Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (2026) runs on the Apple A20 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $1299 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads — 80/100 vs 74/100 (a 6-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery (5567 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in AnTuTu (3,551,073 vs 2,827,538); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 249g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3551073 vs 2827538
- Better Geekbench Single: 4612 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 11819 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 5567 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (97/100 vs 89/100)
- Longer battery life (67/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 better?
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 249g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1299
- Better camera (77/100 vs 71/100)
- Better portability (89/100 vs 27/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 6 points higher (80/100 vs 74/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads (67/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max — 70/100, 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 Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (77/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (67/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (89/100 vs 27/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 3551073 | 2827538 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4612 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 11819 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1320x2868 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5567 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 146 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | |
| 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 | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 249 g | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $1299 | $799 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.48
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- 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
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
- 5567 mAh
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
Overall performance score
We compared Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads Samsung Galaxy S26 by 25.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $500. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $500 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a bit better (97/100 vs 89/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is a bit better (77/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (67/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max (89/100 vs 27/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 by just 6 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?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 80/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 74/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 leads on camera score (77/100 vs 71/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max leads on performance (97/100 vs 89/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.