Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $1299 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 80/100 (a 4-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5567 mAh vs 5000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 3,463,142); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter (214g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 3463142
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 10686
- Bigger battery: 5567 vs 5000 mAh
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 96/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 61/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 249g
- Better camera (86/100 vs 71/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 27/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 4 points higher (84/100 vs 80/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 71/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100, 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 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (97/100 vs 96/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (86/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (67/100 vs 61/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (51/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3551073 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4612 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11819 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1320x2868 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5567 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 27 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 249 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1320x2868
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- 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 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra by 2.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $0. Same launch price.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are nearly equal (97/100 vs 96/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (86/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (67/100 vs 61/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (51/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra edges out the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max by just 4 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 80/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 71/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 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.