Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs vivo iQOO Neo 9
Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs vivo iQOO Neo 9 side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2, 5000mAh vs…
Samsung
Galaxy S26 Ultra
$1,299
6categories won
vivo
iQOO Neo 9
$699
6categories won
1 categories tied · 13 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall win
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra claims the overall win over the vivo iQOO Neo 9, delivering a stronger technical package across gaming and photography. For battery longevity and charging speed, the iQOO Neo 9 takes the lead, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the iQOO Neo 9 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
iQOO Neo 9 takes battery honors offering 5,160 mAh alongside 120W charging.
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy and 16GB RAM.
Galaxy S26 Ultra wins photography with 200MP main imaging and 5x dedicated optical zoom.
iQOO Neo 9 wins on budget and value at $699 compared to $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 Ultra vs iQOO Neo 9: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.9" | 6.78" |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120Winner | 1260 x 2800 |
| Pixel density | 498 ppiWinner | 453 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 144 HzWinner |
| Peak brightness | 2400 nitsWinner | 1400 nits |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 |
| Process node | 3 nm | — |
| AnTuTu score | 2,400,000Winner | 1,620,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 8900Winner | 5440 |
| Maximum RAM | 16 GB | — |
| Maximum storage | 1TB | — |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Main sensor | 200 MP | — |
| Rear cameras | 4 | — |
| Optical zoom | 5x | — |
| Ultrawide | 50 MP | — |
| Selfie camera | 12 MP | 16 MPWinner |
| Max video | — | 8K@30fps |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 5,000 mAh | 5,160 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 60 W | 120 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 25 WWinner | No |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 214 g | 190 gWinner |
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 8 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP54 |
| Build | Glass front, glass back, aluminum frame | — |
Software and support
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 16 | 14 |
| OS updates | 7 years | — |
| Security updates | 7 years | — |
Connectivity and value
| Specification | Galaxy S26 Ultra | iQOO Neo 9 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) |
| Storage expansion | None | None |
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| Launch price | $1,299 | $699Winner |
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
vivo iQOO Neo 9
iQOO Neo 9 brings flagship Sony IMX920 camera sensor from the X100, 144Hz LTPO AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 silicon, and 120W charging into an aggressively priced powerhouse.
- Display
- 6.78"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
- Battery
- 5,160mAh
- Software
- 14
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