews verdict
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra wins this phone face-off, 76 to 50.6, pulling ahead mainly in performance (+50) and camera (+28). Google Pixel 8a still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Google Pixel 8a
- 12% lower weight: 188 g vs 214 g
- Lower launch price: $499 vs $1,299
Reasons to pick the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Stronger performance score: 90 vs 40
- Stronger display score: 63 vs 52
- Stronger camera score: 74 vs 47
- Stronger battery score: 61 vs 48
- 285% higher Ultra-wide: 50 MP vs 13 MP
Display
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1 ″ | 6.9 ″+13% |
| Panel type | OLED (Actua) | LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 3120x1440 |
| Pixel density | 430 ppi | 498 ppi+16% |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2,000 nits | 2,600 nits+30% |
| Screen-to-body | 83.1 % | — |
| AnTuTu 10 (CPU) | — | 1,017,509Top 7% |
| AnTuTu 10 (GPU) | — | 1,344,505Top 4% |
| AnTuTu 10 (Memory) | — | 390,717Top 7% |
| AnTuTu 10 (UX) | — | 685,076Top 7% |
Performance
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Google Tensor G3 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| AnTuTu 10 | 900,000Top 56% | 3,437,807+282%Top 2% |
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 1,690Top 46% | 3,850+128%Top 1% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 4,300Top 45% | 11,900+177%Top 1% |
| RAM (max) | 8 GB | 12 GB+50% |
| Storage options | 128/256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Storage type | UFS 3.1 | UFS 4.1 |
Camera
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main camera | 64 MP | 200 MP+213% |
| Main aperture | f/1.89 | f/1.7 |
| Ultra-wide | 13 MP | 50 MP+285% |
| Telephoto | — | 50 MP |
| Optical zoom | 2 x | 5 x+150% |
| Max video | 4K@60fps | 8K@30fps |
| Front camera | 13 MP+8% | 12 MP |
| OIS | Yes | Yes |
Battery
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,492 mAh | 5,000 mAh+11% |
| Wired charging | 18 W | 60 W+233% |
| Wireless charging | 8 W | 25 W+233% |
| Active use endurance | 11 h | — |
Design
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 188 g+12% | 214 g |
| Thickness | 8.9 mm | 7.9 mm+11% |
| IP rating | IP67 | IP68 |
| Frame material | Aluminum | Titanium |
Connectivity
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| USB | USB-C 3.2 | USB-C 3.2 |
| eSIM | Yes | Yes |
Software
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS at launch | Android 14 | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| OS update pledge | 7 years | 7 years |
Audio
| Spec | Google Pixel 8a | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
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