BeastCompare

Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max: Which One Should You Buy?

iPhone 18 Pro Max edges ahead with a BeastScore of 92.8/100 — but the right choice depends on what matters to you.

Head-to-head
Comparing 2 devicesSwipe ⇄
Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

Galaxy S26 Ultra
88/ 100
Launch price$1,299
Apple · 2026

iPhone 18 Pro Max

iPhone 18 Pro Max
93/ 100
Launch price$1,499
Head-to-head

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins 5 of 8 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

Galaxy S26 Ultra
Galaxy S26 Ultra
1 win
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
5 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeediPhone 18 Pro Max
    90
    96
  • CameraGalaxy S26 Ultra
    100
    94
  • VideoNot enough data
  • SelfieiPhone 18 Pro Max
    60
    76
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    86
    94
  • DisplayiPhone 18 Pro Max
    90
    95
  • ConnectivityTie
    100
    100
  • SecurityTie
    100
    100
  • ValueiPhone 18 Pro Max
    55
    58
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 5,000 mAh
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra charges faster60W vs 45W
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra has a sharper main camera200 MP vs 48 MP
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter214 g vs 249 g
  • Galaxy S26 Ultra launched cheaper$1,299 vs $1,499
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 12 MP
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A20 Pro (2 nm) vs Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max can text for help by satelliteYes vs No
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra
  • ✓35 g lighter (214 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓$200 cheaper at launch ($1,299 vs $1,499)
  • ✓200 MP main camera
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+567 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera
  • ✓6.9" display at 120 Hz

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy S26 UltraiPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Display
Screen typeDynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size6.9"6.9"
Resolution & Density3120x1440 (501 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz adaptive120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness2,600 nits peak1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionNot listedCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Performance
Chipset / ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3nm)Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresNot listedHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsAdreno 840Apple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemAndroid 16iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory12 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1024GB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedNot listedNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Camera
Primary Camera200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP248 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto Zoom10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera50 MP, f/248 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video
Main Camera Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps1080p@240fps10-bit HDRDolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps)ProRes RAWApple Log 2Spatial 3D video & stereo sound
Front Video
Not listed
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens12 MP, f/2.218 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight214 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsNot listedGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNot listedNano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP68IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity5,000 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging60W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging25W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerNot listedYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth6.0Bluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB-C 3.2USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (contactless payment)Yes (Apple Pay Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
11. Sensors & Security
SensorsNot listedFace ID, LiDAR scanner, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Satellite FeaturesNot listedEmergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite
12. Colors & Overview
ColorsNot listedBlack, Silver, Glacier, Burgundy
Launch Price$1,299$1,499
Our verdict

iPhone 18 Pro Max wins — BeastScore 92.8/100

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 5,000 mAh) and sharper selfie camera (18 MP vs 12 MP). The Galaxy S26 Ultra is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (60W vs 45W).

Buy Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want

Faster wired charging: 60W vs 45W · Higher-resolution main camera: 200 MP vs 48 MP

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 5,000 mAh · Brighter screen: 3,000 nits vs 2,600 nits

Common questions

Which is better: Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 18 Pro Max?

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the better pick for most people thanks to its bigger battery (5,567 mAh vs 5,000 mAh) and sharper selfie camera (18 MP vs 12 MP). The Galaxy S26 Ultra is worth a look if you prefer its faster charging (60W vs 45W). BeastScore: Galaxy S26 Ultra 88.2/100, iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 6.9-inch display and 5000 mAh battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max compare for speed?

Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 90/100 for performance; iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100.

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