Apple iPhone XR vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Compare Apple iPhone XR vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra side by side: Apple A12 Bionic vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, 12MP vs 200MP camera…
Apple
iPhone XR
$329
2categories won
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
17categories won
1 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 XR, 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 XR 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 XR provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $329 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 XR vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.1" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 828 x 1792 | 1440 x 3120Winner |
| Pixel density | 324 ppi | 498 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 625 nits | 2400 nitsWinner |
Performance
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Apple A12 Bionic | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Process node | 7 nm | 3 nmWinner |
| AnTuTu score | 650,000 | 2,400,000Winner |
| Geekbench multi | 3280 | 8900Winner |
| Maximum RAM | 3 GB | 16 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 256GB | 1TBWinner |
Camera
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 12 MP | 200 MPWinner |
| Rear cameras | 1 | 4Winner |
| Optical zoom | — | 5x |
| Ultrawide | — | 50 MP |
| Selfie camera | 7 MP | 12 MPWinner |
| Max video | 4K at 60fps stereo recording | — |
Battery and charging
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 2,942 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 15 W | 60 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 7.5 W | 25 WWinner |
Design
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 194 gWinner | 214 g |
| Thickness | 8.3 mm | 7.9 mmWinner |
| Water resistance | IP67 | IP68 |
| Build | 7000-series aerospace aluminum frame, glass back and front | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame |
Software and support
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 12 | Android 16 |
| OS updates | 6 years | 7 yearsWinner |
| Security updates | 7 years | 7 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | iPhone XR | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | No | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) | — |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $329Winner | $1,299 |
Apple iPhone XR
As one of the highest-selling smartphones in mobile history, the iPhone XR brought all-screen Face ID navigation, vibrant colorways, and remarkable battery longevity to a mainstream price bracket.
- Display
- 6.1"
- Chipset
- Apple A12 Bionic
- Main camera
- 12MP
- Battery
- 2,942mAh
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