CNET Pits $899 Pixel 11 Against $900 Galaxy S26 as Google Enters Samsung's 2026 Flagship Race
Updated
Updated · CNET · Aug 13
CNET Pits $899 Pixel 11 Against $900 Galaxy S26 as Google Enters Samsung's 2026 Flagship Race
3 articles · Updated · CNET · Aug 13
Summary
$899 Pixel 11 and $900 Galaxy S26 emerge as the main mainstream Android matchup, with Google opening preorders ahead of an Aug. 20 launch while Samsung's phone is already on sale.
6.3-inch displays, triple rear cameras, Gemini AI and seven years of updates make the phones closely matched, but Google adds brighter 3,000-nit output, Qi2.2 magnets and a bigger 4,985-mAh battery.
Samsung counters with a lighter 167-gram body, 1-120Hz adaptive refresh, 8K video and Horizontal Lock stabilization, and CNET notes the S26 is already discounted to $775.
Google's trade-offs include dropping the 128GB model, making 256GB the new base storage, while the Pixel 11 leans on software additions such as Magic Capture and Android 17 features to stand out.