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Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

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

Spec score

3.8 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Spec lead

6.3 / 10

iPhone 18 Pro Max specs

A20 Pro

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip.

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max 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.
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
Display6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie
ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyA20 ProLeads
Memory12GB (16GB with 1TB)Not published
Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBTie
Camera hardware200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideTie48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Tie
Optical zoom5xLeads4x
Front camera12MP18MP Center Stage
Battery5,000 mAhup to 45 hours video playback
Charging60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareTie50% in about 15 minutes wired. 50% in 30 minutes wirelessTie
Weight214 gLeads249 g
Water resistanceIP68TieIP68Tie
Software support7 years of OS and security updatesApple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price£1,279 UK RRP$1,299 launch price
SoftwareAndroid 16, One UI 8.5iOS 27
BiometricsUltrasonic fingerprintFace ID
ConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0USB-C, 5G (C2 modem), Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread

Who should buy which

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

Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on chip.

Questions

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

iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on chip.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which has the better battery?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max do not publish a comparable battery figure. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5,000 mAh. iPhone 18 Pro Max: up to 45 hours video playback.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which has the better camera?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max tie on camera hardware. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide. iPhone 18 Pro Max: 48MP main with variable aperture f/1.48–f/4, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.

What did Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max cost at launch?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: £1,279 UK RRP. iPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299 launch price.

Sources

  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra newsroom specifications, February 25, 2026
  • Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max technical specifications
  • Apple newsroom, September 9, 2026

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