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 74/100 (a 1-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 (2,827,538 vs 2,538,751); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 has the stronger camera (146 vs 141); the Apple iPhone Air is thinner (5.6mm vs 7.3mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone Air
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes Apple iPhone Air better?
- 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 89/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
- Better portability (96/100 vs 89/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 2538751
- Bigger battery: 4000 vs 3149 mAh
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 165g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Better camera (77/100 vs 73/100)
- Longer battery life (31/100 vs 26/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone Air vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Apple iPhone Air scores 1 points higher (75/100 vs 74/100). Value score: Apple iPhone Air — 60/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100; 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 89/100). 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (77/100 vs 73/100). 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).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone Air | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 2827538 | |
| 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 | 146 | |
| 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 |
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
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- 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
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- 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 10.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone Air and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 89/100).
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 Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Apple iPhone Air are nearly equal (77/100 vs 73/100).
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).
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 1 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 — 74/100.
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.