iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Head-to-head specifications
| Metric | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| AnTuTu v10 score | 2,980,000 | 3,515,964 | -15.2% |
| Chipset | Apple A20 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | — |
| Display | 6.9" 120 Hz | 6.9" 120 Hz | — |
| Battery (mAh) | 4,900 | 5,200 | -5.8% |
| Rear cameras | 48+48+48+LiDAR MP | 200+50+50+50 MP | — |
| Front camera (MP) | 24 | 24 | — |
| RAM / storage (base) | 12 GB / 256 GB | 16 GB / 256 GB | — |
| Max configuration | 12 GB / 1024 GB | 24 GB / 1024 GB | — |
| Weight (g) | 219 | 215 | +1.9% |
| Connectivity / unlock | 5G · No - Face ID | 5G · Under-display | — |
| Launch price (USD) | $1,249–$1,649 | $1,349–$1,649 | -7.4% |
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
- iPhone 18 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Verdict: iPhone 18 Pro Max or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
iPhone 18 Pro Max advantages
- Affordability (+7%)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantages
- Raw performance (+15%)
- Battery capacity (+6%)
- Camera resolution (+76%)
- Memory (+25%)
Which should you choose?
- Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the best value for money.
- Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Value for money
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: which should you choose?
iPhone 18 Pro Max — Apple iOS 20 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED, Apple A20, 4900 mAh battery and 48MP main camera, scoring about 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,249.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — Samsung Android 16 smartphone (2026) with a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, 5200 mAh battery and 200MP main camera, scoring about 3,515,964 on AnTuTu v10; launched at $1,349.
iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster phone. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). iPhone 18 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Performance and everyday use
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the faster device on raw benchmarks (3,515,964 vs 2,980,000 on AnTuTu v10), running the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 against the Apple A20. For messaging, browsing and social apps both feel instant — the gap matters most for gaming and long-term headroom.
Display and battery
iPhone 18 Pro Max carries a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Super Retina XDR OLED against a 6.9-inch 120 Hz Dynamic AMOLED 2X on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. Batteries are 4,900 and 5,200 mAh — though software tuning and chipset efficiency shape real-world endurance as much as capacity.
Cameras, storage and price
Rear arrays are 48+48+48+LiDAR MP versus 200+50+50+50 MP, with 24 MP and 24 MP front cameras. Base configurations start at 12 GB / 256 GB and 16 GB / 256 GB. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the more affordable at about $1,249 launch price, which may matter more than a small spec gap.
The verdict
Both are credible choices in the smartphone comparison space; the specification table above lays out every metric so you can weigh the trade-offs that matter to you. Pick the one whose strengths line up with how you will actually use it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max better than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra takes the overall edge, though iPhone 18 Pro Max wins in specific areas worth weighing. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5).
What is the main difference between the iPhone 18 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on raw performance by about 15% on AnTuTu v10 (Apple A20 vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5). iPhone 18 Pro Max is the cheaper option at launch pricing.
Which is better value?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers more performance per dollar, making it the better value of the two at their listed prices.
Which should I choose?
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want the best value for money. Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you game or want the most headroom for years of updates.
Methodology
Smartphones are compared on AnTuTu v10 benchmark scores, chipset, display size and refresh rate, battery capacity, rear and front camera resolution, RAM and storage across launch variants, weight, and launch pricing (USD). Each model shows its base variant with the top-spec configuration noted where multiple variants exist. Benchmark scores reflect the listed chipset variant; real-world battery life and camera quality depend on software tuning, not just hardware numbers.