Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Vivo iQOO 16
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $1299 and $840. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 84/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 3,463,142).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Vivo iQOO 16
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 223g
- Better camera (86/100 vs 78/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 3463142
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 10686
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 60W
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 25W
- Cheaper at launch: $840 vs $1299
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 96/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 61/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 88/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Vivo iQOO 16, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 5 points higher (89/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Vivo iQOO 16 — 92/100; 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 Vivo iQOO 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (100/100 vs 96/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (99/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 78/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Vivo iQOO 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 5498720 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 8400 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 40W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 223 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $840 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Vivo iQOO 16, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 37.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $459. Vivo iQOO 16 was $459 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (100/100 vs 96/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (99/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 78/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (90/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by just 5 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Vivo iQOO 16 — 89/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 78/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.