Fairphone 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Fairphone 5 (2023) runs on the Qualcomm QCM6490, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $770 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 25/100 (a 50-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 108); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is thinner (7.9mm vs 9.6mm).
Fairphone 5
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Lighter: 212g vs 214g
- Cheaper: $770 vs $1299
- Better design/ergonomics (35/100 vs 32/100)
- Better value for money (57/100 vs 20/100)
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 30W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz
- Higher performance (84/100 vs 0/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 48/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 19/100)
- Better display (100/100 vs 50/100)
Comparing the Fairphone 5 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 50 points higher (75/100 vs 25/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 48/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 19/100). In the "value for money" category, the Fairphone 5 leads (57/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (84/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (100/100 vs 50/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (86/100 vs 48/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (51/100 vs 19/100). In the "design" category, the Fairphone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (35/100 vs 32/100). In the "value for money" category, the Fairphone 5 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (57/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Fairphone 5 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm QCM6490 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | — | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | — | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | — | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.5" OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1224x2700 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4200 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 30W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 108 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 13, upgradable to Android 14, up to 5 major Android upgrades | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 880 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP55 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 161.6×75.8×9.6 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 212 g | 214 g | |
| Price | $770 | $1299 |
Fairphone 5
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.9
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Front: 50MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Fairphone 5
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1224x2700
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Fairphone 5
- 4200 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Price difference: $529. Fairphone 5 is cheaper by $529.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (84/100 vs 0/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (100/100 vs 50/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (86/100 vs 48/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 (51/100 vs 19/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Fairphone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (35/100 vs 32/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Fairphone 5 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (57/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Fairphone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Fairphone 5 by 50 points (75/100 vs 25/100).
What is the rating of the Fairphone 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Fairphone 5 has a MobileRank rating of 25/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Fairphone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 48/100).
Which is more powerful: the Fairphone 5 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 0/100).
Should you choose the Fairphone 5 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Fairphone 5 is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.