Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes out ahead overall, scoring 82.5% to 17.5% across the categories compared — particularly battery capacity (5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh).
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max scored 17.5%, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scored 82.5%.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is priced around $729, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra around $1299.
How Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Rank
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple A18 Pro ranks in the top 3% of 37 chipsets we track.
Titanium build ranks in the top 20% of 5 build materials we track.
Wi-Fi 7 ranks in the top 25% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.
4K@24/25/30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 43% of 7 front-video specs we track.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ranks in the top 14% of 37 chipsets we track.
Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display ranks in the top 7% of 16 display types we track.
Glass/Aluminum build ranks in the top 40% of 5 build materials we track.
Wi-Fi 7 ranks in the top 25% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.
4K@30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 15% of 7 front-video specs we track.
8K@24/30fps main camera video ranks in the top 63% of 16 video-recording specs we track.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Display
| Spec |
 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Display size | 6.9 in | 6.9 in |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Brightness | 1000 nits | 2600 nits |
| Display type | LTPO Super Retina | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 | 1440 x 3120 |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Camera
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Main camera resolution | 48 MP | 200 MP |
| Ultrawide camera resolution | 48 MP | 50 MP |
| Periscope camera resolution | 12 MP | 50 MP |
| Front camera resolution | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Periscope zoom | 5 x | 5 x |
| Main aperture | 1.8 f | 1.4 f |
| Front aperture | 1.9 f | 2.2 f |
| Ultrawide aperture | 2.2 f | 1.9 f |
| Optical image stabilization | Yes | Yes |
| Main video | 4K@120fps | 8K@24/30fps |
| Front video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps | 4K@30/60fps |
| Camera features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Battery
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4685 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charge time | 30 min | 30 min |
| Wired charging | 25 W | 60 W |
| Wireless charging | 25 W | 25 W |
| Charging port | USB-C | USB-C |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Performance
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| Chipset | Apple A18 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Storage options | 256GB, 512GB, 8GB | 256GB, 512GB, 16GB |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Network & Connectivity
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| 5G (sub-6) | Yes | Yes |
| 5G (mmWave) | No | No |
| 5G capable | Yes | Yes |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth version | 5.3 | 6 |
| Wi-Fi generation | 7 | 7 |
| SIM type | Nano-SIM/eSIM | Nano-SIM/eSIM |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Build & Design
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 227 g | 214 g |
| Thickness | 8.3 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Build material | Titanium | Glass/Aluminum |
| IP rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Available colors | Black Titanium, White Titanium, Natural Titanium, Desert Titanium | Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: OS & Software
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Operating system | iOS 18 | One UI 8.5 |
| OS version | — | 16 |
| Update policy | Not Specified | 7 Updates |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Audio
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Dolby Atmos | No | No |
| Stereo speakers | Yes | Yes |
| Headphone jack | No | No |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Extras & Features
| Spec |
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
|
|---|---|---|
| Desktop mode | No | No |
| Stylus support | No | No |
| Satellite connectivity | No | No |
| Wireless reverse charging | Yes | Yes |
Where each phone wins
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
- Front aperture: 1.9 f (vs 2.2 f)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Battery capacity: 5000 mAh (vs 4685 mAh)
- Wired charging: 60 W (vs 25 W)
- Main camera resolution: 200 MP (vs 48 MP)
- Ultrawide camera resolution: 50 MP (vs 48 MP)
- Periscope camera resolution: 50 MP (vs 12 MP)
- Main aperture: 1.4 f (vs 1.8 f)
- Ultrawide aperture: 1.9 f (vs 2.2 f)
- Brightness: 2600 nits (vs 1000 nits)
- RAM: 12 GB (vs 8 GB)
- Bluetooth version: 6 (vs 5.3 )
- Weight: 214 g (vs 227 g)
- Thickness: 7.9 mm (vs 8.3 mm)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the better battery capacity, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the better battery capacity at 5000 mAh, versus 4685 mAh on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Which has the better main camera resolution, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the better main camera resolution at 200 MP, versus 48 MP on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Which has the better RAM, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the better RAM at 12 GB, versus 8 GB on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.
Which has the better weight, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the better weight at 214 g, versus 227 g on the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max.