Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Sony Xperia 1 III
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Sony Xperia 1 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 66/100 vs 52/100 (a 14-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 1 III has the bigger battery (4500 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 12 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,856,499 vs 1,119,714); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 186g).
Samsung Galaxy S26
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Higher AnTuTu: 2856499 vs 1119714
- Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1488
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3373
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Faster wireless charging: 15W vs 11W
- Lighter: 162g vs 186g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Higher performance (90/100 vs 63/100)
- Better camera (40/100 vs 20/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 65/100)
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 30W vs 25W
- Longer battery life (42/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (90/100 vs 81/100)
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the Sony Xperia 1 III, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 14 points higher (66/100 vs 52/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (90/100 vs 63/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (40/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III leads (42/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 — 44/100, 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 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (90/100 vs 63/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (40/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (42/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (89/100 vs 65/100).
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Sony Xperia 1 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2600 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 2856499 | 1119714 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2880 | 1488 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9100 | 3373 | |
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.5" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1644x3840 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 11W | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 11 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | — | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP65/IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | 165.0×71.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 162 g | 186 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1299 |
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 1 III
- Main: 12MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 6.5" OLED
- Resolution: 1644x3840
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Sony Xperia 1 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- Wireless: 11W
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and Sony Xperia 1 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 leads Sony Xperia 1 III by 155.1% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $500. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $500 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (90/100 vs 63/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (90/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (40/100 vs 20/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 1 III is a bit better (42/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 1 III (89/100 vs 65/100).
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably better than the Sony Xperia 1 III — the overall rating gap is 14 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 66/100, the Sony Xperia 1 III — 52/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (40/100 vs 20/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (90/100 vs 63/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the Sony Xperia 1 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Sony Xperia 1 III is a better fit for active users.