BeastCompare

Galaxy Z Fold8 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 Z Fold8

Galaxy Z Fold8
92/ 100
Launch price$1,649
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 9 categories

Here's exactly where each phone is stronger.

Galaxy Z Fold8
Galaxy Z Fold8
1 win
iPhone 18 Pro Max
iPhone 18 Pro Max
5 wins
At a glance

Bigger shape = better phone.

SpeedCameraVideoSelfieBatteryDisplayConnectivitySecurityValue
Galaxy Z Fold8iPhone 18 Pro Max
Category winners

Scores out of 100. How we score

  • SpeedTie
    96
    96
  • CameraiPhone 18 Pro Max
    92
    94
  • VideoiPhone 18 Pro Max
    65
    95
  • SelfieiPhone 18 Pro Max
    58
    88
  • BatteryiPhone 18 Pro Max
    86
    94
  • DisplayTie
    95
    95
  • ConnectivityTie
    100
    100
  • SecurityiPhone 18 Pro Max
    45
    100
  • ValueGalaxy Z Fold8
    60
    58
Key differences
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery5,567 mAh vs 4,800 mAh
  • Galaxy Z Fold8 has a sharper main camera50 MP vs 48 MP
  • Galaxy Z Fold8 has the bigger screen7.6" vs 6.9"
  • Galaxy Z Fold8 is lighter201 g vs 249 g
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max launched cheaper$1,499 vs $1,649
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has a sharper selfie camera18 MP vs 10 MP
  • Galaxy Z Fold8 has more RAM16 GB vs 12 GB
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max has the faster chipApple A20 Pro (2 nm) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
  • Galaxy Z Fold8 records better video8K vs 4K@120
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max is better protected from water and dustIP68 vs IP48
  • iPhone 18 Pro Max can text for help by satelliteYes vs No
See all specs ↓

Why buy each phone

Swipe ⇄
Reasons to buy Galaxy Z Fold8
  • ✓48 g lighter (201 g vs 249 g), easier to hold
  • ✓50 MP main camera
  • ✓7.6" display at 120 Hz
Reasons to buy iPhone 18 Pro Max
  • ✓$150 cheaper at launch ($1,499 vs $1,649)
  • ✓Bigger 5,567 mAh battery (+767 mAh)
  • ✓48 MP main camera

Full specifications

Swipe ⇄
SpecificationGalaxy Z Fold8iPhone 18 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen
Screen typeFoldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 3000 nits (peak)LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision
Screen Size7.6"6.9"
Resolution & Density2448 x 1848 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~404 ppi) (404 ppi)1320 x 2868 pixels (19.5:9 ratio) (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate120 Hz adaptive120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness1525 nits (measured)1000 nits (typ), 1600 nits (HBM), 3000 nits (peak)
Screen ProtectionCorning Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 3 / Flex TitaniumCeramic Shield 2, Anti-reflective coating, Always-On display
2. Platform & Performance
Chipset / ProcessorQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) (2nm)
CPU CoresNot listedHexa-core (2x High Performance + 4x Efficiency)
GPU GraphicsNot listedApple GPU (7-core graphics)
Operating SystemAndroid 17, One UI 9 (7 major OS updates) 17iOS 27
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory16 GB LPDDR12GB LPDDR5X
Internal Storage256GB / 512GB / 1TB256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB
Storage SpeedUFS 4.xNVMe fast flash
Card SlotNoNo
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Camera
Primary Camera50 MP, f/1.8, 23mm (wide), 1/1.56", OIS, dual pixel PDAF, OIS48 MP, f/1.5, 24mm (wide), 1/1.28", 1.22µm, OIS, Dual pixel PDAF, Sensor-shift OIS (gen 2)
Telephoto ZoomNone (digital zoom only)48 MP (4x optical zoom), f/2.8, 100mm (periscope telephoto), OIS
Ultrawide Camera50 MP, f/1.9, 120˚ (ultrawide)48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide)
LiDAR / DepthNoneTOF 3D LiDAR scanner (depth sensing & night portrait)
5. Video
Main Camera Video
8K@30fps4K@30/60/120fps1080p@240fpsgyro-EISOIS
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
4K@30/60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
4K@24/25/30/60fps1080p@120fpsgyro-EISDolby Vision HDR
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens10 MP, f/2.2, 18mm (ultrawide)18 MP, f/1.9, 20mm (ultrawide multi-aspect)
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy Z Fold8 Lightest Chassis
DimensionsUnfolded: 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.5 mm, Folded: 81.9 x 123.9 x 9.7 mm163.4 x 78 x 8.8 mm (6.43 x 3.07 x 0.35 in)
Weight201 g249 g (8.78 oz)
Build MaterialsGlass front (Gorilla Glass Victus Ceramic 3) folded, plastic front unfolded, glass back, aluminum frameGlass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum frame, aluminum/glass back
SIM TypeNano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (dual active)Nano-SIM + eSIM + dual eSIM support
Water ResistanceIP48 dust and water resistantIP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min)
8. Battery & Charging🏆 iPhone 18 Pro Max Wins Battery
Battery Capacity4,800 mAh5,567 mAh
Wired Fast Charging45W wired fast charging45W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging20W wireless charging25W wireless charging
Reverse ChargingNot listedNot listed
9. Sound & Audio
LoudspeakerYes, with stereo speakersYes, with stereo speakers (Spatial Audio)
3.5mm Headphone JackNoNo
10. Connectivity
Wi-Fi StandardWi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct)Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be, tri-band, hotspot)
Bluetooth6.0, A2DP, LE, aptX HDBluetooth 6.0, A2DP, LE
USB Port & SpeedUSB Type-C 3.2, OTGUSB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (up to 10Gbps), DisplayPort video out
NFCYes (Samsung Pay Visa, MasterCard certified)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$1,649$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 4,800 mAh) and lower launch price ($1,499 vs $1,649). The Galaxy Z Fold8 is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP).

Buy Galaxy Z Fold8 if you want

Larger display: 7.6" vs 6.9" · More RAM: 16 GB vs 12 GB

Buy iPhone 18 Pro Max if you want

Larger battery: 5,567 mAh vs 4,800 mAh · Optical telephoto zoom (1 telephoto lens)

Common questions

Which is better: Galaxy Z Fold8 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 4,800 mAh) and lower launch price ($1,499 vs $1,649). The Galaxy Z Fold8 is worth a look if you prefer its sharper main camera (50 MP vs 48 MP). BeastScore: Galaxy Z Fold8 91.8/100, iPhone 18 Pro Max 92.8/100.

What are the main battery and display differences between Galaxy Z Fold8 and iPhone 18 Pro Max?

Galaxy Z Fold8 has a 7.6-inch display and 4800 mAh battery. iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 6.9-inch display and 5567 mAh battery.

How do Galaxy Z Fold8 and iPhone 18 Pro Max compare for speed?

Galaxy Z Fold8 scores 96/100 for performance; iPhone 18 Pro Max scores 96/100.

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