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 $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads — 77/100 vs 74/100 (a 3-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the bigger battery (4685 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,827,538 vs 1,782,199); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the stronger camera (161 vs 146); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g 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 2880
- Bigger battery: 4685 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 27W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Better camera (89/100 vs 77/100)
- Longer battery life (47/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 2827538 vs 1782199
- Better Geekbench Multi: 9100 vs 8400
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 227g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Higher performance (89/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 40/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scores 3 points higher (77/100 vs 74/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (89/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max leads (47/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max — 64/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 62/100; 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 and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (89/100 vs 77/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (47/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (89/100 vs 40/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 2827538 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8400 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.9" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4685 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 161 | 146 | |
| 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 | 128GB / 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 | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $799 |
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
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- 4685 mAh
- Wired: 27W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- 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 37.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $400. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $400 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max are nearly equal (89/100 vs 85/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is a bit better (89/100 vs 77/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (47/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max (89/100 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 3 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 — 74/100.
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 77/100).
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.