Apple iPhone 15 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy S26+ came out in 2026, after the Apple iPhone 15 Plus in 2023, so it's the more recent phone. The S26+ has the better camera on paper, 50MP versus 48MP, and the S26+ packs the bigger battery, 4900mAh against 4383mAh, though iOS and Android manage power differently, so more mAh doesn't always mean longer battery life. The S26+ has the sharper display at 513 PPI to 460, and the S26+ is the lighter phone at 190g against 201g. Get the S26+ if those extras are worth it to you; otherwise the iPhone 15 Plus 5G covers the basics for less.
The iPhone 15 Plus 5G is the cheaper one to own: around £753 over a typical contract, £83 less than the S26+.
14 reviews 4.0
15 reviews
Apple iPhone 15 Plus
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Samsung Galaxy S26+
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|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 22 September 2023 | 11 March 2026 |
| Expert Rating |
4.2 14 reviews |
4.0 15 reviews |
| Screen | 6.7" | 6.7" |
| Display | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1290 x 2796 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 460 | 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 | 4,383 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 | 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.8 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 201 grams | 190 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP 68 |
| Contracts |
£59.00/mo
£30.00 upfront |
£11.95/mo
£579.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £328.00 | £814.99 |
| Deals | Deals |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+ cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus is cheaper on contract at £753.00 over the life of the deal from £59.00 per month with £30.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 460, and the Apple iPhone 15 Plus 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 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus 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 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £328.00.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 15 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26+ use?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus 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 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is the more portable of the two: it's 11g lighter at 190 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm, and is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 15 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus 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 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26+ run?
The Apple iPhone 15 Plus 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.