Apple256 GB · UK MODEL
iPhone 16
A familiar 6.1-inch upgrade reference.
64MATCH / 100
Ultramarine£899UK reference price
Check Apple YOUR PHONE FACE-OFF
Real specs. Clear sources.UK models · Checked 4 Sept 2026iPhone 16 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
THE CHOICE IS PERSONALWhich one
Make it personal How are scores calculated?
Which one
is your one?
Two great phones.
Different things to love.
—Display94
—Camera91
64Battery93
Samsung YOUR MATCH
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Native 5x zoom. Built-in S Pen.
93MATCH / 100
Cobalt Violet£1,279UK reference price
Check SamsungAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
EVERYDAY PRIORITIESGalaxy S26 Ultra takes the lead.
Change what matters 28.4 points ahead across your selected battery priorities.
Scores compare published capabilities, not lab-tested quality. Camera image quality and independent performance tests are not rated. See scoring
Display, Camera scoring is unavailable for this pair. Known hardware specs still appear below; default scores use only shared, verified categories.
THE DIFFERENCES THAT MATTER
Every specification A quick read on the trade-offs.
iPhone 16
44g lighter.
Published device weight, without a case.
- iPhone 16
- 170g
- Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 214g
Schematic balance · not a physical simulation
Galaxy S26 Ultra
0.8″ larger diagonal.
Bigger is a preference, not a quality score.
- iPhone 16
- 6.1″
- Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9″
Relative diagonals · illustrative shape, not actual size
Galaxy S26 Ultra
A different perspective.
Dedicated telephoto reach. No digital or crop zoom.
- iPhone 16
- No telephoto
- Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5×
Lens illustration · not an image-quality test
MANUFACTURER CLAIMS
Playback on paper.
Up-to claims. Different test methods; no endurance winner.
- iPhone 16
- Up to 22h
- Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Up to 31h
Shared 40-hour scale · not mixed-use battery life
BEYOND THE TOTAL
Why choose each?
Different strengths. Your call.
REASONS TO CONSIDER
iPhone 16
44 g lighter
170 g vs 214 g, before a case. Also 6.5 mm narrower.
Preference, not included in the match score.
REASONS TO CONSIDER
Galaxy S26 Ultra
A dedicated telephoto camera
5× native telephoto; the other phone has no separate telephoto module. Reach is not an image-quality verdict.
Verified hardware; Camera is not scored for this pair.More screen, if you want it
6.9″ vs 6.1″ diagonally. Larger is a preference, not an automatic win.
Preference, not included in the match score.
Published facts, not hands-on recommendations. These preferences do not add extra points to the match score; no tested battery gains are inferred.
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Where each phone shines.
Explore the numbers behind the match.
iPhone 16 Galaxy S26 Ultra
Relative published specs · outer edge = higher value
Display explainedNot enough evidence to score
iPhone 16: Apple publishes 460 ppi and a 2,000-nit outdoor peak, but the checked primary specifications do not give a numeric internal-display refresh rate. The v1 display score is withheld because that required input is unverified.
Galaxy S26 Ultra: Scores Samsung-published 2,600-nit peak brightness and 120Hz, plus 498.01 ppi calculated from its published resolution and full-rectangle diagonal. Brightness is not independently measured.
Explore the sources YOUR PHONE, YOUR RULES
What matters to you?
Make the comparison fit your life.
Any must-haves?
SIDE BY SIDE. NOTHING HIDDEN.
Get into the details.
All specs13 specificationsiPhone 16Galaxy S26 Ultra
iPhone 16Galaxy S26 UltraWeight
170g
214g
Width
71.6mm
78.1mm
Thickness
7.8mm
7.9mm
Screen size
6.1″
6.9″
Published peak brightnessManufacturer peak claims use different test conditions.
2000 nits
2600 nits
Pixel density
460 ppi
498.01 ppi
Maximum refresh rate
Not verified
120Hz
Native telephoto reach
No dedicated lens
5×
Rear camera modules
2
4
8K video recording
NoApple lists rear recording up to 4K60 Dolby Vision, not 8K.
Yes
Claimed video playbackUp-to manufacturer claims. Playback protocols differ.
22 hours
31 hours
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Published support term
Not verified
7 years
UK models · 256GB · Manufacturer specificationsView sources
GO BEYOND THE SPECS
Make this comparison yours.A little perspective. A better decision.
THE PRICE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
What price changes your mind?
A great phone. An even better deal. Find the point where the value flips.
Galaxy S26 Ultra matches value at£1,296.47
vs iPhone 16£899.00 reference MSRP
MORE SCORE PER £ ↑
Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 16 reference
Galaxy S26 Ultra offers more score per £ at this price.
A score-per-price simulation, not an objective buying verdict. Starts from reference MSRP; no live retailer offers.
NO LOGOS. JUST YOU.
Would you choose it blind?
Forget the brand for a moment. Which set of specs feels more like you?
Manufacturer specifications. Your choice doesn’t change the comparison above.
Good comparisons start with good sources.12 cited sources for this pair. Every number has a story.See the evidence
Your selected categories: Battery. Scores reflect published capabilities, not hands-on testing. Manufacturer battery claims can use different test conditions. Verified specifications remain visible even where a category cannot be scored.
How we calculate scoresApple iPhone 16
256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026
Your weighted score64.2 / 100Selected categories: Battery.
(64.19 × 1) ÷ 1
DisplayNot scored
Apple publishes 460 ppi and a 2,000-nit outdoor peak, but the checked primary specifications do not give a numeric internal-display refresh rate. The v1 display score is withheld because that required input is unverified.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Verified maximum internal-display refresh rate.
CameraNot scored
Verified lens and video capabilities remain visible. A complete audit of the four pro-workflow inputs required by the v1 model is not included, so no camera score is inferred.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Complete verification of the four model-defined pro workflows.
Battery64.2 / 100
Uses Apple's up-to 22-hour local-video claim and up-to-50%-in-around-30-minutes charging claim. Cross-brand confidence is low because manufacturer test methods differ.
Selected weight: 1.
low confidence · 100% model coverageManufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 22
62.86 × 65% = 40.86Apple's up-to 22-hour local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Test methods differ across manufacturers.
Apple Support UKApple UKManufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 1.67
66.67 × 35% = 23.33Derived from Apple's up-to-50%-in-around-30-minutes claim using a 20W-or-higher USB-C adapter. This is not a sustained charging measurement.
Apple Support UKCategory score = 40.86 + 23.33 = 64.19
PerformanceNot scored
No comparable independently measured CPU, GPU or sustained-performance results are included in this official-spec entry.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Comparable CPU, GPU and sustained-performance measurements.
LongevityNot scored
The checked Apple UK material does not publish a fixed model-specific duration of software support.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Published model-specific software-support duration.
Specifications & verification
Weight170 gmanufacturer · high confidenceApple Support UK
Width71.6 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple Support UK
Thickness7.8 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple Support UK
Display size6.1 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence
Nominal diagonal; 6.12 inches as a standard rectangle, with a smaller actual viewable area.
Apple Support UKPeak brightness2000 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence
Apple's outdoor peak claim, not an independent measurement.
Apple Support UKClaimed video playback22 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence
Apple's up-to 22-hour local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Test methods differ across manufacturers.
Apple Support UKApple UKClaimed charging rate1.6666666666666667% per minutecalculated · low confidence
Derived from Apple's up-to-50%-in-around-30-minutes claim using a 20W-or-higher USB-C adapter. This is not a sustained charging measurement.
50 percent divided by approximately 30 minutes.
Apple Support UKWireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
MagSafe, Qi2 and Qi charging are listed.
Apple Support UKHeadphone jackNocalculated · high confidence
Apple's connector list specifies USB-C, with no 3.5mm jack.
Apple Support UKExpandable storageNocalculated · medium confidence
Apple lists fixed internal storage options and no removable storage interface.
Apple Support UKeSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence
UK specification supports nano-SIM plus eSIM and dual eSIM.
Apple Support UKIP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence
Controlled-lab claim: maximum depth of 6m for up to 30 minutes. Resistance is not permanent.
Apple Support UKPixel density460 ppimanufacturer · high confidenceApple Support UK
Native telephoto reach0×calculated · high confidence
The rear modules are main and ultra-wide. The advertised 2x mode uses the main sensor; there is no separate native telephoto module.
Apple Support UKClaimed optical-quality reach2×manufacturer · high confidence
The 2x mode is enabled by the 48MP main sensor, not a separate native telephoto lens.
Apple Support UKRear camera modules2manufacturer · high confidenceApple Support UK
8K recordingNocalculated · high confidence
Apple lists rear recording up to 4K60 Dolby Vision, not 8K.
Apple Support UKReference MSRP£899.00Apple UK
All sources4
- iPhone 16 — Original Technical Specifications, including 256GBApple Support UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- iPhone 16 — Technical SpecificationsApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Buy iPhone 16 — Retained 256GB £899 reference listing, not a live offerApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Apple introduces iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 PlusApple Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026
Your weighted score92.6 / 100Selected categories: Battery.
(94.32 × 0 + 91.25 × 0 + 92.57 × 1 + 100.00 × 0) ÷ 1
Display94.3 / 100
Scores Samsung-published 2,600-nit peak brightness and 120Hz, plus 498.01 ppi calculated from its published resolution and full-rectangle diagonal. Brightness is not independently measured.
Not included in your current weighted score.
medium confidence · 100% model coveragePublished peak brightnessSource value: 2600
86.67 × 40% = 34.67Manufacturer-published peak figure; not an independent measurement.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung UKPixel densitySource value: 498.01
99.01 × 35% = 34.65Samsung does not publish PPI. This value is calculated from its published 3120x1440 resolution and 6.9-inch full-rectangle diagonal.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung UKMaximum adaptive refresh rateSource value: 120
100.00 × 25% = 25.00Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung UKCategory score = 34.67 + 34.65 + 25.00 = 94.32
Camera91.3 / 100
A published-capability score, not an image-quality verdict. It counts native 5x reach, Samsung's 10x optical-quality mode, four rear modules, 8K and three named pro workflows.
Not included in your current weighted score.
medium confidence · 100% model coverageNative telephoto reachSource value: 5
100.00 × 25% = 25.00Samsung identifies 3x and 5x as optical zoom and 2x and 10x as Adaptive Pixel optical-quality zoom.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung DeveloperSamsung Support UKPublished optical-quality reachSource value: 10
100.00 × 15% = 15.00Samsung identifies 3x and 5x as optical zoom and 2x and 10x as Adaptive Pixel optical-quality zoom.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung DeveloperSamsung Support UKPublished pro workflowsSource value: 3
75.00 × 35% = 26.25Counts Samsung Log, Expert RAW and recording to external USB storage. Samsung does not publish genlock support. This measures support, not output quality.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung DeveloperSamsung Support UK8K recording availableSource value: 1
100.00 × 5% = 5.00Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung DeveloperSamsung Support UKNative rear camera modulesSource value: 4
100.00 × 20% = 20.00Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung DeveloperSamsung Support UKCategory score = 25.00 + 15.00 + 26.25 + 5.00 + 20.00 = 91.25
Battery92.6 / 100
Combines Samsung's up-to 31-hour local-720p-video estimate with its up-to-75%-in-around-30-minutes claim. Different manufacturer test methods make cross-brand confidence low.
Selected weight: 1.
low confidence · 100% model coverageManufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 31
88.57 × 65% = 57.57Samsung's up-to figure is an internal estimate using a locally stored 720p video on pre-release hardware; it is not mixed-use or web-browsing endurance.
Samsung UKManufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 2.5
100.00 × 35% = 35.00Derived from Samsung's up-to-75% in around 30 minutes claim with a 60W adapter; it is not a sustained charging rate.
Samsung Newsroom UKCategory score = 57.57 + 35.00 = 92.57
PerformanceNot scored
Samsung publishes chip identity and relative generation-over-generation claims, but no comparable cross-platform benchmark under this methodology.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Comparable independently measured CPU benchmark, Comparable independently measured GPU benchmark, Comparable sustained-performance test.
Longevity100.0 / 100
Samsung promises seven OS generations and seven years of security updates from global launch; this scores the published seven-year commitment at the model ceiling.
Not included in your current weighted score.
high confidence · 100% model coveragePublished software-support durationSource value: 7
100.00 × 100% = 100.00Samsung promises seven OS generations and seven years of security updates from global launch; its UK business specification lists security support through 28 February 2033.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung Business UKCategory score = 100.00 = 100.00
Specifications & verification
Weight214 gmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
Width78.1 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
Thickness7.9 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
Display size6.9 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence
Full-rectangle diagonal; Samsung states 6.7 inches accounting for rounded corners and that actual viewable area is smaller.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKPeak brightness2600 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence
Manufacturer-published peak, not an independent measurement.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKClaimed video playback31 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence
Manufacturer up-to claim; not mixed-use endurance.
Samsung internal estimate on pre-release hardware with a locally stored 720p video, Bluetooth earphones and default settings over LTE.
Samsung UKClaimed charging rate2.5% per minutecalculated · low confidence
A normalized rate derived from an approximate manufacturer claim, not a sustained measurement. A 60W adapter is required and sold separately.
75 percent divided by approximately 30 minutes.
Samsung Newsroom UKPublished total support7 yearsmanufacturer · high confidence
Seven OS generations and seven years of security updates from global launch; UK security-support date is listed as 28 February 2033.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung Business UKWireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung lists WPC-compatible Super Fast Wireless Charging; its UK launch table does not state wattage.
Samsung Newsroom UKReverse wireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Published as Wireless PowerShare, subject to Samsung's compatibility and battery-level limitations.
Samsung Newsroom UKHeadphone jackNomanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung lists the earjack as USB Type-C rather than a 3.5mm socket.
Samsung Business UKExpandable storageNomanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung's UK comparison table marks Micro SD as N/A.
Samsung UKeSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence
The UK specification supports nano-SIM and eSIM combinations.
Samsung Business UKIP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence
Samsung's lab claim is up to 1.5m of fresh water for 30 minutes; resistance is not permanent.
Samsung Newsroom UKRAM12 GBmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
Native telephoto reach5×manufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
Claimed optical-quality reach10×manufacturer · high confidence
Samsung's Adaptive Pixel optical-quality mode is not a separate native 10x lens.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UKRear camera modules4manufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
8K recordingYesmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung UK
Reference MSRP£1,279.00Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung UK
All sources8
- Samsung Unveils Galaxy S26 Series: The Most Intuitive Galaxy AI Phone YetSamsung Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Specifications - Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Buy Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Introducing the Latest Galaxy S26 SeriesSamsung UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB - Specifications and Software SupportSamsung Business UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Samsung's Pro-Grade APV Codec Supported on Galaxy S26 UltraSamsung Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Samsung Log VideoSamsung Developer · accessed 2026-09-04
- Professional Photography with Galaxy Expert RAW AppSamsung Support UK · accessed 2026-09-04
THE BEST PHONE IS PERSONAL.
Make your next choice a clear one.
Your priorities. The real differences. All in one place.