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The Galaxy S26 Ultra and POCO F9 Ultra make different hardware priorities visible: Samsung specifies a QHD+ AMOLED display with adaptive refresh up to 120Hz, while Xiaomi lists the POCO with a 2608 × 1200 display reaching up to 185Hz. The available price figures are not a same-date, same-storage comparison: TechRadar reported £1,279 as Samsung’s 256GB UK launch price and £749 as the POCO’s UK review-time starting price, a £530 difference on those reported figures.
How do the specifications compare?
The table separates manufacturer-published specifications from price reports. “Not stated” means the sources cited here do not establish that comparison; it is not a claim that the phone lacks the feature.
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | POCO F9 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display technology | 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, according to Samsung’s February 25, 2026 announcement. | 2608 × 1200 resolution; display technology not stated on the cited Xiaomi UK specifications page. |
| Refresh rate | Adaptive 1–120Hz, according to Samsung’s announcement. | Up to 185Hz, according to Xiaomi UK’s specifications page. |
| Screen measurement caveat | Samsung measures 6.9 inches across the full rectangle and 6.7 inches when accounting for rounded corners. | Xiaomi markets it as 6.9 inches; its page says the full-rectangle diagonal is about 6.85 inches. |
| Chipset | Not stated in the cited announcement. | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, a manufacturer-listed specification on Xiaomi UK’s product page. The page also names VisionBoost D8. |
| Dimensions and weight | Not stated in the cited source. | 163.49 × 77.94 × 8.74mm; 235g, according to Xiaomi UK’s specifications page. |
| Charging | Not stated in the cited sources. | Xiaomi recommends an official 100W-or-higher adapter, or a 100W adapter supporting PD charging, for the relevant charging capability. The cited specification does not establish that every third-party adapter will deliver the same result. |
| Storage and price evidence | TechRadar reports US$1,299.99 / £1,279 / AU$2,199 for the 256GB launch configuration, and US$1,499.99 / £1,449 for 512GB. These are reported launch prices, not current retailer quotes. | TechRadar’s September 15, 2026 review reports a starting price of US$799 / £749. It describes UK availability and says US price varies by seller; this is a dated review-time report, not a verified live offer. |
What do the display figures mean in practice?
The nominal screen sizes are close, but the manufacturers do not describe them identically: Samsung gives both a full-rectangle and rounded-corner measurement, while Xiaomi says its marketed 6.9-inch POCO panel measures about 6.85 inches across the full rectangle. Those diagonals do not establish which phone has more usable screen area.
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#1 Best Overall
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- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
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- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
How large is the reported price difference?
Using only the quoted UK figures, £1,279 minus £749 equals £530. That is the difference between Samsung’s reported 256GB launch price and POCO’s reported review-time starting price, not a like-for-like current-price comparison. The dates and storage basis are not aligned, and the POCO starting price is not identified here as a specific storage configuration.
TechRadar’s Samsung comparison also reports launch prices of US$1,299.99 / £1,279 / AU$2,199 for 256GB and US$1,499.99 / £1,449 for 512GB. These launch figures should not be treated as current retail prices. For a useful present-day comparison, check both models in one market on the same date, match storage configurations where possible, and account for any local offers.
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Philippines figures are specific to a promotion
A Samsung Philippines promotional permit gives 2026 suggested retail prices of PHP 86,990 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra 12GB/256GB and PHP 100,990 for 12GB/512GB, alongside a 10% promotional discount in the document. These are tied to that country and promotion; they are not global prices or evidence of regular current retail pricing elsewhere.
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Choose by display priorities, not the headline refresh number alone
The published specifications give Samsung the clearer case for a high-resolution AMOLED panel and adaptive refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz. The POCO’s listed maximum is higher, at 185Hz, but that figure by itself does not prove better overall viewing or gaming. Consider the kinds of content and apps you use, and look for independent testing if display quality or sustained high-refresh behavior is decisive.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Do not infer comfort from POCO dimensions alone
Xiaomi publishes the POCO’s dimensions and 235g weight, but the cited material does not provide comparable S26 Ultra measurements here. Nor do dimensions alone determine comfort: grip, balance, case choice, and individual preference matter. Handle both models if size and weight are important to you.
Treat processor names as specifications, not benchmark results
Xiaomi lists Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and VisionBoost D8 for the POCO. Those are manufacturer claims about its hardware and platform; they do not establish that it outperforms the Samsung in gaming, sustained workloads, or everyday use. The available sources do not provide controlled head-to-head performance tests.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
What these specifications do not settle
The cited manufacturer pages and price reports do not establish a controlled comparison of camera quality, battery endurance, gaming performance, software experience, or overall value. They also do not provide a full verified comparison of battery capacity, wireless charging, ingress protection, S Pen features, regional connectivity, or software-support commitments. Do not assume missing details match a predecessor or infer a winner from specifications alone; consult current regional product listings and independent testing for those buying criteria.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsQuick Recap
Best Value
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
