Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Vivo X500
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the Vivo X500 (2026) runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9600M; launch prices were $1299 and $820. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo X500 leads — 89/100 vs 84/100 (a 5-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo X500 has the bigger battery (7500 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 200 MP vs 50 MP; the Vivo X500 is faster in AnTuTu (3,930,719 vs 3,463,142).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Vivo X500
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3302
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 10240
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Better portability (51/100 vs 50/100)
What makes Vivo X500 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3930719 vs 3463142
- Bigger battery: 7500 vs 5000 mAh
- Faster charging: 90W vs 60W
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 25W
- Lighter: 211g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $820 vs $1299
- Better camera (87/100 vs 86/100)
- Longer battery life (84/100 vs 61/100)
- Better display (94/100 vs 88/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the Vivo X500, the Vivo X500 scores 5 points higher (89/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo X500 leads (84/100 vs 61/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100, Vivo X500 — 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, both devices are on the same level — 96/100. In the "display" category, the Vivo X500 is a bit better (94/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo X500 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (87/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo X500 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (84/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Vivo X500 are nearly equal (51/100 vs 50/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Vivo X500 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | MediaTek Dimensity 9600M | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 3930719 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 3302 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 10240 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.6" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1260x2750 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 7500 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 90W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 40W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 4000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 157.0×75.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 211 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $820 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Vivo X500
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 64MP
- Front: 50MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo X500
- 6.6" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1260x2750
- Refresh rate: 144 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 X500
- 7500 mAh
- Wired: 90W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Vivo X500, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo X500 leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 11.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $479. Vivo X500 was $479 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, both devices are on the same level — 96/100.
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo X500 is a bit better (94/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo X500 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (87/100 vs 86/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo X500 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (84/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Vivo X500 are nearly equal (51/100 vs 50/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Vivo X500?
The Vivo X500 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 X500?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Vivo X500 — 89/100.
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the Vivo X500?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Vivo X500 is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.