Poco X8 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Poco X8 Pro Max (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $469 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 71/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the Poco X8 Pro Max has the bigger battery (8500 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 2,604,459).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Poco X8 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Poco X8 Pro Max better?
- Bigger battery: 8500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Cheaper at launch: $469 vs $1299
- Longer battery life (77/100 vs 61/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 2604459
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3293
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 10243
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 218g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 91/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 37/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 84/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 46/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Poco X8 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 13 points higher (84/100 vs 71/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 37/100). In the "battery" category, the Poco X8 Pro Max leads (77/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Poco X8 Pro Max — 66/100, 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 91/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Poco X8 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 84/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Poco X8 Pro Max (86/100 vs 37/100). In the "battery" category, the Poco X8 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (77/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 46/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Poco X8 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Dimensity 9500 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2604459 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3293 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10243 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.8" AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2772x1280 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 8500 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 100W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 8 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 20 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3500 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 162.9×77.9×8.2 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 218 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $469 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Poco X8 Pro Max
- Main: 50MP f/1.5
- Ultrawide: 8MP
- Front: 20MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Poco X8 Pro Max
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 2772x1280
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Poco X8 Pro Max
- 8500 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- 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 Poco X8 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Poco X8 Pro Max by 24.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $830. Poco X8 Pro Max was $830 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 91/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Poco X8 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 84/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Poco X8 Pro Max (86/100 vs 37/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Poco X8 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (77/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 46/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Poco X8 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Poco X8 Pro Max — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
What is the rating of the Poco X8 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Poco X8 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 71/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Poco X8 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 37/100).
Which is more powerful: the Poco X8 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 91/100).
Should you choose the Poco X8 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Poco X8 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.