Ever because the greatest telephones began getting larger and larger, a vocal minority of Android followers has been asking for smaller flagship telephones that do not skimp on any options. I am a type of complainers, and when Google launched a 6.3-inch Google Pixel 9 Professional with all the identical specs and options because the 6.8-inch XL model, I hopped proper on it. I have been utilizing the 9 Professional since September.
However now that I’ve acquired the new Samsung Galaxy S25 on my desk, I assumed it is likely to be illuminating to check out how the 2 small flagships examine within the hand. The S25 is a bit smaller — however is it sufficient of a distinction to actually discover?
Pixel 9 Professional vs. Galaxy S25, by the numbers
It is proper there within the measurements: the Samsung Galaxy S25 is smaller, thinner, and lighter than the Google Pixel 9 Professional. Samsung’s new cellphone is clearly the extra compact system.
|
Pixel 9 Professional |
Galaxy S25 |
|
|
Display screen dimension |
6.3″ |
6.2″ |
|
Top |
152.8 mm |
146.9 mm |
|
Width |
72 mm |
70.5 mm |
|
Thickness |
8.5 mm |
7.2 mm |
|
Weight |
199 g |
162 g |
The Samsung Galaxy S25 is 5.9 millimeters (about 4 %) shorter, 1.5 millimeters (2 %) narrower, and 1.3 millimeters (15 %) thinner than the Google Pixel 9 Professional. It is also 37 grams lighter, a big 19 % distinction from the Pixel 9 Professional. I’ve by no means considered the Pixel as a very heavy system, however I observed the S25 was gentle as quickly as I picked it up, earlier than I even in contrast the 2 telephones. A distinction of 37 grams is about the identical as $1.50 in quarters — not a make-or-break quantity of bulk, however completely an considerable distinction.
Does it truly matter? Which cellphone feels higher?
Being the extra svelte smartphone, I believe the Samsung Galaxy S25 typically feels higher to deal with and use than the Google Pixel 9 Professional. Samsung’s cellphone is smaller than Google’s in each dimension and considerably lighter, so naturally, as a small-phone fan, the S25 speaks to me.
Probably the most notable variations are in top and weight. Being virtually six millimeters shorter than the Pixel 9 Professional, the Galaxy S25 is a bit simpler to make use of with one hand. Reaching the highest fringe of the display screen with my thumb whereas retaining the underside of the cellphone supported with my little finger is not as a lot of a pressure. Popping open the cellphone’s fast settings by swiping down from the highest proper nook of the show is completely comfy.
Selecting up my Pixel 9 Professional after utilizing the S25 for a few days, I am struck by how heavy Google’s cellphone feels. In the event you’re in your cellphone for hours at a time, the S25 would possibly trigger rather less fatigue in your fingers. This looks like a fringe profit, although; neither cellphone is objectively _heavy_, and you will get used to the burden of no matter system you are utilizing.
The S25’s thinness can also be fairly hanging: it is 15 % thinner general than the Pixel 9 Professional. The distinction is much more pronounced on the digital camera bump. Due to its a lot slimmer digital camera modules, the S25 sits flatter on a desk than the Pixel — although the S25 does wobble on its again in a method the Pixel does not, due to Google’s symmetrical digital camera bump.
I would additionally prefer to briefly shout out the Galaxy S25’s end. Each its glass again and its metallic aspect rails have a matte end, which hides fingerprints and minor harm higher than a shiny end would. The Pixel 9 Professional’s acquired matte glass paired with shiny metallic — a effective sufficient look, however the S25 suits my preferences extra carefully right here. That was true of final 12 months’s S24, too, however it bears mentioning as we’re evaluating these two telephones.
Galaxy S25: Comfortably compact
The Samsung Galaxy S25’s {hardware} is _very_ just like final 12 months’s Galaxy S24 — the last-gen Samsung cellphone was smaller and lighter than the Pixel 9 Professional, too. However that will not matter a lot to you should you’re deciding what to improve to from a cellphone you have had for 2 or extra years. The S25 is a hair lighter and smaller than even the S24 was — which, for small-phone fanatics, makes it fairly interesting.
In case your prime precedence in your subsequent Android cellphone is one thing you should utilize with one hand, preserve a watch out for our full Galaxy S25 evaluation, which is coming quickly. If digital camera efficiency and One UI 7 clear the identical high quality bar because the cellphone’s {hardware}, the S25 goes to be a critical contender for finest compact Android cellphone.
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Google Pixel 9 Professional
The Pixel 9 Professional is a brand new addition to Google’s lineup, slotting in as a smaller premium flagship to pair with the Pixel 9 Professional XL. The latter is the direct successor to 2023’s Pixel 8 Professional regardless of its new XL moniker, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional brings a brand new form-factor to Google’s high-end choices, sporting the identical dimensions as the usual Pixel 9 mannequin whereas packing all of the AI and digital camera prowess we have grown accustomed to from Google’s Professional lineup.
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Samsung Galaxy S25
Samsung’s Galaxy S25 retains issues small with out sacrificing energy. With a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, 12GB of RAM, and all types of instruments courtesy of Galaxy AI, that is all the pieces you count on from a contemporary flagship squeezed into a comparatively svelte chassis.
