Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs ZTE Axon 40 Ultra

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, while the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 71/100 (a 13-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 200 MP vs 64 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 1,290,942).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Performance 96
Display 88
Camera 86
Battery 61
Portability 51
Value for money 76
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
Performance 69
Display 80
Camera 86
Battery 52
Portability 52
Value for money
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 1290942
  • Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 1675
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 4453
  • Better main camera: 200MP vs 64MP

  • Higher performance (96/100 vs 69/100)
  • Longer battery life (61/100 vs 52/100)
  • Better display (88/100 vs 80/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 Ultra better?
  • Faster charging: 65W vs 60W
  • Lighter: 204g vs 214g

  • Better portability (52/100 vs 51/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 13 points higher (84/100 vs 71/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 69/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra (96/100 vs 69/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 86/100. In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (52/100 vs 51/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra: The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
AnTuTu 3515964 1290942
Geekbench Single 3601 1675
Geekbench Multi 10686 4453
Display 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.8" AMOLED
Resolution 3120x1440 1116x2480
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 5000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 60W 65W
Wireless charging 25W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 157
Main camera 200 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 50 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 50 MP 64 MP
Front camera 12 MP 16 MP
RAM 12GB / 16GB 8GB / 12GB / 16GB
Storage 256GB / 512GB / 1TB 128GB / 256GB / 512GB / 1TB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 12, MyOS 12
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits 1500 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm 163.3×73.6×8.4 mm
Weight 214 g 204 g
Price $1299
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
  • Ultrawide: 50MP
  • Telephoto: 50MP
  • Front: 12MP
86
camera
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
  • Main: 64MP f/f/1.6
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Telephoto: 64MP
  • Front: 16MP
86
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 3120x1440
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
88
display
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
  • 6.8" AMOLED
  • Resolution: 1116x2480
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
80
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • 5000 mAh
  • NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
  • Wired: 60W
  • Wireless: 25W
61
battery
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
  • 5000 mAh
  • Wired: 65W
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and ZTE Axon 40 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
84/100
3515964 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1
71/100 -172.4%
1290942 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads ZTE Axon 40 Ultra by 172.4% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Price and availability
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1299
ZTE Axon 40 Ultra
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra (96/100 vs 69/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (88/100 vs 80/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 86/100.

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (52/100 vs 51/100).

Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra — the overall rating gap is 13 points.

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra — 71/100.

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 69/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra over the ZTE Axon 40 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The ZTE Axon 40 Ultra is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts.