Galaxy S26 Ultra or Xperia 1 VIII: which lasts longer?
Overall rating, EU class, updates, battery and protection of both smartphones side by side, from the suppliers’ entries in EPREL (as of 2 November 2026).
Result
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has EU repairability class C and scores 5.5 out of 10 in our overall rating from eight EPREL values; the Xperia 1 VIII has class D and 4.4 out of 10.
Both get 5 years of updates according to their suppliers; the battery is not user-replaceable on either.
The battery of the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasts longer per charge (55 instead of 51 hours); the Xperia 1 VIII takes more charge cycles (1,400 instead of 1,200); both are waterproof (IP68).
On overall rating, EU repairability index, battery life and scratch resistance, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is ahead; on charge cycles, the Xperia 1 VIII.
All values compared
Bold is the better value where the devices differ. Grey below: the typical value across all smartphones (median, our own calculation).
| Value | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Sony Xperia 1 VIII |
|---|---|---|
| Overall ratingtypical 5.6 | 5.5 out of 10 | 4.4 out of 10 |
| EU classtypical 3.38 | C · index 3.08 out of 5 | D · index 1.78 out of 5 |
| Updatestypical 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Battery | Built in | Built in |
| Battery lifetypical 58 h | 55 h | 51 h |
| Charge cyclestypical 1,000 | 1,200 | 1,400 |
| Drop resistancetypical 270 | 270 drops · class A | 270 drops · class A |
| Water protectiontypical IP68 | IP68 · waterproof | IP68 · waterproof |
| Scratch resistancetypical Level 5 | Level 6 | Level 5 |
| On the market since | 02/2026 | 05/2026 |
More comparisons
More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
Which gets updates for longer, the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xperia 1 VIII?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, both get 5 years of operating system updates, counted from the end of sales.
On which can you replace the battery yourself?
According to the suppliers in EPREL, the battery is not user-replaceable on either the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xperia 1 VIII.
Which is easier to repair, the Galaxy S26 Ultra or the Xperia 1 VIII?
By EU repairability class, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is class C and the Xperia 1 VIII class D (index 3.08 and 1.78 out of 5). In our overall rating from eight EPREL values, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is ahead with 5.5 out of 10 against 4.4 for the Xperia 1 VIII.
Sources
Laws and regulations in their current version, linked to the source.
- EPREL, European Product Registry for Energy LabellingEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL public data disclaimerEuropäische Kommission · Database · 13 Oct 2026
- EPREL Public API terms and conditionsEuropäische Kommission · Guidance · 3 Jun 2024
- Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1669 (energy labelling of smartphones and slate tablets)EUR-Lex · EU regulation · 16 Jun 2023
- German Act against Unfair Competition (UWG)Bundesministerium der Justiz · Law · 27 Sept 2026