Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 62/100 (a 22-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4200); the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,135,878); the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is noticeably lighter (183g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1135878
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 3537
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4200 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 63/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 30/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?
- Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz
- Lighter: 183g vs 214g
- Better display (89/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (70/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 22 points higher (84/100 vs 62/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 30/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (96/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (86/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (61/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (70/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 3463142 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3601 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10686 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.7" Amoled | |
| Resolution | 3120x1440 | 1080x2400 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 4200 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | — | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 0W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | — | |
| Main camera | 200 MP | 64 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | 64 MP | |
| Telephoto | 50 MP | 0 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | — | |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | — | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 128GB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 11 Red Velvet Cake | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | — | |
| Dimensions | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 214 g | 183 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | — |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- Main: 64MP
- Ultrawide: 64MP
- Front: —
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- 6.7" Amoled
- Resolution: 1080x2400
- 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
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
- 4200 mAh
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 204.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (96/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (86/100 vs 63/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (61/100 vs 30/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (70/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 22 points (84/100 vs 62/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 62/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 63/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.