Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17

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

Spec lead

8.1 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Spec score

1.9 / 10

iPhone 17 specs

A19

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

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 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	Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra	iPhone 17
Display	6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie	6.3-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2622×1206, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie
Chip	Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeads	A19
Memory	12GB (16GB with 1TB)	Not published
Storage	256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie	256GB, 512GBTie
Camera hardware	200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads	48MP f/1.6 main, 48MP ultrawide, 2x optical-quality crop
Optical zoom	5xLeads	No optical telephoto
Front camera	12MP	18MP Center Stage
Battery	5,000 mAh	up to 30 hours video playback
Charging	60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads	50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter
Weight	214 g	177 gLeads
Water resistance	IP68Tie	IP68Tie
Software support	7 years of OS and security updates	Apple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price	£1,279 UK RRP	Not listed
Software	Android 16, One UI 8.5	iOS 27
Biometrics	Ultrasonic fingerprint	Face ID
Connectivity	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0	USB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7 (Apple N1), Bluetooth

Who should buy which

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.

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

Questions

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

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