iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra Match at $1,299, Split on Cameras and Ecosystems
Updated
Updated · Engadget · Sep 10
iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra Match at $1,299, Split on Cameras and Ecosystems
3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Sep 10
Summary
$1,299 buys either Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max or Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra in the U.S., with Engadget framing the choice less around raw capability than around camera priorities and iOS-versus-Android preference.
6.9-inch displays and roughly 5,000mAh batteries leave little daylight on core hardware, though Samsung’s phone is lighter at 214 grams versus 249 grams and thinner at 7.9 mm versus 8.75 mm.
48-megapixel triple cameras give the iPhone a new edge with a variable-aperture main sensor, while Samsung counters with a 200-megapixel main camera and dual telephoto lenses for 3x and 5x zoom.
120Hz screens and 60W charging are effectively even, but Apple offers a brighter 3,000-nit panel and its new 2-nanometer A20 Pro chip, while Samsung adds the S Pen, 8K video and up to 16GB RAM.
The comparison lands on fit rather than a clear winner: Apple favors users already tied to AirPods or Apple Watch, while Samsung leans toward buyers who want Android flexibility and stronger zoom tools.