Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (2023) runs on the Apple A17 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 72/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4441); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 1,452,754); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 154).
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Overall rating 72/100
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 1452754
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 2900
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 7200
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4441 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Lighter: 214g vs 221g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 79/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 83/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 41/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 43/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 12 points higher (84/100 vs 72/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 79/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 41/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max — 54/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 76/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (96/100 vs 79/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (86/100 vs 83/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (61/100 vs 41/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 43/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A17 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1452754 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 2900 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 7200 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2796x1290 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4441 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 15W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 154 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 17 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 159.9×76.7×8.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 221 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2796x1290
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
- 4441 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 15W
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max by 58.7% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max was $100 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (96/100 vs 79/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max are nearly equal (86/100 vs 83/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max (61/100 vs 41/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 43/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max — the overall rating gap is 12 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 72/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 79/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max is a better fit for active users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.