Samsung and Google have unleashed their flagship titans: the Galaxy S25 Extremely and the Pixel 9 Professional XL.
Each promise cutting-edge efficiency, gorgeous shows, and highly effective AI options, however which one is the higher purchase for you?
Let’s discover their key options – and their greatest variations – to see how they stack up.
Design & Show
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Extremely sticks carefully to its predecessor’s design however introduces refined enhancements, similar to rounded corners for higher consolation, and a slimmer, lighter construct.
Its 6.9-inch AMOLED display screen with 2600 nits peak brightness, improved anti-reflective coating, and slimmer bezel make it a pleasure to make use of.
The flat edges and titanium body give it a premium really feel, whereas the unique Corning Gorilla Armor 2 gives distinctive sturdiness.
Luke Baker
In distinction, the Pixel 9 Professional XL adopts a extra by-product design, evoking comparisons with the newest iPhones. Whereas the matt again and digital camera visor add character, the flat edges and glossy body really feel much less distinct.
Nonetheless, its 6.8-inch OLED Tremendous Actua show delivers gorgeous color accuracy, 3000 nits peak brightness, and distinctive HDR efficiency, making it a worthy competitor in visible high quality.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
The S25 Extremely affords an even bigger show, and extra refined design with higher sturdiness, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional XL excels in show brightness and color accuracy.
Efficiency
The Galaxy S25 Extremely, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy with 12GB of RAM, affords blistering efficiency in gaming and multitasking.
The One UI 7 software program feels fluid, and the mixing of Galaxy AI affords options like Now Temporary, which affords often up to date summaries, and enhanced Circle to Search.
Moreover, its AI-powered ProScaler characteristic enhances picture high quality, although its impression is refined.
Luke Baker
In the meantime, the Pixel 9 Professional XL takes a unique method, specializing in AI slightly than uncooked efficiency. Regardless of the Tensor G4 chip being slower than the Snapdragon 8 Elite, it boasts 16GB of RAM, enhancing AI-driven duties and future-proofing the gadget.
Options like Add Me in group selfies, and Pixel Screenshots with AI summaries spotlight Google’s software-centric innovation. Whereas the software program expertise is comparable, Google’s Gemini assistant outperforms Samsung’s providing because of deeper integration with apps and providers.
Nonetheless, you possibly can at all times swap Bixby for Gemini as properly.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
In our Geekbench 6 multi-core take a look at, the S25 Extremely scored 9413 factors, leaving the Pixel 9 Professional XL behind with solely 4554 factors. Based mostly on that, the S25 Extremely wins in uncooked velocity and gaming efficiency.
Cameras
The S25 Extremely retains the Galaxy S24 Extremely‘s digital camera setup, with solely the ultrawide sensor upgraded to 50Mp.
Regardless of its ageing 10Mp 3x telephoto sensor, Samsung’s software program enhancements ship extra pure pores and skin tones and higher element.
The addition of 8K Log recording would possibly enchantment to videographers however lacks ProRes-equivalent high quality.
Luke Baker
The Pixel 9 Professional XL, nevertheless, pushes boundaries with a brand new 42Mp selfie digital camera and superior AI options like Zoom Improve, which sharpens low-resolution zoom pictures.
Regardless of an almost an identical rear digital camera system to the Pixel 8 Professional, Google’s superior picture processing produces gorgeous ends in each daylight and low-light situations.
Add Me and Reimagine options carry extra creativity to images however might really feel gimmicky to purists.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
Finally, the Pixel 9 Professional XL leads with higher selfie efficiency and AI-enhanced images, whereas the S25 Extremely stays robust for video recording and color accuracy.
Different variations
Whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely includes a 5,000mAh battery, the Pixel 9 Professional XL opts for a barely bigger 5,060mAh cell.
Nonetheless, the latter can solely cost at as much as 37W, in comparison with the S25 Extremely’s 45W wired charging. However, the Pixel 9 Professional XL affords barely quicker wi-fi charging at 23W, in comparison with the S25 Extremely’s 15W.
The Pixel 9 Professional XL costs from 0 to 55% in half-hour, whereas the Galaxy S25 Extremely can go from flat to round 70% charged in simply half an hour.
Battery life is comparable, with each telephones lasting for at the very least a day of reasonable use, though the S25 Extremely advantages from a bigger vapour chamber for higher thermal administration.
Software program longevity is evenly matched, with each manufacturers promising seven years of updates.
Worth & Availability
The Galaxy S25 Extremely begins at £1249/$1299 for the 256GB mannequin and rises to £1349/$1419 for the 512GB model. Moreover, the 1TB mannequin is priced at £1549/$1659.
It’s out there on the Samsung UK and Samsung US websites, and there are additionally some interesting affords out there on Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Try our information to the greatest Samsung Galaxy S25 collection offers to ensure you’re getting the perfect worth.
The 128GB mannequin begins issues off from £1,099/$1,099, whereas the 256GB mannequin prices £1,199/$1,199, the 512GB unit prices £1,319/$1,319, and the range-topping 1TB mannequin will set you again £1,549/$1,549.
Outright, the telephone is offered from the likes of Google and Amazon within the UK and Google and Amazon within the US.
See extra choices in our Pixel 9 offers article.
Verdict
The Galaxy S25 Extremely affords a top-tier show, gaming efficiency, and sturdiness, however its digital camera upgrades disappoint.
The Pixel 9 Professional XL, however, shines with AI options, sensible software program, and nice cameras, particularly for selfies, whereas being extra reasonably priced.
Finally, the selection relies on your wants however it is best to select the S25 Extremely for energy and {hardware} and the Pixel 9 Professional XL for AI, images, and worth.