Spending $1,300 on a phone is a big decision, so you want to be sure you are picking the right one. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is Apple’s newest and biggest phone, but it is not the only option at the top. Last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max is still out there, often for less, and Samsung’s Galaxy S26 Ultra costs almost exactly the same.
We lined all three up side by side using official specs and independent testing. Below you will find where each phone wins, where it falls short, and which one makes the most sense for you in the US, UK or Canada.
The headline change is a main camera that can physically change its aperture, from a bright f/1.48 to f/4. In practice, that means creamier backgrounds for portraits and food shots, plus sharper landscapes and group photos when stopped down. Apple also added proper manual controls for shutter speed and white balance.
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Last year’s model uses the same trio of 48MP cameras, including the same 4x telephoto, but with a fixed aperture. For most snaps posted to Instagram or sent to family, you would struggle to tell the two apart.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung goes for flexibility. You get a 200MP main sensor, a 3x lens for portraits and a 5x periscope for real long-range zoom. It can also record 8K video. The iPhones, in turn, are widely regarded as the stronger video phones thanks to their stabilization and pro formats.
Who wins? Sports fans, concert-goers and wildlife shooters will love the S26 Ultra’s 5x zoom. Content creators who film a lot should lean toward the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Battery life and charging
This is where the iPhone 18 Pro Max pulls ahead of its predecessor. Apple rates it for up to 45 hours of video playback, compared with 39 hours on the iPhone 17 Pro Max. In independent testing, Expert Reviews measured just under 40 hours of local video playback, about two hours more than last year’s model.
Charging is quicker too. With a 60W or stronger USB-C adapter, the iPhone 18 Pro Max reaches 50% in about 15 minutes, versus about 20 minutes on the 17 Pro Max with a 40W adapter. The Galaxy S26 Ultra supports 60W wired charging and 25W wireless, the same wireless speed as the iPhones’ MagSafe and Qi2.
Practical tip: None of these phones includes a charger in the box. Budget around $30 to $50 for a good 60W USB-C charger so you actually get the fast-charging speeds you are paying for.
Performance and software
The iPhone 18 Pro Max runs Apple’s first 2nm chip, the A20 Pro. It is the fastest of the three in most single-core tests, but honestly, all three feel instant in daily use. You will not notice the difference opening apps or scrolling social media.
Software matters more than raw speed here:
iPhones: iOS 27 with Apple Intelligence and the new Siri, which can understand what is on your screen. Apple typically supports iPhones for many years, though it does not publish a fixed number.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Android 16 with Galaxy AI, plus Samsung’s promise of seven years of OS and security updates.
If you already use a Mac, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods, the iPhone fits in more smoothly. If you use Windows and Google services, the Galaxy will feel more at home.
Design, weight and comfort
All three have a 6.9-inch screen, but they do not feel the same in the hand. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the lightest at 214g. The iPhone 17 Pro Max sits in the middle at 233g, and the iPhone 18 Pro Max is the heaviest at 249g.
That extra weight is the price of a bigger battery. If you read or game for long stretches, try the phones in a store first. A difference of 35g is very noticeable after an hour of holding a phone above your face in bed.
The iPhone 18 Pro Max also has a smaller Dynamic Island because part of Face ID now sits under the display. It comes in Black, Silver, Glacier and a new Burgundy.
Price and value in the US, UK and Canada
iPhone 18 Pro Max: From $1,299 in the US, £1,299 in the UK and CA$1,899 in Canada. It tops out at $2,499 for 2TB.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Launched at $1,199. Apple usually stops selling last year’s Pro models, so look to carriers, certified refurbished stores and trusted resellers, where it is often cheaper.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: About $1,300 for 256GB and about $1,800 for 1TB. There is no 2TB option, but Samsung discounts often and runs generous trade-in offers.
Real-world example: James in Toronto shoots lots of 4K video of his kids’ hockey games. He fills 1TB within a season, so the 2TB option on the iPhone 18 Pro Max, which the S26 Ultra does not offer, is the deciding factor. The faster charging helps between periods too.
How to get the best deal on the iPhone 18 Pro Max
Very few people should pay full price. A little planning can save you hundreds:
Compare trade-in offers. Get quotes from Apple, your carrier and a reseller. Carriers in the US often pay the most, but usually as monthly bill credits over two or three years.
Pick storage carefully. If you mostly stream and back up to iCloud, 256GB is plenty. Choose 512GB or more only if you shoot lots of 4K video, which fills space quickly.
Watch seasonal sales. Black Friday in the US and Canada, and Boxing Day in the UK and Canada, often bring gift cards or bigger trade-in credits.
Check refurbished options. Certified refurbished phones come with a warranty and can be much cheaper, especially for last year’s iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Read the contract fine print. A “free” iPhone 18 Pro Max often requires a pricier unlimited plan. Add up the full cost over the contract before you sign.
Which one should you buy?
Choose the iPhone 18 Pro Max if:
You want the longest battery life on any iPhone.
You care about video and like having manual camera controls.
You are upgrading from an iPhone 15 Pro Max or older.
Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if:
You find it at least $150 to $200 below the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
You prefer a slightly lighter phone.
You do not need the variable aperture or the extra few hours of battery.
Choose the Galaxy S26 Ultra if:
Zoom photography is a priority.
You would use the S Pen for notes, sketches or signing documents.
You plan to keep your phone for six or seven years.
Our verdict on the iPhone 18 Pro Max
The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the best big iPhone you can buy right now, mainly because of its battery life, faster charging and smarter camera. It is not a huge leap over the iPhone 17 Pro Max, so a discounted 17 Pro Max is a genuinely smart buy. If you are open to Android, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is the better pick for zoom fans and long-term owners.
Is the iPhone 18 Pro Max worth upgrading from the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
For most people, no. The improvements are real but modest. Upgrade only if battery life is a daily frustration or you get a strong trade-in offer.
Which has the better camera, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
It depends on what you shoot. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is better for long-range zoom, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is stronger for video and gives you more creative control with its variable aperture.
Which phone is lighter?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra at 214g. The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the heaviest of the three at 249g.
Does the iPhone 18 Pro Max come with a charger?
No. You get a USB-C cable only. Use a 60W or higher USB-C adapter for the fastest charging.
Prices and specs are based on manufacturer information and independent reviews as of October 2026 and may vary by country, carrier and retailer.
