Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iQOO 15
₹69,000 apart. Here is what actually separates them.
Which one should you buy?
The iQOO 15 starts ₹69,000 lower: ₹85,999 against ₹1,54,999 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- The iQOO 15 has the bigger battery: 7,000 mAh against 5,000 mAh. It also charges faster, at 100W against 60W.
- The iQOO 15 has the better screen on paper: smoother (144Hz against 120Hz) and brighter (6,000 nits against 2,600).
- Both have a zoom camera, but the Galaxy S26 Ultra reaches further: 5x against 3x.
- Only the iQOO 15 lists wireless charging, at 40W.
Get the Galaxy S26 Ultra for more zoom. Get the iQOO 15 for the lower price, the bigger battery and faster charging.
Every spec, lined up
Spec score
Display
Performance
Camera
Battery
Build and connectivity
Availability
Versions and prices
- 12GB + 256GB₹1,54,999
- 12GB + 512GB₹1,74,999
- 12GB + 256GB₹85,999
- 16GB + 512GB₹93,999
Prices in India as we last checked them. Sales and bank offers change them often, so check before you buy.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iQOO 15, answered
In India, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at ₹1,54,999 and the iQOO 15 starts at ₹85,999.
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Which is cheaper, the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the iQOO 15?
The iQOO 15, by ₹69,000. Starting prices: ₹85,999 for the iQOO 15, ₹1,54,999 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 2 versions, up to ₹1,74,999. The iQOO 15 comes in 2 versions, up to ₹93,999.
Which has the bigger battery, the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the iQOO 15?
The iQOO 15, with 7,000 mAh to 5,000 mAh. For charging, the iQOO 15 is quicker: 100W to 60W. Battery life also depends on the chip and the software, so treat these as a starting point.
Which has the better display?
On paper, the iQOO 15's: it is smoother (144Hz to 120Hz) and brighter (6,000 to 2,600 nits). The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 120Hz, the iQOO 15 a 6.85-inch AMOLED at 144Hz.
Which has the better camera?
On features, the Galaxy S26 Ultra zooms further. The main cameras are 200MP main (f/1.4, OIS) on the Galaxy S26 Ultra and 50MP Sony IMX921 main (f/1.88, OIS) on the iQOO 15. A spec sheet can't show how the photos look, so read a review before you decide on the camera alone.
Which processors do they use?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra runs the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, the iQOO 15 the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
Which is better protected against water?
Neither: both are rated IP68. Still, no phone is fully waterproof, so keep them out of the pool.
Which is lighter?
They weigh about the same: 214 g and 216.2 g.
