Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Xiaomi 18 Pro
Verdict
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores higher in 1 of 6 sections (connectivity & features), while the Xiaomi 18 Pro leads in battery; they are even on performance, camera, display and design & durability.
The biggest difference is battery: 84 vs 100 points.
The Xiaomi 18 Pro is the newer model, announced 7 months after the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for connectivity & features; choose the Xiaomi 18 Pro for battery.
- Galaxy S26 Ultra leads in 4 fields
- Xiaomi 18 Pro leads in 8 fields
- 26 ties
38 scored fields compared
Score by section
| Section scores | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | ||
| Performance | 100 | 100 |
| Camera | 96 | 94 |
| Battery | 84 | 100 |
| Display | 95 | 95 |
| Design & durability | 83 | 84 |
| Connectivity & features | 81 | 75 |
Full specifications
Performance
- Chipset performance index
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 100/100
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 100/100
- Chipset
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6
- RAM (max)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 16 GB
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 16 GB
- Storage (max)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1 TB
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 1 TB
- Process node
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 3 nm
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 2 nm
Camera
- Main camera resolution
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200 MP
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 200 MP
- Main sensor size
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1/1.3″
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 1/1.28″(Better)
- Optical stabilization (OIS)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Ultra-wide camera
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Telephoto camera
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Periscope lens
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Optical zoom
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5×(Better)
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 3.2×
- Video recording
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 8K
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 8K
- Front camera
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 12 MP
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 50 MP(Better)
- Front camera 4K video
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
Battery
- Battery capacity
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5000 mAh
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 7000 mAh(Better)
- Battery endurance (EU label)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 55:00 h
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- EU label cycles
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1200
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- Wired charging
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 60 W
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 100 W(Better)
- Wireless charging
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 25 W
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 50 W(Better)
- Reverse charging
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Reverse charging type
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Wireless
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Wireless
Display
- Screen size
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9″
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 6.4″
- Panel type
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: LTPO OLED
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: LTPO OLED
- Refresh rate
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 120 Hz
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 120 Hz
- Pixel density
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 500 ppi(Better)
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 419 ppi
- Peak brightness
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 2600 nits
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 4000 nits(Better)
- Resolution
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1440x3120
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 1120x2436
- Screen protection
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Corning Gorilla Armor 2
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass 3
Design & durability
- Weight
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 214 g
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 203 g(Better)
- Thickness
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 7.9 mm(Better)
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 8.5 mm
- Dust & water resistance
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: IP68
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: IP68
- Back material
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Glass
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- Frame material
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Aluminum
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Aluminum
- EU repairability class
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: C
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- EU drop resistance class
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: A
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- EU energy class
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: A
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
Connectivity & features
- 5G
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Wi-Fi
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Wi-Fi 7
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.0
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 6.0
- USB speed
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: USB 3.x
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: USB 3.x
- USB port
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: USB-C 3.2
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: USB-C 3.2
- DisplayPort output
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- NFC
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- eSIM
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes(Better)
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- Ultra-wideband (UWB)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- Satellite connectivity
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- Stereo speakers
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Yes
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes
- 3.5 mm headphone jack
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- Fingerprint reader
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Under display (ultrasonic)
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Under display (ultrasonic)
- 3D face unlock
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- Infrared blaster
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Yes(Better)
- FM radio
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- microSD slot
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
- Card slot
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: No
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: No
General
- Operating system
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: Android 16
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Android 17
- OS updates (major versions)
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 7
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: Unknown
- Launch price
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: $ 898.99
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: About 790 EUR
- Year
- Galaxy S26 Ultra: 2026
- Xiaomi 18 Pro: 2026
Show raw spec textHide raw spec text
Original text from the source spec sheet, for reference.
| — | Galaxy S26 Ultra | Xiaomi 18 Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Network | ||
| Technology | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5G | GSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G |
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMA | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO | HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 |
| 4G bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - USA unlocked | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 48, 66 |
| 5G bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA unlocked | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 18, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 83, 84, 89 SA/NSA |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G | HSPA, LTE, 5G |
| Launch | ||
| Announced | 2026, February 25 | 2026, September 23 |
| Status | Available. Released 2026, March 06 | Available. Released 2026, September 23 |
| Body | ||
| Dimensions | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 in) | 151.8 x 72 x 8.5 mm (5.98 x 2.83 x 0.33 in) |
| Weight | 214 g (7.55 oz) | 203 g or 208 g (7.16 oz) |
| Build | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame | Glass front (Dragon Crystal Glass 3), aluminum frame |
| SIM | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus Armor Aluminum 2 | Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min) |
| Display | ||
| Type | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) | LTPO AMOLED, 68B colors, 2160Hz PWM, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+, BT.2020, 4000 nits (peak) |
| Size | 6.9 inches, 115.9 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 6.4 inches, 100.3 cm2 (~91.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Resolution | 1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density) | 1120 x 2436 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~419 ppi density) |
| Protection | Corning Gorilla Armor 2 DX anti-reflective coating Privacy Display | Xiaomi Dragon Crystal Glass 3 Secondary display (on the back): LTPO AMOLED, 120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR Vivid, HDR10+, BT.2020, 4000 nits (peak) 2.7 inches, 596 x 976 pixels |
| Platform | ||
| OS | Android 16, upgradable to Android 17, One UI 9, up to 7 major OS updates | Android 17, HyperOS 4 |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 (2 nm) |
| CPU | Octa-core (2x4.74 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M) | Octa-core (up to 5 GHz) |
| GPU | Adreno 840 (1.3GHz) | Adreno |
| Memory | ||
| Card slot | No | No |
| Internal | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM UFS 4.X | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM UFS 4.1 |
| Main Camera | ||
| Quad | 200 MP, f/1.4, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.9, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video | – |
| Features | Laser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama | Laser AF, color spectrum sensor, Leica lens, Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, panorama |
| Video | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS | 8K@30fps (HDR), 4K@30/60/120fps (HDR10+, 10-bit Dolby Vision HDR, 10-bit LOG), 1080p@30/60/120/240/960fps, 720p@1920fps, gyro-EIS |
| Triple | – | 200 MP, f/1.7, 23mm (wide), 1/1.28", 0.61µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 200 MP, f/2.4, 75mm (periscope telephoto), 1/1.56", PDAF (10cm - ∞), OIS, 3.2x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.4, 17mm, 102˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF |
| Selfie camera | ||
| Single | 12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF | 50 MP, f/2.2, 21mm (wide), 1/2.88", 0.61µm, PDAF |
| Features | HDR, HDR10+ | HDR, panorama |
| Video | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, HDR10+, gyro-EIS |
| Sound | ||
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos) |
| 3.5mm jack | No High-bitrate audio support | No 24-bit/192kHz Hi-Res & Hi-Res wireless audio Snapdragon sound |
| Comms | ||
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, LHDC 5 |
| Positioning | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS | GPS (L1+L5), BDS (B1I+B1c+B2a), GALILEO (E1+E5a), QZSS (L1+L5), NavIC (L5), GLONASS |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTG | USB Type-C 3.2, Display Port, OTG |
| Infrared port | – | Yes |
| Features | ||
| Sensors | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support) Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, proximity, gyro, compass, barometer Ultra Wideband (UWB) support |
| Battery | ||
| Type | Li-Ion 5000 mAh | Si/C Li-Ion 7000 mAh |
| Charging | 60W wired, PD3.0, 75% in 30 min 25W wireless (Qi2.2) 4.5W reverse wireless | 100W wired, PD3.0, QC3+, 100W PPS 50W wireless 27W reverse wireless |
| Misc | ||
| Colors | Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold | Black, White, Pink, Red, Blue, Violet Red |
| Models | SM-S948B, SM-S948B/DS, SM-S948U, SM-S948U1, SM-S948W, SM-S948N, SM-S9480, SM-S948E, SM-S948E/DS | – |
| SAR | 1.09 W/kg (head) 1.19 W/kg (body) | – |
| SAR EU | 1.28 W/kg (head) 1.35 W/kg (body) | – |
| Price | $ 898.99 / € 979.00 / £ 802.99 / ₹ 139,999 | About 790 EUR |
| EU LABEL | ||
| Energy | Class A | – |
| Battery | 55:00h endurance, 1200 cycles | – |
| Free fall | Class A (270 falls) | – |
| Repairability | Class C | – |