Apple and Samsung are preparing another flagship fight, but this time the timing is different.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected in early 2027, while the regular iPhone 18 is now expected in spring 2027. For once, Samsung will likely get its new flagship out before Apple's standard iPhone.
Neither phone has received a final official specification sheet yet. That means this is not a normal phone comparison yet, and everything below is based on reports and leaks that could change before launch.
It's also worth being clear about the matchup. The iPhone 18 is Apple's standard model, while the S27 Ultra is Samsung's most expensive phone. If you want a like-for-like fight, the iPhone 18 Pro Max or the regular Galaxy S27 are closer rivals.
Still, plenty of people cross-shop these two, and there is enough information around both phones to see where the biggest differences could appear, particularly in performance, cameras, battery, AI and price.
iPhone 18 vs Galaxy S27 Ultra specs
| Feature | iPhone 18 | Galaxy S27 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Expected launch | Spring 2027 | Early 2027 |
| Display | Not announced | Not officially confirmed |
| Processor | A20 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro reportedly expected |
| Rear cameras | Two 48MP cameras reportedly expected | 200MP Main and additional cameras reportedly expected |
| Telephoto | Not officially confirmed | Telephoto setup still disputed |
| Front camera | Reportedly 24MP | 16MP reportedly expected |
| Battery | Not officially confirmed | 5,700mAh reported |
| AI | Apple Intelligence | Galaxy AI |
| Stylus | No | S Pen expected |
Important: apart from AI and stylus support, every spec in this table is based on current reports and leaks, not final manufacturer specifications.
iPhone 18: What we know so far
Apple did something unusual with its 2026 iPhone launch.
Instead of releasing the standard iPhone 18 alongside its Pro models, Apple introduced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max and its first foldable, the iPhone Duo, in September. The regular iPhone 18 is now expected to arrive in spring 2027.
Reports suggest the regular iPhone 18 could use an A20 chip, a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion and a dual-camera setup with two 48MP sensors. Apple hasn't confirmed any of it.
That distinction matters because the regular iPhone 18 should not be confused with the iPhone 18 Pro. The Pro models already have official specifications, including A20 Pro, three 48MP rear cameras and a variable-aperture Main camera. Those features should not automatically be attributed to the standard iPhone 18.
Galaxy S27 Ultra: What we know so far
Samsung has not officially launched the Galaxy S27 Ultra either, but it is expected in early 2027 with several hardware changes.
One of the most consistent reports is a larger 5,700mAh silicon-carbon battery, the first capacity bump on the Ultra line in years. There are also reports of a 200MP Main camera, 50MP Ultra Wide and 50MP Telephoto, although the exact telephoto configuration remains disputed.
The processor is not completely settled either. Reports point toward Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro for some markets, while others suggest Samsung may use its own Exynos 2700 in some versions.
Display
The regular iPhone 18 is reportedly expected to use a 6.3-inch display with ProMotion. That would give it the same basic screen size as the iPhone 17, which already has a 6.3-inch ProMotion display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz.
The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to stay a much larger phone, with reports pointing to a 6.9-inch QHD+ display that keeps the Privacy Display feature introduced on the S26 Ultra.
For people who prefer compact phones, the iPhone's smaller size could matter. For people who want a large screen for gaming, video and productivity, the Ultra's larger form factor is likely to remain part of its appeal.
Camera: This could be the biggest difference
Samsung's Ultra phones have traditionally focused heavily on camera flexibility, particularly zoom.
Current S27 Ultra reports suggest Samsung may move toward a 200MP Main camera and a new combination of Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras. However, conflicting reports about the telephoto setup mean it is too early to treat the camera system as final.
The regular iPhone 18 is expected to remain simpler, with reports pointing to two 48MP rear cameras.
That could mean Samsung continues to offer more hardware flexibility, especially for zoom, while Apple focuses on image processing and integration between its hardware and software.
But the real comparison will require finished phones and camera testing.
Video
Apple has traditionally made video a major part of its camera pitch. The iPhone 17 already records 4K Dolby Vision at up to 60fps, alongside Cinematic mode, Action mode, Spatial Audio and other recording features. The standard iPhone 18's video capabilities haven't been confirmed, but expect it to build on that.
Samsung could close the gap here. The S27 Ultra's new chip reportedly supports 8K recording at 60fps, double the 30fps limit on the S26 Ultra, plus 4K slow motion at 240fps.
For creators, this is one area where launch-day specifications and real-world tests will matter more than today's leaks.
Performance
The iPhone 18 is expected to use Apple's A20 chip, while the Galaxy S27 Ultra is reportedly getting Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 6 Pro, with Samsung's Exynos 2700 possible in some markets.
The important difference is not simply which chip has the bigger number.
Apple controls the iPhone's processor, operating system and hardware together, while Samsung's Android experience combines its hardware with Qualcomm or Exynos silicon and One UI.
Both approaches can deliver high-end performance. The final comparison will need benchmark results, sustained-performance testing and real-world battery results.
Battery and charging
The Galaxy S27 Ultra has a reported 5,700mAh battery, up from the 5,000mAh cell Samsung has used on its Ultra phones for years. Reports also point to 60W wired charging, the same as the S26 Ultra, and built-in Qi2 magnets for magnetic wireless charging accessories.
The regular iPhone 18's battery capacity and charging speeds haven't been reported in any detail yet.
This is one area where comparing numbers directly can be misleading anyway. A larger battery does not automatically mean longer battery life, because processor efficiency, display size, software and power management all affect how long a phone lasts.
The final battery comparison should focus on real-world testing rather than capacity alone.
AI and software
The iPhone 18 will run Apple's latest version of iOS and is expected to support the newest Apple Intelligence features.
Samsung's Galaxy S27 Ultra will run Android with Samsung's One UI and Galaxy AI features.
The difference here is less about whether either phone has AI and more about how each company integrates it into everyday tasks.
Apple is building its AI features around its broader ecosystem of iPhone, Mac, iPad and other Apple products. Samsung's approach is tied closely to Galaxy devices and Google's Android ecosystem.
Price
Neither company has announced pricing, but these two phones are almost certainly headed for different price tiers.
For context, the iPhone 17 launched at $799, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra launched at $1,299 in the US. If Apple and Samsung stick close to those patterns, the S27 Ultra could cost around $500 more than the iPhone 18.
That gap matters. If you're comparing these two phones, you're also deciding how much you want to spend on extras like the S Pen, the larger screen and the zoom cameras.
If you need a phone now
Neither phone is available yet.
If you need a phone immediately, waiting for an unreleased device means spending months with your current phone or choosing something already available.
If your current phone is still working well, waiting until both devices are official gives you a much better basis for comparison. By then, you'll have actual prices, confirmed specifications, battery tests, camera samples and performance benchmarks.
If you're already using a recent flagship
There is even less reason to rush.
A recent high-end phone can handle most everyday tasks without needing to be replaced simply because the next generation is coming. Wait for the iPhone 18 and Galaxy S27 Ultra to launch, then compare the specific features you actually care about.
If you take lots of photos, focus on cameras and zoom. If you edit video, pay attention to recording formats and transfer speeds. If battery life matters most, look at independent battery tests rather than battery capacity alone.
What should you do with your old phone after upgrading?
Whichever phone you choose, your current device can help offset some of the cost.
Timing matters here. Used phone prices usually dip once a new generation launches, because more people trade in or sell at the same time. Getting a quote before the S27 Ultra or iPhone 18 arrives gives you a clearer idea of how much you could recover, and SellMyCellPhone's price lock lets you hold that offer while you get your phone ready.
Before you send it off, back up your data, remove your accounts and security locks (Find My on iPhone, your Samsung and Google accounts on Galaxy), and erase the phone.
SellMyCellPhone buys both iPhones and Galaxy phones, so it works whichever way you're switching.
iPhone 18 vs Galaxy S27 Ultra: The bottom line
The iPhone 18 and Galaxy S27 Ultra are expected to compete in different ways, and likely at very different prices.
The iPhone 18 is expected to offer Apple's latest standard iPhone hardware, iOS and Apple Intelligence in a smaller, more affordable package. The Galaxy S27 Ultra is expected to continue Samsung's focus on a large display, advanced cameras, S Pen functionality and Galaxy AI.
The useful comparison will come when both phones launch with final prices and specifications. Until then, leaked camera, battery and processor figures are possibilities, not promises.
FAQs on S27 Ultra vs iPhone 18
Is the iPhone 18 released?
No. Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max in September 2026, but the regular iPhone 18 is expected later, reportedly in spring 2027.
Is the Galaxy S27 Ultra released?
No. Samsung has not officially launched the Galaxy S27 Ultra. Current reports expect the S27 lineup in early 2027.
Will the iPhone 18 have a better camera than the Galaxy S27 Ultra?
That cannot be established yet. The iPhone 18 camera system has not been officially confirmed, while reports about the S27 Ultra's camera configuration are still conflicting.
How big will the iPhone 18 be?
Reports currently point to a 6.3-inch display, but Apple has not confirmed the specification.
Will the Galaxy S27 Ultra have a bigger battery?
Reports currently point to a 5,700mAh battery, but Samsung has not officially confirmed the specification.
Which phone should I wait for, iPhone 18 or Galaxy S27 Ultra?
That depends on the features you care about. The final comparison should be made after both phones are officially announced, when their confirmed specifications, prices and real-world performance can be compared.