Google Pixel 9 vs. Samsung Galaxy S25+: Which Prime Day deal should you buy?

The 256GB model of the Samsung S25+ is out of stock at Amazon, but can still be found on sale at Samsung. The 512GB version is still available at Amazon — for now.

By now, you've probably seen the Prime Day deals, and perhaps you're set on buying a top Android phone, but you just can't pull the trigger because you're not sure which one to buy? Since we have experience with both phones, we're here to help.

Out of the currently available deals, two stand out: The Google Pixel 9, which is discounted by 31%, and the Samsung Galaxy S25+, which can be had for 30% off its list price. But while the percentages are similar, the end prices aren't, and the two phones, while both excellent, have some specific pros and cons.

First, let's consider the pricing. The discounted Samsung Galaxy S25+ costs $700, while the Google Pixel 9 costs $550. That's a significant difference that can go towards accessories such as cases and battery extenders, or simply back into your pocket.

But what do you get for that extra cash? Let's compare some basic specs first. The Google Pixel 9 is powered by Google's Tensor G4 chip, has a dual, 50/48-megapixel camera, a 6.3-inch OLED display, 12GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4,700mAh battery. The Samsung Galaxy S25+ is a larger phone, with a 6.7-inch display; it's powered by a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, has a triple, 50/10/12-megapixel camera (the big difference here being the telephoto camera that the Google phone lacks), 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a slightly larger, 4,900mAh battery.

It's also worth noting that, while both phones have tons of AI features, Google's Pixel 9 relies on AI a bit more. It also offers the purest Android experience, just as Google intended it, while Samsung has a layer of its own software on top of Android.

As you can see, the extra money you'll have to dish out for the Samsung isn't lost on trivialities. The Samsung is a bigger, more powerful device, with a more versatile camera and more storage. But if you don't mind the slightly less capable hardware, and prefer Google's "pure" Android experience on a Pixel phone, Google is an excellent choice as well.

Still not sure which to pick? You could try splitting the difference and getting the base model S25, on sale for Prime Day at $584.99.