Apple iPhone 15 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone 15 Pro versus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The Samsung is ahead for display quality, with a larger 6.9-inch screen, a sharper 498 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel; the iPhone is the better match for its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 187g 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 better fit for display quality, while the iPhone is the one to consider for portability.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 15 Pro 5G works out around £823 all-in, about £101 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.3
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.9"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1179 x 2556 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
461 498
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A17 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
3,274 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Apple iOS Android
SIM Type
Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity
Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
187 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
£31.00/mo (£29.00 upfront) £37.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£399.00 £899.00
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Apple iPhone 15 Pro Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.3
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.9"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1179 x 2556 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 461 498
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A17 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 3,274 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Apple iOS Android
SIM Type Nano SIM nano-SIM and e-SIM
Connectivity Up to 5G Up to 5G
Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 187 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 £31.00/mo
£29.00 upfront
£37.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £399.00 £899.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Apple iPhone 15 Pro

24 Months

128GB

Black Titanium

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31 per month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Sky Blue

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£37.29 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro is cheaper on contract at £823.00 over the life of the deal from £31.00 per month with £29.00 upfront.

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

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 15 Pro's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 461, and the Apple iPhone 15 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro features a 48 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 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £399.00.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is powered by the Apple A17 Pro , 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 15 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro is the more portable of the two: it's 27g lighter at 187 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.6 x 70.6 x 8.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is slimmer at 7.9mm thick.

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

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro 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 15 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro 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.