GoKawiilApple's iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra compared on design, weight and displays
A comparison of the flagship-sized iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra shows both share a 6.9-inch screen but differ in build: Apple mixes aluminum and glass while Samsung uses an all-glass back. Samsung's phone is lighter and thinner, has a marginally higher-resolution AMOLED display, and retains the S Pen stylus, while Apple's OLED screen edges ahead on peak brightness at 3,000 nits versus 2,600 nits.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
For buyers choosing between the two largest flagship phones, small differences in weight, thickness and brightness can shape daily comfort and outdoor usability more than raw spec sheets suggest. The S Pen remains a distinct advantage for Samsung, while Apple's stylus support requires a separate, costly accessory, reinforcing each ecosystem's different approach to productivity features.
- Both phones share a 6.9-inch display but use different rear materials—Apple's aluminum-glass mix versus Samsung's all-glass design.
- Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter and thinner than Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max, despite similar screen size.
- Samsung retains the built-in S Pen, while Apple requires purchasing a separate, expensive stylus accessory.
Anker 622 MagGo Magnetic Battery — Big-screen flagships like the iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra chew through battery with 120Hz displays running all day. Anker's MagGo magnetic power bank snaps right onto the back of your phone and doubles as a kickstand, so you can top up without cables while streaming.
See Anker 622 MagGo Magnetic Battery 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: engadget.com — Filipe Espósito, 2026-09-10
Published there as: “iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: How these XL phones compete”
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