6.9 inches vs 6.9 inches. Both are the biggest and most expensive "regular" smartphones of their brands. And this is exactly where the difference between Apple's and Samsung's approaches is most visible.
Short answer
Galaxy S26 Ultra - lighter, thinner, with the S Pen, two telephoto lenses and faster wired charging. iPhone 18 Pro Max - bigger battery, 2 nm A20 Pro chip, variable aperture and the best video on the market.
Key differences
| Spec | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9", 1320×2868, up to 3000 nits | 6.9", 1440×3120 |
| Chip | A20 Pro (2 nm) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Battery | 5391 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | wireless 25 W | wired 60 W, wireless 25 W |
| Cameras | 48 MP (f/1.48-f/4.0) + 48 MP ultra-wide + 48 MP telephoto 4× | 200 MP + 50 MP ultra-wide + 50 MP 5× + 10 MP 3× |
| Stylus | no | S Pen |
| Thickness / weight | 8.75 mm / 249 g | 7.9 mm / 214 g |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Design and ergonomics
A 35 g difference on a big phone is a lot. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is almost a millimetre thinner and feels noticeably lighter. If you hold your phone for long periods (reading, series on the go), Samsung is more comfortable here.
Display
Samsung has a higher resolution and the S Pen. Apple has up to 3000 nits. Both are 120 Hz. For work and notes - the Ultra; for watching content in the sun - both are excellent.
Cameras
The classic dilemma. Zoom - Samsung: two telephoto lenses (3× and 5×) and a 200 MP main camera give more framing options. Video and natural colours - iPhone. Plus, the variable aperture in the iPhone 18 Pro Max gives you depth-of-field control that most smartphones lack.
Battery and charging
The iPhone has a bigger capacity (5391 vs 5000 mAh) and a more efficient 2 nm chip - it is expected to last longer. Samsung, however, charges at 60 W wired - it refills faster.
Performance
Both are top tier. The A20 Pro is more efficient, the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 has a powerful GPU. Both run games at max settings.
Verdict: who should buy which
- Maximum battery life - iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Lightness and slimness - Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Notes, documents, signatures - Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Video - iPhone 18 Pro Max.
- Zoom - Galaxy S26 Ultra.
FAQ
Which one is lighter?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra - 214 g vs 249 g.
Which has the bigger battery?
The iPhone 18 Pro Max - 5391 mAh.
Which charges faster?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra - 60 W wired.