5 Ways Galaxy S27 Ultra Can Beat the iPhone 18 Pro — and 2 Ways Apple Will Still Win

As anticipation builds for the next wave of flagship smartphones, tech enthusiasts are already looking ahead to how Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S27 Ultra will stack up against Apple's iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. While Apple's latest devices introduce a suite of impressive features, they are far from flawless. Rumors surrounding the Galaxy S27 Ultra suggest major design overhauls and performance bumps that could give Samsung a distinct competitive edge.

Here, we break down the five major areas where the Samsung Galaxy S27 Ultra could outperform the iPhone 18 Pro, alongside two critical categories where Apple is expected to maintain its dominance.

1. A Significantly Larger Battery

Samsung has already demonstrated its ability to increase battery capacity without compromising device thickness, as seen with the silicon-carbon battery in the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. Rumor has it that Samsung will leverage this same advanced technology for the S27 Ultra, potentially boosting capacity to 5,700 mAh. This represents a 14% increase over its predecessor, which should translate to noticeably better longevity, closing the gap against Apple's power-efficient designs.

2. An Advanced Split-Screen Privacy Display

The Privacy Display was a standout feature on previous Ultra models, but future iterations are expected to refine the technology. According to industry leakers like Ice Universe, Samsung is planning to adopt a split-screen privacy display similar to features seen on recent competitor devices. This allows the privacy filter to adapt dynamically to multitasking windows, keeping sensitive information hidden while leaving active split-screen apps fully visible.

3. Retained S Pen Integration

While Apple continues to restrict precision stylus support to specialized models or alternative lineups, the Galaxy S27 Ultra will continue to feature a built-in S Pen. For users who prefer note-taking, sketching, or precise photo-editing controls directly on their mobile device without carrying external accessories, Samsung's integrated stylus remains a massive productivity advantage.

4. Upgraded Camera Hardware

Samsung’s Ultra series has long boasted high-resolution main sensors, but the S27 Ultra looks to push boundaries further. Rumors point to an upgraded 16MP selfie camera and potential enhancements to the telephoto lens architecture. Even amidst debates over optical zoom magnification specifications, the physical sensor size and overall resolution capabilities are expected to surpass those found on the iPhone 18 Pro Max.

5. Increased RAM Options for AI

On-device AI capabilities require substantial memory bandwidth. While entry-level tiers may remain modest, higher-end 1TB variants of the Galaxy S27 Ultra are expected to push memory limits further, easily outpacing the 12GB RAM found in competing Apple flagships to deliver smoother, more responsive on-device artificial intelligence processing.

2 Ways Apple Will Still Win

1. Raw Performance Power

Despite impressive benchmark expectations for Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon silicon expected to power the S27 Ultra, Apple's A20 Pro chip continues to dominate in single-core, multi-core, and graphics benchmarks. Apple maintains a distinct performance lead that Android manufacturers continuously strive to match.

2. Maximum Storage Capacity

When it comes to top-tier storage, Apple currently offers maximum configurations reaching up to 2TB, whereas rumors suggest the Galaxy S27 series will cap its maximum internal storage at 1TB. For power users who hoard massive media libraries on their devices, Apple still holds the crown for maximum capacity.