iPhone 18 Pro vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra Photo Comparison: I Put Apple's and Samsung's Top Cameras to the Test

How do the cameras on Apple's $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro compare to Samsung's $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra? I took the phones for a spin to find out.

Read full bio September 17, 2026, 9:00 am ET

The iPhone 18 Pro and Galaxy S26 Ultra are two top-tier phones with premium cameras. Abrar Al-Heeti/CNET What do you get for spending more than $1,000 on a smartphone? Some of the best mobile cameras on the market.

That’s certainly true for Apple’s $1,199 iPhone 18 Pro and Samsung’s $1,300 Galaxy S26 Ultra . Both premium (and pricey) phones pack highly advanced camera systems that can deliver impressive results, whether you’re a casual or professional photographer.