Among several advancements’ news in the market, the news about two tech giants releasing their most advanced devices is already making waves. Apple Inc. and Samsung Electronics – the two tech heavyweights are gearing up to release their most advanced devices, namely the Apple iPhone 18 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series.
According to the recent leaks and rumours both the Apple iPhone 18 and Samsung Galaxy S26 series will be introduced in the year 2026. Of course, both the tech giants plan to follow different launch strategies; however, there are a few things that we got to know about these two lineups and here we are sharing all of them.
So, dive in to see what to expect from these two flagship lineups. Let’s get started…
Upcoming 2026 Flagships
iPhone 18 Series
According to the latest leaks, the iPhone 18 series, like its predecessors, will consist of iPhone 18, iPhone 18e, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, there is news that the plans for an iPhone Air 2 may be on hold.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Series
Samsung is also launching its Samsung Galaxy S26 Series next year. As one of the leading Samsung Galaxy brands, the company plans to continue with a three-model lineup similar to its predecessor. There will be three new devices, namely the Galaxy S26 (base model), the Galaxy S26 Plus and the Galaxy S26 Ultra (flagship model). There are reports that there will be no Galaxy S26 Edge as it has been cancelled.
Expected Specifications: iPhone 18 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Below is a detailed comparison of iPhone 18 vs Samsung Galaxy S26, covering performance, display, camera, battery, and software features expected in 2026.
| Feature | iPhone 18 Series | Samsung Galaxy S26 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Processor | A20 Bionic chip (2nm, AI processing, high efficiency) | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 / Exynos 2600 (Region dependent) |
| Display | 6.27–6.3-inch LTPO OLED, 1.5K resolution, next-gen OLED | 6.3-inch to 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED, 120Hz refresh rate, M14 display |
| Camera (Front) | 24 MP front-facing camera | 12 MP or higher front camera (specific details unclear) |
| Camera (Rear) | Triple-lens setup (advanced computational photography) | S26 Ultra: 200 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, 50 MP telephoto, 12 MP zoom-enhancing S26 & S26 Plus: 50 MP main, 50 MP ultra-wide, 12 MP telephoto (3x optical zoom) |
| Battery | Expected to support fast charging, MagSafe, Qi2 | 5400 mAh (S26 Ultra), slightly lower for Plus and Base |
| Charging Speed | Fast charging, Qi2 wireless charging support | 60W wired charging (Ultra), 25W wireless charging (all models) |
| RAM | 12 GB RAM | Likely 12 GB RAM in Ultra, lower RAM in Base/Plus models |
| Storage Options | 256 GB and above | Likely to offer similar storage options |
| Operating System | iOS 18 | One UI 8 based on Android 16 |
| Software & Security Updates | Likely 5-6 years of support | Up to 7 years of software and security updates |
| AI & Performance Features | On-device AI enhancements, better thermal management | AI enhancements, efficient power usage, flagship performance |
| Display Technology | Next-gen OLED with higher brightness and efficiency | Next-gen OLED with vibrant colors and high refresh rate |
| Additional Features | Potential under-display Face ID (no Dynamic Island) | S Pen support, sleeker frames, minimal bezels |
| Design | Slightly transparent MagSafe area, seamless display integration | Sleeker frames, minimal bezels |
| Special Features | Advanced chip architecture for efficiency & speed | Camera upgrades for better low-light, faster processing |
| Launch Timeline | Expected in September 2026 | Expected to be launched in Galaxy Unpacked event |
Here is a Key Feature Comparison Table between the upcoming iPhone 18 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Series based on the provided specifications:
Key Differences: iPhone 18 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Here is a more detailed breakdown of the key differences between the iPhone 18 Series and Samsung Galaxy S26 Series:
1. Processor:
- iPhone 18: The new A20 Bionic processor, made with 2nm technology, is the brain behind the iPhone 18, providing faster and cooler operation while enhancing all its AI functions, including photography and power saving.
- S26 Series: The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 or Exynos 2600 (depending on the region) will be the engine behind the S26 smartphones, both offering excellent performance, consuming less power and featuring advanced AI capabilities. It is expected that the Ultra model will be equipped with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 everywhere to provide the best performance.
2. Display:
- iPhone 18: The new display with a size of 6.3 inches, made of LTPO OLED technology, with 1.5K pixel resolution will consume less power and produce more light. The phone may have under-display Face ID in its new design which will get rid of the Dynamic Island.
- S26 Series: The S26 Note will sport an enormous, unrivalled among phones, 6.9-inch QHD+ OLED display supporting 120Hz refresh rate, thus it will offer a large and colorful screen. The Regular plus variants come with even smaller displays (6.3 inches to 6.7 inches), still with QHD+ quality and high-refresh rates though.
3. Camera:
- iPhone 18: The previous models offered only 12MP front cameras and now theiPhone 18 has a 24 MP front camera which is a drastic upgrade. The new rear camera will consist of a triple-lens system which will include not only upgraded sensors for better photography and computational enhancements, especially in low light, but also advanced computational enhancements.
- S26 Series: A combination of a 200 MP primary with a fortification of other ultra-high-resolution sensors for better zoom and ultra-wide will be in the S26 Ultra’s quad-camera setup. The S26 & S26 Plus will possess the same 50 MP main camera and 50 MP ultra-wide, hence the same high image quality, but less zoom and megapixels than the Ultra.
4. Battery & Charging:
- iPhone 18: The new iPhone is likely to offer quick charging, MagSafe for charging without wires and the Qi2 charging option wirelessly. The long-lasting battery is anticipated because of the effective A20 chip and the newly developed display technology.
- S26 Series: The S26 Ultra will be equipped with a 5400 mAh battery and will be able to charge wired at 60W and wirelessly at 25W. The Plus and standard versions will have a little bit smaller battery but will still support fast and wireless charging.
5. RAM and Storage:
- iPhone 18: The iPhone 18 Pro is rumored to be equipped with a whopping 12 GB of RAM and storage beginning at 256 GB and up, thus giving users who require heavy multitasking and storing an excellent option to choose from.
- S26 Series: The S26 Ultra will also probably have 12 GB of RAM, whereas the S26 and S26 Plus might be provided with less RAM. Storage choices will be almost identical, with models providing 256 GB, 512 GB and up to 1TB for the Ultra.
6. Software & Updates:
- iPhone 18: The iPhone running iOS 18 will get a total of 5-6 years of software and security updates along with a long life span and compatibility with the latest apps and features.
- S26 Series: The Galaxy S26 series will come pre-installed with One UI 8 based on Android 16 and Samsung guarantees 7 years of software and security updates, thus placing it among the best Android phones in terms of long-term support.
7. Design:
- iPhone 18: The aesthetic will include an uninterrupted screen with a barely visible MagSafe spot and very thin borders. The possibility of Face ID being placed under the display might do away with the need for the Dynamic Island notch.
- S26 Series: The S26 Ultra will be furnished with more stylish edges, narrow borders and S Pen support. The whole thing will look more premium with the Plus and Base models getting the same sleek designs.
Key Similarities: iPhone 18 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
- Fast charging, wireless charging (Qi2) and advanced AI features are common to both devices.
- Their designs are elegant with small bezels and the iPhone might get rid of the Dynamic Island cutout.
- RAM of 12 GB at maximum and powerful features will be offered to both.
