Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) runs on the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $1199 and $999. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads — 77/100 vs 70/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger battery (4900 mAh vs 4685); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is faster in AnTuTu (3,161,126 vs 1,782,199); the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is noticeably lighter (190g vs 227g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26+
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 3400 vs 2900
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Better camera (89/100 vs 40/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26+ better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3161126 vs 1782199
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9200 vs 8400
- Bigger battery: 4900 vs 4685 mAh
- Faster charging: 45W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 190g vs 227g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1199
- Higher performance (91/100 vs 85/100)
- Longer battery life (54/100 vs 47/100)
- Better display (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (72/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26+, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 7 points higher (77/100 vs 70/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 40/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 64/100, Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 50/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (91/100 vs 85/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (89/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 47/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (72/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 3161126 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 2900 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8400 | 9200 | |
| Display | 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4685 mAh | 4900 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 45W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 161 | — | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 12 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | 256GB / 512GB | |
| OS | iOS 18 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 2000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.0×77.6×8.3 mm | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 190 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $999 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 6.7" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 4685 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26+
- 4900 mAh
- Wired: 45W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26+, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max by 43.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $200. Samsung Galaxy S26+ was $200 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (91/100 vs 85/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26+ (89/100 vs 40/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a bit better (54/100 vs 47/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (72/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26+ by just 7 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 77/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ — 70/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads on camera score (89/100 vs 40/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ leads on performance (91/100 vs 85/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is a better fit for gamers and power users.