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; estimated prices are $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 62/100 (a 13-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 (3,515,964 vs 1,890,000); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera (161 vs 157).
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Cheaper: $1199 vs $1299
- Better camera (89/100 vs 86/100)
- Better value for money (27/100 vs 20/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 1890000
- 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 (84/100 vs 54/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 35/100)
- Better design/ergonomics (32/100 vs 16/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 13 points higher (75/100 vs 62/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 54/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 35/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (84/100 vs 54/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. 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 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (51/100 vs 35/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (32/100 vs 16/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (27/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1890000 | 3515964 | |
| 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 | |
| Price | $1199 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
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
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
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 46.2% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper by $100.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (84/100 vs 54/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
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 notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (51/100 vs 35/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (32/100 vs 16/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (27/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — the overall rating gap is 13 points.
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 62/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 54/100).
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 mobile photography enthusiasts. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.