Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max with the January 2025 Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, battery, and charging.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onLeads | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120×1440, 498 ppi, 120Hz, 2,600 nits peak, always-on |
| Chip | A20 ProLeads | Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy |
| Memory | Not published | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie | 256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie |
| Camera hardware | 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Tie | 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawideTie |
| Optical zoom | 4x | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 45 hours video playbackLeads | 5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback |
| Charging | 50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads | 45W wired. Wireless charging, Wireless PowerShare |
| Weight | 249 g | 218 gLeads |
| Water resistance | IP68Tie | IP68Tie |
| Software support | Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window | 7 years of OS and security updates |
| Launch price | $1,299 launch priceTie | $1,299 launch priceTie |
| Software | iOS 27 | Android 15, One UI 7 at launch |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Ultrasonic fingerprint |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread | USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on display, chip, battery, and charging.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra if you want Android 15, One UI 7 at launch. It leads on optical zoom and weight.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, battery, and charging.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: which has the better battery?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 5,000 mAh; up to 31 hours video playback.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: which has the better camera?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra tie on camera hardware. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: 200MP f/1.7 main, 50MP 5x optical, 10MP 3x optical, 50MP ultrawide. This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.
What did iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra cost at launch?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra tie on launch price. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra: $1,299 launch price.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026
- Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra specifications