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 $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone Air leads — 75/100 vs 66/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 has the bigger battery (4000 mAh vs 3149); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,856,499 vs 2,568,709); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.3mm).
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Better Geekbench Single: 3850 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9800 vs 9100
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 90/100)
- Better camera (73/100 vs 40/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 89/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 2856499 vs 2568709
- Bigger battery: 4000 vs 3149 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 165g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Longer battery life (31/100 vs 26/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Apple iPhone Air scores 9 points higher (75/100 vs 66/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone Air leads (73/100 vs 40/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 62/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 44/100; 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 90/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100). 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 is a bit better (31/100 vs 26/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 89/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 2568709 | 2856499 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3850 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9800 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.5" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2736x1260 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3149 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 25W | |
| 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 | 128GB / 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 | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $799 |
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
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- 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
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- 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 10.1% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $200 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 90/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100).
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 is a bit better (31/100 vs 26/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone Air is a bit better (96/100 vs 89/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone Air or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone Air edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 by just 9 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 — 66/100.
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.