Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max with the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec lead

8.1 / 10

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

A20 Pro

Spec score

1.9 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 specs

Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Spec sheet

iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	iPhone 18 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S26
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie	6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie
Chip	A20 ProLeads	Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie	256GB, 512GBTie
Camera hardware	48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads	50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
Optical zoom	4xLeads	3x
Front camera	18MP Center Stage	12MP
Battery	up to 45 hours video playback	4,300 mAh
Charging	50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessLeads	25W, about 55% in 30 minutes. Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
Weight	249 g	167 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 price	£879 UK RRP
Software	iOS 27	Android 16, One UI 8.5
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 chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on weight.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.