Neither phone has launched in the market yet, so everything about the iPhone 18 Pro vs the Samsung Galaxy S27 is leaks and speculation. Still, some facts are clear: as always, Apple will lead on battery and video, while Samsung will excel on screen sharpness, zoom, and the S Pen.

KEY POINTS

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is expected to launch around 7 September 2026 and the Galaxy S27 Ultra around 25 February 2027.
In India, it will be priced at Rs 179,900 for the iPhone and Rs 149,990 for the Galaxy.
Both have 6.9in screens, 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
Samsung’s panel is sharp: 1440 x 3120 at 144Hz versus 1320 x 2868 at 120Hz.
The S27 Ultra’s battery is a mystery, with leaks from 5,000mAh to 7,000mAh.

Which’ll Launch First and What’ll Be the Price Tag

As always, Apple is first, and 2026 is no exception. September for the iPhone, then a five-month wait for Samsung. On money, the leaks disagree. Gizinfo’s India listings make the iPhone pricier at Rs 179,900, with the Galaxy at Rs 149,990. MobileInto estimates the Ultra at $1,599 and the Pro Max at $1,299. Do not hold anyone to these numbers, as pricing in India changes once launch offers and bank cashback are applied.

The Screens

Both might have the same size of 6.9 in with a ~90.7% screen-to-body ratio. Samsung’s Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X is rumoured to be at 1440 x 3120, around 500 PPI, and up to 144 Hz. Apple’s OLED is 1320 x 2868, about 460 PPI, and configured at 120 Hz. Both hit 3,000 nits outdoors, which matters in an Indian summer. Samsung’s innovation is the privacy display, which will stop the second person from reading your screen. Glass is different too: Ceramic Shield 2 for Apple and Corning Gorilla Armour 2 with a DX anti-reflective coating for Samsung. One has a Dynamic Island, the other a punch hole.

Cameras: Numbers Vs Polish

Samsung has the upper hand in this department. A 200MP main camera heads a quad setup, with a 50MP periscope at 5x zoom, another 50MP telephoto and a 50MP ultra-wide. It shoots 8K at 30fps. Apple has three 50MP sensors: f/1.78 wide, f/2.8 telephoto, and f/2.2 ultra-wide. Video caps at 4K, but at 120fps, with Dolby Vision and ProRes. For selfies, Apple’s 24MP beats Samsung’s 16MP, though Samsung adds autofocus and a screen flash. Smartprix rates the Ultra 85/100 on specs against 77/100 for the Pro Max. Fair on paper, but spec scores never show how a photo looks.

Battery Backup

PhoneArena has chased these leaks all year, and the story was not the same every time. In March, someone said 7,000mAh, and in June, leaker Debayan Roy said 6,000mAh. Tipster Schrödinger then suggested 5,600mAh or 5,800mAh, still Samsung’s first proper jump since the Galaxy S20 Ultra’s 5,000mAh. Then Ice Universe called it totally false, and his logic is solid. Samsung SDI might be testing a bigger cell, but the mobile division buys batteries from several suppliers. One supplier’s lab work doesn’t mean it ships your phone.

Apple’s numbers are stable between 5,391 and 5,425 mAh, depending on the SIM version, with the A20 Pro. In in-house testing, the Galaxy S26 Ultra lasted two hours less than the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Before that, the 4,688 mAh iPhone 16 Pro Max lasted 8 hours and 30 minutes, while the 5,000 mAh Galaxy S25 Ultra died after exactly 8 hours. The 6,800mAh Xiaomi 17 Ultra managed 9 hours and 2 minutes.

Users have noticed. In a recent poll, almost 53% picked “Bigger Battery” as the one upgrade they want most from the S27 series. When charging, a Samsung can reach 50% in 20 minutes with PD3.2 wired, and it also features reverse wired charging and 31 hours of video playback. Apple offers 25W MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes. Both do 4.5W reverse wireless.

Chips, Software and the Extras

Apple’s A20 Pro is a 2 nm chip running iOS 27. Samsung has the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for Galaxy, though an Exynos 2800 has been mentioned. The software is One UI 9 on Android 17, with seven years of updates. Extras are where they split. Samsung comes with the S Pen, DeX desktop mode, a redesigned vapour chamber, LPDDR6 RAM, UFS 5 storage, an ultrasonic in-display fingerprint reader, Wallet, and Galaxy AI with Circle to Search, Photo Assist, Creative Studio and Bixby. Apple counters with Face ID, VC cooling, the N1 chip, second-gen ultra-wideband, Apple Intelligence, and an IP68 rating to six metres versus Samsung’s 1.5 metres. They are common in Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB-C 3.2, NFC, UWB, dual SIM with eSIM, no card slot, and no headphone jack.

Specifications at a Glance

Feature	iPhone 18 Pro Max	Galaxy S27 Ultra
India price (est.)	Rs 179,900	Rs 149,990
Display	2868×1320, 120Hz	3120×1440, 144Hz
Chipset	Apple A20 Pro (2 nm)	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6
RAM / Storage	12GB / 256GB	12GB / 256GB
Rear cameras	50MP triple	200MP quad, 5x zoom
Front camera	24MP	16MP
Battery	~5,425mAh	5,000-5,800mAh (rumour)
Video	4K/120fps	8K/30fps
Software	iOS 27	Android 17, One UI 9
Unlock	Face ID	In-display reader

So, Which One Should You Buy?

Want zoom, a stylus, a sharper screen and desktop mode? Wait for the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Want better battery, better video and years of smooth performance? The iPhone 18 Pro Max is the right choice. Remember, it goes on sale months before Samsung even announces its phone.

FAQs

When is the iPhone 18 Pro Max launching?

Ans: Leaks point to 7 September 2026, as usual for Apple in September. Nothing is confirmed, so treat it as a strong guess.

When does the Galaxy S27 Ultra come out?

Ans: Around 25 February 2027. Samsung usually unveils the S series in late January or February, so that fits.

Which phone will last longer on a charge?

Ans: Probably the iPhone. Recent tests show iPhones beating Galaxy Ultras despite smaller batteries, thanks to chip efficiency and software tuning.

Is a 7,000mAh Galaxy S27 Ultra happening?

Ans: Unlikely. That number came from early rumours and has since been denied. Guesses now are between 5,000mAh and 5,800mAh.

Which has the better camera?

Ans: Samsung wins on resolution and zoom with 200MP and 5x reach. Apple wins on video, selfies and consistent colours.

How much will they cost in India?

Ans: Expect around Rs 179,900 for the iPhone and Rs 149,990 for the Galaxy. Both are estimates and could change at launch.

Sources & References

Phone Arena – There have been multiple leaks of both phones, but every time they are different.

Gizinfo – The iPhone 18 Pro is expensive at Rs 179,900, with the Galaxy S27 at Rs 149,990.

Mobileinto – The Ultra is priced at $1,599 and the Pro Max at $1,299 in foreign nations.

Smartprix – Rates the Ultra 85/100 on specs against 77/100 for the Pro Max.

Tags: iphone 18 pro Samsung Galaxy S27

Neha Bhatia

Neha Bhatia is a content writer and digital media professional specializing in sports journalism, technology, and audience-focused storytelling. With experience in sports reporting, digital publishing, and trend-driven content creation, she brings a strong understanding of modern media consumption and real-time news coverage. Her background spans sports analysis, technology updates, digital content strategy, and editorial communications, with a passion for delivering engaging and easy-to-understand narratives that connect with readers across sports, technology, and current digital trends. At Nav Bharat Journal, Neha contributes insightful and timely coverage on sports news, player performances, tournament highlights, and emerging technology trends. Her writing combines a contemporary editorial voice with a commitment to accuracy, clarity, and responsible reporting, helping readers stay informed through engaging, reliable, and reader-friendly content.