Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Alternatives
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is one of our top smartphones picks of 2026 ($1,158.99 · 4.8/5), but it is not the right buy for everyone. Below are the closest comparables in the same category, ranked by how strong a case they make against the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for typical buyers.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
At $1,049 the Apple iPhone 17 Pro costs $109.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL - 512 GB
At $1,097.46 the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL - 512 GB costs $61.53 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.7/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 17
At $849.99 the Apple iPhone 17 costs $309 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
OnePlus 13
At $899.99 the OnePlus 13 costs $259 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 10
At $899 the Google Pixel 10 costs $259.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
OnePlus 15
At $999 the OnePlus 15 costs $159.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.6/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 9 Pro
At $1,099 the Google Pixel 9 Pro costs $59.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 10a
At $424 the Google Pixel 10a costs $734.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (3) - 256 GB
At $699 the Nothing Phone (3) - 256 GB costs $459.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (3) - 512 GB
At $799 the Nothing Phone (3) - 512 GB costs $359.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
OnePlus 15R
At $769 the OnePlus 15R costs $389.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 8 Pro
At $311.68 the Google Pixel 8 Pro costs $847.31 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.5/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro - 128 GB
At $499 the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro - 128 GB costs $659.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro - 256 GB
At $599.99 the Nothing Phone (4a) Pro - 256 GB costs $559 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Xiaomi 15 5G AI
At $719.50 the Xiaomi 15 5G AI costs $439.49 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A56 5G
At $384.29 the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G costs $774.70 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.4/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 16
At $565 the Apple iPhone 16 costs $593.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (3a) - 128 GB
At $379 the Nothing Phone (3a) - 128 GB costs $779.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Nothing Phone (3a) - 256 GB
At $419 the Nothing Phone (3a) - 256 GB costs $739.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A36 5G
At $310.99 the Samsung Galaxy A36 5G costs $848 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.3/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Google Pixel 9a
At $599 the Google Pixel 9a costs $559.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G AI
At $254.99 the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G AI costs $904 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.2/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A07 4G AI
At $124.70 the Samsung Galaxy A07 4G AI costs $1,034.29 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.1/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy A17 4G AI
At $179.50 the Samsung Galaxy A17 4G AI costs $979.49 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.1/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Xiaomi Redmi A5
At $105 the Xiaomi Redmi A5 costs $1,053.99 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 4.0/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Motorola Moto G Power 5G
At $199.99 the Motorola Moto G Power 5G costs $959 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra while still scoring 3.8/5 in our research synthesis. Worth a serious look if you do not need every premium feature on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max sits $29.96 above the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,188.95 and earns a 4.8/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Google Pixel 10 Pro XL - 256 GB
The Google Pixel 10 Pro XL - 256 GB sits $16.01 above the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,175 and earns a 4.7/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7
The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 sits $961.00 above the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra at $2,119.99 and earns a 4.6/5 rating. Justifiable only if its specific strengths line up with your use case.
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