iPhone 18 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra Compared: Key Differences Revealed

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra are among the most powerful flagship smartphones available in 2026, offering premium displays, advanced cameras, high-end processors and long-lasting batteries.

However, despite their similarities, the two smartphones differ in several important areas, including camera technology, design, battery capacity, software and additional features.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max features a 6.9-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes with a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, also supporting a 120Hz refresh rate and reaching up to 2,600 nits.

Samsung’s device has a higher display resolution and pixel density, while Apple’s phone offers greater peak brightness. The Galaxy S26 Ultra also introduces a Privacy Display feature designed to reduce visibility from side angles.

In terms of cameras, the iPhone 18 Pro Max comes with a 48MP main camera featuring a variable aperture, alongside 48MP ultra-wide and telephoto cameras. Its variable aperture gives users greater control over light intake and depth of field.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra, meanwhile, features a 200MP main camera, a 50MP ultra-wide camera and two telephoto cameras offering 3x and 5x optical zoom. Samsung’s phone also supports digital zoom of up to 100x, compared with 40x on the iPhone.

The two smartphones also differ in design. The iPhone 18 Pro Max measures 163.4 x 78 x 8.8mm and weighs 249 grams, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra measures 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9mm and weighs 214 grams. Samsung’s phone is therefore slimmer and lighter despite including an S Pen stylus.

Both devices are powered by flagship processors. The iPhone 18 Pro Max uses Apple’s A20 Pro chip with 12GB of RAM, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor and comes with either 12GB or 16GB of RAM.

The iPhone runs on iOS 27, while Samsung’s flagship runs Android 17. Both companies are expected to provide several years of software updates.

Battery capacity is another area where the two phones differ. The iPhone 18 Pro Max has a 5,567mAh battery in eSIM-only models and 5,391mAh in other versions, compared with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 5,000mAh battery.

Both smartphones support 60W wired charging and 25W wireless charging, while the iPhone also supports Apple’s MagSafe magnetic charging system.

Pricing starts at $1,299 for the 256GB iPhone 18 Pro Max, while the 256GB Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99 in the United States. However, the iPhone is more expensive at higher storage capacities, with its 2TB model reaching $2,499.

The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers several features not found on the iPhone, including the S Pen, Privacy Display and additional telephoto camera. Apple’s flagship, meanwhile, offers a larger battery, variable camera aperture, MagSafe and up to 2TB of storage.

Both smartphones target users looking for premium performance, advanced photography and high-end features, with the main differences coming down to their operating systems, camera approaches and exclusive hardware features.

Vivo T5 Lite 5G, T5 Pro 5G Get New RAM and Storage Variants

Vivo has introduced new RAM and storage configurations for its T5 Lite 5G and T5 Pro 5G smartphones in India.

The Vivo T5 Lite 5G has been listed on Flipkart with a new 4GB RAM + 64GB storage variant. Although the new model is not currently available for purchase, it is listed at Rs 30,999. However, this is likely a placeholder price, as the existing T5 Lite starts at Rs 20,499 for the 6GB RAM + 128GB storage version.

The new 4GB + 64GB model is therefore expected to be priced below Rs 20,000 when it becomes available.

Meanwhile, the Vivo T5 Pro 5G is also getting a new 6GB RAM configuration, expanding the number of options available to buyers.

The new variants are aimed at giving consumers more choices across the mid-range segment, with the T5 Lite positioned as the more affordable option.

Vivo Launches X Fold6 Globally to Rival Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra

Vivo has officially launched its latest premium foldable smartphone, the Vivo X Fold6, in Europe, bringing a range of flagship features designed to compete with Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra.

The X Fold6 was first introduced in China in June before making its global debut. The international version comes with a 6,900mAh BlueVolt battery, supporting 80W wired charging and 40W wireless charging. The Chinese model, meanwhile, features a slightly larger 7,000mAh battery.

The foldable measures 9.4mm when folded and 4.4mm when unfolded, while weighing approximately 228 grams.

Under the hood, the Vivo X Fold6 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of internal storage. It runs OriginOS 7 for Fold and Vivo promises five major Android OS updates, up to Android 23, along with seven years of security updates through 2033.

For photography, the smartphone features a Zeiss-tuned triple rear camera system comprising a 200MP main camera, 50MP APO telephoto camera and 50MP ultra-wide camera. It also has 20MP selfie cameras on both the main and cover displays.

The device features an 8.02-inch LTPO main display with a 2504 × 2312 resolution and a 6.51-inch cover display with a 2528 × 1120 resolution. Both screens support a 120Hz refresh rate, up to 5,000 nits peak brightness, HDR Vivid, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision.

Other features include stereo speakers, Wi-Fi 6, NFC, Vivo’s V3+ imaging chip and IPX8/IPX9/IP5X protection against water and dust.

Vivo has also made the X Fold6 compatible with its Zeiss Telephoto Extender Gen 2, which provides an equivalent focal length of up to 200mm for photography and video.

The Vivo X Fold6 is available in black and blue and starts at €2,199. It is currently available in Germany, Austria and Switzerland through Vivo’s official website.

Samsung Raises US Prices of Galaxy S26 Series

Samsung has increased the official US prices of its Galaxy S26, Galaxy S26 Plus and Galaxy S26 Ultra smartphones, with most configurations receiving a $100 price hike.

According to PhoneArena, the price increase comes amid a global memory shortage that has pushed up component costs. The Galaxy S26 series had already launched at higher prices than its Galaxy S25 predecessors in some configurations.

Under Samsung’s new pricing structure, the Galaxy S26 with 256GB of storage now starts at $999.99, while the 512GB version costs $1,199.99.

The Galaxy S26 Plus is now priced at $1,199.99 for 256GB and $1,399.99 for 512GB.

Meanwhile, the Galaxy S26 Ultra costs $1,399.99 for the 256GB model, $1,599.99 for 512GB, and $1,999.99 for the 1TB version.

The 1TB Galaxy S26 Ultra received the biggest increase, rising by $200 from its previous $1,799.99 list price.

Despite the increases, some retailers are still offering discounts. Amazon, for example, was reported to be selling the 512GB Galaxy S26 Ultra for as much as $300 below Samsung’s newly revised list price.

PhoneArena also noted that Samsung’s Galaxy S26 FE, Galaxy Z Fold 8, Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Flip 8 and Galaxy A-series smartphones had not received similar price increases at the time of publication.

The price changes have also raised expectations about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 series. PhoneArena expects the higher component costs could influence the launch prices of the next-generation devices, although Samsung has not officially announced Galaxy S27 pricing.

Samsung Unveils Galaxy Tab S12 Series with Advanced AI and Powerful Performance

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its latest Galaxy Tab S12 series, introducing the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra and Galaxy Tab S12+ with upgraded performance, longer battery life, advanced Galaxy AI features and ultra-thin designs.

Samsung said the new tablets are designed to support productivity, learning, creativity and professional tasks, combining large displays with powerful hardware and AI-powered tools.

The Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra measures just 5.1mm thick, making it Samsung’s thinnest Galaxy Tab yet. It features a 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display, while the Galaxy Tab S12+ comes with a 12.6-inch display. Both models support a 120Hz refresh rate and peak brightness of up to 1,600 nits.

The tablets are powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 processor and run Android 17 with One UI 9. Samsung says the new processor delivers up to 61 percent faster NPU processing, 19 percent faster CPU performance and 17 percent improved GPU performance compared with the Galaxy Tab S11 Ultra.

For extended use, the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra comes with an 11,600mAh battery and supports up to 23 hours of video playback, while the S12+ has a 10,600mAh battery and supports up to 21 hours of video playback. Both support 45W charging.

Samsung has also introduced a redesigned 3D Vapor Chamber to improve heat dissipation during demanding tasks such as video editing and graphic design. Both tablets carry an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The new tablets also feature Samsung's latest Galaxy AI capabilities. Users can work with Samsung Notes, Note Assist, Gemini and other AI-powered tools while using the large display and S Pen. Multi Window allows users to divide the screen into up to three sections for multitasking.

The tablets come with an S Pen in the box, while optional accessories include the Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim.

Samsung is also offering a range of software benefits, including a six-month trial of Google AI Pro, four months of Adobe Photoshop Premium, six months of Notability, one year of Goodnotes and discounts or trials for apps such as LumaFusion, Notion and Clip Studio Paint.

The Galaxy Tab S12 series will be available from October 7, 2026, in Grey and Silver.

In the UK, the Galaxy Tab S12+ starts at £1,199, while the Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra starts at £1,399.

Samsung said both models will receive up to seven generations of OS upgrades and security updates.

Key Specifications

Feature| Galaxy Tab S12 Ultra| Galaxy Tab S12+

Display| 14.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X| 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X

Resolution| 2960 × 1848| 2800 × 1752

Processor| MediaTek Dimensity 9500| MediaTek Dimensity 9500

RAM/Storage| Up to 16GB + 1TB| Up to 12GB + 512GB

Battery| 11,600mAh| 10,600mAh

Charging| 45W| 45W

Rear Camera| 13MP + 8MP ultra-wide| 13MP

Front Camera| 12MP ultra-wide| 12MP ultra-wide

Connectivity| 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0| 5G, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 6.0

Operating System| Android 17 / One UI 9| Android 17 / One UI 9

S Pen| Included| Included

Water/Dust Resistance| IP68| IP68

Colours| Grey, Silver| Grey, Silver.

Samsung Galaxy S27 Leak Reveals RAM and Storage Options

A new leak has revealed the expected RAM and storage configurations of Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy S27 series, suggesting significant performance upgrades that could also lead to higher prices.

According to information shared by leaker Lanzuk, based on sources from Weibo and the Korean technology industry, the Galaxy S27 Ultra could be available with 12GB of RAM and 256GB or 512GB of storage, while the top model could offer 16GB of RAM with 1TB of storage.

The Galaxy S27 Pro is reportedly expected to come with 12GB of RAM and storage options of 256GB, 512GB and 1TB. The standard Galaxy S27 and Galaxy S27 Plus could feature 12GB of RAM with either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

The leak also claims that the Galaxy S27 Ultra and S27 Pro could adopt UFS 5.1 storage and LPDDR6 RAM, representing an upgrade over the UFS 4.0 storage and LPDDR5X memory used in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Other reports suggest that the Galaxy S27 Ultra could use Samsung’s Exynos 2700 processor in some markets, while markets such as the United States could receive a Snapdragon 8 Elite Extreme Gen 6 chipset.

The Galaxy S27 Pro and Ultra are also rumored to feature Samsung’s new M16 OLED panels, potentially improving brightness, color performance and power efficiency. Meanwhile, the standard Galaxy S27 and S27 Plus could receive upgraded M14 OLED panels.

With the expected improvements in memory, storage, displays and processors, the Galaxy S27 series could offer significant performance upgrades. However, the combination of these upgrades has also raised expectations that Samsung may increase the prices of the new smartphones.