Lava Storm Play vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Lava Storm Play (2025) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7060, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $109 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 45/100 (a 39-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 693,978); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Lava Storm Play doesn't; the Lava Storm Play is noticeably lighter (196g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Lava Storm Play
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Lava Storm Play better?
- Lighter: 196g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $109 vs $1299
- Better portability (59/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 693978
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1037
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 2386
- Faster charging: 60W vs 18W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 51/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 30/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 43/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 55/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Lava Storm Play vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 39 points higher (84/100 vs 45/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 51/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 43/100). Value score: Lava Storm Play — 76/100, 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 significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (96/100 vs 51/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (88/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (86/100 vs 30/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Lava Storm Play (61/100 vs 43/100). In the "portability" category, the Lava Storm Play is a bit better (59/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Lava Storm Play | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 7060 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 693978 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1037 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2386 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.8" IPS LCD | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 720x1600 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 18W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 8 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 750 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | IP64 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 168.8×78.1×8.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 196 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $109 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Lava Storm Play
- Main: 50MP
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Lava Storm Play
- 6.8" IPS LCD
- Resolution: 720x1600
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Lava Storm Play
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 18W
- No wireless charging
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 Lava Storm Play and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Lava Storm Play by 80.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1190. Lava Storm Play was $1190 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (96/100 vs 51/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (88/100 vs 55/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play (86/100 vs 30/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Lava Storm Play (61/100 vs 43/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Lava Storm Play is a bit better (59/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Lava Storm Play or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Lava Storm Play by 39 points (84/100 vs 45/100).
What is the rating of the Lava Storm Play and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Lava Storm Play has a MobileRank rating of 45/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Lava Storm Play or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 30/100).
Which is more powerful: the Lava Storm Play or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 51/100).
Should you choose the Lava Storm Play over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Lava Storm Play is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.