Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $1299 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 52/100 (a 32-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4500); the main camera is 200 MP vs 12 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 1,119,714); the Sony Xperia 1 III is noticeably lighter (186g vs 214g).
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 1119714
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1488
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 3373
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4500 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 30W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 11W
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 20/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 42/100)
- Lighter: 186g vs 214g
- Better display (90/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (65/100 vs 51/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 32 points higher (84/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 42/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 76/100, 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 Ultra significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (96/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (86/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (61/100 vs 42/100). In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 51/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 3515964 | 1119714 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 1488 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 3373 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 11W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $1299 |
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 214.0% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (96/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (86/100 vs 20/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (61/100 vs 42/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (65/100 vs 51/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III by 32 points (84/100 vs 52/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 52/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 20/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.