Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs Sony Xperia 1 III

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $999 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads — 70/100 vs 52/100 (a 18-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger battery (4900 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 50 MP vs 12 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,830 vs 1,119,714).

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably better than the Sony Xperia 1 III — the overall rating gap is 18 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26+
Performance 91
Display 89
Camera 40
Battery 54
Portability 72
Value for money 52
Sony Xperia 1 III
Performance 63
Display 90
Camera 20
Battery 42
Portability 65
Value for money 12
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3161830 vs 1119714
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2900 vs 1488
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 3373
  • Bigger battery: 4900 vs 4500 mAh
  • Faster charging: 45W vs 30W
  • Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
  • Faster wireless charging: 15W vs 11W
  • Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299

  • Higher performance (91/100 vs 63/100)
  • Better camera (40/100 vs 20/100)
  • Longer battery life (54/100 vs 42/100)
  • Better portability (72/100 vs 65/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 1 III better?
  • Lighter: 186g vs 190g

  • Better display (90/100 vs 89/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26+ vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ scores 18 points higher (70/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (91/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (40/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads (54/100 vs 42/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 52/100, Sony Xperia 1 III — 12/100; 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+ notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (91/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (90/100 vs 89/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (40/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (72/100 vs 65/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26+: The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.
Sony Xperia 1 III: The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S26+ Sony Xperia 1 III
Processor Samsung Exynos 2600 Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 3161830 1119714
Geekbench Single 2900 1488
Geekbench Multi 9200 3373
Display 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.5" OLED
Resolution 3120x1440 1644x3840
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4900 mAh 4500 mAh
Charging 45W 30W
Wireless charging 15W 11W
Main camera 50 MP 12 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 12 MP
Telephoto 10 MP 12 MP
Front camera 12 MP 8 MP
RAM 12GB 12GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB 256GB / 512GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 11
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 IP65/IP68
Dimensions 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm
Weight 190 g 186 g
Launch price $999 $1299
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
40
camera
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 12MP
  • Front: 8MP
20
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
89
display
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 6.5" OLED
  • Resolution: 1644x3840
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
90
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26+
  • 4900 mAh
  • Wired: 45W
  • Wireless: 15W
54
battery
Sony Xperia 1 III
  • 4500 mAh
  • Wired: 30W
  • Wireless: 11W
42
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26+ and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Exynos 2600
70/100
3161830 AnTuTu
Sony Xperia 1 III Snapdragon 888
52/100 -182.4%
1119714 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 182.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy S26+
$999
Sony Xperia 1 III
$1299

Launch price difference: $300. Samsung Galaxy S26+ was $300 cheaper at launch.

Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (91/100 vs 63/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ are nearly equal (90/100 vs 89/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (40/100 vs 20/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 42/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (72/100 vs 65/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably better than the Sony Xperia 1 III — the overall rating gap is 18 points.

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a MobileRank rating of 70/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 52/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on camera score (40/100 vs 20/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ or the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 63/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26+ over the Sony Xperia 1 III?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.