Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Our Verdict: For Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max versus Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, the recommendation depends mostly on what you want from the hardware. The Samsung is ahead for portability, with a larger 8-inch screen, its LTPO AMOLED 2X panel, and a higher-resolution 200MP rear camera; the iPhone is the better match for a sharper 458 PPI display and its LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel. 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 portability, while the iPhone is the one to consider for display quality.

Over a full contract, the iPhone 16 Pro Max works out around £972 all-in, about £583 less than the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

Expert Rating
4.4
11 reviews
4.2
4 reviews
Screen
6.9" 8"
Display
LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution
1320 x 2868 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch
458 367
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,685 mAh 5,000 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 215 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 (£449.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£649.99 £1846.99
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Expert Rating 4.4
11 reviews
4.2
4 reviews
Screen 6.9" 8"
Display LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED LTPO AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 2
Resolution 1320 x 2868 1968 x 2184
Pixels Per Inch 458 367
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A18 Pro Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,685 mAh 5,000 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 215 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
£449.00 upfront
SIM-free £649.99 £1846.99
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max

24 Months

256GB

Desert Titanium

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£39.29 per month, £29 upfront.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

Violet Shadow

100GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£44.99 per month, £449 upfront.

Use code: SUMMER10 (£10 off)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 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 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra has the bigger screen at 8" 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 367, and the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra 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 Ultra?

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £649.99.

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

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

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

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A18 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

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

It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is lighter but the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is more compact. It's 12g lighter at 215 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 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.

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

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 Ultra 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 Ultra run?

The Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 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.