We’ve compared Google’s mid-range Pixel 10a to Samsung’s own entry-level Galaxy S26 to see how the Androids compare.
With nearly £/$400 separating the two, you’d expect there to be a huge difference between the cheaper Pixel 10a and the Galaxy S26, but is that really the case? Or is the Pixel 10a a more appealing option for those looking for an affordable, yet modern Android?
Keep reading to see how the Pixel 10a measures up to the Galaxy S26. Then, once you’re finished here, visit our list of the best Android phones and best mid-range phones to help you choose your next purchase.
Price and Availability
The Google Pixel 10a is definitely more of a mid-ranger than the Galaxy S26, as it starts at just £499/$499 for its 128GB model. Or, for an additional £100/$100, you can upgrade to 256GB instead.
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Instead, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is nearly double that, with a starting RRP of £879/$899 for its 256GB handset.
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Design
- Galaxy S26 is thinner at just 7.2mm
- Pixel 10a’s rear camera is completely flat against the back
- Both have an aluminium frame and are IP68 rated
Visually, there’s plenty separating the Google Pixel 10a from the Galaxy S26. Although both have 6.3-inch displays, the Pixel 10a is thicker and heavier than the Galaxy S26, at 9mm and 183g respectively. In comparison, the S26 is just 7.2mm thick and weighs 167g.
Google Pixel 10a thickness
Samsung Galaxy S26
Even with that in mind, the Pixel 10a doesn’t feel heavy in hand and, despite its plastic back, it feels pretty premium too – though that’s mainly thanks to the aluminium frame. The S26 also sports an aluminium frame but also benefits from Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for better protection from scratches and drops. The Pixel 10a also has a Gorilla Glass screen coating, but it’s the slightly older 7i iteration instead. Sure it’s older, but during our review period we didn’t encounter any scratches or dents.
Speaking of durability, both handsets are equipped with an IP68 rating which means they are dust-resistant and can withstand submersion in water.
Google Pixel 10a rear
Samsung Galaxy S26 rear
Otherwise, although the rest of the Pixel 10 series sports Google’s iconic camera bar that sticks out of the rear, the Pixel 10a’s camera sits completely flat against its back. The Galaxy S26 instead houses its three rear cameras in a pill-shaped island at its back which does cause the phone to wobble when laying on a table.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26
Screen
- Both sport 6.3-inch panels
- Pixel 10a has a slightly higher peak brightness than the S26
- Galaxy S26 doesn’t have the Privacy Display or anti-reflective coating seen in the Galaxy S26 Ultra
With so many handsets now 6.7-inches or more, the Pixel 10a and Galaxy S26 are welcome smaller phones. They might not be as small as the iPhone 13 Mini (which still holds a place in our hearts here at Trusted), but they’re a decent compromise for those who want a phone that’s easy to use with just one-hand.
The Pixel 10a is otherwise fitted with a non-LTPO 120Hz refresh rate and HDR support, while its OLED panel results in bright and vibrant colours too. Plus, with a peak brightness of 3000 nits, it’s easy to use when outdoors too. However, one issue we have with the Pixel 10a’s display is the thick bezels, which instantly age the handset.
Instead, the Galaxy S26 boasts super slim bezels for a more immersive viewing experience and sports an LTPO 1-120Hz refresh rate too. While its peak brightness is slightly shy of the Pixel 10a’s own, at 2600 nits, it’s still a comfortable phone to use outside and in bright sunlight.
While overall the Galaxy S26’s display is easily one of the best and most vibrant displays on the market, it doesn’t sport the premium features found in the Galaxy S26 Ultra including the built-in Privacy Display or the anti-reflective coating. It’s a shame, as it means the Galaxy S26 more or less has the same display as the Galaxy S25.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S25
Camera
- Pixel 10a has the same 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide as the Pixel 9a
- Similarly, the Galaxy S26’s cameras remain unchanged from its predecessor, with a 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto
- Google’s image processing tech is brilliant on the Pixel 10a, with vibrant yet natural colours
Neither Google nor Samsung opted for any drastic changes with their respective phone’s camera hardware. Essentially, the Pixel 10a retains the 48MP main and 13MP ultrawide of the Pixel 9a while the Galaxy S26 retains the 50MP main, 13MP ultrawide and 10MP telephoto lenses of the Galaxy S25.
Considering the Pixel 9a earned a spot on our best camera phones guide – which is no mean feat for a mid-ranger – the fact that Google retained the lenses is somewhat understandable. We found that the lenses, combined with Google’s excellent image processing, results in consistently sharp, detailed images with natural yet vibrant colours too. Plus, although it lacks a dedicated telephoto lens, the main sensor has a fairly competent zoom ability that works up to around the 5-7x mark before detail falters.
In comparison, it’s fair to say that the Galaxy S26’s camera hardware is pretty dated now. Sure, overall the set-up is solid and reliable, with the main lens especially able to cope well with most lighting conditions, but as Samsung hasn’t made any changes in a while, it feels like the handset is falling behind the competition.
Having said that, Samsung has made some welcome tweaks to its image processing. While previously, images were quite saturated, perhaps overly so, now colours are slightly toned down while retaining a social media-approved vibrancy.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a
Performance
- Pixel 10a runs on Google’s 2024 Tensor G4 chip
- Galaxy S26 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 2600
- Exynos 2600 is a better chip for handling more intensive gaming, but otherwise both offer a solid overall performance
One of the biggest controversies with the Pixel 10a is its chip. Rather than sporting the newer Tensor G5 chip that powers its Pixel 10 family, the Pixel 10a runs on the same Tensor G4 chip that was found in the Pixel 9 series. With this in mind, the Pixel 10a performs identically to the Pixel 9a. Although the Pixel 9a performs well overall, it’s a shame we haven’t seen an update with the Pixel 10a.
For more on how the two compare, visit our Google Pixel 10a vs Pixel 9a comparison.
Even so, we found that although the Pixel 10a doesn’t achieve high benchmark scores – which isn’t a surprise as Google’s chips favour AI capabilities over sheer power – in everyday use the phone is fast and smooth, and can handle basic gaming with relative ease. However, it won’t be able to handle graphically intense tasks as easily.
In comparison, the Galaxy S26 runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 2600 chip and doesn’t sport Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy. Despite the lack of Qualcomm power behind it, we still found that the Galaxy S26 scores admirably in our benchmarking tests.
In real-world use, this means that the Galaxy S26 performs brilliantly with apps opening and running impressively quickly. Not only that, but gaming is also great with the Galaxy S26 with zero signs of lag, even when settings were bumped up too.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26
Software
- Google’s stock Android is brilliant and hard to beat
- Samsung’s OneUI is still intuitive and looks clean
- Both promise seven years of Android upgrades
Google’s stock approach to Android 16 is hard to beat, as the whole process feels well-designed and more streamlined than others. Even so, Samsung’s OneUI skin isn’t too far behind as it lacks bloatware that tends to plague other Android skins, and is fairly intuitive to use too.
Despite the Pixel 10a being a mid-ranger, it still boasts Google’s AI toolkit, all of which are conveniently baked right into the system. That means you’ll benefit from the likes of Magic Editor for photos, Circle to Search and, of course, Gemini on-board.
In comparison, the Galaxy S26 is fitted with Samsung’s own Galaxy AI toolkit which borrows a few features from Google, including Gemini and Circle to Search. There’s also Samsung’s own photo editing tools, which also allow you to remove unwanted objects from pictures and reframe shots too.
Perhaps most notably is that both Google and Samsung promise seven years of Android upgrades, taking both the Pixel 10a and Galaxy S26 up to Android 23.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a
Battery
- Pixel 10a has a larger battery but both offer a decent all-day battery life
- Pixel 10a supports 30W charging compared to the Galaxy S26’s 25W
- Both support wireless charging
Neither Google nor Samsung have ever been praised for their mighty battery capacities or speedy charging, and both continue this trend with the Pixel 10a and Galaxy S26. While the Pixel 10a boasts slightly “better” specs, with a 5100mAh cell and 30W charging support, it still falls behind the likes of the OnePlus 15R for example.
Otherwise, the Galaxy S26 has a pretty measly-sounded 4300mAh cell and supports just 25W speeds. Even so, both handsets can offer a pretty convincing all-day battery life, with the Pixel 10a showing promise to stretch itself to a two-day device. Of course, this will all depend on your usage.
Winner: Google Pixel 10a
Verdict
Starting at £/$499, with a great camera set-up, decent chip and plenty of genuinely useful AI features, if you’re looking for a genuine mid-range Android that performs brilliantly in everyday use, the Google Pixel 10a is an easy recommendation. Sure, it’s not quite the overhaul compared to the Pixel 9a, but it’s still a well-equipped phone.
In comparison, although the Galaxy S26 is a better gaming phone and has an overall sleeker design, with a higher starting price of £879/$899, it’s harder to recommend when the Pixel 10a is so much cheaper.
