Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 65/100 (a 19-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4674); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,972,476); the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is noticeably lighter (199g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Plus better?
- Lighter: 199g vs 214g
- Better display (90/100 vs 88/100)
- Better portability (61/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1972476
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3431
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 8638
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4674 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 86/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 34/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 47/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 19 points higher (84/100 vs 65/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 86/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 86/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (86/100 vs 34/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Plus | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1972476 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3431 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8638 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1290x2796 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | — | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4674 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.1 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 160.9×77.8×7.8 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 199 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | — | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- 6.7" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1290x2796
- Refresh rate: —
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
- 4674 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 16 Plus by 43.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Price unknownDetailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 86/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (90/100 vs 88/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Plus (86/100 vs 34/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a bit better (61/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 Plus — the overall rating gap is 19 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus has a MobileRank rating of 65/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 34/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 86/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Plus over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.