Lava Play Ultra vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
The Lava Play Ultra (2025) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7300, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $175 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads — 70/100 vs 53/100 (a 17-point difference). Key differences: the Lava Play Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4900); the main camera is 64 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,126 vs 879,714).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Lava Play Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26+
What makes Lava Play Ultra better?
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4900 mAh
- Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 182g vs 190g
- Cheaper at launch: $175 vs $999
- Overall rating 53/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 879714
- Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 1011
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 2813
- Faster charging: 45W vs 33W
- Higher performance (91/100 vs 55/100)
- Better camera (40/100 vs 39/100)
- Longer battery life (54/100 vs 46/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 79/100)
- Better portability (72/100 vs 71/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Lava Play Ultra vs the Samsung Galaxy S26+, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ scores 17 points higher (70/100 vs 53/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (91/100 vs 55/100). Value score: Lava Play Ultra — 74/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 50/100; 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+ significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (91/100 vs 55/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (40/100 vs 39/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 46/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (72/100 vs 71/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Lava Play Ultra | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7300 | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 879714 | 3161126 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1011 | 2900 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2813 | 9200 | |
| Display | 6.7" AMOLED | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2400 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4900 mAh | |
| Charging | 33W | 45W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 64 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 162.1×75.4×7.8 mm | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 182 g | 190 g | |
| Launch price | $175 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- Main: 64MP
- Front: 13MP
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Lava Play Ultra
- 6.7" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Lava Play Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 33W
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 4900 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Lava Play Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Lava Play Ultra by 72.2% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $824. Lava Play Ultra was $824 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Lava Play Ultra (91/100 vs 55/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (89/100 vs 79/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (40/100 vs 39/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 46/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Lava Play Ultra are nearly equal (72/100 vs 71/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Lava Play Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably better than the Lava Play Ultra — the overall rating gap is 17 points.
What is the rating of the Lava Play Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Lava Play Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 53/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.
Which is more powerful: the Lava Play Ultra or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 55/100).
Should you choose the Lava Play Ultra over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.