Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Over a full contract, the iPhone Air works out around £821 all-in, about £119 less than the S26 Ultra.
12 reviews 4.4
12 reviews
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Apple iPhone Air
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 3.9 12 reviews |
4.4 12 reviews |
| Screen | 6.5" | 6.9" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 444 | 498 |
| Rear Camera | 48 Megapixels | 200 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 18 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Battery | 3,149 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| OS | Apple iOS | Android |
| SIM Type | e- SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 165 grams | 214 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Contracts |
£29.99/mo
£79.00 upfront |
£16.00/mo
£545.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £589.99 | £899.00 |
| Prices updated 26 July 2026 | ||
| Deals | Deals | |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone Air is cheaper on contract at £821.16 over the life of the deal from £29.99 per month with £79.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone Air's 6.5", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 444, and the Apple iPhone Air uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £589.99.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?
The Apple iPhone Air is powered by the Apple A19 Pro (3 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is the more portable of the two: it's 49g lighter at 165 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6 mm, and is slimmer at 5.6mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone Air is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).
What operating system do the Apple iPhone Air and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?
The Apple iPhone Air runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.