Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: which should you buy?

Answer worked out Oct. 31, 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max price: Checked Oct. 30, 2026

No clear winner. Pick on price, or on what each one is best for.

My phone

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max

Galaxy S26 Ultra
SAMSUNG

Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1,149.99 at Samsung
iPhone 18 Pro Max
APPLE

iPhone 18 Pro Max

$1,299 at Apple
  1. Galaxy S26 Ultra: 1TBLargest storage+1 TBiPhone 18 Pro Max: 2TB
  2. Galaxy S26 Ultra: 12MPFront camera+6 MPiPhone 18 Pro Max: 18MP
  3. Galaxy S26 Ultra: 214gWeight+35 giPhone 18 Pro Max: 249g
  4. Galaxy S26 Ultra: 6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X; adaptive 1–⁠120Hz refresh rate; up to 2,600 nits peak brightness; Privacy Display featureDisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max: 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi
  5. Galaxy S26 Ultra: $1,149.99Price today$149.01 apartiPhone 18 Pro Max: $1,299
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Buy at Samsung$1,149.99
We may earn a commission.
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Buy at Apple$1,299
We may earn a commission.
All the details

Key differences

  • Largest storage: 1TB vs 2TBGalaxy S26 Ultra: 1TB (256GB, 512GB or 1TB) ConfirmedSourceiPhone 18 Pro Max: 2TB (256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB) ConfirmedSource
  • Front camera: 12MP vs 18MPGalaxy S26 Ultra: 12MP (12MP wide AF) ConfirmedSourceiPhone 18 Pro Max: 18MP (18MP Center Stage camera, f/1.9, autofocus with Focus Pixels) ConfirmedSource
  • Weight: 214g vs 249gGalaxy S26 Ultra: 214g (78.1 × 163.6 × 7.9mm; 214g) ConfirmedSourceiPhone 18 Pro Max: 249g (78.0 × 163.4 × 8.75mm, 249g) ConfirmedSource

From each maker's own specifications. A point is listed only when both makers state a figure and the two differ; a point either maker does not state is left out, never guessed. Two figures measured under different conditions are shown side by side, not compared.

Who should buy which

  • The Galaxy S26 Ultra Guide names it for work.Work: Read it in the sun thanks to an anti-reflective coating on the 6.9-inch QHD+ screen, with up to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage behind it. Our read
  • The iPhone 18 Pro Max Guide names it for travel.Travel: On a flight, video playback runs up to 45 hours, and typical use up to 30 hours. ConfirmedSource

From what each Guide names the product best for. Both Guides also name photos and video and gaming.

Side by side

FeatureGalaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
Display6.9-inch QHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320 at 460 ppi
Battery5,000mAh typicalUp to 30 hrs typical use, 45 hrs video playback
ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyA20 Pro: 6-core CPU , 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators, Dual 16-core Neural Engine
Connectivity5G Sub6 and mmWave, LTE, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 6, UWB5G , Gigabit LTE, Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6, with the Apple N1 wireless chipSamsung5 GApple5 G
DesignGalaxy S26-series unified design languageAluminum unibody design, Ceramic Shield 2 front, Ceramic Shield back
SoftwareAndroid 16 with One UI 8.5iOS 27
Storage256GB, 512GB or 1TB256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TBSamsung256 GBApple256 GB
Rear camera200MP wide AF + 50MP ultra-wide AF + 10MP 3x telephoto AF + 50MP 5x telephoto AF48MP Pro Fusion camera systemSamsung200 MPApple48 MP
Front camera12MP wide AF18MP Center Stage camera, f/1.9, autofocus with Focus PixelsSamsung12 MPApple18 MP
VideoRear: up to 8K at 30fps4K Dolby Vision up to 120 fpsSamsung8 KApple4 K
ChargingUp to 60W wiredUSB-C fast charge: up to 50% in around 15 minutes with a 60W or higher adapter
Size78.1 × 163.6 × 7.9mm; 214g78.0 × 163.4 × 8.75mm, 249g
ColorsCobalt Violet, White, Black, Sky BlueBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Water resistanceIP68 water and dust resistanceIP68
UnlockFingerprint sensorFace ID, enabled by TrueDepth technology in the Center Stage front camera
SoundStereo supportSpatial Audio and stereo recording, four studio-quality mics
LineupGalaxy S26 series: Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26+, Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max

Buy at Apple$1,299
Checked Oct. 30, 2026

We may earn a commission.

Sources

SamsungAppleSamsung
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Apple iPhone Air (1st gen)