Between the Galaxy S26 and iPhone 16, the Galaxy S26 comes out ahead in wired charging and refresh rate, while the iPhone 16 wins on pixel density. Overall, the Galaxy S26 scores 64.6 and the iPhone 16 scores 57.4 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The Galaxy S26 edges ahead on the Mars Score (64.6 vs 57.4), but the 7.2-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
Pick the Galaxy S26 if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are wired charging, refresh rate, ram, among others.
Pick the iPhone 16 if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are pixel density.
Both ship with comparable 5g support, water resistance, front camera, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the Galaxy S26 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
- ▲Wired charging — 125.00% more. 45 W vs 20 W.
- ▲Refresh rate — 100.00% more. 120 Hz vs 60 Hz.
- ▲RAM — 50.00% more. 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 32.72% more. 2150000 vs 1620000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 12.33% more. 4000 mAh vs 3561 mAh.
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
- ▲Weight — 2.00 g less. 168 vs 170.
- ▲Screen size — 1.64% more. 6.2 " vs 6.1 ".
Why Apple - iPhone 16 wins
- ▲Pixel density — 8.24% more. 460 ppi vs 425 ppi.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 168 glead | 170 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmlead | 7.8 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.2 "lead | 6.1 " |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 425 ppi | 460 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hzlead | 60 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2400 nitslead | 2000 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAhlead | 3561 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 Wlead | 20 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 15 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Apple - iPhone 16 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | iOSlead |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 5 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26 or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26 has 12.3% more battery — 4000 mAh vs 3561 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26 or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26 is 2g lighter — 168g vs 170g.
Is Galaxy S26 waterproof?+
Galaxy S26 has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone 16 support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone 16 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26 or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26 offers 12GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26 or iPhone 16?+
Galaxy S26 has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 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.