HONOR Magic 8 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Our verdict: You'll pay £110.00 less overall on contract with the HONOR Magic 8 Pro than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. On the screen front, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra pulls ahead with 6.9" and 498 PPI. Up front, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro wins with a 50MP selfie camera. At 214g, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the lighter of the two.
10 reviews 4.4
12 reviews
HONOR Magic 8 Pro
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Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
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|---|---|---|
| Expert Rating | 4.2 10 reviews |
4.4 12 reviews |
| Screen | 6.71" | 6.9" |
| Display | LTPO OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2808 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 455 | 498 |
| Rear Camera | 200 Megapixels | 200 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 50 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Storage | 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| OS | Android 16 | Android |
| SIM Type | Nano SIM + Nano SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 with A2DP, LE, aptX HD | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm |
| Weight | 219 grams | 214 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes | IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Contracts |
£12.95/mo
£535.00 upfront |
£11.95/mo
£669.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £997.00 | £949.00 |
| Deals | Deals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro is cheaper on contract at £815.80 over the life of the deal from £12.95 per month with £535.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the HONOR Magic 8 Pro's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 455, and the HONOR Magic 8 Pro uses a LTPO OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The HONOR Magic 8 Pro features a 200 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 HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £949.00.
What storage options are available for the HONOR Magic 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The HONOR Magic 8 Pro is available in 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
What processors do the HONOR Magic 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?
The HONOR Magic 8 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (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 HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter but the HONOR Magic 8 Pro is more compact. It's 5g lighter at 214 grams, though the HONOR Magic 8 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 161.2 x 75 x 8.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is slimmer at 7.9mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the HONOR Magic 8 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The HONOR Magic 8 Pro is rated IP65/68 - Dust and water proof up to 1.5 meters for 30 minutes, 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 HONOR Magic 8 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?
The HONOR Magic 8 Pro runs Android 16 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.