OnePlus 9 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The OnePlus 9 (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $729 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 74/100 vs 60/100 (a 14-point difference). Key differences: the OnePlus 9 has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,827,538 vs 1,157,244); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 192g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
OnePlus 9
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes OnePlus 9 better?
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 65W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $729 vs $799
- Longer battery life (50/100 vs 31/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 1157244
- Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3537
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 192g
- Higher performance (89/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (77/100 vs 51/100)
- Better display (81/100 vs 80/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 56/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the OnePlus 9 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 14 points higher (74/100 vs 60/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (89/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (77/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the OnePlus 9 leads (50/100 vs 31/100). Value score: OnePlus 9 — 34/100, 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the OnePlus 9 (89/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the OnePlus 9 are nearly equal (81/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the OnePlus 9 (77/100 vs 51/100). In the "battery" category, the OnePlus 9 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (50/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the OnePlus 9 (89/100 vs 56/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | OnePlus 9 | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 1157244 | 2827538 | |
| Geekbench Single | 1500 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 3537 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.5" AMOLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2400x1080 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4500 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 65W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 146 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 16 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB / 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1100 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 160.0×74.2×8.7 mm | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 192 g | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $729 | $799 |
Camera comparison
OnePlus 9
- Main: 48MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Front: 16MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
OnePlus 9
- 6.5" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2400x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
OnePlus 9
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 65W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared OnePlus 9 and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 leads OnePlus 9 by 59.1% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $70. OnePlus 9 was $70 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the OnePlus 9 (89/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the OnePlus 9 are nearly equal (81/100 vs 80/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the OnePlus 9 (77/100 vs 51/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the OnePlus 9 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (50/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the OnePlus 9 (89/100 vs 56/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the OnePlus 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably better than the OnePlus 9 — the overall rating gap is 14 points.
What is the rating of the OnePlus 9 and the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The OnePlus 9 has a MobileRank rating of 60/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 74/100.
Which has the better camera: the OnePlus 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 51/100).
Which is more powerful: the OnePlus 9 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (89/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the OnePlus 9 over the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The OnePlus 9 is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.