Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

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

Spec score

1.9 / 10

iPhone 17 specs

A19

Spec lead

8.1 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

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

Spec sheet

iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 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	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Display	6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622×1206, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie
Chip	A19	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeads
Memory	Not published	12GB (16GB with 1TB)
Storage	256GB, 512GBTie	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware	48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop	200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads
Optical zoom	No optical telephoto	5xLeads
Front camera	18MP Center Stage	12MP
Battery	up to 30 hours video playback	5,000 mAh
Charging	50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter	60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads
Weight	177 gLeads	214 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	£1,279 UK RRP
Software	iOS 27	Android 16, One UI 8.5
Biometrics	Face ID	Ultrasonic fingerprint
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0

Who should buy which

Choose the iPhone 17 if you want iOS 27. It leads on weight.

Choose the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want Android 16, One UI 8.5. It leads on chip, camera hardware, optical zoom, and charging.

Questions

Which is better, iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

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