[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong (홍진주)] Samsung Electronics' Galaxy S26 Ultra was cited as the Android smartphone closest to the iPhone 18 Pro Max. The assessment said that when hardware performance, software completeness and global distribution are considered, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is effectively the only product that can take on Apple's top model.

On Nov. 1 (local time), IT media outlet Engadget compared Android smartphones that could counter Apple's iPhone 18 Pro Max and pointed to the Galaxy S26 Ultra as the most balanced alternative. It said the evaluation should go beyond high specifications to include the harmony between operating system and hardware, as well as real-world purchase accessibility.

The iPhone 18 Pro lineup forms Apple's top smartphone range, highlighting a 2-nanometer process-based mobile processor, high-capacity RAM, improved cameras and faster charging. Engadget explained that to compete, Android makers also need to deliver both high hardware performance and a polished software experience.

By that measure, the Galaxy S26 Ultra was recognized for its competitiveness. Released in February 2026, it is equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and a 5,000 mAh battery. The base model offers 12GB of RAM, while the 1TB model has 16GB of RAM. It was also cited for performance capable of handling heavy workloads such as video editing and high-end gaming, and for display quality.

In particular, a privacy display feature that makes it difficult to view the screen from the side was mentioned as a differentiator unique to the Galaxy S26 Ultra. It was assessed as combining everyday usability with hardware competitiveness.

Still, it does not outperform the iPhone 18 Pro Max in every area. Engadget assessed that while the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 is a fast processor, it falls short of Apple's A20 Pro. It also noted that while the Galaxy S26 Ultra's 200-megapixel main sensor is a strength, Apple's flagship still has the edge in video recording quality.

Devices from other Android manufacturers were also mentioned as candidates. Google Pixel 11 Pro XL was said to share a strength similar to Apple in pairing Google-designed hardware with its operating system, but chip performance was cited as a limitation. Engadget introduced that Tensor G6 performance lags competing products, and that recent tests showed the Pixel 11 delivering lower performance than Samsung's older flagship.

Xiaomi 18 Pro Max was cited as a stronger contender in terms of performance. It was assessed as having a configuration that comes close to the iPhone 18 Pro Max on chip performance alone, with a Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6. A design that adds an auxiliary screen to the rear camera area also draws attention.

There is a gap in purchase accessibility. Xiaomi smartphones are not sold through carriers in the United States and Canada, making them difficult to buy in the North American market. Samsung Electronics, by contrast, has secured broad sales networks in major markets. Engadget assessed that on the software side, Samsung's One UI 9 is ahead of Xiaomi's HyperOS in completeness and ease of use.

Ultimately, the analysis said the Galaxy S26 Ultra is seen as the most realistic Android rival to the iPhone 18 Pro Max because of comprehensive competitiveness that spans not only performance but also software and distribution networks.

The next competition is expected to continue with the Galaxy S27 Ultra. If leaked information is accurate, the next model will be equipped with the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, and changes are expected in design and the camera system. How much photo and video quality can be raised through a new image sensor and processing technology is expected to be an important variable in competition with Apple.