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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →In Android Authority’s poll asking, “Which Android phone would you rather buy over the iPhone 18 Pro?”, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra won with 61.5% of the vote. The poll drew just under 2,300 votes, and the Google Pixel 11 Pro placed second at 14.8%. Those figures describe Android Authority’s respondents—not smartphone buyers as a whole. Android Authority’s report notes that its readership naturally leans toward Android phones.
How the iPhone 18 Pro alternative poll turned out
Android Authority reported the results on October 5, 2026. The question was which Android phone readers would rather buy over the iPhone 18 Pro. The Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 61.5% share was far ahead of every other listed choice.
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| Phone | Share of votes |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | 61.5% |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro | 14.8% |
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | 9.1% |
| Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) | Around 7% |
| Nothing Phone 4a Pro | Around 7% |
Android Authority reported just under 2,300 votes in this poll. The percentages are the outlet’s reported results; the two “around 7%” figures are approximate, so they should not be read as exact shares. See the poll report.
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What the result does—and doesn’t—show
The winner is clear among the people who answered, but this was a reader poll, not a controlled or representative survey of phone shoppers. Android Authority itself says its readership tends to favor Android. The result is best understood as a snapshot of that audience’s preference, not proof that most consumers would choose Samsung over Apple.
#1 Best Overall
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
It also measures stated preference in a poll, not purchases, hands-on evaluations, or comparative test results. It cannot establish which phone is the better fit for an individual buyer.
The separate iPhone 18 Pro Max poll had a different outcome
Android Authority also asked which phone readers would buy over the iPhone 18 Pro Max. That separate poll received 986 votes, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra won 39%—not 61.5%. The Pixel 11 Pro XL followed at 29%.
Rank #2
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
| Phone | Share of Pro Max poll votes |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | 39% |
| Google Pixel 11 Pro XL | 29% |
| Motorola Razr Ultra (2026) | 18% |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra | 10% |
| Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 8 | 4% |
These are results from a different question and a smaller poll, so they should not be combined with the iPhone 18 Pro figures. Android Authority’s report covers both polls.
How to read the phone comparison
Android Authority’s report says the Galaxy S26 Ultra cost $100 more than the iPhone 18 Pro at the time of its comparison, and points to Samsung’s Privacy Display, an extra camera, and Galaxy AI features. That is the report’s dated comparison, not a current price check or a full specification-by-specification assessment.
Rank #3
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
Size matters when interpreting the matchup. Apple lists the iPhone 18 Pro at 6.3 inches and the iPhone 18 Pro Max at 6.9 inches; Android Authority suggests the larger Ultra may be a closer size comparison to the Pro Max. Apple also lists a 48MP Fusion Main camera with variable aperture and advertises up to 45 hours of video playback for iPhone 18 Pro Max. Those are Apple’s manufacturer specifications and claim, not independent test findings. Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro page has its product details.
The poll report does not provide enough verified, current information for a complete head-to-head buying guide. Before choosing either phone, compare the specific models available to you on price, dimensions, display features, camera performance, battery life, software and AI tools, and how well each fits the ecosystem you use. The poll alone does not settle those trade-offs.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.8" Dynamic AMOLED 2X QHD+ display with 1–120 Hz adaptive refresh rate, up to ~1750 nits brightness, HDR10+ support, and ultra-smooth responsiveness for gaming and scrolling.
Rank #4
- PRIVACY DISPLAY: Automatically hide your screen from those beside you. The built-in privacy display can be preset¹ to turn on when receiving notifications, typing passwords, or using specific apps
- TYPE IT IN. TRANSFORM IT FAST: Enhance any shot in seconds on your smartphone by using Photo Assist² with Galaxy AI.³ Add objects, restore details, or apply new styles by simply typing or tapping
- NIGHTS, CAPTURED CLEARLY: From gigs to city lights, record and capture moments after dark with clarity using Nightography so your photos and videos stay crisp and clear on your Samsung Galaxy
- MAKE IT. EDIT IT. SHARE IT: Turn everyday moments into something personal with creative tools built right into your mobile phone, whether it’s a special contact photo, custom wallpaper, an invitation or more⁴
- HELP THAT KEEPS UP: Stay in the moment while Now Nudge with Galaxy AI helps you respond faster and stay organized with smart suggestions⁵ that appear exactly when you need them on your phone
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