Samsung Galaxy S26 vs ZTE Axon 40

The Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600, while the ZTE Axon 40 (2022) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads — 66/100 vs 58/100 (a 8-point difference). Key differences: the ZTE Axon 40 has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 50 MP vs 64 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,844,828 vs 1,010,069); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 200g).

The Samsung Galaxy S26 edges out the ZTE Axon 40 by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy S26
Performance 90
Display 81
Camera 40
Battery 31
Portability 89
Value for money 44
ZTE Axon 40
Performance 61
Display 73
Camera 51
Battery 52
Portability 53
Value for money
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
  • Higher AnTuTu: 2844828 vs 1010069
  • Better Geekbench Single: 2880 vs 1298
  • Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 3520
  • Lighter: 162g vs 200g

  • Higher performance (90/100 vs 61/100)
  • Better display (81/100 vs 73/100)
  • Better portability (89/100 vs 53/100)
What makes ZTE Axon 40 better?
  • Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4000 mAh
  • Better main camera: 64MP vs 50MP

  • Better camera (51/100 vs 40/100)
  • Longer battery life (52/100 vs 31/100)
Comparison verdict

Comparing the Samsung Galaxy S26 vs the ZTE Axon 40, the Samsung Galaxy S26 scores 8 points higher (66/100 vs 58/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 leads (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (51/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 leads (52/100 vs 31/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 61/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (81/100 vs 73/100). In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (52/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (89/100 vs 53/100).

Samsung Galaxy S26: The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.
ZTE Axon 40: The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.
Specs comparison
Specification Samsung Galaxy S26 ZTE Axon 40
Processor Samsung Exynos 2600 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
AnTuTu 2844828 1010069
Geekbench Single 2880 1298
Geekbench Multi 9100 3520
Display 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X 6.7"
Resolution 2340x1080 1080x2400
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Battery 4000 mAh 5000 mAh
Charging 25W
Wireless charging 15W 0W
Main camera 50 MP 64 MP
Ultrawide 12 MP 8 MP
Telephoto 10 MP 0 MP
Front camera 12 MP 44 MP
RAM 12GB
Storage 128GB / 256GB / 512GB 128GB
OS Android 16 / One UI 8.5 Android 12 Snow Cone
Brightness (peak) 2600 nits
NFC yes yes
Protection IP68
Dimensions 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm 163.4×75.9×8.6 mm
Weight 162 g 200 g
Launch price $799
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
  • Ultrawide: 12MP
  • Telephoto: 10MP
  • Front: 12MP
40
camera
ZTE Axon 40
  • Main: 64MP
  • Ultrawide: 8MP
  • Front: 44MP
51
camera
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
  • Resolution: 2340x1080
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
81
display
ZTE Axon 40
  • 6.7"
  • Resolution: 1080x2400
  • Refresh rate: 120 Hz
73
display
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy S26
  • 4000 mAh
  • Wired: 25W
  • Wireless: 15W
31
battery
ZTE Axon 40
  • 5000 mAh
  • No wireless charging
52
battery
Overall performance score

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

Samsung Galaxy S26 Samsung Exynos 2600
66/100
2844828 AnTuTu
ZTE Axon 40 Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
58/100 -181.6%
1010069 AnTuTu

Samsung Galaxy S26 leads ZTE Axon 40 by 181.6% in our overall performance rating.

Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Samsung Galaxy S26
$799
ZTE Axon 40
Price unknown
Detailed category analysis
performance

In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 notably outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (90/100 vs 61/100).

display

In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (81/100 vs 73/100).

camera

In the "camera" category, the ZTE Axon 40 is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100).

battery

In the "battery" category, the ZTE Axon 40 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (52/100 vs 31/100).

portability

In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the ZTE Axon 40 (89/100 vs 53/100).

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 edges out the ZTE Axon 40 by just 8 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a MobileRank rating of 66/100, the ZTE Axon 40 — 58/100.

Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy S26 or the ZTE Axon 40?

The ZTE Axon 40 leads on camera score (51/100 vs 40/100).

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on performance (90/100 vs 61/100).

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The ZTE Axon 40 is a better fit for active users.