Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra lines up the September 2026 iPhone 18 Pro Max 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.
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip.
Spec sheet
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie |
| Chip | A20 ProLeads | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Memory | Not published | 12GB (16GB with 1TB) |
| 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/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideTie |
| Optical zoom | 4x | 5xLeads |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | up to 45 hours video playback | 5,000 mAh |
| Charging | 50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessTie | 60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareTie |
| Weight | 249 g | 214 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 | £1,279 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 6.0 |
Who should buy which
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on chip.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on optical zoom and weight.
Questions
Which is better, iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
iPhone 18 Pro Max leads iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which has the better battery?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra do not publish a comparable battery figure. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5,000 mAh.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which has the better camera?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 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 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 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cost at launch?
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra do not publish a comparable launch price figure. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: £1,279 UK RRP.
Sources
- Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
- Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra newsroom specifications, February 25, 2026