Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (2024) runs on the Apple A18 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 77/100 (a 7-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4685); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,782,199); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera (161 vs 157).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max better?
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Better camera (89/100 vs 86/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1782199
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3400
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 8400
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4685 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 227g
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 85/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 47/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 7 points higher (84/100 vs 77/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 85/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 47/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 64/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; 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 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 85/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8400 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4685 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 161 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 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 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 | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 227 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" 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 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 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max by 48.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 85/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (89/100 vs 86/100).
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 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 40/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra edges out the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max 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 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 77/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 85/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.