Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 lines up the September 2025 iPhone 17 Pro Max with the March 2026 Samsung Galaxy S26. The spec score is a weighted share of comparable published rows. Manufacturer spec sheets are the source.

Spec lead

5.3 / 10

iPhone 17 Pro Max specs

A19 Pro

Spec score

4.7 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 specs

Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)

iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Spec sheet

iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 published specs. Display lead uses refresh rate, pixel density, peak brightness, and always-on when both phones publish them. Camera lead is a hardware class, not a photo test. Battery is scored only when both phones publish the same kind of figure.
Spec	iPhone 17 Pro Max	Samsung Galaxy S26
Display	6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie	6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, FHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie
Chip	A19 Pro	Exynos 2600 (UK announcement; regional variants can differ)Leads
Memory	Not published	12GB
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie	256GB, 512GBTie
Camera hardware	48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)Leads	50MP f/1.8 main, 10MP 3x optical telephoto, 12MP ultrawide
Optical zoom	4xLeads	3x
Front camera	18MP Center Stage	12MP
Battery	up to 39 hours video playback	4,300 mAh
Charging	50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapterLeads	25W, about 55% in 30 minutes. Fast Wireless Charging 2.0, Wireless PowerShare
Weight	Not published	167 g
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window	7 years of OS and security updates
Launch price	Not listed	£879 UK RRP
Software	iOS 27	Android 16, One UI 8.5
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C (USB 3), 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want iOS 27. It leads on camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on chip.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26?

iPhone 17 Pro Max leads iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 on the weighted spec sheet, ahead on camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.