Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs (Vivo) IQOO 16
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores higher on the OH Rank (82 vs 81), winning 3 of 10 categories including Main Camera and Selfie. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 1.2mm wider than (Vivo) IQOO 16. (Vivo) IQOO 16 is the more recent release, from Sep 29, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
82
81
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
78.1mm (3.07in) · Mar 4, 2026 · Rank #8
13+8+15+12+15+5+4+0+5+5 = 82
SUPERIOR* TOP Screen* TOP Camera* TOP Selfie* TOP Software* TOP Desktop Replacement
EDITORIAL: Samsung is sticking to same choices they did last year: top processor, top screen and a tried and true camera setup. Battery remains the same – a disappointing 5000mAh Lithium unit that provides for (barely) a full day of heavy use. Like Apple, Samsung believes that it is better to fully deplete and fully charge the battery every single day (excellent sales numbers confirm that their customers feel the same). The S26U is still a great phone: top performance and screen (albeit with gimmicky "first phone with a privacy screen" tagline), great main and selfie cameras, industry leading OS update policy, extensive AI integration, DeX and a powerful stylus.
PROs
flagship build, excellent SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, outstanding >1300nits >490ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with HDR10+ and DX antireflective coating, great 200MP 24mm main + 10MP 67mm tele + 50MP 111mm periscope telephoto + 50MP ~13mm ultrawide (all with PDAF, only ultrawide lacks OIS), (Feb 2023 old) 12MP 26mm dual-Pixel PDAF selfie that still delivers great pics, above average video recording, stable and feature packed OS with 7 years of updates, rich AI offerings, industry best desktop replacement functionality, fast USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort and OTG and powerful integration of build in stylus
CONs
disappointing lack of innovation Samsung used to be known for, wider then last year, same 5000mAh battery with 24hr endurance (but slightly faster) sub-60min 60W (25W wireless) charging, no expandable storage and Apple-like effort to limit access to best (wearables, peripherals) features to users fully committed to Samsung ecosystem
(Vivo) IQOO 16
76.9mm (3.03in) · Sep 29, 2026 · Rank #9
15+14+15+12+12+4+4+0+5+0 = 81
* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Gaming* TOP Software* TOP Screen
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery and imaging performance) Vivo decided to adjust to tough market conditions by sacrificing LTPO tech while adding a massive battery. Despite "big and heavy", this is one of the best gaming phone options out there.
PROs
blazing SD 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 (2nm) with UFS 4.1 performance, >42hr endurance from a 8400mAh Si-C battery with sub-60min 100W (40W wireless) charging, excellent >1300nits 508ppi 165Hz AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, good overall 50MP main + 50MP periscope telephoto (both OIS PDAF) + 50MP AF ultrawide setup, average 32MP 21mm non-AF selfie, average video recording, feature rich OriginOS with 5 years of OS updates, fast USB-C 3.2 with OTG
CONs
big & heavy, no LTPO drains battery faster, non-AF selfie, no memory expansion slot, no desktop replacement functionality provided by Android 17, limited market availability
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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