Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro (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 $1199 and $1299. Both devices score the same overall rating of 84/100. Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4288); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,939,244 vs 3,434,654); per DXOMark lab testing, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro has the stronger camera (172 vs 157).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 18 Pro better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 4733 vs 3601
- Better Geekbench Multi: 12836 vs 10686
- Lighter: 211g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Better camera (97/100 vs 86/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3939244 vs 3434654
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4288 mAh
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 47/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 44/100)
Comparison verdict
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra received the same MobileRank rating — 84/100. In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro leads (97/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 47/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 18 Pro — 78/100, 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, both devices are on the same level — 97/100. In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is a bit better (97/100 vs 86/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 44/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 18 Pro | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A20 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 3434654 | 3939244 | |
| Geekbench Single | 4733 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 12836 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1206x2622 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4288 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 60W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | 172 | 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 | 150.0×71.9×8.8 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 211 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 18 Pro
- 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
- 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 1206x2622
- 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
- 4288 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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 18 Pro by 12.8% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 18 Pro was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, both devices are on the same level — 97/100.
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro is a bit better (97/100 vs 86/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 47/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 44/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Both devices scored 84/100. They are identical on performance — 97/100 for both. The clearest difference is battery life: better on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (61/100 vs 47/100).
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 18 Pro and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro has a MobileRank rating of 84/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 18 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro leads on camera score (97/100 vs 86/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 18 Pro over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.