Google Pixel 8a vs Samsung Galaxy A26

The Google Pixel 8a (2024) runs on the Google Tensor G3, while the Samsung Galaxy A26 (2025) runs on the Exynos 1380; launch prices were $499 and $250. By overall MobileRank rating, the Google Pixel 8a leads — 65/100 vs 50/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy A26 has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4492); the main camera is 64 MP vs 50 MP; the Google Pixel 8a is faster in AnTuTu (1,433,693 vs 754,064); the Samsung Galaxy A26 is thinner (7.7mm vs 8.9mm).

The Google Pixel 8a is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy A26 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Google Pixel 8a

Performance 70
Display 82
Camera 70
Battery 39
Portability 57
Value for money 52

Samsung Galaxy A26

Performance 52
Display 79
Camera 34
Battery 44
Portability 63
Value for money 50

What makes Google Pixel 8a better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 1433693 vs 754064
  • Better Geekbench Single: 1722 vs 1008
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 4458 vs 2710
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Lighter: 188g vs 200g

  • Higher performance (70/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better camera (70/100 vs 34/100)
  • Better display (82/100 vs 79/100)

What makes Samsung Galaxy A26 better?

  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4492 mAh
  • Faster charging: 25W vs 18W
  • Cheaper at launch: $250 vs $499

  • Longer battery life (44/100 vs 39/100)
  • Better portability (63/100 vs 57/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Google Pixel 8a vs the Samsung Galaxy A26, the Google Pixel 8a scores 15 points higher (65/100 vs 50/100). In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (70/100 vs 52/100). In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a leads (70/100 vs 34/100). Value score: Google Pixel 8a — 52/100, Samsung Galaxy A26 — 50/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A26 (70/100 vs 52/100). In the "display" category, the Google Pixel 8a and the Samsung Galaxy A26 are nearly equal (82/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A26 (70/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy A26 is a bit better (44/100 vs 39/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A26 is a bit better (63/100 vs 57/100).

Google Pixel 8a: The Google Pixel 8a is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Google Pixel 8a Samsung Galaxy A26
Processor Google Tensor G3 Exynos 1380
AnTuTu 1433693 754064
Geekbench Single 1722 1008
Geekbench Multi 4458 2710
Display 6.1" OLED 6.7" Super AMOLED
Resolution 2400x1080 1080x2340
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4492 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 18W 25W
Wireless charging 7W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 136 —
Main camera 64 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 13 MP 8 MP
Front camera 13 MP 13 MP
RAM 8GB 4GB / 6GB / 8GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB 128GB / 256GB
OS Android 14 Android 15, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 7
Brightness (peak) 2000 nits 1000 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP67 IP67
Dimensions 152.1×72.7×8.9 mm 164.0×77.5×7.7 mm
Weight 188 g 200 g
Launch price $499 $250

Camera comparison

Google Pixel 8a

  • Main: 64MP f/1.89
  • Ultrawide: 13MP
  • Front: 13MP
70
camera

Samsung Galaxy A26

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 13MP
34
camera

Display comparison

Google Pixel 8a

  • 6.1" OLED
  • Resolution: 2400x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
82
display

Samsung Galaxy A26

  • 6.7" Super AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1080x2340
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
79
display

Battery and charging

Google Pixel 8a

  • 4492 mAh
  • Wired: 18W
  • Wireless: 7W
39
battery

Samsung Galaxy A26

  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • No wireless charging
44
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Google Pixel 8a and Samsung Galaxy A26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Google Pixel 8a Google Tensor G3
65/100
1433693 AnTuTu
Samsung Galaxy A26 Exynos 1380
50/100 -90.1%
754064 AnTuTu

Google Pixel 8a leads Samsung Galaxy A26 by 90.1% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Google Pixel 8a

$499

Samsung Galaxy A26

$250

Launch price difference: $249. Samsung Galaxy A26 was $249 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Google Pixel 8a notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A26 (70/100 vs 52/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Google Pixel 8a and the Samsung Galaxy A26 are nearly equal (82/100 vs 79/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Google Pixel 8a significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A26 (70/100 vs 34/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy A26 is a bit better (44/100 vs 39/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A26 is a bit better (63/100 vs 57/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Google Pixel 8a or the Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Google Pixel 8a is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy A26 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.

What is the rating of the Google Pixel 8a and the Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Google Pixel 8a has a MobileRank rating of 65/100, the Samsung Galaxy A26 — 50/100.

Which has the better camera: the Google Pixel 8a or the Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Google Pixel 8a leads on camera score (70/100 vs 34/100).

Which is more powerful: the Google Pixel 8a or the Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Google Pixel 8a leads on performance (70/100 vs 52/100).

Should you choose the Google Pixel 8a over the Samsung Galaxy A26?

The Google Pixel 8a is a better fit for active users.