Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
On price there's almost nothing between them: both work out around £1262 over a full contract.
11 reviews 4.3
8 reviews
Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Release Date | 18 September 2026 | 7 August 2026 |
| Expert Rating |
4.5 11 reviews |
4.3 8 reviews |
| Screen | 6.9" | 8" |
| Display | 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 | 18 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A20 Pro (2 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Battery | 5,391 mAh | 5,000 mAh |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 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 | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm | 161.4 x 123.9 x 4.9 mm |
| Weight | 249 grams | 215 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP48 dust and water resistant (dust > 1mm; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min) |
| Contracts |
£11.95/mo
£1055.00 upfront |
£11.95/mo
£1005.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £1297.00 | £1849.00 |
| 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 Z Fold8 Ultra
£11.95 a month, £1005 upfront.
No mid-contract price increases.
Use code: 30JNOFF (£30 off)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is cheaper on contract at £1261.80 over the life of the deal from £11.95 per month with £1005.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 18 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 18 Pro Max's 6.9", the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 367, and the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max uses a 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 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 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 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £1297.00.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB, while the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra use?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is powered by the Apple A20 Pro (2 nm), 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 18 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 18 Pro Max is more compact. It's 34g lighter at 215 grams, though the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is actually the more compact phone at 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra is slimmer at 4.9mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), 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 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra run?
The Apple iPhone 18 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.