Smartphones: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Xiaomi 15 Pro

Quick Verdict

Both the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Xiaomi 15 Pro are shaping up to be flagship contenders with top-tier specifications. The S26 Ultra seems to be prioritizing camera innovation and long-term software support, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro emphasizes battery life, display technology, and fast charging. The best choice will depend on individual user priorities.

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts a potentially higher resolution main camera (up to 324MP) and variable display resolution, while the Xiaomi 15 Pro features a larger battery (6100 mAh) and faster wired charging (90W).
Both phones are expected to use high-end Snapdragon processors and offer up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage.
The Xiaomi 15 Pro emphasizes display brightness and battery life, while the S26 Ultra focuses on camera improvements and software support.

Key features – Side-by-Side

Attribute	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra	Xiaomi 15 Pro
Display Size (inches)	6.89 or 6.8	6.73 (some sources say 6.8)
Display Technology	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, rumored COE OLED	LTPO AMOLED (some sources say M9 AMOLED)
Resolution (pixels)	1800 x 3440, 1440 x 3120, or 1080 x 2400	1440 x 3200
Processor (Chipset model)	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite 2, potentially overclocked 'for Galaxy', or Exynos 2600	Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
RAM (GB)	12 or 16	12GB or 16GB LPDDR5X
Storage Options (GB)	256, 512, 1TB	256GB, 512GB, or 1TB UFS 4.0
Main Camera Resolution (MP)	200, potentially 324	50MP
Telephoto Camera Resolution (MP)	50 (5x optical zoom), potentially 12, prototypes testing 50 (3.5x telephoto)	50MP
Ultrawide Camera Resolution (MP)	50	50MP
Battery Capacity (mAh)	5000, potentially 5500	6100 mAh
Charging Speed (Watts)	45, potentially 65	90W wired, 50W wireless
Operating System (Version)	Android 16 with One UI 8, potentially Android 15	Android 15, HyperOS 2
Price	Not available	Not available
Ratings	Not available	Not available

Overall Comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Up to 324MP Camera, Potential Android 23 Support. Xiaomi 15 Pro: 6100 mAh Battery, 90W Charging.

Pros and Cons

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Pros:

Enhanced outdoor visibility due to a third-generation anti-reflective coating.
Adoption of COE OLED technology is expected to achieve higher brightness levels.
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or Elite 2 chipset, paired with up to 16GB of RAM, should handle high-end games and video editing smoothly.
May feature an advanced vapor chamber cooling system.
New HP2+ camera with a large aperture is said to greatly increase light input, improving dim light quality and fixing existing problems.
Expected to have a 5x optical zoom, prototypes are testing an 8x magnification.
With a 5000 mAh or potentially 5500 mAh battery, coupled with a power-efficient display and processor, the phone should offer reliable all-day usage.
With 45W or potentially 65W charging, the phone's charging time should be improved.
Expected to run Android 16 with Samsung's One UI 8, offering a smooth, customizable, and user-friendly interface. More AI features are also expected.
Expected to have Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Interface is expected to be smooth and highly customizable.
Samsung also promises 7 years of support, meaning the Galaxy S26 Ultra should get Android 23 with One UI 15 in 2033.

Cons:

Image stabilization for video recording information is not available.

Xiaomi 15 Pro

Pros:

Display brightness and color accuracy in sunlight
Efficient heat dissipation
Excellent build quality
Long battery life
System fluidity and battery management improvements

Cons:

No major disadvantages reported.

User Experiences and Feedback

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

What Users Love

No highlights reported.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

No value feedback reported.

Xiaomi 15 Pro

What Users Love

The display uses TCL CSOT's M9 luminous materials to achieve higher brightness and vibrant colors, improving viewing in bright environments.
The Snapdragon 8 Elite processor has efficient heat dissipation, preventing significant performance throttling under sustained heavy workloads.
The main camera has a wide f/1.4 aperture and a large 1/1.31" sensor, which helps capture more light in low-light conditions.
The telephoto lens offers 5x optical zoom.
The main camera and telephoto lens have OIS (Optical Image Stabilization).
The 6100 mAh battery and efficient display offer long battery life.
HyperOS 2 offers a familiar experience to previous MIUI users, with different notification and control pages, home screen widgets, and Google Discover integration.

Common Complaints

No major complaints reported.

Value Perception

The display can reach 3200 nits of peak brightness, ensuring visibility in direct sunlight.
The phone can last over 24 hours of surfing with adjusted display brightness.
It takes 53 minutes to fully charge from 0% to 100% using the 90W wired charger.
Wireless charging to 100% takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes using a Xiaomi 80W Adaptive Wireless Charging Stand.
The display is protected by shatterproof glass.