GoKawiiliPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra now match at $1,300 flagship price point
Apple's new iPhone 18 Pro Max debuted at $1,299, a $100 jump from last year's model, putting its 256GB version near the price of Samsung's $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra. The two flagships now compete closely on battery life and cameras, despite differing designs: the 18 Pro Max uses an aluminum unibody with a 6.8-inch OLED screen, while the lighter S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a unique Privacy Display mode.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
Apple's price hike, tied to a broader RAM shortage affecting the whole iPhone lineup, narrows the cost gap with Samsung's top model, intensifying direct competition at the very top of the smartphone market. As both companies converge on price, differentiation now hinges more on design choices and software features like Samsung's privacy screen, which no rival has yet matched.
- iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299, up $100 from its predecessor, due partly to a RAM shortage.
- The 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max is now priced almost identically to the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
- Samsung's S26 Ultra remains lighter and thinner, with an exclusive Privacy Display feature not replicated by competitors.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra S Pen — If the comparison pushes you toward Samsung's flagship, a proper Galaxy S26 Ultra case is the first accessory to grab. It protects that big display and camera bump while keeping the slim profile that makes the Ultra feel premium in hand.
See Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra S Pen on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: cnet.com — Mike Sorrentino, 2026-09-10
Published there as: “Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Highest-End Phones Compared”
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