iQOO 16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Full Comparison & Price

Build and design

The iQOO is a gaming flagship at 6.85 inches, with a 2K Samsung M16 display, an 8,500 sq mm vapour chamber and IP68/IP69 ratings. The Samsung is a larger slab at 6.9 inches, with a built-in S Pen, Galaxy AI and DeX, and IP68 rating. Both phones feel premium, but only the Samsung is a proven slab with S Pen, while the iQOO is a gaming-focused phone with a dedicated Q4 chip.

If you want the newest gaming hardware and a 2K display, the iQOO is interesting on paper. If you want proven durability, S Pen and a wider accessory ecosystem, the Samsung wins. For most buyers, the Samsung is the safer choice until the iQOO's global launch is confirmed.

Display and benchmarks

The iQOO offers a 6.85-inch Samsung M16 AMOLED at 3168 x 1440 with up to 165Hz, up to 2,800 nits HBM and 10,000 nits peak local brightness. The Samsung offers a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X at 120Hz, with up to 2,600 nits and a Privacy Display that limits side viewing. For gaming, the iQOO's higher refresh rate and 2K resolution are sharper and smoother on paper, while the Samsung's display is larger and proven in reviews.

On benchmarks, the iQOO uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 on 2nm and the Samsung uses Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy, so the iQOO wins on chip generation on paper. No controlled side-by-side benchmark between these two phones was reviewed, so no speed winner is claimed beyond the generational gap. For gaming, the iQOO's newer chip, Q4 chip and larger vapour chamber should help, while the Samsung's chip is proven in reviews.

Cameras and video

The iQOO offers triple 50MP cameras — a main at 1/1.3-inch with OIS, a periscope at 3x with OIS and an ultrawide — plus a 32MP front camera and 8K video. The Samsung offers a quad camera: 200MP main at f/1.4 and 1/1.3-inch, a 50MP ultrawide, a 50MP 5x telephoto and a 10MP 3x telephoto, plus a 12MP front camera. On paper, the Samsung wins on megapixels, ultrawide and telephoto versatility, while the iQOO wins on gaming focus.

No controlled side-by-side camera test between these two phones was reviewed, so no photo winner is claimed beyond the hardware gap. If you shoot zoom often, the Samsung's dual telephoto is stronger on paper. If you shoot at 1x and want gaming hardware, the iQOO is adequate. For everyday photos at 1x, both should be close, despite the megapixel gap.

Battery, software and price

Battery is where the iQOO wins on paper, with 8,400mAh and 100W wired and 40W wireless charging, versus the Samsung's 5,000mAh with 60W wired charging and up to 31 hours of video in Samsung's rating. For most users, the iQOO will last longer on paper, while the Samsung's battery is proven in reviews. Charging is faster on the iQOO on paper, though real-world charging should be checked in reviews.

Software is OriginOS 7 on Android 17 for the iQOO, with IP68/IP69, while the Samsung runs One UI 8.5 on Android 16, with security updates listed until 28 February 2033 in one spec source. In the US and Europe, the Samsung is on sale today from $1,399.99 in the US and €1,550 in Europe, while the iQOO is China-only from CNY 5,999 — a conversion of about $900 is not a US price.

Verdict

Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want a flagship in the US from $1,399.99 or in Europe from €1,550 today. Wait for the iQOO 16 if you want its newer chip, 2K 165Hz display and 8,400mAh battery, and check its global launch. For most US and Europe buyers, the Samsung is the only choice today — the iQOO is a wait-and-see import.