Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone Air (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $999 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 64/100 (a 11-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 2,550,000); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is noticeably lighter (165g vs 214g).
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 3601
- Lighter: 165g vs 214g
- Cheaper: $999 vs $1299
- Better design/ergonomics (93/100 vs 32/100)
- Better value for money (41/100 vs 20/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 2550000
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 9800
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3149 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (84/100 vs 70/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 9/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 11 points higher (75/100 vs 64/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 70/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 9/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (41/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (84/100 vs 70/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (51/100 vs 9/100). In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (93/100 vs 32/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (41/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2550000 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 141 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 6.0×None×None mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 165 g | 214 g | |
| Price | $999 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone Air
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone Air
- 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2736x1260
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" 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 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone Air by 27.5% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $300. Apple iPhone Air is cheaper by $300.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (84/100 vs 70/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 73/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone Air (51/100 vs 9/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone Air significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (93/100 vs 32/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone Air notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (41/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone Air — the overall rating gap is 11 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air has a MobileRank rating of 64/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 73/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 70/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone Air over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.