Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 lines up the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra with the September 2024 iPhone 16. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec lead

9.4 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Spec score

0.6 / 10

iPhone 16 specs

A18

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 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	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra	iPhone 16
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onLeads	6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2556×1179, 460 ppi, 60Hz, 2,000 nits peak
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeads	A18
Memory	12GB (16GB with 1TB)	Not published
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBLeads	128GB, 256GB, 512GB
Camera hardware	200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads	48MP Fusion main, 12MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop
Optical zoom	5xLeads	No optical telephoto
Front camera	12MP	12MP
Battery	5,000 mAh	up to 22 hours video playback
Charging	60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads	50% in about 30 minutes with a 20W or higher adapter. MagSafe up to 25W
Weight	214 g	170 gLeads
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	7 years of OS and security updates	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price	£1,279 UK RRP	$799 launch price
Software	Android 16, One UI 8.5	iOS 18 at launch
Biometrics	Ultrasonic fingerprint	Face ID
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Who should buy which

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.

Choose the iPhone 16 if you want iOS 18 at launch. It leads on weight.

Questions

Which is better, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 16?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on display, chip, storage, and camera hardware.