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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerGoogle Pixel 9 vs Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
The Google Pixel 9 is the flagship option here, with its impressive 7-year software update commitment and a peak brightness of 2,700 nits. In my testing, the Pixel 9 shines with its compact design and powerful camera system, featuring a 50MP dual camera. So, what’s the better choice for you in 2026?
📱 Display: 6.3" vs 6.5"🔋 Battery: 4700 mAh vs 5000 mAh⚖️ Weight: 6.98 oz vs 6.95 oz
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Google Pixel 9
★4.5
(1,044)•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 A25 5G
★4.6
(176)•Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
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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
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Google Pixel 9
6.3" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.5"Winner
Refresh Rate
Google Pixel 9
60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
120Hz
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Google Pixel 9
Google Tensor G4
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
RAMKey
Google Pixel 9
12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6GB (Standard US config)
Storage
Google Pixel 9
128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Google Pixel 9
50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera
Google Pixel 9
48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Google Pixel 9
4,700 mAh (Typical)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
5,000mAh (Typical)Winner
Wireless Charging
Google Pixel 9
Up to 15W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
No (Not supported)
Design2 specs
Weight
Google Pixel 9
7.0 oz (198 g)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.95 oz (197 g)Winner
Dimensions
Google Pixel 9
6.0" x 2.8" x 0.3" (152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm)
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm)
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Google Pixel 9
5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Dual Band GNSS
Samsung Galaxy A25 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 vs Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Google Pixel 9
★4.5(1,044)Amazon
Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
★4.6(176)Best Buy
| Criterion | Google Pixel 9 | Samsung Galaxy A25 5G |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.5(1,044)Amazon | ★4.6(176)Best Buy |
Operating System | Android | Android |
Software Support | 7 years of OS, security, and Pixel Drop updates | 4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates |
Processor | Google Tensor G4 | Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm) |
Graphics | Arm Mali-G715 MC7 | Mali-G68 |
RAM | 12GB LPDDR5X | 6GB (Standard US config) |
Storage | 128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1) | 128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB) |
Display Size | 6.3" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less) | 6.5" |
Screen Type | Actua OLED Display | Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM) |
Resolution | 1080 x 2424 pixels (FHD+), 422 ppi | 2340 x 1080 (FHD+) |
Refresh Rate | 60–120Hz (Smooth Display) | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness | 1,800 nits (HDR) / 2,700 nits (Peak) | 1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode) |
Main Camera | 50MP Wide (f/1.68, 82° FOV), Octa PD AF, OIS | 50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra-Wide (f/1.7, 123° FOV) with Macro Focus | 8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV |
Telephoto Camera | N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens) | No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4 |
Optical Zoom | 2x Optical Quality (via sensor crop) | No (Not supported) |
Digital Zoom | Up to 8x Super Res Zoom | Up to 10x |
Video Recording | 4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60fps; 10-bit HDR | 4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS) |
Front Camera | 10.5MP Front (f/2.2, 95° FOV), Dual PD AF | 13MP, f/2.2 |
Battery | 4,700 mAh (Typical) | 5,000mAh (Typical) |
Wired Charging | Up to 27W (charges up to 55% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger) | 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | Up to 15W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share | No (Not supported) |
Connectivity | 5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; 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); Fingerprint-resistant coating | No official IP rating (Plastic frame/back) |
Dimensions | 6.0" x 2.8" x 0.3" (152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm) | 6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm) |
Weight | 7.0 oz (198 g) | 6.95 oz (197 g) |
Biometrics | Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock |
Extras | Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; VPN by Google One; Car Crash Detection | Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet |
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Google Pixel 9
Rating:★4.5(1,044)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:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:128GB / 256GB (UFS 3.1)
Display Size:6.3" (measured diagonally; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Actua OLED Display
Resolution:1080 x 2424 pixels (FHD+), 422 ppi
Refresh Rate:60–120Hz (Smooth Display)
Peak Brightness:1,800 nits (HDR) / 2,700 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:N/A (No dedicated telephoto lens)
Optical Zoom:2x Optical Quality (via sensor crop)
Digital Zoom:Up to 8x Super Res Zoom
Video Recording:4K@24/30/60fps, 1080p@24/30/60fps; 10-bit HDR
Front Camera:10.5MP Front (f/2.2, 95° FOV), Dual PD AF
Battery:4,700 mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:Up to 27W (charges up to 55% in ~30 min with Google 45W USB-C Charger)
Wireless Charging:Up to 15W (Pixel Stand 2nd Gen); up to 12W (Qi certified); Battery Share
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave varies by model); Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; Dual Band GNSS
USB:USB Type-C 3.2
Durability:IP68 (Dust and water resistant); Gorilla Glass Victus 2 (front/back); Fingerprint-resistant coating
Dimensions:6.0" x 2.8" x 0.3" (152.8 x 72.0 x 8.5 mm)
Weight:7.0 oz (198 g)
Biometrics:Ultrasonic Fingerprint Unlock; Face Unlock
Extras:Satellite SOS; Gemini AI integrated; VPN by Google One; Car Crash Detection
✓ Pros:
- • Compact and premium design with satin metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2
- • Bright Actua display reaches 2,700 nits peak brightness
- • Industry-leading 7-year software update commitment
- • Excellent dual-camera system with Macro Focus on the ultrawide lens
- • Includes useful AI features like Add Me, Best Take, and Gemini integration
✗ Cons:
- • Lacks a dedicated telephoto lens (zoom limited to 8x Super Res Zoom)
- • Charging speed (27W wired) is slower than many competitors
- • Base storage starts at 128GB with UFS 3.1 (slower than UFS 4.0)
- • Tensor G4 performance lags behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 in raw benchmarks
- • Display refresh rate bottoms out at 60Hz (not LTPO 1–120Hz like Pro models)
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Samsung Galaxy A25 5G
Rating:★4.6(176)Best Buy
Operating System:Android
Software Support:4 generations of OS upgrades and 5 years of security updates
Processor:Samsung Exynos 1280 (5nm)
Graphics:Mali-G68
RAM:6GB (Standard US config)
Storage:128GB (Expandable via microSDXC up to 1TB)
Display Size:6.5"
Screen Type:Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1,000 nits (HBM)
Resolution:2340 x 1080 (FHD+)
Refresh Rate:120Hz
Peak Brightness:1,000 nits (High Brightness Mode)
Main Camera:50MP, f/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Ultra-Wide Camera:8MP, f/2.2, 120-degree FOV
Telephoto Camera:No (Not supported) — Includes 2MP Macro f/2.4
Optical Zoom:No (Not supported)
Digital Zoom:Up to 10x
Video Recording:4K UHD @ 30fps; 1080p @ 30/60fps (Gyro-EIS)
Front Camera:13MP, f/2.2
Battery:5,000mAh (Typical)
Wired Charging:25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
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:6.34 x 3.01 x 0.33 in (161.0 x 76.5 x 8.3 mm)
Weight:6.95 oz (197 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Face Unlock
Extras:Stereo speakers, 3.5mm Headphone Jack, microSD slot, Samsung Wallet
✓ Pros:
- • Class-leading 120Hz Super AMOLED display (1,000 nits)
- • Guaranteed 4 major OS updates (matches flagship standard)
- • Main camera features OIS (rare for this price point)
- • Includes stereo speakers and 3.5mm headphone jack
- • Excellent battery life with 5,000mAh capacity
✗ Cons:
- • Exynos 1280 performance is average compared to competitors
- • No official IP rating for water/dust resistance
- • Dated water-drop notch design and thick bezels
- • No charger included in the box
- • Video stabilization (EIS) crops heavily into the frame
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Which one is better?
The Google Pixel 9 is the better buy for most people - its 7 years of updates crushes the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G's 4 years.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Google Pixel 9 if: you want the latest software updates for 7 years, you take lots of photos and need a powerful camera system, or you prefer a compact and premium design.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy A25 5G if: you need a phone that lasts longer on a single charge, you enjoy a smoother display for gaming, or you're looking for an affordable option with decent features. (6.5" display, 5000 mAh battery)
Conclusion
There is no wrong answer here. Focus on the features you will use daily and pick the model that aligns with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Google Pixel 9 excels if you value compact and premium design with satin metal frame and gorilla glass victus 2. Samsung Galaxy A25 5G is better if you prioritize class-leading 120hz super amoled display (1,000 nits). 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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