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Spec cross-check · 2026-10-14

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

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

Spec lead

8.7 / 10

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra specs

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy

Spec score

1.3 / 10

iPhone 17 Pro Max specs

A19 Pro

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

Spec sheet

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max 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.
SpecSamsung Galaxy S26 UltraiPhone 17 Pro Max
Display6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X, QHD+, 120Hz, always-onTie6.9-inch Super Retina XDR OLED, 2868×1320, 460 ppi, 120Hz, 3,000 nits peak, always-onTie
ChipSnapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for GalaxyLeadsA19 Pro
Memory12GB (16GB with 1TB)Not published
Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie256GB, 512GB, 1TBTie
Camera hardware200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawideLeads48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality)
Optical zoom5xLeads4x
Front camera12MP18MP Center Stage
Battery5,000 mAhup to 39 hours video playback
Charging60W, about 75% in 30 minutes. Super Fast Wireless Charging, Wireless PowerShareLeads50% in 20 minutes with a 40W or higher adapter. MagSafe, 50% in 30 minutes with a 30W adapter
Weight214 gNot published
Water resistanceIP68TieIP68Tie
Software support7 years of OS and security updatesApple does not publish a fixed OS support window
Launch price£1,279 UK RRPNot listed
SoftwareAndroid 16, One UI 8.5iOS 27
BiometricsUltrasonic fingerprintFace ID
ConnectivityUSB-C, 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0USB-C (USB 3), 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 Pro Max if you want iOS 27.

Questions

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

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

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better battery?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max do not publish a comparable battery figure. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 5,000 mAh. iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to 39 hours video playback.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: which has the better camera?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera hardware. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: 200MP f/1.4 main, 50MP 5x optical (10x optical-quality), 10MP 3x optical, 50MP f/1.9 ultrawide. iPhone 17 Pro Max: 48MP f/1.78 main, 48MP ultrawide, 48MP 4x optical telephoto (8x optical-quality). This rank is hardware class, not a photo lab test.

What did Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max cost at launch?

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max do not publish a comparable launch price figure. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: £1,279 UK RRP. iPhone 17 Pro Max: Not listed.

Sources

  • Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra newsroom specifications, February 25, 2026
  • Apple iPhone 17 Pro technical specifications

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