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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGoogle Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL is the flagship option here, and it truly shines with its industry-leading 7-year software support. Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is designed for budget-friendly buyers, offering a solid 4-year OS update guarantee. If you're into photography, the Pixel's versatile camera system crushes the A15's capabilities with features like advanced 5x optical zoom and a 42MP selfie camera, making it a no-brainer for content creators in 2026.
📱 Display: 6.8" vs 6.5"⚡ Refresh: 120 Hz vs 90 Hz🔋 Battery: 5060 mAh vs 5000 mAh
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
★4.4
(986)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G4
Graphics:Arm Mali-G715 MC7
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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
★4.4
(950)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.5"
Refresh Rate
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
1–120Hz (Adaptive)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
90Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Google Tensor G4
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
RAMKey
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
16GB LPDDR5XWinner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
4GB (Common US config)
Storage
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
50MP, f/1.8, AF
Ultra-Wide Camera
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5MP, f/2.2
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
5,060 mAh (Typical)Winner
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5,000mAh (Typical)
Wireless Charging
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
7.80 oz (221 g)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
7.05 oz (200 g)Winner
Dimensions
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm)
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Google Pixel 9 Pro XL vs Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
★4.4(986)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
★4.4(950)Best Buy
| Criterion | Google Pixel 9 Pro XL | Samsung Galaxy A15 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.4(986)Amazon | ★4.4(950)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates | 4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Google Tensor G4 | MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core) |
Graphics | Arm Mali-G715 MC7 | Mali-G57 MC2 |
RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X | 4GB (Common US config) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 6.5" |
Screen Type | Super Actua LTPO OLED | Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 1344 x 2992 pixels (QHD+), 486 ppi | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 1–120Hz (Adaptive) | 90Hz |
Peak Brightness | 2,000 nits (HDR) / 3,000 nits (Peak) | 800 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.8, AF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus | 5MP, f/2.2 |
Telephoto Camera | 48MP Telephoto (5x optical, f/2.8), Quad PD AF, OIS | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 5x Optical Zoom (Optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 30x Super Res Zoom | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 8K@30fps (via Video Boost); 4K@24/30/60fps | 1080p @ 30fps |
Front Camera | 42MP Front (f/2.2, 103° FOV), Dual PD AF | 13MP, f/2.0 |
Battery | 5,060 mAh (Typical) | 5,000mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Up to 37W (charges up to 70% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger) | 25W Super Fast Charging |
Wireless Charging | Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS | 5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC |
USB | USB Type-C 3.2 | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Durability | IP68 (Dust and water resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back) | No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back) |
Dimensions | 6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm) | 6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm) |
Weight | 7.80 oz (221 g) | 7.05 oz (200 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; Temperature sensor; VPN by Google One | 3.5mm Headphone Jack, Samsung Knox Vault, microSD slot |
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Google Pixel 9 Pro XL
Rating:★4.4(986)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates
Processor:Google Tensor G4
Graphics:Arm Mali-G715 MC7
RAM:16GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.8" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Actua LTPO OLED
Resolution:1344 x 2992 pixels (QHD+), 486 ppi
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz (Adaptive)
Peak Brightness:2,000 nits (HDR) / 3,000 nits (Peak)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus
Telephoto Camera:48MP Telephoto (5x optical, f/2.8), Quad PD AF, OIS
Optical Zoom:5x Optical Zoom (Optical quality at 0.5x, 1x, 2x, 5x, 10x)
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Super Res Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps (via Video Boost); 4K@24/30/60fps
Front Camera:42MP Front (f/2.2, 103° FOV), Dual PD AF
Battery:5,060 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 37W (charges up to 70% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger)
Wireless Charging:Up to 23W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB; Dual Band GNSS
USB:USB Type-C 3.2
Durability:IP68 (Dust and water resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back)
Dimensions:6.4" x 3.0" x 0.3" (162.8 x 76.6 x 8.5 mm)
Weight:7.80 oz (221 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock
Extras:Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; Temperature sensor; VPN by Google One
✓ Pros:
- • Industry-leading 7-year software support commitment
- • Super Actua display is exceptionally bright (3,000 nits peak)
- • Versatile camera system with 5x optical zoom and high-res 42MP selfie camera
- • Deep AI integration with Gemini and exclusive features like Video Boost
- • Premium build with uniform bezels and Gorilla Glass Victus 2
✗ Cons:
- • 8K video recording is not native on-device (requires cloud-based Video Boost processing)
- • UFS 3.1 storage is slower than the UFS 4.0 standard found in competitors
- • Heavy gaming performance lags behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 rivals
- • Charging speed (37W max) is slower than many flagship peers
- • Optical fingerprint sensor replaced by ultrasonic, but still requires good placement
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Samsung Galaxy A15 5G
Rating:★4.4(950)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 years of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ (6nm octa-core)
Graphics:Mali-G57 MC2
RAM:4GB (Common US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:90Hz
Peak Brightness:800 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, AF
Ultra-Wide Camera:5MP, f/2.2
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:1080p @ 30fps
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.0
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging
Wireless Charging:No (Not supported)
Connectivity:5G (Sub-6), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), Bluetooth 5.3, NFC
USB:USB Type-C 2.0
Durability:No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back)
Dimensions:6.30 x 3.02 x 0.33 in (160.1 x 76.8 x 8.4 mm)
Weight:7.05 oz (200 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:3.5mm Headphone Jack, Samsung Knox Vault, microSD slot
✓ Pros:
- • Unmatched software support in budget class (4 OS updates)
- • Vibrant Super AMOLED display (rare at this price point)
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
- • Includes 3.5mm headphone jack and expandable storage
- • Solid 50MP main camera performance for the price
✗ Cons:
- • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
- • Charging adapter not included in the box
- • Performance can be sluggish with only 4GB RAM (base US model)
- • Thick bezels and outdated U-shaped notch design
- • Video recording limited to 1080p (No 4K support)
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Which one is better?
Key specs: Display: 6.8" vs 6.5" and Refresh: 120 Hz vs 90 Hz.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Google Pixel 9 Pro XL if: you shoot a lot of video, need a top-notch camera, or want the latest software updates for years to come. (6.8" display, 120 Hz refresh)
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G if: you want a vibrant display on a budget, need expandable storage, or prefer a lighter phone at 7.05 oz.
Conclusion
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL and Samsung Galaxy A15 5G are both solid choices. Match the strengths above to your budget and workflow to make the best call.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Google Pixel 9 Pro XL excels if you value industry-leading 7-year software support commitment. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G is better if you prioritize unmatched software support in budget class (4 os updates). Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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