Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Vivo iQOO 16
The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the Vivo iQOO 16 (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6; launch prices were $799 and $840. By overall MobileRank rating, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads — 89/100 vs 74/100 (a 15-point difference). Key differences: the Vivo iQOO 16 has the bigger battery (8400 mAh vs 4000); the Vivo iQOO 16 is faster in AnTuTu (5,498,720 vs 2,827,538); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 223g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26
Vivo iQOO 16
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Lighter: 162g vs 223g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $840
- Better portability (89/100 vs 42/100)
What makes Vivo iQOO 16 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 5498720 vs 2827538
- Better Geekbench Single: 4327 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12873 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 8400 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 100W vs 25W
- Higher refresh rate: 165Hz vs 120Hz
- Faster wireless charging: 40W vs 15W
- Higher performance (100/100 vs 89/100)
- Better camera (78/100 vs 77/100)
- Longer battery life (90/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (99/100 vs 81/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the Vivo iQOO 16, the Vivo iQOO 16 scores 15 points higher (89/100 vs 74/100). In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (100/100 vs 89/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 leads (90/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100, Vivo iQOO 16 — 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, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (100/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (99/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (78/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (90/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (89/100 vs 42/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 | Vivo iQOO 16 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 2600 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 | |
| AnTuTu | 2827538 | 5498720 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2880 | 4327 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 9100 | 12873 | |
| Display | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | 6.8" AMOLED | |
| Resolution | 2340x1080 | 1440x3168 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 165 Hz | |
| Battery | 4000 mAh | 8400 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 100W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 40W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 146 | — | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 10 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | Android 17 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2600 nits | 6000 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68/IP69 | |
| Dimensions | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | 163.8×76.9×8.3 mm | |
| Weight | 162 g | 223 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $840 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Vivo iQOO 16
- Main: 50MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 32MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Vivo iQOO 16
- 6.8" AMOLED
- Resolution: 1440x3168
- Refresh rate: 165 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Vivo iQOO 16
- 8400 mAh
- Wired: 100W
- Wireless: 40W
Overall performance score
We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and Vivo iQOO 16, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Vivo iQOO 16 leads Samsung Galaxy S26 by 48.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $41. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $41 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 is a bit better (100/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (99/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (78/100 vs 77/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Vivo iQOO 16 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (90/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Vivo iQOO 16 (89/100 vs 42/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 is noticeably better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 — the overall rating gap is 15 points.
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 74/100, the Vivo iQOO 16 — 89/100.
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Vivo iQOO 16 leads on performance (100/100 vs 89/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the Vivo iQOO 16?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Vivo iQOO 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users, those who care about battery life, budget-conscious buyers.