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In the cited tests, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is faster in CPU benchmarks and the tested graphics workloads, including sustained graphics runs. The Galaxy S26 Ultra scored higher in one AI benchmark, but the phones used different software backends, so that result is not a clean measure of overall AI speed. There is no single winner for every kind of work.
What the speed tests measure
“Speed” can mean quick response to a single task, throughput across many CPU cores, graphics performance, or performance after a phone heats up. AI benchmarks add another complication: results may depend on the software backend as well as the chip. The numbers below are results reported by PhoneArena and Tom’s Guide in their 2026 comparisons, not universal specifications or tests conducted for this article.
The phones use Apple’s A20 Pro in the iPhone 18 Pro Max and a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy in the S26 Ultra. Each publication’s results are best read within its own test setup; figures from different benchmark variants should not be combined as though they were one test.
CPU: iPhone leads in Geekbench 7
Both cited comparisons favor the iPhone 18 Pro Max in Geekbench 7, with the larger gap in single-core results. PhoneArena reported these scores:
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- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
| Phone | Single-core | Multi-core |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 4,047 | 11,648 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | 3,155 | 10,733 |
Tom’s Guide independently reported 4,025 single-core and 11,525 multi-core for the iPhone, versus 3,149 and 10,612 for the Galaxy. The slight differences between publications show why a benchmark score is a result from a particular test run, not a fixed property of every device. For this suite, both sets of results point in the same direction: iPhone leads in single-core responsiveness and multi-core throughput.
Sources: PhoneArena’s A20 Pro vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra test and Tom’s Guide’s comparison.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Graphics: iPhone leads in the reported tests
Steel Nomad Light stress test
PhoneArena reported these 3DMark Steel Nomad Light scores. Its High result reflects the earlier, peak portion of the test; Low represents performance after the device heats up during the stress run, which the publication describes as following 20 minutes of intensive benchmark testing.
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| 3DMark Steel Nomad Light | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| High | 3,850 | 2,761 |
| Low, after heat buildup | 2,443 | 1,498 |
The iPhone also led in the reported sustained result. This indicates an advantage in this particular stress test, not a guarantee that it will deliver a given frame rate or run every game faster in every session.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Ray-tracing tests
PhoneArena’s 3DMark Solar Bay Extreme results also favored the iPhone:
| 3DMark Solar Bay Extreme | iPhone 18 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| High | 3,075 | 1,245 |
| Low | 1,714 | 834 |
Tom’s Guide reported a separate Solar Bay Unlimited test, with average frame rates of 67.9 fps for iPhone and 49.37 fps for Galaxy; the corresponding scores were 17,850 and 12,984. Those figures are from Tom’s Guide’s setup and a different test variant, so they are not directly interchangeable with PhoneArena’s Solar Bay Extreme results.
Rank #4
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- ALL THE POWER AND SPEED YOU NEED Smoothly run your day with the power and speed of Galaxy Z Fold7. With its customized Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for Galaxy, you can stream your favorite shows, edit photos, scroll social feeds and more with ease.³
Sources: PhoneArena and Tom’s Guide.
AI: Galaxy scores higher in one test, with a major caveat
Tom’s Guide reported Geekbench AI 1.7 scores of 83,047 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and 71,974 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. But the phones did not use the same backend: Tom’s Guide lists TensorFlow Lite QNN for Samsung and Quantized Core ML/Neural Engine for Apple. The Galaxy’s higher score therefore describes its result in that test configuration; it does not establish that it is generally faster at every on-device AI task.
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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Source: Tom’s Guide’s comparison.
What the chip makers claim—and what those figures mean
Apple says the A20 Pro uses a 2-nanometer process and includes a six-core CPU, seven-core GPU, and Dual 16-core Neural Engine. Apple claims graphics performance up to 40% faster than A19 Pro and sustained performance up to 40% higher than the prior generation, attributing the sustained-performance claim to a redesigned vapor chamber. These are Apple’s generational claims, not a direct comparison with Samsung’s chip.
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Samsung identifies the S26 Ultra’s processor as a customized Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform for Galaxy. It claims improvements of up to 19% in CPU, 39% in NPU, and 24% in GPU performance, and describes a redesigned vapor chamber. These are Samsung’s claims against the preceding generation, not results from a direct iPhone comparison.
Sources: Apple Newsroom and Samsung Newsroom.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which phone should you choose?
Choose the iPhone if CPU and tested graphics matter most
The two cited Geekbench 7 comparisons favor the iPhone in both CPU measures, while PhoneArena’s reported graphics tests—including the heat-stressed Steel Nomad Light results—also favor it. If your priority is performance in those kinds of workloads, the published results point to the iPhone 18 Pro Max.
Consider the Galaxy if its ecosystem and features fit you better
The Galaxy scored higher in Tom’s Guide’s Geekbench AI 1.7 run, though the different backends make that result difficult to treat as a direct, general-purpose AI verdict. The Galaxy also includes an S Pen. Your preferred operating system and the features you use day to day may matter more than a benchmark lead.
Compare the whole phone, not just the processor
Tom’s Guide listed both phones at a starting price of $1,299 in its 2026 comparison; prices can vary with region, storage, retailer, and date. Its review also compares battery runtime and other features. For software context, it lists iOS 27 for iPhone and Android 17 with One UI 9 for Galaxy. Check current local pricing and configuration before buying, and weigh endurance, display, camera, software preference, and the Galaxy’s S Pen alongside benchmark results.
For additional comparison context, see Tom’s Guide and TechRadar.
Quick Recap
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