Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen)
Between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone SE (3rd gen), the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes out ahead in main camera and ram, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins on weight. Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 75.6 and the iPhone SE (3rd gen) scores 40.7 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 34.9 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 Ultra if you photograph or shoot video regularly and want the better imaging pipeline of the two. The biggest gaps in its favor are main camera, ram, wired charging, among others.
Pick the iPhone SE (3rd gen) if you carry the device everywhere and weight or thickness has been the deciding factor before. Its strongest claims are weight.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, optical image stabilization, headphone jack, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Galaxy S26 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 Ultra wins
- ▲Main camera — 1566.67% more. 200 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲RAM — 300.00% more. 16 GB vs 4 GB.
- ▲Wired charging — 225.00% more. 65 W vs 20 W.
- ▲AnTuTu — 196.15% more. 2310000 vs 780000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 147.77% more. 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲Wireless charging — 100.00% more. 15 W vs 7.5 W.
- ▲Front camera — 71.43% more. 12 MP vs 7 MP.
Why Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) wins
- ▲Weight — 88.00 g less. 144 vs 232.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 232 g | 144 glead |
| Thickness | 8.6 mm | 7.3 mmlead |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68lead | IP67 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.9 "lead | 4.7 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 501 ppilead | 326 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nitslead | 625 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 200 MPlead | 12 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MPlead | 7 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 5000 mAhlead | 2018 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 65 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 Wlead | 7.5 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple - iPhone SE (3rd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | iOSlead |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has 147.8% more battery — 5000 mAh vs 2018 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
iPhone SE (3rd gen) is 88g lighter — 232g vs 144g.
Is Galaxy S26 Ultra waterproof?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone SE (3rd gen) support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone SE (3rd gen) supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone SE (3rd gen)?+
Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 MP main camera vs 12 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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