Apple iPhone 15 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Our Verdict: With Apple iPhone 15 versus Samsung Galaxy S26+, the stronger argument is display quality. The Samsung has the useful edge there with a larger 6.7-inch screen, a sharper 513 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. The iPhone still has a role if you prefer its Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a lighter 171g body, and its IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) rating. 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.

The iPhone 15 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £528 over a typical contract, £288 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
£14.99/mo (£139.00 upfront) £32.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£334.99 £799.00
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 £14.99/mo
£139.00 upfront
£32.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £334.99 £799.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15
Apple iPhone 15

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

200GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£14.99 a month, £139 upfront.

Use code: SAVING10 (£10 off)

Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung Galaxy S26+

24 Months

256GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£32.79 a month, £29 upfront.

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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 £528.36 over the life of the deal from £14.99 per month with £139.00 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.