Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Compare Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max to understand which one suits your needs the best. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is priced from ₹1,30,999, while Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is available at ₹1,79,900 respectively. In terms of performance and features, each device offers a unique combination of processor, display, camera, and battery capabilities. Explore their complete specifications and key differences side-by-side to make a well-informed buying decision.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Comparison Overview
| Key Highlights | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | ₹1,30,999 | ₹1,79,900 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A20 Pro |
| Display | 6.88 inches, QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.9 inches, 1.5K OLED, 120Hz |
| Rear Camera | 200MP (Wide-angle), 50MP (Ultra-wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 50MP (PeriscopeMP), 12MP (Front) | 48MP (Wide-angle), 48MP (Ultra-wide), 48MP (Telephoto), 18MP (Front) |
| Battery | 5000mAh, 60W | 5391mAh, 60W |
| RAM/Storage | 12GB (LPDDR5X), 256GB (UFS 4.0) | 12GB (LPDDR5X), 256GB (NvMe) |
Reasons To Consider
→ Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Faster processor for smoother multitasking and demanding mobile gaming - (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5)Features a crispier and higher resolution display - (QHD+)Higher optical zoom for clearer, detailed shots of distant subjects - (5X Zoom)Crisper and higher resolution video recording capability upto 8K@30fpsTougher protective glass engineered for improved drop and scratch resistance - (Gorilla Glass Armour 2.0)Longer zoom capability allowing clear captures from farther away - (50-100X)
Faster processor for smoother multitasking and demanding mobile gaming - (Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5)Features a crispier and higher resolution display - (QHD+)Higher optical zoom for clearer, detailed shots of distant subjects - (5X Zoom)Crisper and higher resolution video recording capability upto 8K@30fpsTougher protective glass engineered for improved drop and scratch resistance - (Gorilla Glass Armour 2.0)Longer zoom capability allowing clear captures from farther away - (50-100X) → Apple iPhone 18 Pro MaxLarger battery capacity for longer usage - (5391mAh)Larger image sensor capturing more ambient light - (1/1.28")Rich HDR playback with expanded dynamic range and realistic contrast - (Dolby Vision)Comes with a clean, unbloated software interfaceBrighter peak output for comfortable legibility under direct sunlight - (3000 nits)Advanced image stabilization ensuring blur-free photos and steady handheld video - (Sensor Shift OIS)
Larger battery capacity for longer usage - (5391mAh)Larger image sensor capturing more ambient light - (1/1.28")Rich HDR playback with expanded dynamic range and realistic contrast - (Dolby Vision)Comes with a clean, unbloated software interfaceBrighter peak output for comfortable legibility under direct sunlight - (3000 nits)Advanced image stabilization ensuring blur-free photos and steady handheld video - (Sensor Shift OIS)GamingSee More Details
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra100
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max66
CameraSee More Details
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra100
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max100
DisplaySee More Details
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max100
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra87
BatterySee More Details
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra100
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max97
BodySee More Details
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra100
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max91
Key Specifications
| Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A20 Pro | ||
| 6.88 inches, QHD+ AMOLED, 120Hz | 6.9 inches, 1.5K OLED, 120Hz | ||
| 200MP (Wide-angle), 50MP (Ultra-wide), 10MP (Telephoto), 50MP (PeriscopeMP), 12MP (Front) | 48MP (Wide-angle), 48MP (Ultra-wide), 48MP (Telephoto), 18MP (Front) | ||
| 5000mAh, 60W | 5391mAh, 60W | ||
| 12GB (LPDDR5X) | 12GB (LPDDR5X) | ||
| 256GB (UFS 4.0) | 256GB (NvMe) |
General
| Box Contents | Phone with S-Pen, Type-C Cable, SIM Ejector Tool | Phone, Type-C Cable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Price | ₹1,39,999 | ₹1,79,900 |
Display
🏆 Winner: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
| Display Type | AMOLED | OLED | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 120Hz | ||
| LTPO Support | Yes | Yes | ||
| Playback Quality | HDR10+ | Dolby Vision | ||
| Display Engine | Dynamic 2X | Super Retina XDR | ||
| Touch Sampling Rate | 240Hz | - | ||
| Anti Reflection Coating | Yes | Yes | ||
| Display Enhancements | Vision Booster | - | ||
| Display Size | 6.88 inches | 6.9 inches | ||
| Area | 115.9 cm² | 115.6 cm² | ||
| Display Form Factor | Flat Display | Flat Display | ||
| Screen to Body Ratio | 90.7% | 90.7% | ||
| Resolution Width | 1440pixels | 1320pixels | ||
| Resolution Height | 3120pixels | 2868pixels | ||
| Aspect Ratio | 19.5:9 | 19.5:9 | ||
| Pixel Density | 500ppi | 460ppi | ||
| Display Bit Rate | 8-bit | 10-bit | ||
| Color Gamut Range | 100% | 100% | ||
| Display Resolution | QHD+ | 1.5K | ||
| Peak Brightness | 2600nits | 3000nits | ||
| Eye Protection | Eye Comfort Shield | PWM Dimming | ||
| Colour Gamut | DCI-P3 | DCI-P3 | ||
| Colour Depth | 16.7 Million Colours | 1.07 Billion Colours | ||
| Typical Brightness | - | 1000nits | ||
| High Brightness | - | 1600nits | ||
| Contrast Ratio | - | 2,000,000:1 |
Body
🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
| Height | 163.6 mm | 163.4 mm | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 78.1 mm | 78 mm | ||
| Thickness | 7.9 mm | 8.75 mm | ||
| Weight | 214 grams | 249 grams | ||
| Screen Material | Gorilla Glass Armour 2.0 | Ceramic Shield 2 | ||
| Display Protection | Gorilla Glass Armour 2.0 | Apple Ceramic Shield 2 | ||
| Back Material | Gorilla Glass Victus 2 | Ceramic Shield | ||
| Side Material | Armor Aluminium | Aluminium Frame | ||
| Build Quality | Corning Gorilla Glass Armour 2.0 | Ceramic Shield 2 | ||
| Ports | Display Port 1.2, USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 | ||
| Additional Features | OTG, USB Type-C (bottom) | Display Port | ||
| IP Rating | IP68 (Dust and Water Resistant) | IP68 (Dust and Water Resistant) | ||
| Speaker | Stereo Speakers | Stereo Speakers | ||
| Sound Tuning | Dolby Atmos | Dolby Atmos |
Processor
🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
| Chipset Manufacturer | Qualcomm | Apple | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chipset | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | A20 Pro | ||
| Fabrication Size | 3 nm | 2 nm | ||
| Number of Cores | Octa-core | Hexa-core | ||
| Clock Speed | 2x4.6 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M | 2x4.93 GHz + 4x2.64 GHz | ||
| Cooling System | Vapor Chamber Cooling | Vapor Chamber Cooling | ||
| GPU | Adreno 840 | Apple GPU (7-core graphics) |
Performance Benchmarks
| AnTuTu | 3776005 | 2937698 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 CPU Single-Core | 3559 | 4259 | ||
| Geekbench 6 CPU Multi-Core | 10911 | 13093 |
Operating System
| OS Name | Android | iOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OS Version | 16 | 27 | ||
| OS Skin | One UI | iOS | ||
| Inbuilt AI | Galaxy AI | Apple Intelligence | ||
| Gaming Mode | Yes | Yes | ||
| Desktop Mode | Yes | - | ||
| AI Frame Interpolation | Yes | - | ||
| OS Updates | 7 year(s) | 7 year(s) | ||
| Security Updates | 7 year(s) | 7 year(s) | ||
| AI Features | AI Assistant, AI Document Scanning, AI Image Enhancements, AI suggestions, Audio Eraser, Galaxy AI, Photo assist | AI Assistant, AI Camera, AI Capabilities, Apple Intelligence, Siri AI | ||
| Bloatware Free OS | - | Yes |
Main Camera
🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
| Main Camera Megapixel | 200MP | 48MP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Camera Aperture | f/1.4 | f/1.48-f/4.0 | ||
| Main Camera Lens Type | Wide-angle | Wide-angle | ||
| Main Camera Camera Sensor | Samsung ISOCELL HP2 | Sony IMX905 | ||
| Main Camera Sensor Size | 1/1.3" | 1/1.28" | ||
| Main Camera Camera Features | Multi-directional PDAF, OIS | Dual Pixel PDAF, Sensor-Shift OIS | ||
| Main Camera #2 Megapixel | 50MP | 48MP | ||
| Main Camera #2 Aperture | f/1.9 | f/2.2 | ||
| Main Camera #2 Field of View | 120° | 120° | ||
| Main Camera #2 Lens Type | Ultra-wide | Ultra-wide | ||
| Main Camera #2 Camera Sensor | Samsung ISOCELL JN3 | Sony IMX972 | ||
| Main Camera #2 Sensor Size | 1/2.5" | 1/2.55" | ||
| Main Camera #2 Camera Features | Dual Pixel PDAF, Super Steady Video | PDAF | ||
| Main Camera #3 Megapixel | 10MP | 48MP | ||
| Main Camera #3 Aperture | f/2.4 | f/2.8 | ||
| Main Camera #3 Lens Type | Telephoto | Telephoto | ||
| Main Camera #3 Sensor Size | 1/3.52" | 1/2.55" | ||
| Main Camera #3 Camera Features | 3x Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF | 4x Optical Zoom, PDAF | ||
| Main Camera #4 Megapixel | 50MP | - | ||
| Main Camera #4 Lens Type | Periscope | - | ||
| Main Camera #4 Sensor Size | 1/2.52" | - | ||
| Main Camera #4 Camera Features | 5x Optical Zoom, OIS, PDAF | - | ||
| Features | Best Face, Continuous Shooting, Digital zoom, Face Detection, Filter, Laser Auto Focus, Night mode, Optical Zoom, Portrait mode, Pro mode, Touch Focus | Action Mode, Burst Shot, Cinematic Mode, Digital zoom, Dual LED Dual Tone Flash, HDR, Live Photos, Macro Mode, Night mode, OIS, Optical Zoom, panorama, Photonic Engine, Portrait mode, Pro mode, RAW, Slow Motion, Time Lapse | ||
| Camera Stabilization | Hybrid Stabilization | Sensor Shift OIS | ||
| Raw Photo Support | Yes | Yes | ||
| Dynamic Video Recording Support | HDR 10+ recording | Dolby Vision Recording | ||
| Stereo Sound Recording Support | Yes | Yes | ||
| Slow Motion Recording | 240 fps slomo | 240 fps slomo | ||
| Auto Focus Type | Laser Auto Focus | Dual Pixel Auto Focus | ||
| Dedicated Imaging Chip | - | - | ||
| Max Zoom Supported | 50-100X | 20-50X | ||
| Optical Zoom Support | 5X | 4X | ||
| Video Features | 10-bit HDR, Dual Video, gyro-EIS, HDR10+, Pro Video Mode, Slow Motion, Stereo Sound Recording | 10-bit HDR, 3D (spatial) video/audio, Apple ProRAW, Cinematic mode, Dolby Vision, Dual Video, Log Video, Macro Video Recording, ProRes Video Recording, Slow Motion, Smart HDR 5, Stereo Sound Recording, Time-lapse Video | ||
| Video Recording | 1080p@120fps, 1080p@240fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 4K@120fps, 4K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 8K@24fps, 8K@30fps | 1080p@120fps, 1080p@25fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 4K@100fps, 4K@120fps, 4K@24fps, 4K@25fps, 4K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 720p@30fps | ||
| Log Video Recording Support | Yes | Yes | ||
| Main Camera #3 Camera Sensor | - | Sony IMX973 |
Selfie Camera
🏆 Winner: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
| Front Camera #1 Megapixel | 12MP | 18MP | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front Camera #1 Aperture | f/2.2 | f/1.9 | ||
| Front Camera #1 Focal Length | 26 mm | 20 mm | ||
| Front Camera #1 Pixel Size | 1.12 µm | 0.96 µm | ||
| Front Camera #1 Lens Type | Wide | Ultrawide | ||
| Front Camera #1 Camera Sensor | Samsung ISOCELL S5K3LU | Sony IMX914 | ||
| Front Camera #1 Sensor Size | 1/3.2" | - | ||
| Front Camera #1 Camera Features | Auto Focus, Dual Pixel PDAF | Dual Pixel PDAF | ||
| Features | Face unlock, HDR Photos, HDR10+, Screen flash | Auto Focus, Burst, Deep Fusion, Dual Capture, Live Photos, Night mode, Portrait Mode, Pro Mode, ProRAW, Screen flash, Time Lapse | ||
| Auto Focus Type | Dual Pixel Auto Focus | Dual Pixel Auto Focus | ||
| Video Features | 4k@30/60fps | 3D (spatial) Audio, Cinematic Mode (4k@30fps), Dolby Vision, gyro-EIS, ProRes Video Recording, Slow motion, Stereo Sound Recording, Time Lapse | ||
| Video Recording | 1080@30fps, 4k@30fps, 4k@60fps | 1080@120fps, 1080@30fps, 1080@60fps, 1080p@25, 4K@24, 4K@25, 4k@30fps, 4k@60fps | ||
| HDR Recording Support | SDR recording | Dolby Vision Recording |
Battery
🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
| Battery Capacity | 5000mAh | 5391mAh | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Battery Type | Lithium Ion | Lithium Ion | ||
| Wireless Charging Support | Yes | Yes | ||
| Reverse Wireless Charging Support | Yes | - | ||
| Bypass Charging Support | Yes | - | ||
| Charging Speed Wired | 60W | 60W | ||
| Charging Speed Wireless | 25W | 25W | ||
| Charging Speed Reverse Wireless | 4.5W | - | ||
| Charging Standards Supported | PD3.0, QC2.0, Qi2 | MAGSAFE, PD3.2, Qi 2.2 | ||
| Reverse Wired Charging Support | - | Yes | ||
| Charging Speed Reverse Wired | - | 4.5W |
Battery Test Results
| Charging Time (0 To 50%) | 20 min (0 to 50%) | - |
|---|
Memory
🏆 Winner: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
| Storage Size | 256 | 256 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Storage Type | UFS 4.0 | NvMe | ||
| RAM Size | 12 | 12 | ||
| RAM Type | LPDDR5X | LPDDR5X |
Network
| Sim Type | Hybrid Dual SIM (nano-SIM, eSIM) | Hybrid Dual SIM (nano-SIM, eSIM) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Support | 5G | 5G | ||
| Band Types | 5G, GSM, LTE FDD, LTE TD, UMTS, WCDMA | 5G, DC-HSDPA, EDGE, GSM, HSPA+, LTE FDD, LTE TD, UMTS | ||
| 2G Bands | 1800, 1900, 850, 900 | 1800, 1900, 850, 900 | ||
| 3G Bands | 1, 2, 4, 5, 8 | 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100, | ||
| 4G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 | 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, 53, 66, 106 | ||
| 5G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 77, 78 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 |
Connectivity
🏆 Winner: Tie
| Wi-Fi Standards | Wi-Fi 7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | Wi-Fi 7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Features | Wi-Fi Direct | Hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct | ||
| Wi-Fi Version | WiFi 7 | WiFi 7 | ||
| Bluetooth Version | 6 | 6 | ||
| Bluetooth Codecs | A2DP, LE | AAC, Apple Lossless | ||
| GPS | Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, GPS, QZSS | Beidou, Galileo, Glonass, GPS, Navic, QZSS | ||
| NFC Support | Supported | Supported |
Features
| Fingerprint Scanner | Ultrasonic (under display) | - | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensors on Board | Accelerometer, Barometer, Geomagnetic Sensor, Gyroscope, Hall Sensor, Light Sensor, Proximity Sensor, Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX, Ultra Wideband (UWB) Support | Accelerometer, Barometer, Dual Ambient Light Sensor, Emergency SOS, Face ID, Gyroscope, LiDAR Scanner, Magnetometer Sensor, Messages and Find My via satellite, Proximity Sensor, Ultra Wideband (UWB) Support | ||
| Haptic Feedback | X-axis Linear Motor | Taptic Engine | ||
| Stylus Support | Yes | - |
