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; launch prices were $1199 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 75/100 (a 9-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 (3,463,142 vs 2,538,751); the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is noticeably lighter (214g vs 233g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max better?
- Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 3601
- Cheaper at launch: $1199 vs $1299
- Overall rating 75/100
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 2538751
- 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 (96/100 vs 92/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 71/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 53/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 85/100)
- Better portability (51/100 vs 30/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 9 points higher (84/100 vs 75/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 71/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 60/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 78/100; it shows how far a model sits above or below the usual level for its price, and is not part of the overall rating. In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (96/100 vs 92/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (86/100 vs 71/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 53/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (51/100 vs 30/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2538751 | 3463142 | |
| 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 | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
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
Battery and charging
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
Overall performance score
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 26.7% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $100. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max was $100 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (96/100 vs 92/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max are nearly equal (88/100 vs 85/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (86/100 vs 71/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 53/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (51/100 vs 30/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra edges out the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max by just 9 points — the two devices are very close in overall level.
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 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
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 71/100).
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 gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.