Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
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Galaxy A16
Starting at
£114.20£209.16 new
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Starting at
£894.79£1,449.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy A16 and Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Galaxy A16 vs S26 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Refurbished, the Galaxy A16 starts at £114.20, £780.59 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Screen size
Refresh rate
Main camera
- Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 on the Galaxy A16, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger screen: 6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch.
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra specs
The Galaxy A16 and Galaxy S26 Ultra offer different strengths suited to different users. The Galaxy A16 provides a solid everyday experience with a 6.7 inch Full HD screen and 4 GB RAM, making it a practical choice for those who want good features without extras. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a larger 6.9 inch Quad HD screen with a faster 120 Hz refresh rate and 12 GB RAM, ideal for users who want more power and a smoother display. Camera setups differ with three lenses on the A16 and four on the S26 Ultra, while storage and network options vary with the A16 supporting microSD cards and dual physical SIMs, and the S26 Ultra offering larger storage and 5G connectivity with a physical SIM plus eSIM. Both are unlocked and run Android, but each suits different needs and preferences.
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra price
Colour
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra battery life and software updates
Durability covers software updates, physical design, and operating system, all of which impact long-term use.
Software Updates
This helps keep the phones secure and functional over time.
Operating System
Each phone runs Android, providing access to the same apps and system features. This means users familiar with Android will feel at home with either device.
Design and Size
Both devices measure 7.9 mm in depth and are not foldable. The Galaxy A16 is slightly taller at 164.4 mm compared to 163.6 mm for the S26 Ultra, with nearly the same width. This means both fit comfortably in hand or pocket with little difference in thickness.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra screen
Screen quality affects how you view content like videos, games, and photos. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers enhancements in size, resolution, and refresh rate that suit users wanting a premium viewing experience.
Screen Size
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 6.9 inch screen, providing more room to enjoy videos and multitask compared to the Galaxy A16's 6.7 inch display. A larger screen can be more comfortable for reading and media consumption.
Resolution
With a resolution of 1440 by 3120 pixels, the Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers sharper and more detailed images than the Galaxy A16's 1080 by 2340 pixels. This higher resolution suits users who want clearer visuals for photos, videos, and text.
Refresh Rate
The Galaxy S26 Ultra supports a 120 Hz refresh rate, which means animations and scrolling are smoother compared to the Galaxy A16's 90 Hz screen. This difference is noticeable when browsing or playing games, enhancing the overall feel.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra camera
Camera and front-facing camera quality influence your photography and video calls. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers more camera lenses while the Galaxy A16 has a slightly higher front camera megapixel count.
Camera Setup
The Galaxy A16 features a triple camera system with three lenses, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra has a quadruple camera setup with four lenses. More lenses can provide additional photographic options like improved zoom or wide-angle shots, appealing to photography enthusiasts.
Front Camera
The Galaxy A16 has a 13 megapixel front camera, which offers a bit more detail for selfies and video calls than the Galaxy S26 Ultra's 12 megapixels. This may suit users focusing on sharp front-facing images.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra size and design
Other features like network compatibility, SIM options, storage, and physical dimensions impact daily convenience and connectivity. These vary between the two phones to suit different user priorities.
Network and SIM
The Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 5G networks for faster mobile data, ideal if you want quicker internet access where 5G is available. The Galaxy A16 works on 4G. The A16 uses dual physical SIM cards, which can be useful for managing two separate numbers with physical cards. The S26 Ultra uses one physical SIM plus an eSIM, offering flexibility without needing a second physical card.
Storage Options
The Galaxy A16 comes with 128 GB of storage and supports microSD cards, allowing you to expand storage easily. The Galaxy S26 Ultra provides larger built-in options of 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB but does not include a microSD slot. Choose the A16 if you prefer adding storage via microSD, or the S26 Ultra if you want more internal storage space.
Physical Size and Weight
Both phones are similar in width and depth, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra slightly heavier at 214 g compared to 200 g for the Galaxy A16. The S26 Ultra's extra weight may reflect its larger screen and extended features, while the A16 offers a lighter feel.
Connectivity
Both models use USB-C connectors and are unlocked, giving you flexibility to use them with various carriers and accessories.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy A16 or Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy A16 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £114.20, £780.59 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (13 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (200 g vs 214 g)
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch)
- you want a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz)
What our customers say
Customers say the Galaxy A16 looks and feels like new, often highlighting its excellent condition and ease of use. Many appreciate it as a solid phone for everyday use, noting it has more than enough features for most people. Users mention successful data transfers using Samsung Smart Switch and find the device up to date and reliable. Some reviews mention simple setup and overall satisfaction with the phone's performance and condition.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra receives praise for its premium feel and excellent condition, with many customers saying it is like brand new. Users highlight the phone's speed, camera quality, and battery life. Some find the device fun to use with new AI tutorials and value the large screen and storage options. A few customers mention minor cosmetic marks but say these do not affect performance. Overall, customers are very happy with the S26 Ultra's performance and condition.
The Galaxy A16 suits users looking for a practical and straightforward phone with good features and easy setup. The Galaxy S26 Ultra appeals to those wanting a larger screen, more memory, and advanced camera capabilities. Both phones receive positive feedback for condition and usability.
Galaxy A16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra FAQs
Galaxy A16 vs S26 Ultra comes down to the chipset, RAM and screen size. Chipset: Mediatek Helio G99 on the Galaxy A16, Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 4 GB.
The Galaxy A16 is cheaper refurbished, from £114.20 compared with £894.79 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Both have the same battery: 5000 mAh.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 50 megapixels.
The Galaxy A16 gets updates until Nov 2030. The Galaxy S26 Ultra gets updates until Mar 2033.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra adds more RAM (12 GB vs 4 GB), a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.7 inch) and a smoother screen (120 Hz vs 90 Hz). Refurbished, it costs £780.59 more (from £894.79 vs £114.20).
Refurbished, the Galaxy A16 comes in 128GB, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB.
