Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 63/100 (a 12-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 4823); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 2,601,000); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter (214g vs 233g).
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 3601
- Cheaper: $1199 vs $1299
- Better value for money (27/100 vs 20/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 2601000
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 10223
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 4823 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 214g vs 233g
- Higher performance (84/100 vs 72/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 66/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 41/100)
- Better design/ergonomics (32/100 vs 8/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 12 points higher (75/100 vs 63/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 72/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 66/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 41/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (84/100 vs 72/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (86/100 vs 66/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 41/100). In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (32/100 vs 8/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (27/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2601000 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3933 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10223 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4823 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | iOS 26 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 3000 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP68 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 163.4×78.0×8.8 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 233 g | 214 g | |
| Price | $1199 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4823 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 5000 mAh
- NanoReview test: web browsing 10:12 hrs, total 28:50 hrs
- Wired: 60W
- Wireless: 25W
We compared Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max by 26.0% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is cheaper by $100.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (84/100 vs 72/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (86/100 vs 66/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (51/100 vs 41/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (32/100 vs 8/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a bit better (27/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably better than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — the overall rating gap is 12 points.
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 63/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 66/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 72/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.