Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra lines up the September 2023 iPhone 15 Plus with the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 15 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2796×1290, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onLeads |
| Chip | A16 Bionic | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeads |
| Memory | Not published | 12GB (16GB with 1TB) |
| Storage | 128GB, 256GB, 512GB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads |
| Camera hardware | 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop | 200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads |
| Optical zoom | No optical telephoto | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 12MP | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 26 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 15W | 60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads |
| Weight | 201 gLeads | 214 g |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Launch price | $899 launch price | £1,279 UK RRP |
| Software | iOS 17 at launch | Android 16, One UI 8.5 |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 15 Plus if you want iOS 17 at launch. It leads on weight.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on display, chip, storage, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 15 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.
iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which has the better battery?
iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra do not publish a comparable battery figure. iPhone 15 Plus: up to 26 hours video playback. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5,000 mAh.
iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which has the better camera?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera hardware. iPhone 15 Plus: 48MP f/1.6 main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost at launch?
iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 15 Plus: $899 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: £1,279 UK RRP.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 15 Plus technical specifications
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra newsroom specifications, February 25, 2026