Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The S26 is the cheaper one to own: around £683 over a typical contract, £629 less than the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
11 reviews 3.9
15 reviews
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
|
Samsung Galaxy S26
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 18 September 2026 | 11 March 2026 |
| Expert Rating |
4.5 11 reviews |
3.9 15 reviews |
| Screen | 6.9" | 6.3" |
| Display | Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1320 x 2868 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 409 |
| Rear Camera | 48 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 18 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Battery | 5,391 mAh | 4,300 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 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/6e/7 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm | 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm |
| Weight | 249 grams | 167 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Contracts |
£11.95/mo
£1055.00 upfront |
£28.29/mo
£9.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £1297.00 | £629.99 |
| Deals | Deals |
Cheapest Deals
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
£11.95 a month, £1055 upfront.
No mid-contract price increases.
Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)
Samsung Galaxy S26
£28.29 a month, £9 upfront.
No mid-contract price increases.
Use code: TREAT5 (£5 off)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26 cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is cheaper on contract at £682.96 over the life of the deal from £28.29 per month with £9.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy S26's 6.3", the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 409, and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 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 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £629.99.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 comes in 256GB, 512GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 use?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A20 Pro (2 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 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the more portable of the two: it's 82g lighter at 167 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm, and is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.
What operating system do the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 run?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max 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.