Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
Verdict
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores higher on the OH Rank (82 vs 81), winning 2 of 10 categories including Screen and Desktop Replacement. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 0.1mm wider than Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is the more recent release, from Sep 18, 2026.
Score Breakdown
Performance /15
Battery /15
Screen /15
IP Protection /15
Main Camera /15
Selfie /5
Video /5
SD Memory /5
Software /5
Desktop Replacement /5
TOTAL
82
81
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
78.1mm (3.07in) · Mar 4, 2026 · Rank #3
13+8+15+12+15+5+4+0+5+5 = 82
SUPERIOR* TOP Screen* TOP Camera* TOP Selfie* TOP Software* TOP Desktop Replacement
EDITORIAL: Samsung is sticking to same choices they did last year: top processor, top screen and a tried and true camera setup. Battery remains the same – a disappointing 5000mAh Lithium unit that provides for (barely) a full day of heavy use. Like Apple, Samsung believes that it is better to fully deplete and fully charge the battery every single day (excellent sales numbers confirm that their customers feel the same). The S26U is still a great phone: top performance and screen (albeit with gimmicky "first phone with a privacy screen" tagline), great main and selfie cameras, industry leading OS update policy, extensive AI integration, DeX and a powerful stylus.
PROs
flagship build, excellent SD 8 Elite Gen 5 with UFS 4.1 performance, outstanding >1300nits >490ppi LTPO AMOLED screen with HDR10+ and DX antireflective coating, great 200MP 24mm main + 10MP 67mm tele + 50MP 111mm periscope telephoto + 50MP ~13mm ultrawide (all with PDAF, only ultrawide lacks OIS), (Feb 2023 old) 12MP 26mm dual-Pixel PDAF selfie that still delivers great pics, above average video recording, stable and feature packed OS with 7 years of updates, rich AI offerings, industry best desktop replacement functionality, fast USB-C 3.2 with DisplayPort and OTG and powerful integration of build in stylus
CONs
disappointing lack of innovation Samsung used to be known for, wider then last year, same 5000mAh battery with 24hr endurance (but slightly faster) sub-60min 60W (25W wireless) charging, no expandable storage and Apple-like effort to limit access to best (wearables, peripherals) features to users fully committed to Samsung ecosystem
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
78mm (3.07in) · Sep 18, 2026 · Rank #4
15+13+11+12+15+5+5+0+5+0 = 81
SUPERIOR* BEST Video* TOP Performance* TOP Battery Endurance* TOP PHOTO/VIDEO* TOP Selfie* TOP Camera* TOP Software
EDITORIAL: (this is a pre-test listing based on reasonable expectation of battery, charging and imaging performance) In search of greater profits (because there is no such thing as "enough") Apple is back to microscopic improvments. This time: black color is back, new processor and a variable aperture on one of the lenses... that, and a $100 higher price is all you get.
PROs
tank-like build, fast A20 Pro (2nm) chip with NVMe performance, ~42hr endurance, very good 460ppi 120Hz LTPO OLED screen with Dolby Vision, IP68 protection, excellent 48MP 24mm f/1.5-4.0 OIS main + 48MP 100mm OIS periscope telephoto + 48MP 13mm ultrawide (all 3 with PDAF) setup, great 18MP 20mm PDAF selfie, best video recording, improved AI (by Google) OS with 6 years of updates, fast USB-C 3.2 port with Display Port tech, global availability
CONs
250g heavy, big and difficult to use one-hand, small (for a huge phone) 5400mAh (5500mAh on eSIM-only model) old-tech lithium battery with >70min slow 35W (25W wireless) charging, ~1000nits (dim) screen brightness, no expandable memory, no desktop replacement feature despite Display Port tech, very expensive, overall lack of innovation and excellence Apple products used to be known for
Both phones here were scored by me, using the same ten categories, with no ads, sponsorships, or manufacturer relationships — this comparison is as objective and honest as it gets.
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