Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle

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· 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1299

88.2/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

88.2

Benchmark

Performance90/100

Camera100/100

Battery86/100

· 2024

iPhone 16 Pro Max

$1199

80.0/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

80.0

Benchmark

Performance80/100

Camera85/100

Battery78/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

✓13g lighter chassis (214g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓Larger 5,000 mAh battery capacity (+315 mAh more capacity)
✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy iPhone 16 Pro Max:

✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($1199 vs $1299)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S26 Ultra	iPhone 16 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.9"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	3120x1440 (501 ppi)	2868x1320 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,600 nits peak	2,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 16	iOS 18
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	12 GB	8 GB
Internal Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera	200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2	48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Sony IMX903
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS	12 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	50 MP, f/2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/2.2	12 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions	163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm	163 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm
Weight	214 g	227 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	4,685 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	60W wired fast charging	27W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	25W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	6.0	5.3
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$1299	$1199

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S26 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 88.2/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its advanced processor architecture and verified 100/100 camera rating.

When to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 80.0 · Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+315 mAh more)

When to buy iPhone 16 Pro Max:

Lower launch price: $1199 (save $100)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max

Which phone is better: Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max?

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to iPhone 16 Pro Max (80.0/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 80.0 and Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+315 mAh more).