Apple iPhone 16 Plus vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: With Apple iPhone 16 Plus versus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the stronger argument is display quality. The Samsung has the useful edge there with a sharper 498 PPI display, its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera. The iPhone still has a role if you prefer its Super Retina XDR OLED panel and a lighter 199g body. 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 16 Plus is the cheaper one to own: around £772 over a typical contract, £152 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.2
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.9"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
2796 x 1290 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
460 498
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,674 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
199 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
£31.79/mo (£9.00 upfront) £37.29/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£539.00 £899.00
Apple iPhone 16 Plus Apple iPhone 16 Plus Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.2
12 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.9"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 2796 x 1290 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 460 498
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,674 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/6e/7 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 199 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 £31.79/mo
£9.00 upfront
£37.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £539.00 £899.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Plus
Apple iPhone 16 Plus

24 Months

128GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£31.79 per month, £9 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 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper on contract at £771.96 over the life of the deal from £31.79 per month with £9.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Plus's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 460, and the Apple iPhone 16 Plus uses a 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 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus 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 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £539.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is available in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is powered by the Apple A18 (3 nm), 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 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus is the more portable of the two: it's 15g lighter at 199 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 160.9 x 77.8 x 7.80 mm.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus 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 16 Plus and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Plus 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.