Samsung simply launched its newest Galaxy telephone, the model new S25 Edge.
In doing so, the model has deviated from its traditional technique, whereby we usually see a trio of flagships in the beginning of the 12 months and foldables in the summertime. This new mannequin joins Samsung’s flagship bar-phones as a considerably slimmer choice for individuals who need class-leading specs with out such a cumbersome chassis.
Regardless of its slim design and light-weight physique, it’s nonetheless a big telephone, with a display dimension much like the Pixel 9 Professional XL, and it additionally begins on the similar value. For these causes, you may be making an attempt to determine which one is best for you, or in the event you already personal the Pixel 9 Professional XL, you may be contemplating an improve.
If that’s the case, you’re in the appropriate place. On this article, we’ll discover how the 2 telephones evaluate in each division, so you possibly can choose the appropriate one in your wants. Nevertheless, it’s price noting that whereas we’ve reviewed the Pixel 9 Professional XL, we’ve solely gone hands-on with the Galaxy S25 Edge up to now.
Design & Show
As talked about within the introduction, a key promoting level of the Galaxy S25 Edge is its slim and light-weight design. It weighs solely 163g and measures simply 5.9mm thick. The Pixel 9 Professional XL, alternatively, isn’t designed with slimness in thoughts. It’s a lot thicker, measuring 8.9mm, and it’s noticeably heavier at 221g.
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Thickness and weight apart, each telephones look pretty related from the entrance. The Pixel 9 Professional XL is bigger, however it’s solely about 3mm taller, and fewer than 1mm wider. Each have absolutely flat screens and centrally positioned punch-hole selfie cameras.
The place the Galaxy S25 Edge pulls forward, although, is with its slim bezels. They’re slimmer than the Pixel 9 Professional XL bezels on all sides, and the digital camera cutout is smaller, too. This implies, regardless of having smaller dimensions, the distinction in display dimension is smaller than you’d count on – the Pixel is simply 0.1 inches greater.
Each telephones boast 120Hz OLED panels with adaptive refresh charges and HDR10+ help, however the Galaxy S25 Edge has the next decision. It has a 1440 x 3120 show, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional XL is just 1344 x 2992.
That stated, the Pixel 9 Professional XL is barely brighter. It has a peak brightness of 3000 nits, whereas the S25 Edge maxes out at 2600 nits. Realistically, although, each are greater than shiny sufficient for use comfortably outside.
When it comes to development, each telephones have glass backs and metallic frames, however the S25 Edge makes use of titanium in its body, which ought to make it extra sturdy. It additionally has the newer Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2 coating on its display, which ought to be extra scratch-resistant than the Gorilla Glass Victus coating on the Pixel.
Each fashions are IP68 licensed, which implies they’re dust-tight and might stand up to dunks in recent water for as much as half-hour.
Efficiency
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, one of many quickest chips in the marketplace right now. In the meantime, the Pixel 9 Professional XL makes use of Google’s personal Tensor G4 SoC.
Anyron Copeman / Foundry
The Tensor G4 isn’t any slouch, however when it comes to uncooked energy, it will possibly’t maintain a candle to the Snapdragon 8 Elite. For those who prefer to play graphically intensive cell video games like Genshin Influence, or in the event you do demanding duties like video modifying in your telephone, the Galaxy S25 Edge ought to have a transparent benefit.
What could pose extra of a problem is cooling. Till we’ve examined it for ourselves, we’ll want to attend and see how effectively the slim chassis of the S25 Edge can preserve the temperatures in verify.
The S25 Edge is accessible in two varieties. You possibly can select between 256GB or 512GB of storage, and each fashions have 12GB of RAM. The Pixel 9 Professional XL has the identical storage choices, however it provides two extra as well as. It begins with simply 128GB and goes all the best way as much as 1TB. All variations include 16GB of RAM, which is greater than the S25 Edge can supply.
Cameras
One of many largest variations between these telephones is the digital camera setup. The S25 Edge solely has two cameras on the again: a 200Mp major sensor and a 12Mp ultrawide. The Pixel 9 Professional XL has a 50Mp major, a 48Mp ultrawide and a 48Mp 5x telephoto.
Jon Mundy / Foundry
So, in the event you prefer to zoom in, you’ll possible get the most effective outcomes with the Pixel. The 200Mp sensor ought to assist with digital zoom considerably, however in our expertise, it’s exhausting to beat a devoted telephoto lens.
After all, one other factor that makes an enormous distinction to your images is picture processing. Samsung and Google have very totally different approaches. Current Samsung flagships go for a extra pure model, whereas Pixel pictures are inclined to look a bit extra vibrant and poppy. They’re each wonderful in their very own proper, however you’ll possible desire one over the opposite.
Across the entrance, the S25 Edge has a 12Mp selfie snapper with autofocus capabilities. In the meantime, the Pixel opts for the next decision 42Mp sensor, and it additionally has autofocus. On paper, the Pixel selfie digital camera sounds superior, however Samsung is understood for its wonderful selfies, and in actuality, it’s exhausting to name a transparent winner.
Different variations
Each of those telephones are full of AI options, and since Samsung works so intently with Google, there’s loads of overlap. For those who’re on the lookout for selection, although, Samsung is the best way to go. The model has added loads of its personal options on high of these powered by Google, so there’s extra to discover in Samsung’s working system.
That’s true elsewhere in One UI 7, too. It’s one of the vital feature-packed Android builds accessible, and it contains distinctive options like Samsung Dex, the place you possibly can flip your telephone right into a full-fledged desktop substitute by connecting it to an exterior display.
Chris Martin / Foundry
Comparatively, Pixel UI is way less complicated, however for some customers, that might be a superb factor. It appears nice and it performs effectively, two of an important issues for any working system.
It’s additionally price mentioning that the Pixel 9 Professional XL has a a lot bigger battery, with a 5060 mAh cell, in comparison with simply 3900 mAh on the S25 Edge. In principle, it’ll final loads longer, however we received’t know for certain till we put it to the check.
The Pixel 9 Professional additionally prices faster, at as much as 37W versus 25W on the Galaxy S25 Edge. It’s additionally quicker relating to Qi wi-fi charging – 23W as a substitute of 15W.
Pricing
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge and Google Pixel 9 Professional each begin at £1,099 within the UK. At that value, Samsung offers you 256GB of storage and 12GB of RAM, whereas Google offers you 128GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.
The S25 Edge can also be accessible with 512GB of storage for £1,199, whereas the Pixel 9 Professional XL may be configured with as much as 1TB, however that’ll value you a whopping £1549. It’s price noting, although, that the Pixel 9 Professional XL has been in the marketplace for some time, and as such, you possibly can usually discover it discounted – it’ll be some time earlier than we see any reductions on the S25 Edge.
Verdict
We already know that the Pixel 9 Professional XL is a good telephone, and the identical is prone to be true of the Galaxy S25 Edge. As at all times, the appropriate one for you’ll rely in your private wants.
The S25 Edge is all concerning the slim and lightweight design, which is one thing the Pixel 9 Professional XL can’t match. It’s additionally a lot quicker. So in the event you’re a gamer and also you need one thing pocketable, it’s possible the best way to go.
Nevertheless, the Pixel 9 Professional XL has loads of benefits of its personal. It has an additional digital camera, a a lot greater battery and wi-fi charging help. You may as well generally discover it on sale, now that it has been out for some time, so it may supply higher worth.