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Smartphone comparison

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Compare cameras, battery, screen and everyday features.

Compared products
01Selected
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • 214 g.
  • About 120 Hz display refresh rate.
  • About 6.9 inch screen.
  • Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor.
  • Storage: UFS 4.X.
KSh 124,000In Stock
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02
iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB

iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB

  • 249 g.
  • About 6.9 inch screen.
  • Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) processor.
  • 12 GB RAM in this version.
  • 256 GB storage in this version.
KSh 213,500In Stock
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Add to comparison

2 spaces available

Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraKSh 121,000
Samsung Galaxy S25 UltraKSh 113,000
Google Pixel 10 Pro XLKSh 125,000
Xiaomi 17 Pro MaxKSh 129,000
Google Pixel 11 Pro XL 256GBKSh 132,000
OnePlus 15 5GKSh 111,000
Xiaomi 15 UltraKSh 142,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

With the same 6.9-inch OLED screen and IP68 rating, the iPhone 18 Pro Max runs iOS and has a larger listed battery (5,391–5,567 mAh depending on version), a brighter screen for outdoor use and sharper selfies (18 MP), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android, has a longer cycle life (1,200 cycles), a higher-resolution main camera (200 MP) and 8K video recording and is lighter (214 g) and slimmer.

Weight

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
214 g
iPhone 18 Pro Max
249 g

Display

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)
iPhone 18 Pro Max
1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)

Performance

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) processor
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) processor

Storage

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
UFS 4.X
iPhone 18 Pro Max
NVMe

Memory

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Up to 16 GB RAM
iPhone 18 Pro Max
12 GB RAM

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

  • Higher-resolution main camera: 200 MP (vs 48 MP).
  • Rated for more charge cycles: 1,200 (vs 1,000).
  • Lighter: 214 g (vs 249 g).
  • Slimmer: 7.9 mm thick (vs 8.8 mm).
  • 8K video recording (vs 4K).

iPhone 18 Pro Max

  • Larger listed battery: 5,391–5,567 mAh depending on version (vs 5,000 mAh).
  • Higher rated immersion depth: 6 m (vs 1.5 m), both IP68.
  • Brighter display: up to 3,000 nits (vs 2,600).
  • Higher-resolution selfie camera: 18 MP (vs 12 MP).
  • Records ProRes RAW and Apple Log 2 for editing.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PrioritySamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
Display6.9-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 500 ppi6.9-inch OLED display, 120 Hz, 460 ppi
Camera200 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 3x telephoto camera48 MP main camera with OIS, plus a 4x telephoto camera
PerformanceQualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processorApple A20 Pro processor
StorageUp to 1 TB storage256 GB storage
Battery capacity5,000 mAh batteryMarket-dependent versions:
Charging60 W wired, 25 W wireless chargingWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
BrandSamsungApple
ModelGalaxy S26 UltraApple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Announced2026, February 252026, September 09
Release statusAvailable. Released 2026, March 06Available. Released 2026, September 18
Model numbersSM-S948B, SM-S948B/DS, SM-S948U, SM-S948U1, SM-S948W, SM-S948N, SM-S9480, SM-S948E, SM-S948E/DSA3717, A3473, A3716, A3718
SAR1.09 W/kg (head)     1.19 W/kg (body)—
SAR EU1.28 W/kg (head)     1.35 W/kg (body)—
Device type / form family—Smartphone
Performance benchmarks—AnTuTu: 3463072 (v11); GeekBench: 12794 (v6), 11558 (v7); 3DMark: 7931 (Wild Life Extreme)
Measured display brightness—969 nits max brightness (measured)
Measured loudspeaker loudness—-25.0 LUFS (Very good)
Battery test—Active use score 19:20h
EU label energy—Class A
EU label battery—62:00h endurance, 1000 cycles
EU label free fall—Class B (180 falls)
EU label repairability—Class C

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
Dimensions163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm (6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 in)163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight214 g (7.55 oz)249 g (8.78 oz)
Build materialsGlass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield)
Stylus supportStylus—

Display

Display specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
DisplayDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak); 6.9 inches, 115.9 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak); 6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Screen resolution1440 x 3120 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~500 ppi density)1320 x 2868 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~460 ppi density)
Display protectionCorning Gorilla Armor 2Ceramic Shield 2
Display featuresDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 2600 nits (peak) DX anti-reflective coating Privacy DisplayAnti-reflective coating
Display technology—LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Display size—6.9 inches, 115.6 cm2 (~90.7% screen-to-body ratio)
Refresh rate—120Hz
Brightness—1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
HDR formats—HDR10, Dolby Vision
Pixel density—~460 ppi
Aspect ratio—19.5:9 ratio
Screen-to-body ratio—~90.7% screen-to-body ratio

Performance

Performance specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
ProcessorQualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)
CPUOcta-core (2x4.74 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M)Hexa-core (2x4.93 GHz + 4x2.64 GHz)
GPUAdreno 840 (1.3GHz)Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Process node—2 nm

Memory & Storage

Memory & Storage specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
RAM12GB / 16GB12GB
Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB256GB
Storage technologyUFS 4.XNVMe
Expandable storageNoNo
Memory configurations256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM

Cameras

Cameras specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
Rear camera200 MP, f/1.4, 23mm (wide), 1/1.3", 0.6µm, multi-directional PDAF, OIS 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm (telephoto), 1/3.94", 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom 50 MP, f/2.9, 111mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.52", 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS, 5x optical zoom 50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.5", 0.7µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2); 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom; 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF; TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)
Front camera12 MP, f/2.2, 23mm (wide), 1/3.2", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF18 MP multi-aspect, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide), PDAF; SL 3D, (depth/biometrics sensor)
Rear camera featuresLaser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panoramaDual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama), Cinematic from regular video
Rear camera video8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec.
Front camera featuresHDR, HDR10+HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2
Front camera video4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
Wide camera—48 MP, f/1.5-4.0, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS (gen2)
Periscope telephoto camera—48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF, 3D sensor‑shift OIS, 4x optical zoom
Ultra-wide camera—48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 1/2.55", 0.7µm, PDAF
Additional rear cameras—TOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth)

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
BatteryLi-Ion 5000 mAhMarket-dependent versions:; · Li-Ion 5391 mAh - Nano SIM model; · Li-Ion 5567 mAh - eSIM only model
Charging60W wired, PD3.0, 75% in 30 min 25W wireless (Qi2.2) 4.5W reverse wirelessWired, PD3.2, AVS, 50% in 15 min; 25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China); 4.5W reverse wired
Wireless charging25W wireless (Qi2.2); 4.5W reverse wireless25W wireless MagSafe/Qi2, 50% in 30 min (15W - China)
Reverse charging4.5W reverse wireless4.5W reverse wired
Battery technology—Li-Ion

Software

Software specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
Operating systemAndroid 16, upgradable to Android 17, up to 7 major OS updates, One UI 9iOS 27

Network

Network specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
NetworkGSM / CDMA / HSPA / EVDO / LTE / 5GGSM / HSPA / LTE / 5G
SIM· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT · Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International); · eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA); · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; China)
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900; CDMA 800 / 1900 & TD-SCDMAGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100; CDMA2000 1xEV-DOHSDPA 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100
4G bands1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41, 48, 66, 71 - USA unlocked1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 106 - A3717; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71 - A3473; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66, 71, 106 - A3716; 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 66, 106 - A3718
5G bands1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 28, 38, 41, 66, 71, 77, 78, 257, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - USA unlocked1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3717; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79, 258, 260, 261 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - A3473; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 20, 25, 26, 28, 29, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 71, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3716; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3718
Network speedHSPA, LTE (CA), 5GHSPA, LTE, 5G

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
NFCYesYes
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE6.0, A2DP, LE
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi DirectWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, hotspot
PositioningGPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSSGPS (L1+L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC
RadioNoNo
USBUSB Type-C 3.2, DisplayPort 1.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort
Ultra Wideband (UWB)Ultra Wideband (UWB) supportUltra Wideband (UWB) support (gen2 chip)
Satellite features—Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite

Durability

Durability specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
Water resistanceIP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) Stylus Armor Aluminum 2IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 6m for 30 min)

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
SensorsFingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometerFace ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
ColorsCobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink GoldBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Desktop modeSamsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support)—

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
LoudspeakersYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers
3.5 mm headphone jackNoNo
Audio featuresHigh-bitrate audio support—

Tests

Tests specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
PerformanceAnTuTu: 2627986 (v10), 3892165 (v11) GeekBench: 11566 (v6) 3DMark: 7744 (Wild Life Extreme)—
Display1480 nits max brightness (measured)—
Loudspeaker-25.9 LUFS (Very good)—
BatteryActive use score 16:23h—

EU label

EU label specifications comparison
SpecificationSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max 256GB
EnergyClass A—
Battery55:00h endurance, 1200 cycles—
Free fallClass A (270 falls)—
RepairabilityClass C—

Similarities

  • Both have 120 Hz displays.
  • Both are rated IP68.
  • Both have optical image stabilisation.
  • Both support Wi-Fi 7.
  • Both use Bluetooth 6.0.
  • Both have NFC.

In summary

Get the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want iOS and a larger listed battery, or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you would rather have Android and a longer cycle life.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Google Pixel 10 Pro XLFor Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraGoogle Pixel 10 Pro XLView product ↗Samsung Galaxy S24 UltraFor Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 UltraView product ↗iPhone 18 Pro 512GBFor iPhone 18 Pro Max 256GBiPhone 18 Pro 512GBView product ↗

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Xiaomi 15 UltraSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
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