Apple iPhone 13 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: With Apple iPhone 13 versus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the stronger argument is display quality. The Samsung has the useful edge there with a larger 6.9-inch screen, a sharper 498 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. The iPhone still has a role if you prefer its OLED panel and a lighter 173g body. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem, while the Samsung is the Android choice. The Samsung is the stronger choice for display quality, with the iPhone better suited to portability.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 13 works out around £394 all-in, about £530 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.6
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2532 x 1170 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 498
Rear Camera
12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,227 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
173 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£13.99/mo (£29.00 upfront) £37.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£189.00 £869.99
Apple iPhone 13 Apple iPhone 13 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.6
10 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2532 x 1170 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 498
Rear Camera 12 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A15 Bionic Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,227 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type nano-SIM and e- SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.0 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 173 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £13.99/mo
£29.00 upfront
£37.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £189.00 £869.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 13
Apple iPhone 13

24 Months

128GB

Blue

Refurbished

50GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£13.99 a month, £29 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£37.29 a month, £29 upfront.

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper on contract at £394.36 over the life of the deal from £13.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 13's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 13 uses a OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 features a 12 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £189.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?

The Apple iPhone 13 is powered by the Apple A15 Bionic, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is the more portable of the two: it's 41g lighter at 173 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.65 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 13 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 13 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 13 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.