Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $999 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 70/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger battery (4900 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,830 vs 2,568,709); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 190g).
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 2900
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 9200
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 165g vs 190g
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 91/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 40/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 72/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161830 vs 2568709
- Bigger battery: 4900 vs 3149 mAh
- Faster charging: 45W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Longer battery life (54/100 vs 26/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Samsung Galaxy S26+, the Apple iPhone Air scores 5 points higher (75/100 vs 70/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (54/100 vs 26/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 62/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 52/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (92/100 vs 91/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (73/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (54/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (96/100 vs 72/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 2568709 | 3161830 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 2900 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 9200 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 4900 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 45W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×74.7×5.6 mm | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 190 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $999 |
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone Air
- 3149 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 7:48 hrs, total 22:15 hrs
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 4900 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Apple iPhone Air by 18.8% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (92/100 vs 91/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (73/100 vs 40/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (54/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (96/100 vs 72/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone Air edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26+ by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone Air leads on camera score (73/100 vs 40/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.