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2026 comparison
Updated Jan 7, 2026
|Sources: Amazon, ManufacturerApple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
If you're diving into the flagship smartphone arena in 2026, the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 are top contenders. The iPhone 16 Pro Max is the more premium option, boasting a stunning 6.9" display, while the Z Fold6 offers a unique foldable experience with a larger 7.6" screen. In real-world usage, the iPhone’s 4685mAh battery provides up to 33 hours of video playback, making it ideal for long flights. Let’s dig into the specifics to see which one steals the spotlight.
📱 Display: 6.9" vs 7.6"🔋 Battery: 4685 mAh vs 4400 mAh⚖️ Weight: 8.01 oz vs 8.43 oz
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7
(348)•Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3
(535)•Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
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Key spec differences
Only the specs that differ are shown here. Winners are highlighted when the data is clear.
Winner= clear advantage
Spec
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Display2 specs
Display SizeKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" CoverWinner
Refresh Rate
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Performance3 specs
ProcessorKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
RAMKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12GB LPDDR5XWinner
Storage
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Camera2 specs
Main CameraKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OISWinner
Ultra-Wide Camera
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Battery2 specs
Battery CapacityKey
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)Winner
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)
Wireless Charging
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Design2 specs
Weight
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
7.99 oz (227 g)Winner
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
8.43 oz (239 g)
Dimensions
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Software1 specs
Operating System
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
iOS
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Android
Connectivity1 specs
Connectivity
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
+Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Expand
Full specs, pros, and cons
Everything side-by-side with ratings and the full spec list.
Comparison: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
★4.7(348)Best Buy
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
★4.3(535)Amazon
| Criterion | Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★4.7(348)Best Buy | ★4.3(535)Amazon |
Operating System | iOS | Android |
Software Support | Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades | 7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates |
Processor | Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC) |
Graphics | Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro) | Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz) |
RAM | 8 GB (LPDDR5X) | 12GB LPDDR5X |
Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe) | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0) |
Display Size | 6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less) | 7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover |
Screen Type | Super Retina XDR OLED | Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover) |
Resolution | 2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi) | Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+) |
Refresh Rate | Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display | 1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover) |
Peak Brightness | 1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum | 2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover) |
Main Camera | 48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP) | 50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS |
Ultra-Wide Camera | 48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography | 12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV) |
Telephoto Camera | 12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels | 10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS |
Optical Zoom | 5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range | 3x Optical Zoom |
Digital Zoom | Up to 25x | Up to 30x Space Zoom |
Video Recording | 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording | 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps |
Front Camera | 12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps | Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8) |
Battery | 4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed) | 4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell) |
Wired Charging | USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported | Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately) |
Wireless Charging | MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W | Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W) |
Connectivity | 5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode | 5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB |
USB | USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output | USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 |
Durability | IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back | IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 |
Dimensions | 6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm) | Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm) |
Weight | 7.99 oz (227 g) | 8.43 oz (239 g) |
Biometrics | Face ID | Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition |
Extras | Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite | Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX |
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Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max
Rating:★4.7(348)Best Buy
Operating System:iOS
Software Support:Minimum 5 years from release date (guaranteed security updates); historically supports 6+ years of OS upgrades
Processor:Apple A18 Pro chip (3nm; 6-core CPU: 2 performance + 4 efficiency; 16-core Neural Engine)
Graphics:Apple 6-core GPU (A18 Pro)
RAM:8 GB (LPDDR5X)
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (NVMe)
Display Size:6.9" (6.86" measured diagonally as a standard rectangle; actual viewable area is less)
Screen Type:Super Retina XDR OLED
Resolution:2868 x 1320 pixels (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate:Up to 120 Hz (ProMotion adaptive 1-120Hz); Always-On display
Peak Brightness:1000 nits max (typical); 1600 nits peak (HDR); 2000 nits peak (outdoor); 1 nit minimum
Main Camera:48MP Fusion (24 mm, f/1.78), second-generation sensor-shift optical image stabilization, 100% Focus Pixels, support for super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP)
Ultra-Wide Camera:48MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2, 120° field of view), Hybrid Focus Pixels, 48MP macro photography
Telephoto Camera:12MP 5x Telephoto (120 mm, f/2.8), tetraprism design, 3D sensor-shift OIS, autofocus, 100% Focus Pixels
Optical Zoom:5x optical zoom in, 2x optical zoom out; 10x optical zoom range
Digital Zoom:Up to 25x
Video Recording:4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60/100/120 fps (Fusion); Cinematic mode up to 4K HDR at 30 fps; Action mode up to 2.8K at 60 fps; ProRes up to 4K 120 fps with external recording
Front Camera:12MP TrueDepth (f/1.9), autofocus with Focus Pixels, 4K Dolby Vision at 24/25/30/60 fps
Battery:4685 mAh (Li-ion); Up to 33 hours video playback (29 hours streamed)
Wired Charging:USB-C; Up to 50% charge in ~30 minutes with 20W adapter or higher; USB 3 speeds supported
Wireless Charging:MagSafe up to 25W (with 30W+ adapter); Qi2 up to 25W (via iOS update); Qi up to 7.5W
Connectivity:5G (sub-6 GHz and mmWave) with 4x4 MIMO; Gigabit LTE; Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO; Bluetooth 5.3; Ultra Wideband (Second-generation); Thread networking technology; NFC with reader mode
USB:USB-C connector with USB 3 speeds (up to 10 Gb/s); Native DisplayPort output
Durability:IP68 (maximum depth of 6 meters up to 30 minutes); Ceramic Shield (latest generation) front; Titanium design (Grade 5); Textured matte glass back
Dimensions:6.42" x 3.06" x 0.32" (163.0 x 77.6 x 8.25 mm)
Weight:7.99 oz (227 g)
Biometrics:Face ID
Extras:Apple Intelligence support; Camera Control button; Action button; Dynamic Island; LiDAR Scanner; Dual eSIM (US models); Emergency SOS via satellite; Crash Detection; Roadside Assistance via satellite
✓ Pros:
- • Largest iPhone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders
- • 48MP Ultra Wide camera improves macro and wide-angle detail significantly
- • Excellent battery life (4685 mAh), among the best in class
- • Dedicated Camera Control button mimics a DSLR shutter
- • Support for 4K 120fps Dolby Vision recording for professional slow-motion
✗ Cons:
- • Large physical dimensions can be unwieldy for some users
- • Fastest charging speeds (MagSafe 25W) require purchasing a new puck and adapter
- • US models lack a physical SIM tray (eSIM only)
- • Base storage starts at 256GB, raising the entry price
- • USB-C cable included in the box is limited to USB 2 speeds (pro transfer speeds require separate cable)
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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6
Rating:★4.3(535)Amazon
Operating System:Android
Software Support:7 generations of OS upgrades; 7 years of security updates
Processor:Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 for Galaxy (SM8650-AC)
Graphics:Qualcomm Adreno 750 (1 GHz)
RAM:12GB LPDDR5X
Storage:256GB / 512GB / 1TB (UFS 4.0)
Display Size:7.6" Main (unfolded) + 6.3" Cover
Screen Type:Foldable Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Main); Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Cover)
Resolution:Main: 1856 x 2160 pixels (QXGA+); Cover: 968 x 2376 pixels (HD+)
Refresh Rate:1–120Hz Adaptive (Main and Cover)
Peak Brightness:2,600 nits (Peak, Main and Cover)
Main Camera:50MP Wide (f/1.8, 85° FOV), Dual Pixel AF, OIS
Ultra-Wide Camera:12MP Ultra-Wide (f/2.2, 123° FOV)
Telephoto Camera:10MP Telephoto (3x optical, f/2.4); PDAF, OIS
Optical Zoom:3x Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom:Up to 30x Space Zoom
Video Recording:8K@30fps, 4K@60fps
Front Camera:Cover: 10MP (f/2.2); Main Under-Display: 4MP (f/1.8)
Battery:4,400 mAh (Typical, Dual-cell)
Wired Charging:Up to 25W Super Fast Charging (Adapter sold separately)
Wireless Charging:Fast Wireless Charging 2.0 (15W); Wireless PowerShare (4.5W)
Connectivity:5G (Sub6/mmWave); Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax); Bluetooth 5.3; NFC; UWB
USB:USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1
Durability:IP48 (Water resistant up to 1.5m; Protected against foreign objects >1mm, not dust tight); Armor Aluminum; Gorilla Glass Victus 2
Dimensions:Unfolded: 6.04" x 5.22" x 0.22" (153.5 x 132.6 x 5.6 mm); Folded: 6.04" x 2.68" x 0.48" (153.5 x 68.1 x 12.1 mm)
Weight:8.43 oz (239 g)
Biometrics:Side-mounted Fingerprint Sensor; Face Recognition
Extras:Galaxy AI; S Pen Support (Main screen only, sold separately); Samsung DeX
✓ Pros:
- • Refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors
- • Both Main and Cover displays hit a massive 2,600 nits peak brightness
- • Galaxy AI features are deeply integrated for productivity and translation
- • Class-leading 7-year software update commitment
- • IP48 rating provides verified water resistance and limited solid object ingress protection
✗ Cons:
- • Charging speed remains capped at 25W wired / 15W wireless
- • Camera hardware is largely unchanged from previous generation
- • Under-display camera (4MP) quality is still noticeably inferior to standard selfies
- • No integrated slot for the S Pen
- • IP48 is not fully dust-tight (sand/fine dust can still damage the hinge)
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Which one is better?
Battery life: Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max is rated for up to 33 hours. That said, grab the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if you want a larger 7.6" display and foldable design - it’s a unique experience worth exploring.
Who should buy each?
Choose the Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max if: you want the largest display at 6.9", you need long battery life with up to 33 hours of video playback, or you shoot a lot of photos with its 48MP camera.
Choose the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 if: you prefer a foldable design for multitasking, you want a peak brightness of 2600 nits for outdoor viewing, or you enjoy using a larger screen for gaming.
Conclusion
We hope this comparison helps you buy with confidence. Both products are dependable; the right one depends on how you will use it.
Frequently Asked Questions
+Which has better value?
Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max excels if you value largest iphone display ever at 6.9 inches with ultra-thin borders. Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 is better if you prioritize refined design is thinner, lighter, and easier to hold than predecessors. Pick based on your budget and daily use.
+Is this an independent review?
Yes. We use affiliate links for monetization, but recommendations are research-driven and unbiased.
+Do newer models exist?
Check release timelines from the manufacturers and compare pricing before you buy. We refresh this page when major updates land.
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