{"id":11795,"date":"2026-09-18T05:03:37","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T03:03:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/09\/18\/iphone-18-pro-vs-pixel-11-pro-vs-galaxy-s26-ultra-the-key-differences\/"},"modified":"2026-09-18T05:03:37","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T03:03:37","slug":"iphone-18-pro-vs-pixel-11-pro-vs-galaxy-s26-ultra-the-key-differences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brokenmount.com\/bm\/2026\/09\/18\/iphone-18-pro-vs-pixel-11-pro-vs-galaxy-s26-ultra-the-key-differences\/","title":{"rendered":"iPhone 18 Pro vs. Pixel 11 Pro vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra: The key differences"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tHere\u2019s how the three flagship smartphones stack up against each other.<\/p>\n

\"FourSamsung, Google, Apple<\/span><\/figure>\n<\/section>\n
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Over the last seven months, Samsung, Google and Apple have all released their latest flagship smartphones. Samsung\u2019s Galaxy S26 Ultra arrived first, followed by Google\u2019s Pixel 11 Pro and Apple\u2019s iPhone 18 Pro. With its 6.9-inch display, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is more akin in size to the XL and Max variants of the Pixel and iPhone, but, unlike Google and Apple, Samsung doesn\u2019t make a smaller version with otherwise identical specs.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Here\u2019s how their cameras, displays, battery life and other core specifications compare.<\/p>\n

Cameras<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\niPhone 18 Pro<\/th>\nPixel 11 Pro<\/th>\nGalaxy S26 Ultra<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Main (wide)<\/strong><\/td>\n24mm F5.1-F13.7 equiv.
48MP
Type 1\/1.3 (72mm\u00b2)
Stabilized sensor<\/td>\n		24mm F6 equiv.
50MP
Type 1\/1.3 (72mm\u00b2)
Stabilized lens<\/td>\n		24mm F6 equiv.
200MP
Type 1\/1.3 (72mm\u00b2)
Stabilized lens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ultrawide<\/strong><\/td>\n13mm F13.5 equiv.
48MP
Type 1\/2.55 (23.5mm\u00b2)<\/td>\n		13mm F10.3 equiv.
48MP
Type 1\/2.51 (23.5mm\u00b2)<\/td>\n		12mm F11.5 equiv.
50MP
Type 1\/2.5 (25mm\u00b2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Telephoto<\/strong><\/td>\n100mm F17.7 equiv.
48MP
Type 1\/2.55 (23.5mm\u00b2)
Stabilized sensor<\/td>\n		106mm F14.8 equiv.
48MP
Type 1\/1.95 (32mm\u00b2)
Stabilized lens<\/td>\n		67mm F22.7 equiv.
10MP
Type 1\/3.94 (10mm\u00b2)
Stabilized lens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Periscope telephoto<\/strong><\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n\u2013<\/td>\n111mm F17.6
50MP
Type 1\/2.5 (24.5mm\u00b2)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Highest video mode<\/strong><\/td>\n4K\/120p Dolby Vision
ProRes RAW<\/td>\n		8K\/30p (with cloud processing)
4K\/60p<\/td>\n		8K\/30p
4K\/60p<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

There\u2019s a lot of overlap when comparing the camera systems of these three flagships. Each has an advantage over the others in some way; some are rather substantial, while most are only small differences. <\/p>\n

The three phones use main-camera sensors that are effectively the same size, all coming in at Type 1\/1.3 (72mm\u00b2). The notable difference is resolution: the Galaxy S26 Ultra uses a 200MP main camera, compared with 50MP on the Pixel 11 Pro and 48MP on the iPhone 18 Pro. Despite the variety in resolutions, all three models will, by default output at lower resolutions; the iPhone and Galaxy at 24MP, the Pixel at 12.5. They all, however, offer modes that let you use the sensor\u2019s full resolution, but due to the nature of Quad Bayer sensors<\/a>, they\u2019re typically best used in good lighting where you don\u2019t need maximum dynamic range.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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\"Image<\/a>Apple<\/span><\/figure>\n

Apple\u2019s main camera has its own edge, though, as it\u2019s the only one here with a variable-aperture lens (though Samsung briefly experimented with something similar<\/a> around a decade ago). It can be set to F1.48, F1.8, F2.8 or F4, promising a bit more creative control and exposure flexibility, especially when shooting video.<\/p>\n

Samsung has the broadest rear-camera system, adding a dedicated 3x camera between its main and 5x cameras. Its long telephoto reaches 111mm equiv., narrowly exceeding the Pixel\u2019s 106mm and iPhone\u2019s 100mm equiv. lenses, and the 67mm equiv. provides a nice bit of flexibility that the others don\u2019t. However, the Pixel\u2019s telephoto sensor remains the largest in that class of the group.<\/p>\n

All three phones support close-focus shooting with their ultrawide cameras, though, naturally, each brand handles it slightly differently and uses distinct names. Apple lists macro photography, Google specifies Macro Focus on the Pixel 11 Pro ultrawide, and Samsung\u2019s Focus Enhancer can automatically switch to the Galaxy S26\u2019s ultrawide camera for nearby subjects.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Video<\/h2>\n
\"A<\/a>
Google says it has improved video stabilization on the new Pixel phones, partly with the help of a new Video Boost mode on the Pixel 11 Pro. <\/figcaption>Google<\/span><\/figure>\n

On the video side of things, Apple lists the most extensive video feature set. The iPhone 18 Pro records 4K Dolby Vision video at up to 120 fps and supports ProRes, ProRes Raw with external recording, Apple Log 2 and ACES color workflows. It is also compatible with Genlock, which lets the iPhone 18 Pro synchronize its frame timing with other cameras and video devices. <\/p>\n

Lastly, the iPhone has finally caught up with the Pixel and Galaxy phones with the addition of manual camera controls for aperture, shutter speed, white balance and histogram monitoring (which also work in photo mode).<\/p>\n

The Pixel 11 Pro records up to 4K\/60p on the phone itself, while its 8K\/30p option uses cloud-based processing. It also offers separate modes for low-light video, extra handheld stabilization and enhanced zoomed video, plus a post-capture tool for reducing distracting background sounds.<\/p>\n

The Galaxy S26 Ultra records up to 8K\/30p and 4K\/120p. It also supports Samsung\u2019s Advanced Professional Video codec, an open, professional-oriented format intended to preserve more image information while using storage more efficiently than conventional uncompressed video. Samsung also includes an enhanced stabilization mode designed to keep handheld footage level during movement (a feature Apple replicates with the iPhone\u2019s \u201cAction\u201d mode).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Displays and battery<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\niPhone 18 Pro<\/th>\nPixel 11 Pro<\/th>\nGalaxy S26 Ultra<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Display size<\/strong><\/td>\n6.3 inches<\/td>\n6.3 inches<\/td>\n6.9 inches<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Panel type<\/strong><\/td>\nOLED<\/td>\nLTPO OLED<\/td>\nQHD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resolution<\/strong><\/td>\n2622 \u00d7 1206<\/td>\n1280 \u00d7 2856<\/td>\n3120 \u00d7 1440<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Pixel density<\/strong><\/td>\n460 ppi<\/td>\n495 ppi<\/td>\n498 ppi<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Maximum refresh rate<\/strong><\/td>\nAdaptive, up to 120Hz<\/td>\nAdaptive, up to 120Hz<\/td>\nAdaptive, up to 120Hz<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Peak\/outdoor brightness<\/strong><\/td>\n3,000 nits outdoors<\/td>\nUp to 3,600 nits<\/td>\nUp to 2,600 nits<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

While all three sit in the flagship-phone class, Samsung takes a different physical approach with the Galaxy S26 Ultra\u2019s substantially larger display. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro share the smaller 6.3-inch format, while the Samsung is closer in scale to Apple\u2019s Pro Max-class phones and Google\u2019s Pixel Pro XL models.<\/p>\n

The three offer the same 120Hz maximum refresh rate, and their pixel densities are broadly similar despite their different screen sizes and resolutions. The Pixel has the highest stated brightness rating, while the iPhone\u2019s specification is specifically an outdoor-brightness figure.<\/p>\n

In terms of battery specs, Apple rates the iPhone 18 Pro for up to 36 hours of video playback and it says the phone can reach 50% charge in around 15 minutes with a compatible 60W-or-higher USB-C adapter. The Pixel 11 Pro has a stated 30-plus-hour mixed-use runtime and charges to 55% in around 30 minutes with a 30W USB-C PPS charger. Samsung\u2019s Galaxy S26 Ultra supports up to 60W wired charging, and the company promises up to 31 hours of video playback.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Size and weight<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/th>\niPhone 18 Pro<\/th>\nPixel 11 Pro<\/th>\nGalaxy S26<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Height<\/strong><\/td>\n150.0mm (5.91\u2033)<\/td>\n152.7mm (6.01\u2033)<\/td>\n163.6mm (6.44\u2033)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Width<\/strong><\/td>\n71.9mm (2.83\u2033)<\/td>\n71.9mm (2.83\u2033)<\/td>\n78.1mm (3.07\u2033)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Depth<\/strong><\/td>\n8.75mm (0.34\u2033)<\/td>\n8.4mm (0.33\u2033)<\/td>\n7.9mm (0.31\u2033)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Weight<\/strong><\/td>\n211g (7.44 oz)<\/td>\n204g (7.20 oz.)<\/td>\n214g (7.55 oz.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/figure>\n

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is much taller and wider than the iPhone 18 Pro and Pixel 11 Pro, reflecting its 6.9-inch display and four-camera system. At 214g, it is also the heaviest, though only by a small margin. It\u2019s just 3g heavier than the iPhone and 10g heavier than the Pixel, but it is thinner than both.<\/p>\n

Key differences<\/h2>\n

Outside the camera system, the three phones still share a premium baseline: all start with 256GB of storage, use USB-C, support Wi-Fi 7 and are rated IP68 for dust and water resistance. The main hardware differences are scale and camera configuration rather than basic connectivity or durability.<\/p>\n

Apple supports MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging, including up to 25W MagSafe charging, while Google\u2019s Pixel 11 Pro supports the Qi2.2-based Pixelsnap accessory system. Samsung supports wired, wireless and reverse wireless charging, and its Ultra model adds S Pen support and a built-in Privacy Display feature.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n

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Software remains a fundamental distinction. The iPhone 18 Pro runs iOS 27 and integrates with Apple\u2019s hardware and services. The Pixel 11 Pro runs Android with Google\u2019s Pixel interface and a stated seven years of operating system, security and feature updates. The Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android with Samsung\u2019s One UI, Galaxy AI tools and S Pen software features.<\/p>\n

The three phones are also close in price. In the U.S., the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1300, the Pixel 11 Pro at $1099 and the iPhone 18 Pro at $1199. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra\u2019s larger display, S Pen support and fourth rear camera position it differently from the two 6.3-inch Pro models, but it also places all three phones within a $200 launch-price range.<\/p>\n

About the Author: <\/span>Abby Ferguson holds an MFA in photography and blends a fine-art background with extensive editorial and commercial experience. She built and led an in-house imaging program for a large vacation rental company and has served as an associate editor at Popular Photography. She also teaches at a local community college and serves on its Photographic Technology Program Advisory Board, sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for the medium.<\/div>\n
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Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases?\u00a0Add DPReview as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.<\/p>\n

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