Samsung Galaxy S25 vs. Google Pixel 9 Professional: Compact cellphone lovers rejoice

• 

  Highly effective and compact

  
  Samsung Galaxy S25
  

  The Galaxy S25 is a strong providing from Samsung that’ll please compact cellphone lovers. With highly effective efficiency, a stunning show, and software program assist second to none, there are many the reason why the S25 is a superb selection. It isn’t good and there may be room for enchancment.

  Professionals & Cons

  • Speedy flagship efficiency
  • Compact and pocket-friendly design
  • Beautiful show
  • Lengthy software program assist

  • Gradual charging speeds
  • Digital camera leaves a bit to be desired
  • 4000mAh battery capability might be greater

• 

  Superb however costlier

  
  Google Pixel 9 Professional
  

  The Google Pixel 9 Professional is without doubt one of the greatest Android telephones in the marketplace for an excellent cause. With a great-looking design, a strong and versatile digicam system, all-day battery life, and lengthy software program assist, there is not a lot lacking aside from its general efficiency.

  Professionals & Cons

  • Wonderful design in a compact bundle
  • Superb show
  • Wonderful digicam high quality
  • Lengthy software program assist

  • Gradual charging speeds
  • The Tensor G4 leaves a bit to be desired
  • Dearer

Smartphone producers love following developments. Over the previous couple of years, the Android area has operated below the concept that greater is best. With huge screens and batteries, massive telephones just like the One Plus 13 supply advantages you will not discover on smaller units. The problem wasn’t the presence of those unwieldy units however that smaller telephones had been all however forgotten.

Boutique telephones just like the Unihertz Jelly Max usually have trade-offs, particularly in software program assist. Outdoors of Samsung and its base Galaxy lineup, it appeared not one of the main Android producers took small telephones significantly. Nevertheless, that pattern is slowly altering because of Google’s renewed give attention to the small cellphone market.

For those who do not need to discover flip telephones, the Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Google Pixel 9 Professional are two of the greatest small telephones you may get with a conventional design. These powerhouse units have followers and detractors, however every gives a wonderful Android expertise.

Worth, availability, and specs

With an early February 2025 launch date, the Galaxy S25 is the newest and best small cellphone from Samsung. The Galaxy S25 sees a modest bump in specs in a few classes, however this is not a serious bounce ahead in comparison with final yr’s Galaxy S24. It is obtainable with 128GB or 256GB of storage and retails for $800 and $860 respectively. It is available in 4 colorways: Navy, Mint, Icy Blue, and Silver Shadow. There is no black possibility this yr, which can annoy some.

The Google Pixel 9 Professional has been in the marketplace for nearly 5 months. The Pixel 9 Professional launched in September 2024 and is available in Porcelain, Rose Quartz, Hazel, and Obsidian colorways. You get your selection of storage with 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB choices. The colour that you simply select could dictate the storage measurement for you. Obsidian is accessible in all 4 storage sizes, Porcelain and Hazel can be found in all the things however the 1TB measurement, and Rose Quartz solely comes with 256GB of storage.

You could find these units virtually in all places, together with all main carriers, their respective web sites, and retailers like Amazon and Finest Purchase.

• 	Samsung Galaxy S25	Google Pixel 9 Professional
  SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy	Google Tensor G4
  Show sort	LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz	LTPO OLED, 1-120Hz
  Show dimensions	6.2″	6.3″
  Show decision	2340 x 1080	1280 x 2856
  RAM	12GB	16GB
  Storage	128GB, 256GB, 512GB	128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
  Battery	4,000mAh	4,700mAh
  Cost pace	25W	27W wired, 21W wi-fi
  Cost choices	USB-C Wired, Qi wi-fi	USB-C wired, Qi wi-fi
  Ports	USB-C	USB-C
  Working System	Android 15 and One UI 7	Android 14
  Entrance digicam	12MP f/2.2	42MP, f/2.2
  Rear digicam	50MP f/1.8 foremost, 12MP f/2.2 ultrawide, 10MP f/2.4 3x telephoto	50MP, f/1.7, OIS foremost; 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide; 48MP, f/2.8, 5x telephoto
  Wi-Fi connectivity	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
  Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.4	Bluetooth 5.3
  Dimensions	146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2 mm	152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm
  Weight	162g	199g
  IP Score	IP68	IP68
  Colours	Silver Shadow, Navy, Icy Blue, Mint	Obsidian, Porcelain, Hazel, Rose Quartz
  Worth	$800	From $999

Design

Flat sides and rounded corners

This comparability opens with the concept that the smartphone {industry} loves following developments, and that is on full show right here. It is a copycat {industry}, and when one does one thing nicely, everybody must get in on the enjoyable. The newest pattern is to design your cellphone with flat edges and rounded corners, a design each of those units lean into. I am detached to this pattern, however it might irk some greater than others.

Each telephones supply nice pocketability because of their compact sizes, though the Galaxy S25 is smaller than the Pixel 9 Professional. The Galaxy measures 146.9 x 70.5 x 7.2mm and weighs a feathery 162g. The Pixel measures 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm and weighs a bit extra at 199g.

In addition they supply premium construct supplies, with aluminum frames sandwiched between Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the back and front. They’ve an IP68 score towards mud and water ingress, making them dustproof and able to taking a fast dip within the pool.

The entrance is just about similar on each units. The key design variations may be discovered on the again. As telephones proceed to observe design developments, the digicam housing has develop into the largest design differentiator between units. The Galaxy S25 has three digicam lenses that protrude individually from the upper-left nook. The Pixel 9 Professional options the horizontal digicam bar distinctive to the Pixel lineup. It not runs from edge to edge. As a substitute, it’s pill-shaped with rounded edges.

The Galaxy S25 has an virtually similar design to the final couple of base Galaxy S-series units. The Pixel 9 Professional encompasses a extra distinctive design in comparison with years previous. Nonetheless, the designs are shut sufficient that neither has a real benefit. I favor the look of the Pixel 9 Professional’s horizontal digicam bar, however the Galaxy S25 is barely extra moveable.

Show

Small beauties

The Samsung Galaxy S25 and the Google Pixel 9 Professional include industry-leading shows which might be a pleasure to make use of. These are flagship units, and, to some extent, a high-quality panel is a part of the expectations of a top-tier system.

The Galaxy S25 has a 6.2-inch dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X show with a decision of two,340 x 1,080. It has a 120Hz refresh price that drops to 1Hz, making the cellphone really feel clean when navigating menus or looking the net. This protects on battery when you do not want the quicker refresh price. Seeing the S25’s show in vivid circumstances is not a problem, because of its 2,600 nits of peak brightness.

Google selected a 6.3-inch Tremendous Actua show for the Pixel 9 Professional. This LTPO OLED panel has a 2,856 x 1,280 decision and a dynamic refresh price that ranges from 1Hz to 120Hz. The Pixel 9 Professional has no points in vivid circumstances, with as much as 3,000 nits at peak brightness.

It is a shut name, however the show on the Pixel 9 Professional edges out the victory over the Galaxy S25. You get a barely bigger show, a greater decision (which results in a better pixel density, 495ppi vs. 416ppi), and a brighter panel. The Galaxy S25 has a greater screen-to-body ratio, serving to it preserve these compact dimensions. Until you are after the smallest system, the Pixel 9 Professional has a barely higher show.

Software program

It is all about AI

Samsung and Google supply two of the most effective variations of Android. With their baseline Android software program being so good, each corporations have began to focus closely on AI. It’s going to take a while to see if that technique pays dividends over the long run, however you possibly can’t blame them for attempting to push Android software program ahead.

The Galaxy S25 comes with Android 15 and One UI 7, a implausible Android pores and skin that provides a variety of customization choices and Galaxy AI. It additionally options productiveness options, resembling working a number of apps concurrently and utilizing DeX to attach your cellphone to a hub or docking station to show it right into a desktop expertise.

One UI 7 brings a couple of tweaks and additions in comparison with earlier iterations, which can be a bit polarizing. There’s the Now Bar, which is a Dynamic Island-like alternative for the lock display that controls issues resembling music playbook. Along with the Now Bar, you get Reside Notifications, a return to the vertical app drawer, new animations, and revamped icons.

With such a giant give attention to AI, it is no shock that One UI 7 has new AI-related options. I am not an enormous fan of AI, however a few of what Samsung is doing appears genuinely fascinating. The largest information for me was that Bixby is being changed with Google Gemini, one thing I’ve lengthy wished. You additionally get options resembling Now Transient, which makes an attempt to mixture all of your information into an easy-to-view window, providing you with an at-a-glance overview of your day.

The Pixel 9 Professional launched with Android 14 however has since been upgraded to Android 15. It comes with the Pixel UI, a principally inventory model of Android, that does not enable for the quantity of customization you get with One UI. It is a quick and fluid UI and all the things feels snappy on the Pixel 9 Professional. It consists of nifty options like name screening, which helps you eliminate annoying spam calls.

A big focus has been positioned on AI and, just like the Galaxy S25, comes with Gemini in-built. You additionally get AI options like Pixel Climate, Pixel Screenshots, and Pixel Studio, along with all of the AI options baked into the digicam software program.

Samsung and Google lead the {industry} in software program assist with seven years of Android upgrades and safety updates. For those who’re inquisitive about both system, learn the overview to take a look at all their software program capabilities.

Efficiency

Powerhouse vs. ok

Outfitted with 12GB of RAM and the highly effective Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the Galaxy S25 will win most efficiency comparisons. For those who’re after the very best efficiency, particularly in the event you’re into gaming or often use DeX, nothing is quicker than the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. It is overkill for each day duties. Nevertheless, in the event you do extra intensive duties, like video enhancing, or need to run the newest video games on the highest frames per second, the Galaxy S25 is the simple selection.

That is to not say that the Google Tensor G4 processor and 16GB of RAM within the Pixel 9 Professional is not a strong possibility. Nevertheless, it lacks the top-end pace of current flagship Snapdragon processors. To be truthful, Google by no means meant the Tensor processors to have the identical sort of pace as its Snapdragon equal, as an alternative opting to optimize it for AI and Pixel UI.

For those who aren’t on the lookout for the very best body charges or do not push your system to the bounds, the Tensor G4 is an alright possibility. It is greater than sufficient for each day duties. For those who do not examine it to different units, it offers a ok expertise for duties that require extra energy, like gaming. The Tensor G4 is best optimized and runs cooler than earlier Tensor processors, however it’s taking part in catch-up with the Snapdragon lineup.

I want Google would ditch the Tensor processor and go for the newest Snapdragon flagship processor for its Pixel lineup. The corporate is well-known for abandoning tasks, so there may be hope. Nonetheless, it seems like Google will persist with the Tensor processor for the foreseeable future. It is too unhealthy as a result of if Google went with one thing just like the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, it might simply be thought of the highest Android cellphone.

Battery life

All-day battery, sluggish charging speeds

For those who’re after all-day battery life, you will not be disillusioned with both of those units. I am going to begin this part with the caveat that we’re nonetheless placing the Galaxy S25 via its paces. If you would like a definitive take, anticipate our overview. Primarily based on final yr’s efficiency and the effectivity enhancements supplied by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, I anticipate the S25 to have related, if not barely improved, battery life in comparison with the Galaxy S24.

The Galaxy S25 comes with a 4,000mAh battery, which ought to get you thru a strong day of modest use. If you’re a heavy person, the S25 could not make it to bedtime, so your utilization could make or break the battery life. The Pixel 9 Professional comes with a bigger 4,700mAh battery. It also needs to present a full day of use on a single cost. It may be pushed slightly more durable than the S25 because of the additional capability, however each units require nightly charging.

I proceed to be disillusioned with Samsung and Google due to their sluggish charging speeds. The S25 may be charged as much as 25W wired or as much as 15W wirelessly. The Pixel 9 Professional may be charged as much as 27W wired, 21W wi-fi with the Pixel Stand, or 12W wi-fi with a Qi charger. With units hitting 100W wired charging speeds and 50W wi-fi, it is time for Samsung and Google to get with the occasions.

Digital camera

Falling behind the most effective

As a fan of the bottom Galaxy collection, saying that I’m disillusioned in Samsung concerning its current digicam choices is an understatement. It is inexcusable that Samsung stored the identical digicam setup for years. There isn’t a cause the S25 ought to have the identical digicam setup as my Galaxy S23.

What makes it even worse is that I’ve been underwhelmed by the S23’s digicam efficiency, which makes this resolution extra mind-boggling. Sure, Samsung may enhance picture high quality with enhanced computational capabilities, however I am not holding my breath.

Because it stands, the Galaxy S25 comes with a triple digicam setup which features a 50MP, f/1.8 major lens with OIS, a 12MP, f/2.2 ultrawide lens with a 120-degree discipline of view, and a 10MP, f/2.4 telephoto lens with OIS and 3x optical zoom. It additionally has a 12MP, f/2.2 front-facing lens for all of your selfie wants. It will get great-looking pictures in well-lit circumstances in case your topics aren’t shifting. Samsung has lengthy struggled to get pictures of fast-moving topics. Solely time will inform in the event that they enhance that this yr. It might probably file video at 8K as much as 30fps and 4K as much as 60fps.

The Pixel 9 Professional operates on a special degree than the Galaxy S25 because of its 50MP, f/1.7 major lens with OIS, 48MP, f/1.7 ultrawide with a 123-degree discipline of view, and 48MP, f/2.8 periscope telephoto lens with OIS and 5x optical zoom. It additionally has a 42MP, f/2.2 front-facing digicam.

The Pixel 9 Professional gives one of many easiest point-and-shoot cameras, virtually guaranteeing a high quality picture each time. It is higher at freezing fast-moving topics, which makes it ideally suited for folks or pet house owners. I do not care which lens you employ, chances are you’ll find yourself with a greater picture on the Pixel 9 Professional than the Galaxy S25. Video recording choices are restricted, with 4K and 60fps achievable on the system, however you want Google’s cloud-based up-scaling to attain 8K and 30fps.

Which is best for you?

Selecting considered one of these small flagships comes all the way down to what you worth most in a smartphone. It isn’t a straightforward resolution, and with these units buying and selling blows in numerous classes, will probably be a toss-up primarily based on desire. Irrespective of which system you select, you are assured a stellar system that will not allow you to down.

As a lot as I need to select the Pixel 9 Professional over the Samsung Galaxy S25, I am unable to for 2 causes. The primary is their general efficiency, which the Galaxy S25 wins palms down. Because the years go, I belief the Snapdragon 8 Elite to carry up higher than the Tensor G4. The opposite foremost cause comes all the way down to their value distinction. The S25 is just not an ideal system, however it will get quite a bit proper. I’ve a neater time overlooking its shortcomings with a value that begins at $200 lower than the 9 Professional. The Galaxy S25 has an important show, good battery life, and superb software program. The digicam leaves a bit to be desired, however this can be a implausible system. The Google Pixel 9 Professional can be an exquisite cellphone. Nonetheless, with a beginning value of $999, I wrestle to look previous the efficiency of the Tensor G4. It has quite a bit going for it, like a beautiful design, a good looking show, good battery life, and nice software program assist. It additionally has probably the greatest cameras in the marketplace, virtually guaranteeing a high quality picture. Even with all that it does nicely, I am unable to commerce digicam efficiency for basic efficiency, particularly when its competitors undercuts the value by a lot. These two are pretty matched throughout the board, so you possibly can’t go mistaken with both possibility. Nonetheless, I am going to take the Snapdragon 8 Elite over the Tensor G4 any day of the week.