Samsung Galaxy S26 vs ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (2021) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 888. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 74/100 vs 62/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G has the bigger battery (4200 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,827,538 vs 1,135,878); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 183g).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably better than the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — the overall rating gap is 12 points.

Profile comparison

Category scores

Samsung Galaxy S26

Performance 89
Display 81
Camera 77
Battery 31
Portability 89
Value for money 62

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

Performance 64
Display 89
Camera 63
Battery 30
Portability 70
Value for money —

What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?

  • Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 1135878
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1500
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3537
  • Lighter: 162g vs 183g

  • Higher performance (89/100 vs 64/100)
  • Better camera (77/100 vs 63/100)
  • Longer battery life (31/100 vs 30/100)
  • Better portability (89/100 vs 70/100)

What makes ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G better?

  • Bigger battery: 4200 vs 4000 mAh
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP
  • Higher refresh rate: 144Hz vs 120Hz

  • Better display (89/100 vs 81/100)

Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 12 points higher (74/100 vs 62/100). 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 63/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (89/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (77/100 vs 63/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G are nearly equal (31/100 vs 30/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (89/100 vs 70/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26: The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G: The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.

Specs comparison

Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G
Processor Samsung Exynos 2600 Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
AnTuTu 2827538 1135878
Geekbench Single 2880 1500
Geekbench Multi 9100 3537
Display 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.7" Amoled
Resolution 2340x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 144 Hz
Battery 4000 mAh 4200 mAh
Charging 25W —
Wireless charging 15W 0W
DXOMark (camera) 146 —
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 64 MP
Telephoto 10 MP 0 MP
Front camera 12 MP —
RAM 12GB —
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 128GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 11 Red Velvet Cake
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits —
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68 —
Dimensions 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm 163.6×75.3×7.9 mm
Weight 162 g 183 g
Launch price $799 —

Camera comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26

  • Main: 50MP f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
77
camera

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 64MP
  • Front: —
63
camera

Display comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26

  • 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

  • 6.7" Amoled
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 144 Hz
89
display

Battery and charging

Samsung Galaxy S26

  • 4000 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
31
battery

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

  • 4200 mAh
  • No wireless charging
30
battery

Overall performance score

We compared Samsung Galaxy S26 and ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Exynos 2600
74/100
2827538 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G Qualcomm Snapdragon 888
62/100 -148.9%
1135878 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 leads ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G by 148.9% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks

Launch prices and where to check today's

Samsung Galaxy S26

$799

ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G

Price unknown

Detailed category analysis

performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (89/100 vs 64/100).

display

In the "display" category, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a bit better (89/100 vs 81/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (77/100 vs 63/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G are nearly equal (31/100 vs 30/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G (89/100 vs 70/100).

Frequently asked questions

Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably better than the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — the overall rating gap is 12 points.

What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 74/100, the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G — 62/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 63/100).

Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (89/100 vs 64/100).

Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 over the ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ZTE Axon 31 Pro 5G is a better fit for active users.