Samsung is planning to give Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max a tought time with massive 5,700mAh battery, powerful 200MP camera, a next-generation 2nm processor and new design. With S27 expected launch in early 2027, all eyes are on the upcoming flagship Android in race of top notch device.
Expected to debut in early 2027, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is already attracting attention as Samsung prepares for another high-profile smartphone showdown with Apple. Although Samsung has not officially unveiled the device, emerging details suggest the company could introduce some of its most significant Ultra-series changes in recent years, including a larger battery, a completely new camera design and next-generation performance capabilities.
Galaxy S27 Ultra vs iPhone 18 Pro Max Specs
| Feature | S27 Ultra | iPhone 18 Pro Max |
| Launch | January–February 2027 | September 2026 |
| Display | 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED | 6.9-inch OLED |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz | Adaptive 1–120Hz |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, 2nm | A20 Pro, 2nm |
| RAM | 12GB / 16GB | 12GB |
| Storage | 256GB–1TB | 256GB–2TB |
| Main Camera | 200MP | 48MP, variable aperture |
| Ultrawide Camera | 50MP | 48MP |
| Telephoto Camera | 50MP, 5x optical zoom | 48MP, approximately 4x |
| Front Camera | 12–16MP | Reported 18–24MP |
| Battery | 5,500–5,700mAh | Approximately 5,391–5,567mAh |
| Wired Charging | 60W expected | Reported 50% in around 15 minutes |
| Special Features | S Pen, Privacy Display, possible Qi2 magnets | Face ID, Apple Intelligence, variable aperture |
| Operating System | Android 17 with One UI | iOS 27 |
| Starting Price | $1,399–$1,499 expected | $1,299 reported |
| Dimensions | 163.8 × 78.3 × 8.0mm | 163.4 × 78.0 × 8.75mm |
Battery
One of the most anticipated upgrades is a larger battery that could significantly improve the Galaxy S27 Ultra’s endurance. The upcoming flagship is rumored to feature a battery between 5,500mAh and 5,700mAh, compared with the 5,000mAh unit found in the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Some earlier expectations suggested capacities of up to 6,500mAh, but more recent leaks point toward a battery closer to 5,700mAh, potentially with a rated capacity of approximately 5,534mAh. Galaxy S27 Ultra may support 60W wired charging, alongside wireless and reverse wireless charging.
Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max, meanwhile, reportedly features a battery capacity ranging from approximately 5,391mAh to 5,567mAh, depending on the variant. Apple claims up to 45 hours of video playback, making battery performance a key area of competition between the two devices.
iPhone-Like Camera?
Galaxy S27 Ultra could also look noticeably different from previous Samsung flagships. Leaked renders and accessory designs suggest Samsung may replace its familiar individual camera rings with a broader rectangular camera island, giving the smartphone an appearance somewhat similar to Apple’s premium iPhones.
Despite the visual changes, the device is expected to remain close to its predecessor in overall size. Its rumored dimensions are approximately 163.8 × 78.3 × 8.0mm, compared with the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s measurements of around 163.6 × 78.1 × 7.9mm. Samsung is expected to retain its signature S Pen, aluminum frame and IP68 dust and water resistance.
Samsung’s next flagship may introduce an unexpected change in photography hardware by reducing the number of rear cameras. Instead of continuing with a dedicated 3x telephoto lens, the Galaxy S27 Ultra is rumored to feature a three-camera arrangement consisting of a 200MP primary sensor, 50MP ultrawide camera and 50MP periscope telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom.
The removal of the separate 3x camera could mark a significant departure from Samsung’s traditional Ultra-series photography setup. Samsung may compensate for the missing lens through high-resolution sensor cropping and advanced computational photography, allowing users to capture photographs at intermediate zoom levels.
The front-facing camera is expected to offer between 12MP and 16MP resolution, with some reports pointing toward optical image stabilization. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max, meanwhile, reportedly features three 48MP rear cameras, including a main sensor with variable-aperture technology.
Snapdragon 2nm Processor
Galaxy S27 Ultra is also expected to feature one of Qualcomm’s most powerful mobile processors. The upcoming smartphone may be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6, potentially carrying a Pro, Extreme or Galaxy-specific designation.
Built on advanced 2nm technology, the chipset could deliver improvements in processing speed, power efficiency and thermal performance. Some speculative reports have suggested clock speeds approaching 5GHz, although the final processor specifications remain uncertain.
Next-generation LPDDR6 memory and UFS 5.0 storage are also rumored, potentially allowing faster multitasking, data transfers and application performance. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max reportedly runs on the A20 Pro processor, also manufactured using a 2nm process. The device is said to feature 12GB RAM and storage capacities reaching 2TB, giving Apple an advantage in maximum available storage.
Privacy Display
Display technology could become another major battleground between the two smartphone giants. Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to feature a 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with QHD+ resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Its peak brightness could reportedly reach between 2,600 and 3,000 nits, while improved Privacy Display technology may make on-screen information harder for people nearby to view from certain angles.
The enhanced privacy feature could be particularly useful for people using their smartphones in offices, public transport and crowded spaces. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max reportedly features a 6.9-inch OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 120Hz and a resolution of approximately 2868 × 1320 pixels.
Galaxy S27 Ultra Expected Price and Release Date
Samsung is widely expected to unveil the Galaxy S27 Ultra during its next Galaxy Unpacked event in January or February 2027. The smartphone could carry a starting price between $1,399 and $1,499, potentially making it more expensive than Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro Max, which reportedly starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model.
If the rumored pricing materializes, Samsung’s flagship could cost approximately $100 to $200 more than Apple’s premium offering. Possible color options include Black, Blue, White and lighter Pink or Violet finishes.
The rumored Galaxy S27 Ultra specifications suggest Samsung is preparing an ambitious challenge to Apple’s premium smartphone lineup. Its potential advantages include a larger battery, high-resolution 200MP camera, powerful Snapdragon processor, up to 16GB RAM, improved Privacy Display and continued S Pen functionality.
Apple, however, could maintain an edge through its A20 Pro chipset, variable-aperture photography, greater maximum storage capacity, optimized battery performance and established software ecosystem.
