Between the Galaxy S26+ and Xiaomi 16 Ultra, the Galaxy S26+ comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the Xiaomi 16 Ultra wins on wireless charging and front camera. Overall, the Galaxy S26+ scores 68.5 and the Xiaomi 16 Ultra scores 74.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Xiaomi 16 Ultra edges ahead on the Mars Score (68.5 vs 74.3), but the 5.8-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
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 16 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 16 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 — 33.00 g less. 196 vs 229.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 5).
Why Xiaomi 16 Ultra wins
- ▲Wireless charging — 433.33% more. 80 W vs 15 W.
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Wired charging — 122.22% more. 100 W vs 45 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 34.09% more. 2950000 vs 2200000.
- ▲RAM — 33.33% more. 16 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲Battery capacity — 22.45% more. 6000 mAh vs 4900 mAh.
- ▲Pixel density — 1.75% more. 522 ppi vs 513 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 0.45% more. 6.73 " vs 6.7 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 glead | 229 g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mmlead | 9.2 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 " | 6.73 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 513 ppi | 522 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nits | 3200 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4900 mAh | 6000 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 W | 100 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 80 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Xiaomi 16 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26+ or Xiaomi 16 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 16 Ultra has 22.4% more battery — 4900 mAh vs 6000 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26+ or Xiaomi 16 Ultra?+
Galaxy S26+ is 33g lighter — 196g vs 229g.
Is Galaxy S26+ waterproof?+
Galaxy S26+ has an IP68 rating.
Does Xiaomi 16 Ultra support 5G?+
Yes, Xiaomi 16 Ultra supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26+ or Xiaomi 16 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 16 Ultra offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26+ or Xiaomi 16 Ultra?+
Xiaomi 16 Ultra has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.