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Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max comes out ahead on 7 counts and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 on 4.

Which should you buy?

Pick the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max for

  • Bigger battery: 5,391 vs 4,800 mAh (12% more)
  • Faster wired charging: 60 W vs 45 W
  • Faster wireless charging: 25 W vs 20 W
  • Thinner folded: 8.8 mm vs 9.7 mm
  • Optical zoom (4×), which the other lacks
  • More storage: up to 2 TB vs 1 TB
  • Better water resistance: IP68 vs IP48

Pick the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 for

  • Lighter: 201 g vs 249 g (48 g less)
  • Bigger main screen: 7.6" vs 6.9"
  • More compact folded: 39.5 mm shorter
  • More RAM: up to 16 GB vs 12 GB

Size comparison

Folded, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 39.5 mm taller, 3.9 mm narrower, 0.9 mm thinner and 48 g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Its main screen is 0.7" smaller. Unfolded, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 opens to 123.9 × 161.4 mm and 4.5 mm thick.

  • Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max163.4 × 78 × 8.75 mm
  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7 mm folded

Specs side by side

LaunchApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
AnnouncedSeptember 9, 2026July 22, 20261
ReleasedSeptember 18, 2026August 7, 20261
Launch price$1,299—
BodyApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Size163.4 × 78 × 8.8 mm123.9 × 81.9 × 9.7 mm folded1
Unfolded size—123.9 × 161.4 × 4.5 mm1
Thickness8.8 mm (better)9.7 mm folded, 4.5 mm open1
Weight249 g201 g (better)
FrameAluminum unibodyArmor Aluminum
BackCeramic ShieldCorning Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Water resistanceIP68 (better)IP481
ColoursBlack, Silver, Glacier, BurgundyCream, Graphite, Lavender, Pistachio1
DisplayApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Size6.9"7.6"
Cover screen—5.5"
TypeSuper Retina XDR OLEDFoldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X1
Resolution1320 × 28681848 × 24481 (better)
Refresh rate120 Hz120 Hz1
Peak brightness3,000 nits3,000 nits1
ProtectionCeramic Shield 2Corning Gorilla Glass Ceramic 3
Performance and softwareApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
ChipsetA20 ProSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy
CPU6-core CPU with 2 super cores and 4 efficiency cores—
Process2 nm (better)3 nm1
Ships withiOS 27Android 17 (One UI 9)1
OS updates—7 years (to Aug 2033)1
Security updates—7 years (to Aug 2033)1
MemoryApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
RAM12 GB12 GB / 16 GB (better)
Storage256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB (better)256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
Card slot—No
CamerasApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Rear48 MP Main, OIS 48 MP Ultrawide 48 MP Telephoto (4× optical), OIS50 MP Main 50 MP Ultrawide
Main camera48 MP50 MP
Optical zoom4× (better)None
Front18 MP10 MP
Video4K Dolby Vision at 120 fps8K
BatteryApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Capacity5,391 mAh1 (better)4,800 mAh
Wired charging60 W1 (better)45 W1
Wireless charging25 W (better)20 W1
Reverse wireless—Yes1
ConnectivityApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
5GYesYes1
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7 (802.11be)Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7, tri-band, Wi-Fi Direct1
BluetoothBluetooth 6Bluetooth 6.01
NFCYes—
USBUSB-C with USB 3 (up to 10Gb/s)USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1, OTG1
eSIMYesYes
Satellite messagingYes—
FeaturesApple iPhone 18 Pro MaxSamsung Galaxy Z Fold8
Fingerprint—Side-mounted1
Stereo speakersYes1Yes1
Stylus—No1

Highlighted: the better value where one is clearly better. Sources for each phone are listed on the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 pages.

Quick answers

Is the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max bigger than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
Folded, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max is 39.5 mm taller, 3.9 mm narrower, 0.9 mm thinner and 48 g heavier than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8. Its main screen is 0.7" smaller. Unfolded, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 opens to 123.9 × 161.4 mm and 4.5 mm thick.
Which has the bigger battery, the Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8?
The Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max has the bigger battery: 5,391 mAh against 4,800 mAh. Real battery life also depends on the chip and screen.

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