Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

Our Verdict: The comparison leans toward Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max over Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 if you care most about overall price, because it brings lower current contract pricing and the lower SIM-free starting price. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is still competitive thanks to a lighter 199-gram body, especially for buyers focused on portability. The iOS-versus-Android choice also matters if you are already tied into one ecosystem. That leaves Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max as the stronger fit for those priorities, while Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is easier to justify for portability.

The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the cheaper one to own: around £972 over a typical contract, £403 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.5
6 reviews
Screen
6.9" 7.6"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1828 x 2584
Pixels Per Inch
458 416
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 4,800 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions
163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight
227 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£39.29/mo (£29.00 upfront) £44.99/mo (£269.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£670.00 £1389.00

Prices updated 12 August 2026

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.5
6 reviews
Screen 6.9" 7.6"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1828 x 2584
Pixels Per Inch 458 416
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 10 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 4,800 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 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/6/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD
Dimensions 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm
Weight 227 grams 199 grams
Water Resistance IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £39.29/mo
£29.00 upfront
£44.99/mo
£269.00 upfront
SIM-free £670.00 £1389.00
Prices updated 12 August 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Natural Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£39.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

24 Months

256GB

Graphite

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£44.99 per month, £269 upfront.

Use code: IDM10OFF (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper on contract at £971.96 over the life of the deal from £39.29 per month with £29.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 has the bigger screen at 7.6" compared to the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max's 6.9", the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 416, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 has a LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 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 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £670.00.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 use?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 uses the Qualcomm SM8750-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is lighter but the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is more compact. It's 28g lighter at 199 grams, though the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is actually the more compact phone at 163 x 77.6 x 8.3 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 is rated IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 runs Android. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.