Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Sony Xperia 1 VI
Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 vs Sony Xperia 1 VI side by side: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm)…
Samsung
Galaxy S26
$790
11categories won
Sony
Xperia 1 VI
$1,299
3categories won
8 categories tied · 22 scored in total · add a third phone
Which one wins?
Sony Xperia 1 VI takes the overall win
The Sony Xperia 1 VI proves superior overall against the Samsung Galaxy S26, outperforming on battery endurance and daily usability. For battery longevity and charging speed, the Xperia 1 VI takes the lead, while the Galaxy S26 is the clear choice for demanding 3D gaming and heavy multitasking. Choose the Xperia 1 VI if you want the highest performance ceiling, or opt for the Galaxy S26 if its lower retail price better fit your budget.
Xperia 1 VI takes battery honors offering 5,000 mAh alongside 30W charging.
Galaxy S26 leads gaming and raw performance powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 and 12GB RAM.
Xperia 1 VI takes photography with 48MP optics and 7.1x optical telephoto capabilities.
Galaxy S26 provides a sharper value proposition, coming in at $790 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 vs Xperia 1 VI: specifications compared
Display
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Screen size | 6.3" | 6.5" |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2340 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixel density | 409 ppiWinner | 396 ppi |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightness | 2600 nitsWinner | 1500 nits |
Performance
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm) |
| Process node | 2 nmWinner | 4 nm |
| AnTuTu score | 3,064,672Winner | 1,680,000 |
| Geekbench multi | 10824Winner | 6890 |
| Maximum RAM | 12 GB | 12 GB |
| Maximum storage | 512GB | 512GB |
Camera
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | 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 | — | 4K at 120fps HDR across all three rear lenses |
Battery and charging
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 4,300 mAh | 5,000 mAhWinner |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 30 WWinner |
| Wireless charging | 15 W | 15 W |
Design
| Specification | Galaxy S26 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 167 gWinner | 192 g |
| Thickness | 7.2 mmWinner | 8.2 mm |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP65/IP68 |
| Build | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), 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 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | Android 16 | 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 | Xperia 1 VI |
|---|---|---|
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | — | Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band 2.4/5/6GHz) |
| Storage expansion | None | microSD |
| 3.5mm jack | No | Yes |
| Launch price | $790Winner | $1,299 |
Samsung Galaxy S26
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a premium compact smartphone suited for buyers who want top-tier performance without the bulk. Priced at $789.99, it pairs a powerful 2nm processor and exceptional seven-year update support with a bright 6.3-inch LTPO display, though its 25W charging speeds lag behind the competition.
- Display
- 6.3"
- Chipset
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Samsung Exynos 2600
- Main camera
- 50MP
- Battery
- 4,300mAh
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