Space Black YOUR PHONE FACE-OFF
Real specs. Clear sources.Exact variants · Checked 4 Sept 2026Apple iPhone Air vs Samsung Galaxy S26
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WHO EACH ONE SUITS
Choose the iPhone Air if…
- you want a higher-resolution front camera: 18 vs 12 MP Source: Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specifications (opens in a new tab)
- you want a thinner body: 5.64 vs 7.2 mm Source: Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specifications (opens in a new tab)
- you want the larger 6.5″ screen Source: Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specifications (opens in a new tab)
Choose the Galaxy S26 if…
- you want a longer claimed video playback: up to 30 vs 27 hours (manufacturer claims) Source: Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUB (opens in a new tab)
- you prefer the smaller 6.3″ screen Source: Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUB (opens in a new tab)
Samsung
Galaxy S26
6.3 inches. Just 167 grams.
256 GB · 12 GB RAM · Sky Blue · UK SM-S942BLBGEUBFull product profile
Sky BlueListed configurations: iPhone Air 1000 GB, Galaxy S26 256 GB. Storage is a tier you choose, not a difference between the models. Compare both at 256 GB.
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THE DIFFERENCES, MADE VISIBLE
Visual facts
Differences first. Select a topic for its graphic, sources and conditions.
How to read this comparison
How to read this comparison
- Manufacturer facts for the exact models shown. Not a quality rating or a test result.
- “Different” means the known values differ, not that one is better.
- Missing or conflicting evidence is marked and never counts as a difference. Source chips hold each fact’s sources and conditions.
Not verified for either phone, so not charted: Pixel density. Missing evidence is not a difference.
SPECIFICATIONS SIDE BY SIDE6 topics
SELECTED TOPIC
01 / 06
Chip and core configuration
A different chip or core configuration is a hardware change, not a measured performance uplift.
UK S26/S26+ launch table explicitly names Exynos 2600. Other regional Snapdragon configurations are not substituted.
iPhone Air
0.2″ larger diagonal.
Bigger is a preference, not a quality score.
- iPhone Air
- 6.5″
- Galaxy S26
- 6.3″
Relative diagonals · illustrative shape, not actual size
DATA INCOMPLETE
Camera details matter.
Dedicated telephoto reach. No digital or crop zoom.
- iPhone Air
- Not verified
- Galaxy S26
- 3×
Lens illustration · not an image-quality test
WHAT CHANGES BETWEEN THEM?
Full specifications ↓Key differences
12 verified differences, most decision-relevant first. 2 are also drawn in Visual facts above. 1 manufacturer description restating separately listed fields is grouped below. Missing information stays separate.
Chip and core configuration
In Visual factsiPhone AirA19 Pro chip 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators 16-core Neural Engine Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Galaxy S26Samsung Exynos 2600
Sources
Galaxy S26
UK S26/S26+ launch table explicitly names Exynos 2600. Other regional Snapdragon configurations are not substituted.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesDifferent hardware. A chip name or generation does not quantify real-world performance.
Up-to local video playback
In Visual factsiPhone Air27 hours
Galaxy S2630 hours
Sources
iPhone Air
Manufacturer up-to claim, not measured mixed-use battery life. All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/uk/batteries and apple.com/uk/iphone/battery.html for more information. iPhone Air MagSafe Battery sold separately. Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using pre‑production iPhone Air units and software, and USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Up-to manufacturer video estimate; test method and settings differ from Apple and OnePlus, so this does not prove cross-brand mixed-use endurance.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBManufacturer claims for the stated mode and equipment. Read each test condition; this is not measured everyday battery life.
Manufacturer update-policy information
iPhone AirNo fixed update duration is listed in this manufacturer technical source.
Galaxy S26Seven OS generations · seven years of security updates from first global launch
Sources
iPhone Air
No support years or promised major-version count are inferred. The installed operating system is listed separately.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Major-version count and total security duration remain separate; neither is years remaining or hardware lifespan.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBDistinguish Android upgrades from security coverage. A total term from launch is not the support remaining from today or from purchase.
Manufacturer operating system
iPhone AiriOS 26
Galaxy S26Android 16 · One UI 8.5
Sources
Galaxy S26
Launch table wording, not a claim about the latest available or installed release.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesLaunch software and update commitments differ. A newer launch version does not establish an exclusive feature.
Connector capabilities
iPhone AirUSB-C connector with support for: Charging USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)
Galaxy S26USB-C · USB 3.2 Gen 1
Sources
Galaxy S26
Exact connector and USB generation. No measured transfer rate, USB 3.2 Gen 2 or supplied cable speed is inferred.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBCheck the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.
Native display resolution
iPhone Air2736 × 1260
Galaxy S262340 × 1080
Sources
Galaxy S26
Exact model pixel dimensions; FHD+ and QHD+ remain different tiers.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBCheck the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.
Show 6 more verified differences
Manufacturer marketed display diagonal
iPhone Air6.5 in
Galaxy S266.3 in
Sources
iPhone Air
Manufacturer marketed diagonal; rounded corners and actual viewable area are described in the complete display specification.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Full-rectangle advertised diagonal; rounded corners and camera hole reduce viewable area.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBCheck the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.
Manufacturer thickness
iPhone Air5.64 mm
Galaxy S267.2 mm
Sources
Galaxy S26
Labelled depth, without an invented camera-bump measurement.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.
Rear camera system
iPhone Air48MP Fusion camera system 48MP Fusion Main: 26mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) Also enables 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto: 52mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 100% Focus Pixels Digital zoom up to 10x Customisable default lens (Fusion Main) Sapphire crystal lens cover True Tone flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 5 Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control Portrait Lighting with six effects Night mode Panorama (up to 63MP) Latest-generation Photographic Styles Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Advanced red-eye correction Auto image stabilisation Burst mode Photo geotagging Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
Galaxy S2650 MP main · 12 MP ultra-wide · 10 MP 3× telephoto
Sources
Galaxy S26
Physical lenses are individually identified by the launch table. Cropped optical-quality modes are not extra modules.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesCompare the camera hardware and recording modes. Matching megapixels or zoom do not mean identical cameras.
Manufacturer display specification
iPhone AirSuper Retina XDR display 6.5-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display 2736x1260-pixel resolution at 460 ppi Dynamic Island Always-On display ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz HDR display True Tone Wide colour (P3) Haptic Touch 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical) 1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR); 3,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor); 1 nit minimum brightness Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Anti-reflective coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously The iPhone Air display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.55 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).
Galaxy S266.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X · 2340 × 1080 · adaptive up to 120 Hz
Sources
Galaxy S26
Exact model diagonal and pixel dimensions; shared adaptive-range claim is from the named UK launch table.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesCheck the exact configuration and source conditions for your use.
Manufacturer battery and charging claims
iPhone AirVideo playback Up to 27 hours Video playback with iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Up to 40 hours Video playback (streamed) Up to 22 hours Video playback (streamed) with iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Up to 35 hours Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery Fast-charge capable: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)
Galaxy S264300 mAh typical · up to 30 hours local video · up to 55% charge in around 30 minutes with a 25 W adapter
Sources
iPhone Air
All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/uk/batteries and apple.com/uk/iphone/battery.html for more information. iPhone Air MagSafe Battery sold separately. Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using pre‑production iPhone Air units and software, and USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Typical capacity, playback and charge endpoint are different manufacturer claims. Adapter power is not maximum handset input or sustained measured power.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesManufacturer claims for the stated mode and equipment. Read each test condition; this is not measured everyday battery life.
Front camera specification
iPhone Air18MP Center Stage camera ƒ/1.9 aperture Autofocus with Focus Pixels Retina Flash Tap to zoom and rotate Centre Stage for photos Ultra-stabilised video Dual Capture Centre Stage for video calls Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 5 Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control Portrait Lighting with six effects Animoji and Memoji Night mode Latest-generation Photographic Styles Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Lens correction Auto image stabilisation Burst mode 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps 1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps Time-lapse video with stabilisation Night mode Time-lapse QuickTake video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps Cinematic video stabilisation (4K, 1080p and 720p) Spatial Audio and stereo recording Wind noise reduction Audio Mix
Galaxy S2612 MP · f/2.2 · autofocus
Sources
Galaxy S26
The separate Front Camera rows identify pixels, aperture and autofocus.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBCompare the camera hardware and recording modes. Matching megapixels or zoom do not mean identical cameras.
Manufacturer wording of separate fields (1)
Combined manufacturer descriptions whose values are listed as separate differences. Kept here so every verified difference stays in one list.
Manufacturer device dimensions
iPhone AirWidth: 74.7 mm; Height: 156.2 mm; Depth: 5.64 mm
Galaxy S26149.6 × 71.7 × 7.2 mm (height × width × depth)
Sources
iPhone Air
Exact selected UK model; axis labels retained.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Uses the labelled SKU table HxWxD order, not launch width-first positions.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.
Small physical differences (3)
Manufacturer height
iPhone Air156.2 mm
Galaxy S26149.6 mm
Sources
A size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.
Manufacturer device mass
In Visual factsiPhone Air165 g
Galaxy S26167 g
Sources
Galaxy S26
Exact UK device mass, not parcel or differently configured mass.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.
Manufacturer width
In Visual factsiPhone Air74.7 mm
Galaxy S2671.7 mm
Sources
Galaxy S26
Labelled width; larger is not automatically preferable.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA size or weight trade-off; it does not establish the better product.
Configuration & compatibility details (4)
Selected nominal storage
iPhone Air1000 GB
Galaxy S26256 GB
Sources
Galaxy S26
Explicit internal capacity; available free space changes with software.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA configuration choice: the storage tier of each exact variant compared. Most models are sold in several tiers, so this is not a difference between the models.
Selected storage; RAM remains unlisted
iPhone Air1000 GB storage; RAM capacity is not listed by the manufacturer.
Galaxy S2612 GB RAM · 256 GB storage
Sources
Galaxy S26
Exact selected SKU table; neither 16 GB / 1 TB Ultra nor another capacity is substituted.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBA configuration choice: the storage tier of each exact variant compared. Most models are sold in several tiers, so this is not a difference between the models.
Exact UK hardware, SIM and cellular specification
iPhone AirUK A3517; Dual eSIM (two active eSIMs; stores eight or more eSIMs) iPhone Air uses advanced eSIM technology for more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards). Learn more about eSIM Learn more about travelling with eSIM; Model A3517 * FDD-5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n66, n70, n75) TDD-5G NR (Bands n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n78, n79) FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TDD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Apple C1X cellular modem 5G (sub-6GHz) with 4x4 MIMO Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip NFC with reader mode Express Cards with Power Reserve
Galaxy S26UK SM-S942BLBGEUB · 12 GB / 256 GB · nano-SIM + eSIM
Sources
iPhone Air
* To identify your iPhone model number, see support.apple.com/en-gb/108044 . For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Mobile data technology support is based on iPhone model number and configuration for GSM networks. Data plan required. 5G, Gigabit LTE, VoLTE and Wi‑Fi calling are available in selected markets and through selected network providers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and network. For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Wi‑Fi 7 available in countries and regions where supported. Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Actual retrieved selected-SKU response, not a guessed order code. Identity does not establish current stock or carrier compatibility.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBThese descriptions or measurements differ. Wording alone does not establish a different capability; check the exact configuration.
UK model wireless capabilities
iPhone AirModel A3517 * FDD-5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n66, n70, n75) TDD-5G NR (Bands n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n78, n79) FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TDD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Apple C1X cellular modem 5G (sub-6GHz) with 4x4 MIMO Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip NFC with reader mode Express Cards with Power Reserve
Galaxy S26Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 5.4 · NFC
Sources
iPhone Air
* To identify your iPhone model number, see support.apple.com/en-gb/108044 . For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Mobile data technology support is based on iPhone model number and configuration for GSM networks. Data plan required. 5G, Gigabit LTE, VoLTE and Wi‑Fi calling are available in selected markets and through selected network providers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and network. For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Wi‑Fi 7 available in countries and regions where supported. Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Exact SKU connectivity rows. S26 Bluetooth5.4 is not replaced with Plus/Ultra6.0; regulatory/provider/equipment limits apply.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBAn exact-variant identifier or regional network listing, not a difference in capability. Check the bands and model code for your carrier and region.
Missing or non-comparable evidence (49)
Main-camera aperture control
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Fixed f/1.8
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Aperture is matched to the named Wide lens, not another row or telephoto aperture.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Ordinary rear 4K recording maximum
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The table lists UHD120 under Slow Motion, not ordinary rear 4K capture. A normal-mode maximum needs additional mode-specific evidence.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Front 4K recording maximum
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
General Video Recording Resolution does not establish the front-camera maximum.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Main camera optical stabilisation
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The exact SKU table gives rear-system OIS but does not attach it to every lens. Lens-specific proof remains separate.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Rear-system optical stabilisation
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit rear-system Yes; not proof every lens has OIS.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Rear camera autofocus
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit rear-system autofocus; no focus-speed score is inferred.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Front camera autofocus
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Front camera optical stabilisation
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Rear-system OIS is not transferred to the front lens.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Typical battery capacity
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S264300 mAh
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Direct typical capacity, separate from rated minimum.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Maximum wired charging power
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
25 W is the named adapter in the source test; a maximum sustained handset-input value is not established by that requirement.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Time to 50% wired charge
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The source publishes a different endpoint. It does not establish a 0–50% time, and no linear interpolation is used.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Maximum refresh rate
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26120 Hz
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Up-to adaptive 120 Hz; not a constant refresh rate or response-time result.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Physical RAM capacity
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S2612 GB
Sources
iPhone Air
Not listed for this exact UK configuration by the cited manufacturer specifications.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
Explicit Memory_(GB), distinct from storage.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Storage technology
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The exact SKU table does not identify a UFS version.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Expandable storage
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26No
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Samsung's model comparison marks Micro SD as N/A. Storage capacity is verified against the model-specific specification.
Introducing the Latest Galaxy S26 SeriesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
eSIM support
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit embedded-SIM and mixed/dual-eSIM arrangements; provider support remains separate.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published support term
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S267 years
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Seven years from first global launch, not seven years from purchase.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Promised OS version upgrades
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S267
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Seven generations of OS updates; not the same quantity as years of support.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Bluetooth version
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S265.4
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Exact model row, not a family-wide substitution.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published wired charge test duration
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S2630 minutes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Around 30 minutes for the stated endpoint, not a comparable 50%-charge time.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published wired charge endpoint
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S2655%
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Up-to endpoint in around 30 minutes with a 25 W compatible adapter; mode, start-state and screen conditions remain source-specific.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published CPU clock groups
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S263.8 GHz · 3.26 GHz · 2.76 GHz
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Multiple clock groups, not a sustained all-core clock or benchmark.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published CPU core count
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S2610
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Exact SKU table; core count alone is not performance.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Samsung DeX support
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Exact SKU services table says Yes; display, cable and software setup requirements remain.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Dual eSIM support
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit SIM Slot Type includes Dual eSIM.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
eSIM only
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26No
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit physical Nano-SIM support.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Headphone jack
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26No
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Earjack is explicitly USB Type-C; this is retained as a derived connector interpretation rather than native analogue-jack support.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Ingress protection
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26IP68
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Controlled submersion up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 minutes; resistance can diminish and is not a permanent waterproof guarantee.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
RAM technology
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The exact SKU table does not identify the LPDDR generation.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published minimum battery endurance cycles
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S261200 cycles
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Manufacturer eco-design cycles; this retained table does not specify the capacity-retention threshold. No percentage is invented.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Native telephoto reach
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S263×
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Native optical lens maximum, separate from optical-quality crop reach.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Optical-quality zoom
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S262×
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Main-sensor/crop claim, not an additional native lens.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBGalaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Panel technology
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Dynamic AMOLED 2X
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit panel designation, without independent motion or contrast claims.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published peak brightness
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S262600 nits
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Manufacturer's FAQ lists 2,600-nit peak for both S26 and S26+; not independently measured.
Galaxy S26 256GB — SpecificationsEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Pixel density
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Built-in Privacy Display
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26No
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Samsung explicitly says only on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Manual activation, viewing-angle effects and residual visibility limits apply; it is not an AI feature or a privacy guarantee.
Galaxy S26 Ultra 256 GB Cobalt Violet — exact UK business SKUEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Rated minimum battery capacity
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S264175 mAh
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The manufacturer footnote separately identifies this model’s rated/minimum capacity.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Rear camera modules
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S263
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Named physical camera inventory; optical-quality crops are not extra cameras.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Rear 8K recording maximum
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S2630 fps
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Camera capture maximum, separate from playback-only 8K60 in Audio and Video.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
User-removable battery
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26No
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The exact table explicitly states Removable No.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Reverse wireless charging
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit support with Qi/accessory limits; may fail below 30% battery or with certain cases/devices and can affect reception.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published security update end date
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S262033-02-28
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Exact model-specific Valid until date, without calculating a support-start date from it.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Manufacturer-listed sensors
iPhone AirFace ID Barometer High dynamic range gyro High-g accelerometer Proximity sensor Dual ambient light sensors
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
Galaxy S26
No source recorded for this side.
Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Stereo support
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Explicit stereo support; not a measured audio-quality score.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Promised update duration
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
Not listed for this exact UK configuration by the cited manufacturer specifications.
Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsGalaxy S26
No source recorded for this side.
Evidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
US model distinction
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
This UK SKU does not establish an exact US SKU, chipset, radio or warranty configuration.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
8K recording
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
The capture row explicitly lists UHD8K at 30 fps.
Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Wireless charging
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Yes
Sources
iPhone Air
Not verified for this exact model.
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Named wireless charging support with WPC-compatible equipment, not a guaranteed charging rate.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
Published wireless charging maximum
iPhone AirNot verified
Galaxy S26Not verified
Sources
iPhone Air
No source recorded for this side.
Galaxy S26
Named wireless charging generation is not a numeric wattage. No number is inferred from an accessory rating.
Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesEvidence is missing or conflicting on at least one side. This is not a verified difference.
1 shared field has the same recorded value.
COMPARE THE DETAILS
Full specifications
All specs71 specificationsiPhone AirGalaxy S26
iPhone AirGalaxy S26WeightDiffers
Sources
165g
Manufacturer device mass
167g
Exact UK device mass, not parcel or differently configured mass.
WidthDiffers
Sources
74.7mm
Manufacturer width
71.7mm
Labelled width; larger is not automatically preferable.
ThicknessDiffers
Sources
5.64mm
Manufacturer thickness
7.2mm
Labelled depth, without an invented camera-bump measurement.
DimensionsDiffers
Sources
Width: 74.7 mm; Height: 156.2 mm; Depth: 5.64 mmExact selected UK model; axis labels retained.
149.6 × 71.7 × 7.2 mm (height × width × depth)Uses the labelled SKU table HxWxD order, not launch width-first positions.
Manufacturer finish
Sources
Galaxy S26No source recorded
Space Black
Not verified
Form factor
Sources
slab
slabExplicit Touchscreen Bar form.
HeightDiffers
Sources
156.2 mm
149.6 mmLabelled height.
Screen sizeDiffers
Sources
6.5″
Manufacturer marketed display diagonal · Manufacturer marketed diagonal; rounded corners and actual viewable area are described in the complete display specification.
6.3″
Full-rectangle advertised diagonal; rounded corners and camera hole reduce viewable area.
Published peak brightnessManufacturer peak claims use different test conditions.
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Galaxy S26Galaxy S26 256GB — Specifications
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
2600 nitsManufacturer's FAQ lists 2,600-nit peak for both S26 and S26+; not independently measured.
Maximum refresh rate
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
120HzUp-to adaptive 120 Hz; not a constant refresh rate or response-time result.
Display specificationDiffers
Super Retina XDR display 6.5-inch (diagonal) all-screen OLED display 2736x1260-pixel resolution at 460 ppi Dynamic Island Always-On display ProMotion technology with adaptive refresh rates up to 120Hz HDR display True Tone Wide colour (P3) Haptic Touch 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio (typical) 1,000 nits max brightness (typical); 1,600 nits peak brightness (HDR); 3,000 nits peak brightness (outdoor); 1 nit minimum brightness Fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating Anti-reflective coating Support for display of multiple languages and characters simultaneously The iPhone Air display has rounded corners that follow a beautiful curved design, and these corners are within a standard rectangle. When measured as a standard rectangular shape, the screen is 6.55 inches diagonally (actual viewable area is less).
6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X · 2340 × 1080 · adaptive up to 120 HzExact model diagonal and pixel dimensions; shared adaptive-range claim is from the named UK launch table.
Display resolutionDiffers
Sources
2736 × 1260
2340 × 1080Exact model pixel dimensions; FHD+ and QHD+ remain different tiers.
Built-in Privacy Display
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
NoSamsung explicitly says only on Galaxy S26 Ultra. Manual activation, viewing-angle effects and residual visibility limits apply; it is not an AI feature or a privacy guarantee.
Native telephoto reach
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
3×Dedicated telephoto reach · Native optical lens maximum, separate from optical-quality crop reach.
Rear camera modules
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
3Named physical camera inventory; optical-quality crops are not extra cameras.
8K video recording
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified8K recording · Not verified for this exact model.
Yes8K recording · The capture row explicitly lists UHD8K at 30 fps.
Camera systemDiffers
48MP Fusion camera system 48MP Fusion Main: 26mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) Also enables 12MP optical-quality 2x Telephoto: 52mm, ƒ/1.6 aperture, sensor-shift optical image stabilisation, 100% Focus Pixels Digital zoom up to 10x Customisable default lens (Fusion Main) Sapphire crystal lens cover True Tone flash Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 5 Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control Portrait Lighting with six effects Night mode Panorama (up to 63MP) Latest-generation Photographic Styles Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Advanced red-eye correction Auto image stabilisation Burst mode Photo geotagging Image formats captured: HEIF and JPEG
50 MP main · 12 MP ultra-wide · 10 MP 3× telephotoPhysical lenses are individually identified by the launch table. Cropped optical-quality modes are not extra modules.
Front cameraDiffers
Sources
18MP Center Stage camera ƒ/1.9 aperture Autofocus with Focus Pixels Retina Flash Tap to zoom and rotate Centre Stage for photos Ultra-stabilised video Dual Capture Centre Stage for video calls Photonic Engine Deep Fusion Smart HDR 5 Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control Portrait Lighting with six effects Animoji and Memoji Night mode Latest-generation Photographic Styles Wide colour capture for photos and Live Photos Lens correction Auto image stabilisation Burst mode 4K Dolby Vision video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps 1080p Dolby Vision video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps Time-lapse video with stabilisation Night mode Time-lapse QuickTake video up to 4K Dolby Vision at 60 fps Cinematic video stabilisation (4K, 1080p and 720p) Spatial Audio and stereo recording Wind noise reduction Audio Mix
12 MP · f/2.2 · autofocusThe separate Front Camera rows identify pixels, aperture and autofocus.
Optical-quality reach
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
2×Main-sensor/crop claim, not an additional native lens.
Main-camera aperture control
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Fixed f/1.8Aperture is matched to the named Wide lens, not another row or telephoto aperture.
Rear-system optical stabilisation
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit rear-system Yes; not proof every lens has OIS.
Rear camera autofocus
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit rear-system autofocus; no focus-speed score is inferred.
Front camera autofocus
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit front autofocus Yes.
Rear 8K recording maximum
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
30 fpsCamera capture maximum, separate from playback-only 8K60 in Audio and Video.
Claimed video playbackUp-to manufacturer claims. Playback protocols differ.Differs
Sources
27 hours
Up-to local video playback · Manufacturer up-to claim, not measured mixed-use battery life. All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/uk/batteries and apple.com/uk/iphone/battery.html for more information. iPhone Air MagSafe Battery sold separately. Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using pre‑production iPhone Air units and software, and USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.
30 hours
Published local-video playback · Up-to manufacturer video estimate; test method and settings differ from Apple and OnePlus, so this does not prove cross-brand mixed-use endurance.
Wireless charging
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
YesNamed wireless charging support with WPC-compatible equipment, not a guaranteed charging rate.
Battery and chargingDiffers
Video playback Up to 27 hours Video playback with iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Up to 40 hours Video playback (streamed) Up to 22 hours Video playback (streamed) with iPhone Air MagSafe Battery Up to 35 hours Built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery Fast-charge capable: Up to 50% charge in 30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher (available separately) paired with USB-C charging cable, or 30W adapter or higher paired with MagSafe Charger (both available separately)All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/uk/batteries and apple.com/uk/iphone/battery.html for more information. iPhone Air MagSafe Battery sold separately. Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using pre‑production iPhone Air units and software, and USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.
4300 mAh typical · up to 30 hours local video · up to 55% charge in around 30 minutes with a 25 W adapterTypical capacity, playback and charge endpoint are different manufacturer claims. Adapter power is not maximum handset input or sustained measured power.
Wireless PowerShare
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
YesExplicit support with Qi/accessory limits; may fail below 30% battery or with certain cases/devices and can affect reception.
Typical battery capacity
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
4300 mAhDirect typical capacity, separate from rated minimum.
Rated minimum battery capacity
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
4175 mAhThe manufacturer footnote separately identifies this model’s rated/minimum capacity.
Published wired charge endpoint
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
55%Up-to endpoint in around 30 minutes with a 25 W compatible adapter; mode, start-state and screen conditions remain source-specific.
Published wired charge test duration
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
30 minutesAround 30 minutes for the stated endpoint, not a comparable 50%-charge time.
User-removable battery
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
NoThe exact table explicitly states Removable No.
Published minimum battery endurance cycles
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
1200 cyclesManufacturer eco-design cycles; this retained table does not specify the capacity-retention threshold. No percentage is invented.
Published support term
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
7 yearsPublished security update term · Seven years from first global launch, not seven years from purchase.
Update supportDiffers
Sources
No fixed update duration is listed in this manufacturer technical source.No support years or promised major-version count are inferred. The installed operating system is listed separately.
Seven OS generations · seven years of security updates from first global launchMajor-version count and total security duration remain separate; neither is years remaining or hardware lifespan.
Launch operating systemDiffers
Sources
iOS 26
Android 16 · One UI 8.5Launch table wording, not a claim about the latest available or installed release.
Promised OS version upgrades
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
7Seven generations of OS updates; not the same quantity as years of support.
ChipsetDiffers
Sources
A19 Pro chip 6-core CPU with 2 performance and 4 efficiency cores 5-core GPU with Neural Accelerators 16-core Neural Engine Hardware-accelerated ray tracing
Samsung Exynos 2600UK S26/S26+ launch table explicitly names Exynos 2600. Other regional Snapdragon configurations are not substituted.
RAM and storage configurationConfiguration
1000 GB storage; RAM capacity is not listed by the manufacturer.
12 GB RAM · 256 GB storageExact selected SKU table; neither 16 GB / 1 TB Ultra nor another capacity is substituted.
Compared regional modelConfiguration
Sources
UK A3517; Dual eSIM (two active eSIMs; stores eight or more eSIMs) iPhone Air uses advanced eSIM technology for more convenience and security (not compatible with physical SIM cards). Learn more about eSIM Learn more about travelling with eSIM; Model A3517 * FDD-5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n66, n70, n75) TDD-5G NR (Bands n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n78, n79) FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TDD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Apple C1X cellular modem 5G (sub-6GHz) with 4x4 MIMO Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip NFC with reader mode Express Cards with Power Reserve* To identify your iPhone model number, see support.apple.com/en-gb/108044 . For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Mobile data technology support is based on iPhone model number and configuration for GSM networks. Data plan required. 5G, Gigabit LTE, VoLTE and Wi‑Fi calling are available in selected markets and through selected network providers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and network. For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Wi‑Fi 7 available in countries and regions where supported. Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.
UK SM-S942BLBGEUB · 12 GB / 256 GB · nano-SIM + eSIMActual retrieved selected-SKU response, not a guessed order code. Identity does not establish current stock or carrier compatibility.
Storage capacityConfiguration
Sources
1000 GB
256 GBExplicit internal capacity; available free space changes with software.
RAM capacity
Sources
Not verifiedNot listed for this exact UK configuration by the cited manufacturer specifications.
12 GBExplicit Memory_(GB), distinct from storage.
Wireless connectivityConfiguration
Sources
Model A3517 * FDD-5G NR (Bands n1, n2, n3, n5, n7, n8, n12, n20, n25, n26, n28, n30, n66, n70, n75) TDD-5G NR (Bands n38, n40, n41, n48, n53, n77, n78, n79) FDD-LTE (Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 66) TDD-LTE (Bands 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53) UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz) GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) Apple C1X cellular modem 5G (sub-6GHz) with 4x4 MIMO Gigabit LTE with 4x4 MIMO Apple N1 wireless networking chip Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO Bluetooth 6 Thread networking technology Apple second-generation Ultra Wideband chip NFC with reader mode Express Cards with Power Reserve* To identify your iPhone model number, see support.apple.com/en-gb/108044 . For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Mobile data technology support is based on iPhone model number and configuration for GSM networks. Data plan required. 5G, Gigabit LTE, VoLTE and Wi‑Fi calling are available in selected markets and through selected network providers. Speeds are based on theoretical throughput and vary based on site conditions and network. For details on 5G and LTE support, contact your provider and see apple.com/uk/iphone/cellular . Wi‑Fi 7 available in countries and regions where supported. Ultra Wideband availability varies by region.
Wi-Fi 7 · Bluetooth 5.4 · NFCExact SKU connectivity rows. S26 Bluetooth5.4 is not replaced with Plus/Ultra6.0; regulatory/provider/equipment limits apply.
USB connector and data transferDiffers
Sources
USB-C connector with support for: Charging USB 2 (up to 480Mb/s)
USB-C · USB 3.2 Gen 1Exact connector and USB generation. No measured transfer rate, USB 3.2 Gen 2 or supplied cable speed is inferred.
Manufacturer-listed sensors
Sources
Galaxy S26No source recorded
Face ID Barometer High dynamic range gyro High-g accelerometer Proximity sensor Dual ambient light sensors
Not verified
3.5 mm headphone jack
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
NoEarjack is explicitly USB Type-C; this is retained as a derived connector interpretation rather than native analogue-jack support.
Expandable storage
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Galaxy S26Introducing the Latest Galaxy S26 Series
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
NoSamsung's model comparison marks Micro SD as N/A. Storage capacity is verified against the model-specific specification.
eSIM only (UK configuration)
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
NoExplicit physical Nano-SIM support.
Ingress protection claim
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
IP68Controlled submersion up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 minutes; resistance can diminish and is not a permanent waterproof guarantee.
Published CPU core count
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
10Exact SKU table; core count alone is not performance.
Published CPU clock groups
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
3.8 GHz · 3.26 GHz · 2.76 GHzMultiple clock groups, not a sustained all-core clock or benchmark.
Published security update end date
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
2033-02-28Exact model-specific Valid until date, without calculating a support-start date from it.
Panel technology
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Dynamic AMOLED 2XExplicit panel designation, without independent motion or contrast claims.
Bluetooth version
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
5.4Exact model row, not a family-wide substitution.
eSIM support
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit embedded-SIM and mixed/dual-eSIM arrangements; provider support remains separate.
Dual eSIM support
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit SIM Slot Type includes Dual eSIM.
Stereo support
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExplicit stereo support; not a measured audio-quality score.
Samsung DeX support
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
YesExact SKU services table says Yes; display, cable and software setup requirements remain.
Show unverified (12)Not verified or conflicting for both phones. Kept for completeness; never counted as a difference.
Pixel density
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
Not verifiedNot verified for this exact model.
Promised update duration
Sources
Galaxy S26No source recorded
Not verifiedNot listed for this exact UK configuration by the cited manufacturer specifications.
Not verified
RAM technology
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThe exact SKU table does not identify the LPDDR generation.
Storage technology
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThe exact SKU table does not identify a UFS version.
US model distinction
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThis UK SKU does not establish an exact US SKU, chipset, radio or warranty configuration.
Time to 50% wired charge
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThe source publishes a different endpoint. It does not establish a 0–50% time, and no linear interpolation is used.
Maximum wired charging power
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verified25 W is the named adapter in the source test; a maximum sustained handset-input value is not established by that requirement.
Published wireless charging maximum
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedNamed wireless charging generation is not a numeric wattage. No number is inferred from an accessory rating.
Main camera optical stabilisation
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThe exact SKU table gives rear-system OIS but does not attach it to every lens. Lens-specific proof remains separate.
Front camera optical stabilisation
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedRear-system OIS is not transferred to the front lens.
Ordinary rear 4K recording maximum
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedThe table lists UHD120 under Slow Motion, not ordinary rear 4K capture. A normal-mode maximum needs additional mode-specific evidence.
Front 4K recording maximum
Sources
iPhone AirNo source recorded
Not verified
Not verifiedGeneral Video Recording Resolution does not establish the front-camera maximum.
Exact variants · Manufacturer specificationsView sources
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE. A BETTER DECISION.
Decision tools
NO LOGOS. JUST YOU.
Would you choose it blind?
Forget the brand for a moment. Which set of specs feels more like you?
Manufacturer specifications verified for both phones. Your choice doesn’t change the comparison above.
Good comparisons start with good sources.7 cited sources for this pair. Every number has a story.See the evidence
No category can be scored for both phones, so no score is shown. Manufacturer battery claims can use different test conditions. Verified specifications remain visible even where a category cannot be scored.
How we calculate scoresApple iPhone Air
1000 GB · checked 19 Oct 2026
Specifications & verification
Weight165 gManufacturer claim · high confidenceApple
Width74.7 mmManufacturer claim · high confidenceApple
Thickness5.64 mmManufacturer claim · high confidenceApple
Display size6.5 inchesManufacturer claim · high confidence
Manufacturer marketed diagonal; rounded corners and actual viewable area are described in the complete display specification.
ApplePeak brightnessNot verified
Not published
Claimed video playback27 hoursManufacturer claim · high confidence
Manufacturer up-to claim, not measured mixed-use battery life. All battery claims depend on network configuration and many other factors; actual results will vary. Battery has limited recharge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and charge cycles vary by use and settings. See apple.com/uk/batteries and apple.com/uk/iphone/battery.html for more information. iPhone Air MagSafe Battery sold separately. Testing conducted by Apple in January 2025 using pre‑production iPhone Air units and software, and USB‑C Charge Cable with Apple 20W USB‑C Power Adapter (Model A2305). Fast‑charge testing conducted with drained iPhone units. Times measured from the appearance of the Apple logo as the unit started up. Charge time varies with settings and environmental factors; actual results will vary.
AppleClaimed charging rateNot verified
Not published
Published total supportNot verified
Not published
Wireless chargingNot verified
Not published
Reverse wireless chargingNot verified
Not published
Headphone jackNot verified
Not published
Expandable storageNot verified
Not published
eSIM onlyNot verified
Not published
IP ratingNot verified
Not published
Pixel densityNot verified
Not published
Maximum refresh rateNot verified
Not published
Native telephoto reachNot verified
Not published
Claimed optical-quality reachNot verified
Not published
Rear camera modulesNot verified
Not published
8K recordingNot verified
Not published
Manufacturer list priceNot verified
All sources2
- Apple UK — literal MG2W4QN/A configurationApple · accessed 19 Oct 2026
- Apple UK — iPhone Air technical specificationsApple · accessed 19 Oct 2026
Samsung Galaxy S26
256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026
Specifications & verification
Weight167 gManufacturer claim · high confidence
Exact UK device mass, not parcel or differently configured mass.
SamsungWidth71.7 mmManufacturer claim · high confidence
Labelled width; larger is not automatically preferable.
SamsungThickness7.2 mmManufacturer claim · high confidence
Labelled depth, without an invented camera-bump measurement.
SamsungDisplay size6.3 inchesManufacturer claim · high confidence
Full-rectangle advertised diagonal; rounded corners and camera hole reduce viewable area.
SamsungPeak brightness2,600 nitsManufacturer claim · medium confidence
Manufacturer's FAQ lists 2,600-nit peak for both S26 and S26+; not independently measured.
Samsung Business UKClaimed video playback30 hoursManufacturer claim · high confidence
Up-to manufacturer video estimate; test method and settings differ from Apple and OnePlus, so this does not prove cross-brand mixed-use endurance.
SamsungPublished total support7 yearsManufacturer claim · high confidence
Seven years from first global launch, not seven years from purchase.
SamsungWireless chargingYesManufacturer claim · high confidence
Named wireless charging support with WPC-compatible equipment, not a guaranteed charging rate.
SamsungReverse wireless chargingYesManufacturer claim · high confidence
Explicit support with Qi/accessory limits; may fail below 30% battery or with certain cases/devices and can affect reception.
SamsungHeadphone jackNoCalculated from sources · medium confidence
Earjack is explicitly USB Type-C; this is retained as a derived connector interpretation rather than native analogue-jack support.
SamsungExpandable storageNoManufacturer claim · high confidence
Samsung's model comparison marks Micro SD as N/A. Storage capacity is verified against the model-specific specification.
Samsung UKIP ratingIP68Manufacturer claim · high confidence
Controlled submersion up to 1.5 m freshwater for 30 minutes; resistance can diminish and is not a permanent waterproof guarantee.
SamsungPixel densityNot verified
Not published
Maximum refresh rate120 HzManufacturer claim · high confidence
Up-to adaptive 120 Hz; not a constant refresh rate or response-time result.
SamsungSamsungNative telephoto reach3×Manufacturer claim · high confidence
Native optical lens maximum, separate from optical-quality crop reach.
SamsungSamsungClaimed optical-quality reach2×Manufacturer claim · high confidence
Main-sensor/crop claim, not an additional native lens.
SamsungSamsungRear camera modules3Manufacturer claim · high confidence
Named physical camera inventory; optical-quality crops are not extra cameras.
Samsung8K recordingYesManufacturer claim · high confidence
The capture row explicitly lists UHD8K at 30 fps.
SamsungManufacturer list price£879.00Reference only · not a live offer or current priceSamsung Newsroom UK
All sources6
- Galaxy S26 256GB — SpecificationsSamsung Business UK · accessed 3 Sept 2026
- Samsung Unveils Galaxy S26 Series: The Most Intuitive Galaxy AI Phone YetSamsung Newsroom UK · accessed 21 Sept 2026
- Introducing the Latest Galaxy S26 SeriesSamsung UK · accessed 3 Sept 2026
- Galaxy S26 Sky Blue 256 GB — exact UK SKU SM-S942BLBGEUBSamsung · accessed 14 Oct 2026
- Galaxy S26 UK launch — separate Ultra and S26/S26+ tablesSamsung · accessed 14 Oct 2026
- Galaxy S26 Ultra 256 GB Cobalt Violet — exact UK business SKUSamsung · accessed 14 Oct 2026
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The verified differences and their sources, in one link.