Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Apple iPhone 16e vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy…
Apple
iPhone 16e
$599
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
14categories won
4 categories tied · 20 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra proves superior overall against the Apple iPhone 16e, outperforming on gaming and photography. In camera testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 Ultra. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iPhone 16e if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 60W charging.
Galaxy S26 Ultra provides greater sustained gaming output with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra takes photography with 200MP optics and 5x optical telephoto capabilities.
iPhone 16e provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $599 vs $1299.
Category verdicts are computed algorithmically from verified technical specifications and hardware benchmarks. Rows where neither figure is objectively better — screen size preference, operating system choice, aesthetic build materials — are displayed for direct reference without scoring bias.
iPhone 16e vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1170 x 2532 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 457 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 2000 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 3 nm | 3 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 1,650,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 8120 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 128GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 48 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 1 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | — | 50 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 4K@60fps Dolby Vision HDR | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 3,960 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 7.8 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| Build | Aerospace-grade aluminum frame, Ceramic Shield front, color-infused glass back | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 18.3 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone 16e | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $599Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone 16e
The iPhone 16e brings Apple's apex 3nm A18 silicon and full Apple Intelligence generative AI support to a sub-$600 form factor. Featuring an upgraded 48MP 2-in-1 Fusion camera with 2x lossless telephoto cropping, Face ID, USB-C, and class-leading battery endurance, it replaces both legacy SE models and previous base offerings.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A18 (3 nm, 16-core Neural Engine)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 3,960mAh
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a premium 6.9-inch flagship built for power users and creators. Priced at $1299, it pairs a heavily upgraded Snapdragon processor and 60W charging with a versatile quad-camera array and the signature built-in S Pen stylus.
- Display
- 6.9"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
- Main camera
- 200MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh
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