Apple iPhone 18 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26
3 questions both answer, side by side. Every answer is backed by the dated sources at the bottom.
Side by side
Can your phone screen unknown and spam calls for you?
On iPhone, Screen Unknown Callers can ask callers from unsaved numbers why they're calling before your phone rings.
Good to know: An iPhone setting, not specific to iPhone 18 Pro; not active while roaming.
Galaxy S26's AI-powered Call Screening identifies unknown callers and summarizes why they called.
Good to know: Has to be switched on manually; languages vary.
Can your phone's AI assistant do things in your apps for you?
On iPhone 18 Pro, Apple Intelligence powers Siri AI, integrated into your apps, to help with everyday tasks like sending messages and setting reminders.
Good to know: Siri availability and features vary by language and area.
Galaxy S26 offers Gemini and Perplexity alongside Bixby and can handle multi-step tasks in the background, such as booking a taxi with Gemini after you review the details.
Good to know: Maker's description; features vary by region and language.
How long does a new phone's battery last?
Apple rates iPhone 18 Pro at up to 36 hours of video playback (33 streamed); iPhone 18 Pro Max is rated at up to 45 hours.
Good to know: Video playback rating.
Samsung rates Galaxy S26 at 30 hours of video playback from a 4300 mAh battery.
Good to know: Video playback rating; S26+ is rated at 31 hours.
Only checked for one of them
Can you edit a photo on your phone just by describing the change?
Galaxy S26's Photo Assist adds or changes things in a photo from a typed description, and marks the saved result as AI-generated.
Good to know: Samsung says accuracy of the generated output isn't guaranteed.
Can your phone translate a phone call live?
Samsung's Live Translate translates calls in real time in the Samsung Phone app on a Galaxy S26, in 22 languages.
Good to know: Samsung describes it on its Galaxy Buds4 Pro page, with the translation playing in your ear.
How many years of updates does a new phone get?
Samsung says the Galaxy S26 series gets seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from its global launch.
Good to know: Counted from the February 2026 launch; timing may vary by carrier.
How we know (5 sources)
Apple Support, "Manage unknown callers on iPhone": under Screen Unknown Callers you choose Never, Ask Reason for Calling (the caller is asked why they're calling before your phone rings) or Silence. Calls aren't screened while roaming, and screening turns off for 24 hours after an emergency call. A spam filter and an Unknown Callers filter move such calls to separate lists.
Read the sourceiPhone 18 Pro overview and tech specs (read Oct 24, 2026): iPhone 18 Pro 256GB at $1,199. Up to 36 hours of video playback (33 streamed); iPhone 18 Pro Max up to 45 hours (40 streamed). Apple Intelligence powers Siri AI, integrated into your apps; Siri helps with everyday tasks like sending messages and setting reminders. Emergency SOS, Messages and Find My via satellite.
Read the sourceSamsung's US launch release for the Galaxy S26 series: seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates from global launch. Alongside Bixby, it offers agents including Gemini and Perplexity, and can handle multi-step tasks in the background, such as booking a taxi with Gemini. AI-powered Call Screening identifies unknown callers and summarizes why they called (needs manual activation; languages vary). General availability from March 11, 2026.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy Buds4 Pro page (read Oct 22, 2026): from $249.99. Interpreter and Live Translate in 22 languages: real-time translation in your ear on calls through the Samsung Phone app on a Galaxy S26, or face-to-face with your words shown on the phone for the other person. Interpreter needs a Galaxy AI phone on One UI 6.1.1 or later; basic Galaxy AI features are free.
Read the sourceUS Galaxy S26 and S26+ page (read Oct 23, 2026): from $899.99 before trade-in. Photo Assist edits photos from a text description and marks the result as AI-generated. Galaxy S26 has a 4300 mAh battery rated at 30 hours of video playback (S26+ 31 hours); the page also lists Galaxy S26 Ultra with a 5000 mAh battery and 31 hours of video playback. Bixby understands natural-language requests to change device settings or search the web.
Read the source