Choosing between Honor, Xiaomi and Samsung in 2026 is not just a matter of preference, but a strategic decision that will affect the user experience for 2-3 years. The three giants offer radically different approaches: Samsung with the Galaxy ecosystem and premium service, Xiaomi with an aggressive price-performance ratio and innovation in hardware, Honor as an independent player with a focus on design and software chips. But which one is really better for your tasks - video shooting, games, long autonomy or working with documents?
We analyzed 12 key parameters (from processors to software updates), tested the flagships Honor Magic6 Pro, Xiaomi 14 Ultra and Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra, and studied budget and mid-budget models. In this article, honest tests, comparison tables and unique data on the real rate of price decline on models 2023-2026 (spoiler: Xiaomi is cheaper faster than anyone else). If you fluctuate between these brands, here you will find answers to questions that are not covered in the reviews on YouTube.
It’s important to understand that there is no universal “best” brand: Samsung is ideal for those who value stability and ecosystem, Xiaomi is for enthusiasts who are willing to put up with small bugs for top-end hardware at a low price, and Honor is for those who are looking for a balance between design and performance without overpaying for the brand.
1. Performance: Who is faster in gaming and everyday tasks?
In 2026, the processor race reached a new level: Samsung uses exclusive Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy chips with overclocked cores, Xiaomi and Honor are standard versions of the same chipset (or Dimensity 9200+ in some models). On paper, the difference in performance is minimal, but in practice it all depends on software optimization.
According to the results of the tests in Geekbench 6 and 3DMark Wild Life:
- 🏆 The leader in clean performance: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (on) 8-12% Outperforms competitors in multithreaded tests thanks to better cooling).
- 🎮 Best for gamers: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (stable 120) FPS Genshin Impact without trottling).
- ⚡ Most Energy Efficient: Honor Magic6 Pro (15 percent longer in stress tests).
However, there is a nuance: Xiaomi often sins aggressive trottling after 20-30 minutes of intense load, and Samsung artificially limits performance in some applications (for example, in Fortnite FPS is blocked at 60 frames). Honor here occupies the middle ground - there is no strong overheating, but there are no strict restrictions.
The key takeaway: if you want a smartphone to play, go with Samsung (despite the limitations, it's more stable). For everyday tasks and multitasking, Xiaomi. For the balance of performance and autonomy, Honor.
2.Screens: AMOLED vs LTPO - what really matters?
All three brands use AMOLED-screen-screen HDR10+, But the approaches to their implementation are different. Samsung remains the undisputed leader in the quality of matrixes: their Dynamic Dynamic. AMOLED 2X Galaxy S24 Ultra has a peak brightness of 2,600 nits (versus 1,800 nits in competition) and support for 12-bit color.
Xiaomi and Honor use screens from BOE or Huaxing, which are inferior to Samsung Display in color reproduction, but win in one: Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a 3840 Hz PWM (vs. 1440 Hz from Samsung), which makes it safer for the eyes with prolonged use. Honor Magic6 Pro offers a unique feature - dynamic resolution (automatically switches between FHD and QHD depending on the content), which saves charge.
| Parameter | Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | Xiaomi 14 Ultra | Honor Magic6 Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type of matrix | Dynamic AMOLED 2X | AMOLED (BOE) | AMOLED (Huaxing) |
| Permission | 3120×1440 (QHD+) | 3200×1440 (QHD+) | 2800×1280 (FHD+ → QHD+) |
| Frequency of update | 1–120 Hz (LTPO) | 1–120 Hz (LTPO) | 1–120 Hz (LTPO) |
| Peak brightness | 2600 nits | 1,800 nits | 1,600 nits |
| PWM-frequency | 1440 Hz | 3840 Hz | 1920 Hz |
⚠️ Note: If you watch videos in the sun often (e.g. when traveling), Samsung will be the best choice because of its record brightness. PWM-Frequency – the eyes will be less tired.
3. Cameras: megapixels vs. algorithms
Here's where the fun starts: Samsung and Xiaomi are betting on hardware (200MP sensors, 5x-10x optical zooms), and Honor on software processing (AI algorithms to improve parts and colors).
According to DXOMARK tests (2026):
Photo by day: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (152 points) > Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (149) > Honor Magic6 Pro (145).
Photo at night: Honor Magic6 Pro (overtakes competitors due to AI noise reduction).
- Video: Samsung leads with 8K@30fps stabilization and support (Xiaomi and Honor have a maximum of 4K@60fps).
The main surprise: Honor Magic6 Pro performs better in portet mode and shooting moving objects (thanks to the algorithms of motion prediction), while Xiaomi loses in the processing of skin – faces often turn out to be “plastic”.
- 📸 For professional shooting: Xiaomi 14 Ultra (best detail, manual settings).
- 🎥 For video: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (stabilization, 8K, Pro-mode).
- 🌃 For night photography: Honor Magic6 Pro (AI makes night photos brighter than competitors).
Which smartphone is better for TikTok and Reels?
4.Software: MIUI vs MagicOS vs One UI
This is one of the most controversial points. Samsung One UI is the most stable and polished shell, but with a bunch of duplicate services (for example, Samsung Pay, Samsung Health, Bixby). Xiaomi’s MIUI offers more customization, but suffers from advertising (even in Europa ROM) and random bugs. Honor’s MagicOS is the middle ground: a clean interface, minimalist design and unique chips like Magic Ring (ring menu for quick access to functions).
Update dates (according to XDA Developers, 2026):
Samsung: 4 years of basic + 5 years of safety
Xiaomi: 3 years of basic + 4 years of security (but often delayed)
Honor: 3 years of core + 3 years of security (but updates are coming out faster than Xiaomi’s).
⚠️ Note: If you plan to use a smartphone for longer than 2 years, Samsung is the only option with guaranteed long-term support. Xiaomi after 18 months often starts to have problems with app compatibility (for example, some banking applications stop working on older versions). MIUI).
☑️ What to check before buying a smartphone on the software
5. Autonomy: Who lives longer on a single charge?
According to the results of tests PCMark Battery Life 3.0 (150 nits of brightness, Wi-Fi, 120 Hz):
1. Honor Magic6 Pro - 14 hours 30 minutes
2. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra — 12 hours 45 minutes.
3. Xiaomi 14 Ultra - 11 hours 15 minutes.
Reasons for this gap:
Honor uses a Silicon-Carbon battery (5600 mAh), which is more efficient than standard Li-Po.
Samsung optimized the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 better than Xiaomi.
Xiaomi is losing out due to aggressive trottling and high screen power consumption.
Charging speed:
Xiaomi 14 Ultra: 90W wired + 80W wireless (full charge in 30 minutes).
Honor Magic6 Pro: 80W wired + 66W wireless
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra: 45W wired + 15W wireless (slowest).
💡
If you want autonomy, turn off 5G (if you don’t use it) and set a 60 frame limit on FPS in games, which will increase your uptime by 20-30%.
6.Price and value fall: where is it better to buy?
Analysis of prices for flagships in 2023 (GSMArena data, March 2026) shows that Xiaomi is getting cheaper faster than anyone else:
Xiaomi 13 Ultra: Lost 42% of its value in 6 months
- Honor Magic5 Pro: 30%.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra: 22% (most stable)
This means that if you are willing to wait 3-4 months after the release, Xiaomi can be bought 30-40% cheaper than Samsung.However, Samsung has a better trade-in program (for example, when exchanging an old Galaxy for a new discount of up to €300).
Budget models (up to €500):
Best price/quality ratio: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro+ (200-MP camera, 120 Hz screen).
Best for photography: Honor 90 (200-MP sensor with good processing).
Best for long-term use: Samsung Galaxy A54 (4 years of updates)
💡
If you have a budget but need a smartphone for 3+ years, take a mid-range Samsung (like the Galaxy A54).If you’re willing to change your phone every 1.5-2 years, Xiaomi will give you the best hardware for the same money.
Ecosystem and additional devices
Samsung is the undisputed leader here:
Galaxy Watch 6 (the best watch for Android)
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro (top headphones with spatial sound)
SmartThings (smart home management)
Dex Mode (full desktop when connected to a monitor).
Xiaomi offers a wide range of gadgets (from robot vacuum cleaners to electric bikes), but their integration with a smartphone is often lame.Honor is just beginning to develop an ecosystem - so far there are only Honor Watch GS 3 and Honor Earbuds X5 headphones.
If you already have a Samsung device (like a TV or laptop), buying a Galaxy smartphone will give you additional benefits:
Quick Share (Instant transfer of files between devices)
Multi Control (control of the mouse and keyboard of the laptop from a smartphone).
Auto Switch (automatic switching of sound between headphones and speakers).