Nothing Phone (3) vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Side-by-side comparison of viewing distance, PPI, and specifications
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
6.9" · 1440×3120 · AMOLED
Optimal Viewing Distance 18cm
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Category Ranking
Pixel Density (PPI)28in category
Nothing Phone (3)460 PPI #14
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra498 PPI #6
368 PPI521 PPI
HDR Peak Brightness28in category
Nothing Phone (3)4500 nits #1
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra2800 nits #15
2000 nits4500 nits
DCI-P3 Color Gamut28in category
Nothing Phone (3)100% #1
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra100% #1
100%100%
Refresh Rate
Nothing Phone (3)120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra120 Hz
StandardHighUltra
Summary
- Sharpness: no visible difference — Both screens exceed the retina threshold at 30cm. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has 8% higher pixel density (498 vs 460 PPI), but this only becomes visible below 18cm.
- Brightness: advantage Nothing Phone (3) — Similar SDR brightness (756 vs 700 nits), but the Nothing Phone (3) leads in HDR peak (4500 vs 2800 nits).
Key Differences
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3) | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| SDR Brightness | 756 nits | 700 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 4500 nits | 2800 nits |
| Screen Size | 6.67" | 6.9" |
| Resolution | 1260×2800 | 1440×3120 |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 498 |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 18cm |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 |
All specifications
| Specification | Nothing Phone (3) 2025 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Size | 6.67" | 6.9" (Better) |
| Resolution | 1260×2800 | 1440×3120 (Better) |
| Pixel Density (PPI) | 460 | 498 (Better) |
| Optimal Viewing Distance | 19cm | 18cm (Better) |
| Panel Type | AMOLED | AMOLED |
| Viewing Angle | 178° | 178° |
| Aspect Ratio | 9:20 | 6:13 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | None | None |
| Response Time | 1 ms GTG | 1 ms GTG |
| HDR Certification | None | None |
| SDR Brightness | 756 nits (Better) | 700 nits |
| HDR Peak Brightness | 4500 nits (Better) | 2800 nits |
| Contrast Ratio | 1:1,000,000 | 1:1,000,000 |
| Ports | USB-C | USB-C |
| Color Gamut | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% | sRGB 100% · DCI-P3 100% |
| Year | 2025 | 2026 (Better) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better PPI: Nothing Phone (3) or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has 498 PPI compared to 460 PPI for the Nothing Phone (3).
Which has a closer optimal viewing distance?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra requires 18cm vs 19cm for the Nothing Phone (3) to reach retina quality.
Related Comparisons
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Nothing Phone (3) 2025 · 460 PPI · 6.67" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 2024 · 461 PPI · 6.1" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 2026 · 498 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Nothing Phone (3) 2025 · 460 PPI · 6.67" · 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 16 Plus 2024 · 460 PPI · 6.7" · 60 Hz
vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 2026 · 498 PPI · 6.9" · 120 Hz
Methodology & Sources
Formula: Retina distance (cm) = 3438 / PPI. Displayed values are rounded for readability.
Sources: Official manufacturer spec sheets and product pages. Specs are normalized before comparisons.
Comparison winners are calculated metric by metric (higher is better for most specs; lower is better for distance/response time).
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