Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Our Verdict: Hardware priorities split the decision here, with the Apple iPhone 15 strongest for the lighter 171g body versus 190g and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ stronger for the larger 6.7" screen versus 6.1", the larger 4900mAh battery, with the usual caveat that capacity is not the whole battery-life story. The Apple iPhone 15 is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £320, roughly £476 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26+. Software preference matters as well, because this is an iOS versus Android choice as much as a hardware comparison. That makes the Apple iPhone 15 the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.7" screen versus 6.1" on the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is worth paying extra for.

The iPhone 15 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £547 over a typical contract, £317 less than the S26+.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
461 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,349 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS
Apple iOS Android 16
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
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight
171 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts
£20.50/mo (£10.00 upfront) £12.00/mo (£565.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£334.99 £799.00

Prices updated 19 July 2026

Apple iPhone 15 Apple iPhone 15 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 461 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,349 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB
OS Apple iOS Android 16
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 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight 171 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts £20.50/mo
£10.00 upfront
£12.00/mo
£565.00 upfront
SIM-free £334.99 £799.00
Prices updated 19 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 15

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

1GB

Data

£20.50 per month, £10 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung Galaxy S26+

24 Months

256GB

Cobalt Violet

300GB

Data

£12 per month, £565 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+ cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 15 is cheaper on contract at £547.00 over the life of the deal from £20.50 per month with £10.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 15's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 461, and the Apple iPhone 15 uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 15 features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a 50 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 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 15 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £334.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 15 is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ use?

The Apple iPhone 15 is powered by the Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 15 is the more portable of the two: it's 19g lighter at 171 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 147.6 x 71.6 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 15 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is rated IP 68.

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ run?

The Apple iPhone 15 runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.