Samsung Galaxy S26 FE vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 FE vs Sony Xperia 1 VI side by side: Exynos 2500 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm), 50MP vs 48MP camera, 4900mAh vs 5000mAh…
Samsung
Galaxy S26 FE
$699
10categories won
Sony
Xperia 1 VI
$1,299
3categories won
9 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 FE claims the overall win over the Sony Xperia 1 VI, delivering a stronger technical package across battery endurance and core hardware. In camera testing, the Xperia 1 VI leads with superior optics, while battery endurance leans towards the Galaxy S26 FE. Choose the Galaxy S26 FE if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Xperia 1 VI if its specific hardware strengths better fit your budget.
Galaxy S26 FE wins on endurance with 4,900 mAh and 45W fast charging.
Galaxy S26 FE leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Exynos 2500 and 8GB RAM.
Xperia 1 VI takes photography with 48MP optics and 7.1x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S26 FE provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $699 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.
Galaxy S26 FE vs Xperia 1 VI: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.7" | 6.5" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 385 ppi | 396 ppiWinner |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 1900 nitsWinner | 1500 nits |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Exynos 2500 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Process node | 3 nmWinner | 4 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 2,400,000Winner | 1,680,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 8900Winner | 6890 |
| Maximum RAM | 8 GB | 12 GBWinner |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 50 MPWinner | 48 MP |
| Rear cameras | 3 | 3 |
| Optical zoom | 3x | 7.1xWinner |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Max video | 8K at 30fps / 4K at 120fps | 4K at 120fps HDR across all three rear lenses |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,900 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 45 WWinner | 30 W |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 193 g | 192 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmWinner | 8.2 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP65/IP68 |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame | Ribbed aluminum tactical frame, micro-textured Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 tactile back, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 front |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 17 | Android 14 (upgradable to Android 15 / 16) |
| OS updates | 7 yearsWinner | 3 years |
| Security updates | 7 yearsWinner | 4 years |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S26 FE | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz, 320MHz bandwidth) | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz) |
| Storage expansion | None | microSD |
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| Launch price | $699Winner | $1,299 |
Samsung Galaxy S26 FE
At $699, the Samsung Galaxy S26 FE delivers a spacious 6.7-inch AMOLED display, a 3nm Exynos 2500 chipset, and an impressive seven years of software updates. It perfectly suits budget-conscious buyers who want flagship-tier build quality, capable triple cameras, and long-term reliability without paying top-tier prices.
- Display
- 6.7"
- Chipset
- Exynos 2500
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,900mAh
Sony Xperia 1 VI
The Sony Xperia 1 VI represents a bold evolution for Sony flagship line, adopting a practical 19.5:9 LTPO display, genuine 85mm-to-170mm continuous optical zoom with tele-macro mode, a dedicated 3.5mm audiophile jack, and legendary two-day battery life.
- Display
- 6.5"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)
- Main camera
- 48MP
- Battery
- 5,000mAh