Vivo X500 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Verdict
Vivo X500 Pro Max scores higher on the OH Rank (85 vs 82), winning 3 of 10 categories including Performance and Battery. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 1.3mm wider than Vivo X500 Pro Max. Vivo X500 Pro Max is the more recent release, from Sep 24, 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
85
82
Vivo X500 Pro Max
76.8mm (3.02in) · Sep 24, 2026 · Rank #2
15+13+15+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 85
SUPERIOR* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP Screen* TOP Camera* TOP Video Recording* TOP Software* TOP Selfie* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery and imaging performance) Vivo's best 2026 phone is a "Pro Max". A logical and incremental update of excellent X300 Pro, it comes with a top processor, 1500mAh bigger battery (!), >500ppi screen and much improved video recording. Expect top imaging, battery and processor performance
PROs
excellent Dimensity 9600 Pro (2nm) with UFS 4.1 performance, >42hr endurance from a 8000mAh Si-C battery with sub-90min 90W (40W wireless) charging, ~2000nits bright >500ppi 144Hz LTPO AMOLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP69 protection, excellent 50MP 24mm OIS main 200MP 85mm OIS periscope telephoto + 50MP 15mm ultrawide (all with PDAF) setup, excellent 50MP 20mm PDAF selfie, great video recording, fast and stabile OriginOS 7 with 5 years of updates, optional 400mm add-on zoom lens
CONs
bigger and heavier, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement functionality despite Android 17 native support, limited availability
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
78.1mm (3.07in) · Mar 4, 2026 · Rank #5
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
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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