Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Starting at
£894.79£1,449.00 new
iPhone 16 Pro Max
Starting at
£840.13£1,399.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max?
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 16 Pro Max starts at £840.13, £54.66 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Main camera
Software updates
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max specs
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 16 Pro Max both offer large 6.9 inch screens with smooth 120 Hz refresh rates, but the Galaxy provides a higher screen resolution for sharper detail and more RAM for keeping multiple apps open. The Galaxy has a quadruple rear camera setup compared to the iPhone's triple cameras, which suits those who want diverse photography options. The Galaxy is slightly lighter and slimmer, and uses a combination of physical SIM plus eSIM, while the iPhone relies on eSIM alone. Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra fits users who want more memory and a higher screen resolution, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max suits those who prefer iOS 18 and a triple camera system in a slightly more compact frame.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max price
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max battery life and software updates
Durability covers the operating system, update support, and physical design elements. Your choice here depends on your preferred software ecosystem and SIM card setup.
Operating System Experience
The Galaxy S26 Ultra runs on Android, while the iPhone 16 Pro Max uses iOS 18. This difference shapes your interaction with the phone, app availability, and overall user experience. Choose the Galaxy if you prefer Android's flexibility, or the iPhone if you favour iOS's integration and interface.
SIM Card Options
The Galaxy S26 Ultra supports both a physical SIM card and eSIM, which allows more flexibility if you want to use multiple phone numbers or switch carriers easily. The iPhone 16 Pro Max uses eSIM only, making it suited for users comfortable with digital SIM management.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
OS at launch
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max screen
Screen quality affects how you view content daily. Both devices have the same screen size and refresh rate, providing smooth and immersive visuals. Differences in resolution will influence sharpness and clarity.
Screen Resolution Detail
The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a resolution of 1440 x 3120, which provides more pixels and can deliver finer image detail and sharper text. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a resolution of 1320 x 2868, which still offers a clear and vibrant display but with slightly fewer pixels. If you watch a lot of high-resolution content or work with detailed images, the Galaxy's screen resolution may be noticeable.
Screen Size and Smoothness
Both phones have a 6.9 inch screen with a 120 Hz refresh rate, making them equally spacious and smooth for video playback, gaming, and scrolling. This size is large enough for immersive media viewing and multitasking on either phone.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max camera
Audiovisual features focus on camera systems and front-facing cameras, important for photography and video calls. The Galaxy offers more rear cameras, while front camera resolutions are identical.
Rear Camera Setup Variety
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a quadruple rear camera system, giving you more options for different types of shots, such as wide-angle, telephoto, or macro photography. The iPhone 16 Pro Max has a triple camera setup, which still covers many photography needs but with one fewer lens. Choose the Galaxy if you want a wider range of camera tools for creative photo work.
Front Camera Quality
Both phones feature a 12 megapixel front camera, suitable for detailed selfies and clear video calls. There is no difference in front camera resolution between the two, so either phone will perform well for front-facing photos and video chat.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max size and design
Miscellaneous features include physical size, weight, connectors, and network capabilities. These details can affect comfort, convenience, and compatibility with accessories.
Physical Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is slightly taller at 163.6 mm and wider at 78.1 mm compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max at 163 mm height and 77.6 mm width. The Galaxy is slimmer at 7.9 mm depth versus the iPhone's 8.3 mm. The Galaxy weighs 214 g, making it lighter than the iPhone's 227 g. These differences may influence how each phone feels in your hand or pocket.
Connector and Transfer Speed
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has USB-C without a specified version, suitable for charging and standard data transfer.
Network and Carrier Compatibility
Both phones support 5G networks and are unlocked, giving you freedom to choose your carrier. This ensures fast mobile internet and flexibility regardless of your network provider.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 16 Pro Max: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh)
- you want a higher-resolution main camera (200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels)
Buy the iPhone 16 Pro Max if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £840.13, £54.66 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra
What our customers say
Customers who have bought the Galaxy S26 Ultra often mention how the phone feels like new, with excellent camera and speed. Many appreciate the phone's condition, battery life, and the quality of the screen and lens. The variety of cameras and the phone's performance are highlighted as strong points, with some users noting minor cosmetic imperfections that do not affect use. Overall, the Galaxy S26 Ultra satisfies those wanting a premium phone with a large, detailed screen and versatile camera setup.
Buyers of the iPhone 16 Pro Max praise its like-new condition, responsive touchscreen, and excellent battery health. Users find the phone smooth in daily use, with a premium feel and a display that looks great. Many report the phone working perfectly with no scratches or dents and battery health often close to 100 percent. The iPhone is popular with those who want a well cared for device running iOS 18, with a solid triple camera and fast USB 3 connectivity.
Both phones suit buyers looking for a large screen phone in excellent condition, with the Galaxy appealing more to those wanting more RAM and camera versatility, and the iPhone suiting those preferring iOS and a slightly more compact, heavier phone.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max FAQs
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 16 Pro Max comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple A18 Pro on the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max is cheaper refurbished, from £840.13 compared with £894.79 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra gets updates until Mar 2033. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Both come in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB refurbished.
