ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 (2025) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $999 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 74/100 vs 71/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 has the bigger battery (5800 mAh vs 4000); the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is faster in AnTuTu (3,136,217 vs 2,827,538); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
ASUS ROG Phone 9
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes ASUS ROG Phone 9 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3136217 vs 2827538
- Better Geekbench Single: 3100 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9900 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 5800 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 65W vs 25W
- Higher refresh rate: 185Hz vs 120Hz
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 89/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Lighter: 162g vs 227g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Better camera (77/100 vs 42/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 33/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the ASUS ROG Phone 9 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 3 points higher (74/100 vs 71/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (77/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads (67/100 vs 31/100). Value score: ASUS ROG Phone 9 — 52/100, 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 ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (77/100 vs 42/100). In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (67/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (89/100 vs 33/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | ASUS ROG Phone 9 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 3136217 | 2827538 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9900 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.8" LTPO AMOLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 185 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5800 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 146 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 32 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB / 24GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | |
| 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 | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $799 |
Camera comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- Main: 50MP f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 13MP
- Front: 32MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 6.8" LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 185 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
ASUS ROG Phone 9
- 5800 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared ASUS ROG Phone 9 and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
ASUS ROG Phone 9 leads Samsung Galaxy S26 by 10.9% 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 ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (77/100 vs 42/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (67/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ASUS ROG Phone 9 (89/100 vs 33/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 edges out the ASUS ROG Phone 9 by just 3 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the ASUS ROG Phone 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 74/100.
Which has the better camera: the ASUS ROG Phone 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 42/100).
Should you choose the ASUS ROG Phone 9 over the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The ASUS ROG Phone 9 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.