Redmi Note 8 vs Samsung Galaxy S26

The Redmi Note 8 (2019) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; estimated prices are $180 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 54/100 vs 17/100 (a 37-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,856,499 vs 329,457); the Samsung Galaxy S26 has NFC for contactless payments, the Redmi Note 8 doesn't; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 190g).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 by 37 points (54/100 vs 17/100).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Redmi Note 8
Performance 0
Display 0
Camera 28
Battery 12
Design 62
Value for money 97
Samsung Galaxy S26
Performance 64
Display 100
Camera 35
Battery 15
Design 97
Value for money 55
What makes Redmi Note 8 better?
  • Cheaper: $180 vs $799

  • Better value for money (97/100 vs 55/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 2856499 vs 329457
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 321
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 1128
  • Faster charging: 25W vs 18W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
  • Lighter: 162g vs 190g

  • Higher performance (64/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better camera (35/100 vs 28/100)
  • Longer battery life (15/100 vs 12/100)
  • Better display (100/100 vs 0/100)
  • Better design/ergonomics (97/100 vs 62/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Redmi Note 8 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 37 points higher (54/100 vs 17/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (64/100 vs 0/100). In the "value for money" category, the Redmi Note 8 leads (97/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (64/100 vs 0/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (100/100 vs 0/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (35/100 vs 28/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Redmi Note 8 are nearly equal (15/100 vs 12/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (97/100 vs 62/100). In the "value for money" category, the Redmi Note 8 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (97/100 vs 55/100).

Redmi Note 8: The Redmi Note 8 is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers.
Samsung Galaxy S26: The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Redmi Note 8 Samsung Galaxy S26
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 Samsung Exynos 2600
AnTuTu 329457 2856499
Geekbench Single 321 2880
Geekbench Multi 1128 9100
Display 6.3" IPS LCD 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2340x1080 2340x1080
Refresh rate 60 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4000 mAh 4000 mAh
Charging 18W 25W
Wireless charging 0W 15W
Main camera 48 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide 8 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 0 MP 10 MP
Front camera 13 MP 12 MP
RAM 3GB / 4GB / 6GB 12GB
Storage 32GB / 64GB / 128GB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 9 Android 16 / One UI 8.5
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits
NFC no yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 158.3×75.3×8.4 mm 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm
Weight 190 g 162 g
Price $180 $799
Camera comparison
Redmi Note 8
  • Main: 48MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 13MP
28
camera
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
35
camera
Display comparison
Redmi Note 8
  • 6.3" IPS LCD
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 60 Hz
0
display
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
100
display
Battery and charging
Redmi Note 8
  • 4000 mAh
  • Wired: 18W
  • No wireless charging
12
battery
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • 4000 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
15
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Redmi Note 8 and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Redmi Note 8 Qualcomm Snapdragon 665
17/100
329457 AnTuTu
Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Exynos 2600
54/100 +88.5%
2856499 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 leads Redmi Note 8 by 88.5% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Redmi Note 8
$180
Samsung Galaxy S26
$799

Price difference: $619. Redmi Note 8 is cheaper by $619.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (64/100 vs 0/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (100/100 vs 0/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (35/100 vs 28/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Redmi Note 8 are nearly equal (15/100 vs 12/100).

design

In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 (97/100 vs 62/100).

value for money

In the "value for money" category, the Redmi Note 8 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (97/100 vs 55/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Redmi Note 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Redmi Note 8 by 37 points (54/100 vs 17/100).

What is the rating of the Redmi Note 8 and the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Redmi Note 8 has a MobileRank rating of 17/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 54/100.

Which has the better camera: the Redmi Note 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (35/100 vs 28/100).

Which is more powerful: the Redmi Note 8 or the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (64/100 vs 0/100).

Should you choose the Redmi Note 8 over the Samsung Galaxy S26?

The Redmi Note 8 is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for active users.