Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Sony Xperia 5 III
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Sony Xperia 5 III (2021) runs on the Snapdragon 888; launch prices were $799 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 74/100 vs 51/100 (a 23-point difference). Key differences: the Sony Xperia 5 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 (2,827,538 vs 1,135,878).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26
Sony Xperia 5 III
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 1135878
- Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1500
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3537
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 12MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 168g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $999
- Higher performance (89/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (77/100 vs 20/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 76/100)
What makes Sony Xperia 5 III better?
- Bigger battery: 4500 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 30W vs 25W
- Longer battery life (35/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (84/100 vs 81/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the Sony Xperia 5 III, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 23 points higher (74/100 vs 51/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (89/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (77/100 vs 20/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100, Sony Xperia 5 III — 12/100; 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 Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 5 III (89/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 5 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (84/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 5 III (77/100 vs 20/100). In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 5 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (35/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (89/100 vs 76/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Sony Xperia 5 III | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2600 | Snapdragon 888 | |
| AnTuTu | 2827538 | 1135878 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2880 | 1500 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9100 | 3537 | |
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.1" OLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1080x2520 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 4500 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 30W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 0W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 146 | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 12 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 12 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 8 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 8GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 128GB / 256GB | |
| 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 | 157.0×68.0×8.2 mm | |
| Weight | 162 g | 168 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Sony Xperia 5 III
- Main: 12MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 8MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Sony Xperia 5 III
- 6.1" OLED
- Resolution: 1080x2520
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Sony Xperia 5 III
- 4500 mAh
- Wired: 30W
- No wireless charging
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and Sony Xperia 5 III, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 leads Sony Xperia 5 III by 148.9% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the Sony Xperia 5 III (89/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Sony Xperia 5 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (84/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 5 III (77/100 vs 20/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Sony Xperia 5 III and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (35/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (89/100 vs 76/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 5 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Sony Xperia 5 III by 23 points (74/100 vs 51/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Sony Xperia 5 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 74/100, the Sony Xperia 5 III — 51/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 5 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 20/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Sony Xperia 5 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (89/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the Sony Xperia 5 III?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Sony Xperia 5 III is a better fit for active users.