Redmi 3S vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Redmi 3S (2016) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 430, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $120 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 12/100 (a 63-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4100); the main camera is 13 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 180,440); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi 3S doesn't; the Redmi 3S is noticeably lighter (144g vs 214g).
Redmi 3S
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Lighter: 144g vs 214g
- Cheaper: $120 vs $1299
- Better design/ergonomics (100/100 vs 32/100)
- Better value for money (100/100 vs 20/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 180440
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 205
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 827
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4100 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 13MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (84/100 vs 0/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 0/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 14/100)
- Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
Comparing the Redmi 3S vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 63 points higher (75/100 vs 12/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 14/100). In the "value for money" category, the Redmi 3S leads (100/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (84/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (86/100 vs 0/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (51/100 vs 14/100). In the "design" category, the Redmi 3S significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (100/100 vs 32/100). In the "value for money" category, the Redmi 3S significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (100/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Redmi 3S | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 430 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 180440 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 205 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 827 | 10686 | |
| Display | 5.0" IPS LCD | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | — | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4100 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | — | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 0W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 13 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 5 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 2GB / 3GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 16GB / 32GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | — | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | no | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 139.3×69.6×8.5 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 144 g | 214 g | |
| Price | $120 | $1299 |
Redmi 3S
- Main: 13MP
- Front: 5MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Redmi 3S
- 5.0" IPS LCD
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Redmi 3S
- 4100 mAh
- No wireless charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Redmi 3S and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Redmi 3S by 94.9% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $1179. Redmi 3S is cheaper by $1179.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (84/100 vs 0/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (100/100 vs 0/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (86/100 vs 0/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S (51/100 vs 14/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Redmi 3S significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (100/100 vs 32/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Redmi 3S significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (100/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Redmi 3S or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Redmi 3S by 63 points (75/100 vs 12/100).
What is the rating of the Redmi 3S and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi 3S has a MobileRank rating of 12/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Redmi 3S or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 0/100).
Which is more powerful: the Redmi 3S or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 0/100).
Should you choose the Redmi 3S over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Redmi 3S 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.