Apple iPhone 16 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 16 (2024) runs on the Apple A18, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 68/100 (a 16-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3561); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 1,972,476); per DXOMark lab testing, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the stronger camera (157 vs 147); the Apple iPhone 16 is noticeably lighter (170g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 16
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 16 better?
- Lighter: 170g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Better portability (79/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 1972476
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 3100
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 7700
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3561 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 27W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 60Hz
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 84/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 78/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 24/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 61/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 16 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 16 points higher (84/100 vs 68/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 84/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 24/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 16 — 50/100, 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 84/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (88/100 vs 61/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 78/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (61/100 vs 24/100). In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (79/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A18 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 1972476 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3100 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 7700 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2556x1179 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 60 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3561 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 27W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 147 | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 12 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | 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 | 147.6×71.6×7.8 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 170 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $799 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- Main: 48MP f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 16
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2556x1179
- Refresh rate: 60 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 16
- 3561 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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 16 by 43.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Apple iPhone 16 was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (96/100 vs 84/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (88/100 vs 61/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (86/100 vs 78/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 16 (61/100 vs 24/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Apple iPhone 16 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (79/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 16 — the overall rating gap is 16 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 16 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 has a MobileRank rating of 68/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 78/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 16 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 84/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 16 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 16 is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.