Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads
by 3 points on overall. The category breakdown below shows where the gap comes from.
Galaxy S26 Ultra leads overall versus iPhone 16 Pro Max. Software: 91.4 vs 100.
Scoring profile: balanced
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Best for users who prioritize build.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera.
This is MyTechAdvisor's own independently compiled analysis, not the manufacturer's — it's provided for informational purposes only and isn't guaranteed to be complete or error-free. See our editorial policy.
Spec table
Start with the key differences, then expand a section to check the full specifications.
Visible rows
49
Meaningful differences
25
Layout
Full side-by-side mode
Resolution
Key differencePeak Brightness
Key differencePixel Density
Key differenceDisplay Size
Refresh Rate
Panel Type
Display Protection
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Display Size Close match | 6.9" | 6.9" |
Resolution Phone B leads | 1320 x 2868 | 1440 x 3120Better |
Refresh Rate Close match | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness Phone B leads | 2000 nits | 2600 nitsBetter |
Pixel Density Phone B leads | 458 ppi | 498 ppiBetter |
Panel Type Close match | OLED | OLED |
Display Protection Needs more data | Ceramic Shield glass (2024 gen) | Corning Gorilla Armor 2, Mohs level 6 | DX anti-reflective coating Privacy Display |
RAM
Key differenceCPU Clock
Key differenceCPU Cluster Speeds
Key differenceBenchmark Score
Key differenceAnTuTu Score
Key differenceGeekbench (Multi)
Key differenceStorage Type
Key differenceStorage
Chipset
GPU
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
RAM Phone B leads | 8GB | 16GBBetter |
CPU Clock Phone B leads | 4.05GHz | 4.74GHzBetter |
CPU Cluster Speeds Phone B leads | 2x4.05GHz + 4x2.42GHz | 2x4.74GHz + 6x3.62GHzBetter |
Benchmark Score Phone B leads | 1740422 | 3892165Better |
AnTuTu Score Phone B leads | 1740422 | 3892165Better |
Geekbench (Multi) Phone B leads | 8606 | 11566Better |
Storage Close match | 1024GB | 1024GB |
Storage Type Phone A leads | NVMeBetter | UFS 4.0 |
Chipset Close match | Apple A18 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
GPU Needs more data | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Adreno 840 (1.3GHz) |
Rear Camera
Key differenceRear Camera (All Lenses)
Key differenceRear Sensor Size
Key differenceRear Aperture
Key differenceOptical Zoom
Key differenceMax Video Resolution
Key differenceFront Aperture
Key differenceFront Video Resolution
Key differenceOptical Image Stabilization
Front Camera
Camera Features
| Specification | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Rear Camera Phone B leads | 48MP | 200MPBetter |
Rear Camera (All Lenses) Phone B leads | 48MP + 12MP | 200MP + 50MP + 10MPBetter |
Rear Sensor Size Phone A leads | 1/1.28Better | 1/1.3 |
Rear Aperture Phone B leads | f/1.8 | f/1.4Better |
Optical Zoom Phone A leads | 5xBetter | 3x |
Optical Image Stabilization Close match | Yes | Yes |
Max Video Resolution Phone B leads | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EISBetter |
Front Camera Close match | 12MP | 12MP |
Front Aperture Phone A leads | f/1.9Better | f/2.2 |
Front Video Resolution Phone A leads | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EISBetter | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Camera Features Needs more data | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Generating honest comparison...
Galaxy S26 Ultra generally outperforms iPhone 16 Pro Max across key categories. Resolution: 1440 x 3120 vs 1320 x 2868 This makes Galaxy S26 Ultra the better choice for most users, though iPhone 16 Pro Max may excel in specific areas.
Best for users who prioritize build. iPhone 16 Pro Max offers strong performance in these areas.
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera. Galaxy S26 Ultra excels in processing power and multitasking.
Non-PTA
PTA
| Price | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Non-PTA | ≈ Rs 209,440 | ≈ Rs 299,317 |
| PTA | -- | -- |
≈ Converted from a fetched price. Store offers, when available, are listed separately.
Choosing between Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra can be tough. This comparison breaks down performance, camera, battery, and listed pricing so you can decide faster.
We focus on practical differences that impact daily use, not just spec sheet noise.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra wins more categories overall, making it the safer all‑round pick.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better choice overall, winning in 5 key categories.
The top differences are: Resolution (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Peak Brightness (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Pixel Density (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), RAM (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), CPU Clock (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage).
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers better camera performance overall.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra tends to last longer on a charge.
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max: non-PTA approximately Rs 209,440; PTA not entered. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: non-PTA approximately Rs 299,317; PTA not entered. These are phone reference prices, not optional store offers.
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