Apple Sets iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299 as September 9 Launch Nears Samsung S26 Ultra
Updated
Updated · Tom's Guide · Aug 30
Apple Sets iPhone 18 Pro Max at $1,299 as September 9 Launch Nears Samsung S26 Ultra
3 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · Aug 30
Summary
$1,299 is the expected starting price for Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max, which is slated for a September 9 unveiling alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line and a foldable iPhone Ultra.
Apple’s flagship is tipped to match Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra on screen size at 6.9 inches and entry price, while adding a smaller Dynamic Island and a larger 5,391-5,567 mAh battery.
Performance is expected to be a key selling point: the rumored 2nm A20 Pro chip could deliver an 18% speed gain and 30% better power efficiency, challenging Samsung’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 advantage.
Cameras remain a trade-off, with Samsung’s S26 Ultra offering a 200MP main sensor and dual telephotos, while Apple is expected to stick with three 48MP lenses but add variable aperture for more manual control.
The comparison remains provisional because Apple’s specifications are still based on leaks, while Samsung’s S26 Ultra has been on sale since March and is already available below its original MSRP.