Honor Magic V3 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Honor Magic V3 (2024) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1399 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 75/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Honor Magic V3 has the bigger battery (5150 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 2,388,314); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 137); the Honor Magic V3 is thinner (4.3mm vs 7.9mm).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Honor Magic V3
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Honor Magic V3 better?
- Bigger battery: 5150 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 66W vs 60W
- Faster wireless charging: 50W vs 25W
- Longer battery life (71/100 vs 61/100)
- Better portability (59/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 2388314
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 2203
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 6511
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 226g
- Cheaper at launch: $1299 vs $1399
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 82/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 70/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 80/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Honor Magic V3 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 9 points higher (84/100 vs 75/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 82/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 70/100). In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic V3 leads (71/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Honor Magic V3 — 60/100, 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 is a bit better (96/100 vs 82/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Honor Magic V3 (86/100 vs 70/100). In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic V3 is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Honor Magic V3 is a bit better (59/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Honor Magic V3 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2388314 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2203 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 6511 | 10686 | |
| Display | 7.9" Foldable LTPO AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2156x2344 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5150 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 66W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 50W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 137 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 40 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 20 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 14, MagicOS 8.0.1 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 5000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IPX8 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 156.6×145.3×4.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 226 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1399 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Honor Magic V3
- Main: 50MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 40MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 20MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Honor Magic V3
- 7.9" Foldable LTPO AMOLED
- Resolution: 2156x2344
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Honor Magic V3
- 5150 mAh
- Wired: 66W
- Wireless: 50W
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 Honor Magic V3 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Honor Magic V3 by 31.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 82/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Honor Magic V3 (86/100 vs 70/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Honor Magic V3 is a bit better (71/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Honor Magic V3 is a bit better (59/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Honor Magic V3 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra edges out the Honor Magic V3 by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Honor Magic V3 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Honor Magic V3 has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Honor Magic V3 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 70/100).
Which is more powerful: the Honor Magic V3 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 82/100).
Should you choose the Honor Magic V3 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Honor Magic V3 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.