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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and POCO F9 Ultra take different approaches: Samsung specifies a QHD+ AMOLED display with adaptive refresh, while Xiaomi lists a POCO screen that can refresh at up to 185Hz. The figures make the display trade-off easy to see, but they do not establish which phone is faster, lasts longer, or takes better photos. Price comparisons need care too: the available UK figures put the POCO £530 below Samsung’s 256GB launch price, but they are not same-date, same-storage retail quotes.
At a glance: what the published specifications show
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | POCO F9 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display technology and resolution | Dynamic AMOLED 2X; QHD+. Samsung’s February 25, 2026 announcement does not state pixel dimensions in the cited specification. | Xiaomi UK lists 2608 × 1200 pixels; the cited specification does not identify the panel technology. |
| Refresh rate | Adaptive 1–120Hz, according to Samsung. | Up to 185Hz, according to Xiaomi UK. |
| Screen measurement | 6.9 inches diagonally across the full rectangle; 6.7 inches when rounded corners are accounted for, per Samsung’s measurement note. | Marketed as 6.9 inches; Xiaomi says the full-rectangle diagonal is about 6.85 inches. |
| Chipset | Not stated in the cited source. | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, identified on Xiaomi UK’s product page as a manufacturer specification. |
| Additional performance-related feature | Not stated in the cited source. | VisionBoost D8, identified by Xiaomi as a product feature; its listing alone does not prove comparative gaming performance. |
| Body dimensions and weight | Not stated in the cited sources. | 163.49 × 77.94 × 8.74mm; 235g, according to Xiaomi UK. |
| Charging and adapter qualification | Not stated in the cited sources. | Xiaomi recommends an official adapter rated at 100W or higher, or a 100W adapter supporting PD charging, for the relevant charging capability. The source does not establish that every third-party adapter will deliver the same result. |
| Storage configurations with prices in the cited material | 256GB and 512GB launch configurations are priced in TechRadar’s comparison; the Philippine promotional permit also lists 12GB/256GB and 12GB/512GB. | The TechRadar review reports a starting price, but does not establish a matching storage configuration for the price comparison here. |
Specifications are manufacturer-published unless otherwise attributed. A higher maximum refresh-rate figure is not, on its own, evidence of smoother performance in every app or game; nor does resolution alone establish overall display quality.
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How the displays differ
Samsung: higher stated resolution and adaptive range
Samsung’s February 25, 2026 Galaxy S26 series announcement specifies a 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X screen with adaptive refresh from 1Hz to 120Hz. Its measurement note distinguishes the full-rectangle diagonal from the smaller 6.7-inch figure when rounded corners are included. That explains why screen-size numbers can differ without describing two separate panels.
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POCO: a higher listed peak refresh rate
Xiaomi UK’s POCO F9 Ultra specifications list 2608 × 1200 resolution and refresh up to 185Hz. Xiaomi gives the full-rectangle diagonal as about 6.85 inches while marketing the display as 6.9 inches. The cited page does not provide a directly comparable panel-technology description for this table, so it would be misleading to infer one.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
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On the specifications alone, Samsung emphasizes QHD+ resolution and a variable 1–120Hz range; POCO publishes the higher maximum refresh rate. Choosing between those figures depends on what matters to you, but the information available here does not include matched brightness, color, outdoor-readability, or real-world motion tests.
What the price difference means
The reported numbers use different dates and bases, not a live, like-for-like checkout comparison.
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
| Phone and price basis | Reported price | What the figure represents |
|---|---|---|
| POCO F9 Ultra, TechRadar review dated September 15, 2026 | $799 / £749 | The review’s reported starting price at that time; it describes UK availability and says the US price varies by seller. It is not a verified current offer. |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256GB launch configuration | $1,299.99 / £1,279 / AU$2,199 | Launch prices reported in TechRadar’s comparison, not current retailer prices. |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra, 512GB launch configuration | $1,499.99 / £1,449 | Launch prices reported in the same TechRadar comparison, not current retailer prices. |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra, Philippines promotional permit | PHP 86,990 for 12GB/256GB; PHP 100,990 for 12GB/512GB | 2026 SRPs shown in a Samsung Philippines promotional permit that also specifies a 10% promotional discount. These are country- and promotion-specific, not global prices or regular current retail quotes. |
Subtracting the reported UK figures gives £1,279 − £749 = £530. That is the difference between Samsung’s reported 256GB launch price and the POCO’s reported review-time starting price, not proof that the POCO currently costs £530 less for equivalent storage. The storage and date bases do not align. To compare what you would pay now, check both phones from sellers in the same market on the same date and identify each storage configuration.
For the Samsung launch-price comparison, see TechRadar’s Galaxy S26 Ultra price comparison. The Philippines permit’s figures should be used only for that market and promotion context: Samsung Philippines promotional permit.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Size, charging and performance claims
Physical size
Xiaomi lists the POCO at 163.49mm tall, 77.94mm wide and 8.74mm thick, weighing 235g. The cited Samsung sources do not establish corresponding body figures, so there is no verified two-phone size comparison here. Dimensions alone would not establish which handset feels more comfortable in the hand.
Charging compatibility
Xiaomi’s specification recommends an official 100W-or-higher power adapter, or a 100W adapter supporting PD charging, for the relevant charging capability. The source does not show that any charger with a 100W label will produce the same charging result; check the adapter’s supported protocol and the regional phone package before buying accessories.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Chipset and gaming
Xiaomi identifies Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and VisionBoost D8 on its POCO F9 Ultra product page. These are manufacturer claims, not independent benchmarks. The cited material does not provide an equivalent Samsung chipset specification or controlled gaming tests, so it cannot establish which phone performs better in games or demanding apps.
Which phone should you choose?
Choose based on the display figures if those are your priority
- Samsung is the clearer fit if you prioritize the published QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X specification and adaptive 1–120Hz refresh range.
- POCO is the one to consider if a listed peak refresh rate of up to 185Hz is a key specification for you, while recognizing that a maximum figure is not a comparative usage test.
Compare actual local offers before deciding on price
The reported £530 gap is a useful illustration of the published figures, not a current buying recommendation. Check current local prices for the storage sizes you would actually buy; the cited prices do not establish the present-day gap for matching configurations.
Best Value
- Stunning 6.9″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with adaptive 1–120 Hz refresh rate, ultra‑bright up to ~2600 nits, HDR support, “Vision Booster,” and adaptive color tone — giving vivid colours, great outdoor visibility, and super‑smooth scrolling.
- Powerful internals: it runs on the new Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy (3 nm) chip, with 12 GB (or in some markets up to 16 GB) RAM and up to 1 TB UFS 4.0 storage — offering significantly improved CPU/GPU/NPU performance, especially for AI tasks, gaming, and heavy multitasking.
- Advanced quad‑camera system: 200 MP wide main sensor, plus a 50 MP ultrawide, a 50 MP periscope telephoto (5× optical zoom), and a 10 MP telephoto (3× optical zoom) — giving flexibility from ultra‑wide through detailed telephoto shots, and strong performance in varied lighting.
- 5,000 mAh battery with 45 W fast wired charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and reverse wireless charging — balancing long battery life with flexible charging options.
- Durable, premium build: Titanium‑frame body, protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 glass, with IP68 dust/water resistance, ultrasonic in‑display fingerprint sensor, modern connectivity (5G, Wi‑Fi 7, Bluetooth, UWB, USB‑C), and long‑term software support (Android 15 / One UI 7, promised 7 major OS/security updates).
Do not infer unverified advantages
The available cited specifications and price reports do not settle comparative camera quality, battery endurance, software experience, wireless charging, water and dust resistance, or overall value. Those questions require current regional specifications or direct, controlled testing rather than assumptions based on model names or one headline figure.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
