Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 915,852 | 3,515,964 | -74.0% |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 888 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | — |
| Display | 7.6" 120 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 4,400 | 5,200 | -15.4% |
| Rear cameras | 12+12+12 MP | 200+50+50+50 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 4 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 12 GB / 256 GB | 16 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 12 GB / 512 GB | 24 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 271 | 215 | +26.0% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · Side-mounted | 5G · Under-display | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,799–$1,899 | $1,349–$1,649 | +33.4% |
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 74% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 888 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Verdict: Galaxy Z Fold3 5G or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G advantages
- No decisive advantage on the tracked metrics.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantages
- Raw performance (+74%)
- Battery capacity (+15%)
- Camera resolution (+94%)
- Memory (+25%)
- Lightness (+21%)
- Affordability (+25%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you choose?
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G — Samsung Android 11 smartphone (2021) with a 7.6-inch 120 Hz Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 888, 4400 mAh battery and 12MP main camera, scoring about 915,852 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,799.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — Samsung Android 16 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 5200 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 3,515,964 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,349.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 74% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 888 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Performance and everyday use
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,515,964 vs 915,852 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Snapdragon 888. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G carries a 7.6-inch 120 Hz Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Batteries are 4,400 and 5,200 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 12+12+12 MP versus 200+50+50+50 MP, with 4 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 12 GB / 256 GB and 16 GB / 256 GB. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the more affordable at about $1,349 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the clearly stronger overall choice, winning most of the dimensions that matter. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 74% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 888 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
What is the main difference between the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 74% on AnTuTu v10 (Snapdragon 888 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the cheaper option at launch pricing, though these phones launched 5 years apart — street prices will differ from launch MSRPs.
Which is better value?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.