Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro (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 $999 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 73/100 (a 11-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3582); 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); the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is noticeably lighter (199g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 16 Pro better?
- Lighter: 199g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $999 vs $1299
- Better portability (56/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1782199
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3400
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 8300
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3582 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 85/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 24/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 Pro vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 11 points higher (84/100 vs 73/100). 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 24/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 Pro — 56/100, 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 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 86/100. In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro (61/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a bit better (56/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1782199 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3400 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8300 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.3" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2622x1206 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3582 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 157 | 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 | 128GB / 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 | 149.6×71.5×8.3 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 199 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $999 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16 Pro
- 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
- 6.3" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2622x1206
- 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
- 3582 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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 16 Pro by 48.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $300. Apple iPhone 16 Pro was $300 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 are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, both devices are on the same level — 86/100.
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 Pro (61/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro is a bit better (56/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 Pro — the overall rating gap is 11 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro has a MobileRank rating of 73/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 Pro 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.