ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $999 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 71/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 has the bigger battery (5800 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 3,136,217); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner (7.9mm vs 8.9mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 better?
- Bigger battery: 5800 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 65W vs 60W
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 120Hz
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 61/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 88/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 3136217
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3100
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 9900
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 214g vs 227g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 42/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 13 points higher (84/100 vs 71/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 42/100). Value score: ASUS ROG Phone 9 — 52/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 are nearly equal (96/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (86/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a bit better (67/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (51/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3136217 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9900 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 185 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5800 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB / 24GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 / ROG UI | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2500 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.8×76.8×8.9 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 5800 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 9 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads ASUS ROG Phone 9 by 9.4% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. ASUS ROG Phone 9 was $300 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the ASUS ROG Phone 9 are nearly equal (96/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (86/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a bit better (67/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (51/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the ASUS ROG Phone 9 — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 42/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.