Compare / iPhone 15 vs Galaxy A26
Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy A26 5G (2026): Which Should You Buy?
By Alex Turner • Lead Hardware Reviewer • Updated August 17, 2026
Can a £249 phone really stand in for a £699 one? The Samsung Galaxy A26 5G and Apple iPhone 15 sit at opposite ends of the mid-market, and the honest answer is: it depends what you actually use your phone for.
iPhone 15 vs Galaxy A26: Full Specifications
| Apple iPhone 15 | Samsung Galaxy A26 5G | |
| Price (RRP) | £699 | £249 |
| Display | 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10 | 6.5-inch Super AMOLED, 120Hz, FHD+ |
| Processor | Apple A16 Bionic Hexa-Core (4nm) | Samsung Exynos 1380 Octa-Core (5nm) |
| Camera | 48MP Main (sensor-shift OIS) + 12MP Ultrawide | 50MP Main (OIS) + 8MP Ultrawide + 2MP Macro |
| Battery & Charging | 3349 mAh (20W Wired, MagSafe 15W) | 5000 mAh (25W Wired Charging) |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB (Non-expandable) | 128GB / 256GB (MicroSD up to 1TB) |
| Software & Updates | iOS 17 (Upgradable to iOS 19+) | Android 15 (One UI 7), 4 Years OS Updates |
| Dimensions | 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm | 161.5 x 77.2 x 8.0 mm |
| Weight | 171g | 192g |
| Our Rating | 8.8 / 10 | 8.4 / 10 |
Display & Design
The Samsung actually has the bigger, smoother screen: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED at 120Hz against the iPhone’s 6.1-inch 60Hz-class panel. Where the iPhone 15 pulls ahead is quality rather than quantity — HDR10 brightness, colour accuracy, and a far more premium body at just 171g.
Performance & Cameras
No contest: the A16 Bionic embarrasses the Exynos 1380 in every benchmark, and the iPhone’s 48MP sensor-shift camera produces more consistent photos and vastly better video than the A26’s 50MP shooter. The Samsung’s results are perfectly respectable in good light — the gap shows in low light and motion.
Battery, Value & Verdict
The A26’s 5000mAh cell is 50% larger than the iPhone’s 3349mAh, and both charge unhurriedly (25W vs 20W). Real-world endurance is closer than the numbers imply thanks to iOS efficiency, and the iPhone adds MagSafe. Factor in resale: a used iPhone 15 will still be worth real money in three years; the A26 won’t — but then, it cost £450 less.
Choose the Apple iPhone 15 if you want flagship performance, the better camera, iOS, and strong resale value.
Check iPhone 15 price on Amazon →Choose the Samsung Galaxy A26 5G if you want the essentials done well for a third of the price, with a bigger screen.
Check Galaxy A26 price on Amazon →We may earn a commission from links on this page. Prices correct at time of writing.
Read our full reviews: Apple iPhone 15 review · Samsung Galaxy A26 5G review
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