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 (3,161,126 vs 2,538,751); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 190g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S26+
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- 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)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 2538751
- 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)
Comparison verdict
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 — 60/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 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 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).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 3161126 | |
| 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 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
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
Battery and charging
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
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Apple iPhone Air by 19.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
Detailed category analysis
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).
Frequently asked questions
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.