Samsung Galaxy S10 Vs. Google Pixel 3: A Tale of Three Cameras

Chris Holmes Staff Writer

Updated 31 July 2025

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since their release dates in 2018 and 2019, the Google Pixel 3 and Samsung Galaxy S10 have been replaced by newer Pixel and Galaxy S-series models. The Pixel 3 and Galaxy S10 are no longer supported with the latest Android software updates.

The information below reflects the data and pricing at the time of the devices' releases, and availability will differ from when we first reviewed them. You can upgrade to a newer Pixel or new Galaxy phone, or you may still be able to find refurbished models of this device through retailers such as Amazon or eBay.

In this Guide

Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: Specs
Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: Cameras
Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: Internals
Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: Battery
Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: Price
Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/ Pixel 3 XL: How to Buy

Google's line of Pixel phones have long been regarded as among the best in terms of their cameras—and this is especially true of the Pixel 3.

Samsung's new Galaxy S10 phones—the regular S10, the bigger S10+, and the more "affordable" S10e—look to crush the Pixel, and the rest of the smartphone competition, with not one but three rear-facing cameras.

This combined with a faster processor, luxurious screen and huge battery supposedly make the S10 and its variants superior to the Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL. But is it?

Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Specs

Samsung's new S10 and S10+ improve upon their Samsung smartphone predecessors in some key areas, and in the process leapfrog the Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL in these same ways.

Samsung Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL

	GalaxyS10	Galaxy S10+	Pixel 3	Pixel 3XL
Screen Size	6.1"	6.4"	5.5"	6.3"
Rear Cameras	Triplicate back: 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP standard, and 12MP telephoto	Triplicate back: 16MP ultra-wide, 12MP standard, and 12MP telephoto	12.2MP f/1.8	12.2MP f/1.8
Front-Facing Camera	Front: 10MP	Dual front: 10MP and 8MP	8MP f/2.2 wide, 8MP f/1.8	8MP f/2.2 wide, 8MP f/1.8
Processor	Snapdragon 855	Snapdragon 855	Snapdragon 845	Snapdragon 845
Battery Life	3,400mAh	4,100mAh	2,915mAh	3,430mAh
RAM	8GB	8GB, 12GB	4GB	4GB
Water Resistance	Water resistant to a depth of 1.5 meter for up to 30 minutes	Water resistant to a depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes	IP68 water resistance	IP68 water resistance
Internal Memory	128GB and 512GB	128GB, 512GB, and 1TB	64GB/128GB	64GB/128GB
Price	$899	$999	$799	$899

Galaxy S10/S10+ vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Cameras

One of the headlines of the S10's unveiling is its "hole punch" front camera design. This allows for an essentially bezel-less phone face, whereas the Pixel has a notch on top for the camera. Oh, and that camera is an impressive 10 megapixels (10 MP and 8 MP on the S10+), to the Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL's 8 MP.

The S10/S10 also sports the first-ever triple rear camera setup with a 16MP camera for wide-angle shots, a 12MP camera for telephoto shots, and another 12MP camera for standard shots. Compare that to the Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL's dual 12.2 MP rear cameras. If we're going purely by technical specs here, the S10 would appear superior.

Then again, the Pixel 3's camera has drawn rave reviews from tech writers and users alike. It's hard to imagine anyone being let down by it.

Galaxy S10 vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Internals

Another of the the Galaxy S10's main selling points is a powerful processor that reportedly outperforms some laptops—powered by Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 855. It features a lot of "cores," and CPU that's 45% faster than its predecessor. The Pixel 3 actually contains this predecessor, i.e. the Snapdragon 845. While it's by no means a slouch, it doesn't seem to match the power of the 855.

The Galaxy S10/S10+ pairs this processing speed with more internal RAM than the Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL, specifically 8 or 12GB. The Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL "only" features 4GB of RAM.

Galaxy S10 vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Battery

Another key area in which the S10 / S10+ bests the Pixel 3 is battery life. Indeed, the S10+'s 4,100 mAh battery is the flat out biggest ever in a smartphone, besting both the Pixel 3 (2,915mAh) and Pixel 3 XL (3,430mAh) in this department.

Galaxy S10 vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Price

The biggest gripe leveled against the S10 and S10+ so far is their respective prices: $900 for the base S10 model, and $1,000 for the base S10+. With an increasing number of people hanging onto to their phones for longer periods of time, these prices can strike you as somewhat self-defeating for Samsung.

The Google Pixels almost seem reasonable by comparison: the base Pixel 3 costs $799, while the XL costs $899. They're still not cheap, but at least you're not hitting the $1,000 for the bigger of the two.

Galaxy S10 vs. Google Pixel 3/Pixel 3 XL: Bottom Line

The S10 makes some serious strides with its camera, processor, internal memory, and battery life. . . but you probably already knew that. The real question is: are the S10's advancements worth the price tag? You can get perfectly good—nay, great—features in the Google Pixel 3 for less money, after all. It all depends on what matters to you most in a smartphone.

Samsung Galaxy S10

Speed and Features For A Price.

Fast processor and memory
Three models to fit your budget
Multiple cameras
Huge, brilliant display

Google Pixel 3

Basically Everything You'll Need.

Clean design and fast performance
Two sizes and styles
Intelligent camera software
Cheaper and often on sale

Chris Holmes

Staff Writer

Chris Holmes is a Contributing Writer for WhistleOut, where he covers the cell phone and internet industries. His work has been cited in publications like The Verge, The New York Times, and WIRED.

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