iPhone SE (3rd gen) vs Galaxy A26 5G

Phone 1

Phone 2

Winner

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G

Lifespan decides this one: the Galaxy A26 5G is supported until Mar 2031 at $4.37 per month of safe use, while the iPhone SE (3rd gen) runs out in Mar 2029 ($3.02/month). On a which-lasts-longer question, that's not a tie — it's the whole answer.

Value Score: iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56 · Galaxy A26 5G 78 — methodology

The lifespan decider

When specs are close, support length decides it — this is what each phone costs per month of safe use.

Apple iPhone SE (3rd gen) $100

Buy with care$3.02/mo

2022◆ Buy-by Mar 20272029

Samsung Galaxy A26 5G $250

Safe to buy$4.37/mo

2025◆ Buy-by Mar 20292031

Category by category

Display

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 50Galaxy A26 5G 70

The Galaxy A26 5G's screen is the better one — 6.7-inch fhd+ super amoled, up to 120hz.

Performance

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 74Galaxy A26 5G 58

The iPhone SE (3rd gen)'s Apple A15 Bionic is simply the faster chip.

Camera

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 40Galaxy A26 5G 67

The Galaxy A26 5G has the stronger camera system (2 real rear lenses vs 1).

Battery

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 20Galaxy A26 5G 80

5,000mAh vs 2,018mAh — the Galaxy A26 5G lasts longer between charges.

Software longevity

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 39Galaxy A26 5G 68

The Galaxy A26 5G is supported until Mar 2031 — 24 months longer than the iPhone SE (3rd gen).

Value

iPhone SE (3rd gen) 56Galaxy A26 5G 78

Overall value goes to the Galaxy A26 5G at $4.37 per month of safe use.

Full spec table

Spec	iPhone SE (3rd gen)	Galaxy A26 5G
Price (street)	$100	$250
Display	4.7-inch Retina HD LCD, 60Hz	6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED, up to 120Hz
Chipset	Apple A15 Bionic	Samsung Exynos 1380
RAM	4GB	8GB
Storage	64GB/128GB/256GB	128GB/256GB
Battery	2,018 mAh	5,000 mAh
Charging	20W wired, Qi wireless 7.5W	25W wired
Rear cameras	12MP main	50MP main, 8MP ultra-wide, 2MP macro
Dimensions	138.4 × 67.3 × 7.3 mm	164 × 77.5 × 7.7 mm
Weight	144 g	200 g
Water resistance	IP67	IP67
Supported until	Mar 2029	Mar 2031

iPhone SE (3rd gen) full verdict →Galaxy A26 5G full verdict →Longevity master board →

Scores and verdicts are computed from our verified database — see exactly how. Specs from manufacturer documentation; prices reflect major US retailers.