Between the Galaxy S26 and iQOO 13, the Galaxy S26 comes out ahead in weight and promised os updates, while the iQOO 13 wins on wired charging and front camera. Overall, the Galaxy S26 scores 64.6 and the iQOO 13 scores 75.3 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The iQOO 13 is the clear pick on raw spec strength, leading by 10.7 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, wireless charging.
Pick the iQOO 13 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are wired charging, front camera, battery capacity, among others.
Both ship with comparable main camera, 5g support, optical image stabilization, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the iQOO 13 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 — 45.00 g less. 168 vs 213.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 4).
- ▲Wireless charging: 15 W vs 0 W.
Why Vivo - iQOO 13 wins
- ▲Wired charging — 166.67% more. 120 W vs 45 W.
- ▲Front camera — 166.67% more. 32 MP vs 12 MP.
- ▲Battery capacity — 53.75% more. 6150 mAh vs 4000 mAh.
- ▲RAM — 33.33% more. 16 GB vs 12 GB.
- ▲AnTuTu — 31.16% more. 2820000 vs 2150000.
- ▲Refresh rate — 20.00% more. 144 Hz vs 120 Hz.
- ▲Pixel density — 20.00% more. 510 ppi vs 425 ppi.
- ▲Screen size — 10.00% more. 6.82 " vs 6.2 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 168 glead | 213 g |
| Thickness | 7.4 mmlead | 8.13 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP69lead |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.2 " | 6.82 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 425 ppi | 510 ppilead |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 144 Hzlead |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2400 nits | 4500 nitslead |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 32 MPlead |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4000 mAh | 6150 mAhlead |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 W | 120 Wlead |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 Wlead | 0 W |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26 | Vivo - iQOO 13 |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | Android |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 4 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26 or iQOO 13?+
iQOO 13 has 53.8% more battery — 4000 mAh vs 6150 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26 or iQOO 13?+
Galaxy S26 is 45g lighter — 168g vs 213g.
Is Galaxy S26 waterproof?+
Galaxy S26 has an IP68 rating.
Does iQOO 13 support 5G?+
Yes, iQOO 13 supports 5G.
Which has more RAM, Galaxy S26 or iQOO 13?+
iQOO 13 offers 16GB of RAM.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26 or iQOO 13?+
iQOO 13 has a 50 MP main camera vs 50 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
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