Between the Galaxy S26 and Xiaomi 15 Ultra, the Galaxy S26 comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the Xiaomi 15 Ultra wins on wireless charging and front camera. Overall, the Galaxy S26 scores 64.6 and the Xiaomi 15 Ultra scores 73.8 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 9.2 points on the Mars Score. The margin is wide enough that the underdog only makes sense if its individual strengths line up with what you specifically need.
Pick the Galaxy S26 if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. The biggest gaps in its favor are weight, promised os updates.
Pick the Xiaomi 15 Ultra if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. Its strongest claims are wireless charging, front camera, wired charging, among others.
Both ship with comparable main camera, refresh rate, 5g support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Xiaomi 15 Ultra is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Samsung - Galaxy S26 wins
- ▲Weight — 61.00 g less. 168 vs 229.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 4).
Why Xiaomi 15 Ultra wins
- ▲Wireless charging — 433.33% more. 80 W vs 15 W.
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 100.00% more. 90 W vs 45 W.
- ▲Battery capacity — 50.00% more. 6000 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- ▲RAM — 33.33% more. 16 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 26.51% more. 2720000 vs 2150000.
- ▲Pixel density — 22.82% more. 522 ppi vs 425 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 8.55% more. 6.73 " vs 6.2 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 168 glead | 229 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmlead | 9.4 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.2 " | 6.73 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 425 ppi | 522 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2400 nits | 3200 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 6000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 W | 90 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 80 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Xiaomi 15 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 15 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 15 Ultra has 50.0% more battery — 4000 mAh vs 6000 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 15 Ultra?+
Galaxy S26 is 61g lighter — 168g vs 229g.
Is Galaxy S26 waterproof?+
Galaxy S26 has an IP68 rating.
Does Xiaomi 15 Ultra support 5G?+
Yes, Xiaomi 15 Ultra supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 15 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 15 Ultra offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26 or Xiaomi 15 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 15 Ultra has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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