Poco C81 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

The Poco C81 (2026) runs on the Unisoc T7250, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $125 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads — 70/100 vs 34/100 (a 36-point difference). Key differences: the Poco C81 has the bigger battery (6300 mAh vs 4900); the main camera is 13 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has NFC for contactless payments, the Poco C81 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably lighter (190g vs 208g).

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 by 36 points (70/100 vs 34/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Poco C81
Performance 32
Display 55
Camera 10
Battery 52
Portability 52
Value for money 50
Samsung Galaxy S26+
Performance 91
Display 89
Camera 40
Battery 54
Portability 72
Value for money 52
What makes Poco C81 better?
  • Bigger battery: 6300 vs 4900 mAh
  • Cheaper at launch: $125 vs $999

  • Overall rating 34/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 600
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 1800
  • Faster charging: 45W vs 15W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 13MP
  • Lighter: 190g vs 208g

  • Higher performance (91/100 vs 32/100)
  • Better camera (40/100 vs 10/100)
  • Longer battery life (54/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better display (89/100 vs 55/100)
  • Better portability (72/100 vs 52/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Poco C81 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26+, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ scores 36 points higher (70/100 vs 34/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (91/100 vs 32/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (40/100 vs 10/100). Value score: Poco C81 — 50/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 52/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (91/100 vs 32/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (89/100 vs 55/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (40/100 vs 10/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Poco C81 are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Poco C81 (72/100 vs 52/100).

Poco C81: The Poco C81 is a better fit for everyday use.
Samsung Galaxy S26+: The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Specs comparison
Specification Poco C81 Samsung Galaxy S26+
Processor Unisoc T7250 Samsung Exynos 2600
AnTuTu 3161830
Geekbench Single 600 2900
Geekbench Multi 1800 9200
Display 6.9" IPS LCD 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 720x1600 3120x1440
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 6300 mAh 4900 mAh
Charging 15W 45W
Wireless charging 0W 15W
Main camera 13 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 0 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 10 MP
Front camera 8 MP 12 MP
RAM 4GB 12GB
Storage 64GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 16 / HyperOS 3 Android 16 / One UI 8.5
Brightness (peak) 800 nits 2600 nits
NFC no yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 171.6×79.5×8.2 mm 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm
Weight 208 g 190 g
Launch price $125 $999
Camera comparison
Poco C81
  • Main: 13MP
  • Front: 8MP
10
camera
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
40
camera
Display comparison
Poco C81
  • 6.9" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 720x1600
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
55
display
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
89
display
Battery and charging
Poco C81
  • 6300 mAh
  • Wired: 15W
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • 4900 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • Wireless: 15W
54
battery
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Poco C81
$125
Samsung Galaxy S26+
$999

Launch price difference: $874. Poco C81 was $874 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (91/100 vs 32/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (89/100 vs 55/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 (40/100 vs 10/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Poco C81 are nearly equal (54/100 vs 52/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Poco C81 (72/100 vs 52/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Poco C81 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Poco C81 by 36 points (70/100 vs 34/100).

What is the rating of the Poco C81 and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Poco C81 has a MobileRank rating of 34/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.

Which has the better camera: the Poco C81 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on camera score (40/100 vs 10/100).

Which is more powerful: the Poco C81 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 32/100).

Should you choose the Poco C81 over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Poco C81 is a better fit for everyday use. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.