Pixel 9 vs Galaxy A26 5G

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G

The Galaxy A26 5G wins this one, taking battery decisively. Against the Pixel 9 it's also the sounder buy at $4.37 per month of safe use.

Value Score: Pixel 9 72 · Galaxy A26 5G 78 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Google Pixel 9 $449

Safe to buy$7.21/mo

2024◆ Buy-by Aug 20292031

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G $250

Safe to buy$4.37/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display

Pixel 9 80Galaxy A26 5G 70

The Pixel 9's screen is the better one — 6.3-inch actua oled, 60–120hz, up to 2700 nits peak.

Performance

Pixel 9 76Galaxy A26 5G 58

The Pixel 9's Google Tensor G4 is simply the faster chip.

Camera

Pixel 9 67Galaxy A26 5G 67

Camera systems are comparable on paper — pick by sample photos.

Battery

Pixel 9 74Galaxy A26 5G 80

5,000mAh vs 4,700mAh — the Galaxy A26 5G lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

Pixel 9 74Galaxy A26 5G 68

The Pixel 9 is supported until Aug 2031 — 5 months longer than the Galaxy A26 5G.

Value

Pixel 9 72Galaxy A26 5G 78

Overall value goes to the Galaxy A26 5G at $4.37 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	Pixel 9	Galaxy A26 5G
Price (street)	$449	$250
Display	6.3-inch Actua OLED, 60–120Hz, up to 2700 nits peak	6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, up to 120Hz
Chipset	Google Tensor G4	Samsung Exynos 1380
RAM	12GB	8GB
Storage	128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	4,700 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	27W wired, 15W wireless (Qi)	25W wired
Rear cameras	50MP main, 48MP ultra-wide	50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
Dimensions	152.8 × 72.0 × 8.5 mm	164 × 77.5 × 7.7 mm
Weight	198 g	200 g
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Supported until	Aug 2031	Mar 2031

Pixel 9 full verdict →Galaxy A26 5G full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.