Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025) runs on the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 (2026) runs on the Samsung Exynos 2600; launch prices were $1199 and $799. By overall MobileRank rating, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads — 75/100 vs 66/100 (a 9-point difference). Key differences: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the bigger battery (4823 mAh vs 4000); the main camera is 48 MP vs 50 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 is faster in AnTuTu (2,856,499 vs 2,568,709); the Samsung Galaxy S26 is noticeably lighter (162g vs 233g).
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Better Geekbench Single: 3933 vs 2880
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10223 vs 9100
- Bigger battery: 4823 vs 4000 mAh
- Faster charging: 40W vs 25W
- Faster wireless charging: 25W vs 15W
- Higher performance (92/100 vs 90/100)
- Better camera (71/100 vs 40/100)
- Longer battery life (53/100 vs 31/100)
- Better display (85/100 vs 81/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 2856499 vs 2568709
- Better main camera: 50MP vs 48MP
- Lighter: 162g vs 233g
- Cheaper at launch: $799 vs $1199
- Better portability (89/100 vs 30/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs the Samsung Galaxy S26, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 9 points higher (75/100 vs 66/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (71/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads (53/100 vs 31/100). Value score: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max — 60/100, Samsung Galaxy S26 — 44/100; it is biased by price level, so it should not be compared directly between devices at different prices. In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 90/100). In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100). In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (71/100 vs 40/100). In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (53/100 vs 31/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (89/100 vs 30/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung Exynos 2600 | |
| AnTuTu | 2568709 | 2856499 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3933 | 2880 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 10223 | 9100 | |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 2340x1080 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 4823 mAh | 4000 mAh | |
| Charging | 40W | 25W | |
| Wireless charging | 25W | 15W | |
| Main camera | 48 MP | 50 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 48 MP | 12 MP | |
| Telephoto | 48 MP | 10 MP | |
| Front camera | 18 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 12GB | 12GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 128GB / 256GB / 512GB | |
| 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 | 158.4×75.8×7.3 mm | |
| Weight | 233 g | 162 g | |
| Launch price | $1199 | $799 |
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.78
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Telephoto: 48MP
- Front: 18MP
Samsung Galaxy S26
- Main: 50MP f/f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 12MP
- Telephoto: 10MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 6.9" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2868x1320
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 6.2" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 2340x1080
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4823 mAh
- Wired: 40W
- Wireless: 25W
Samsung Galaxy S26
- 4000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless: 15W
We compared Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 leads Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max by 10.1% in our overall performance rating.
Launch price difference: $400. Samsung Galaxy S26 was $400 cheaper at launch.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (92/100 vs 90/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Samsung Galaxy S26 are nearly equal (85/100 vs 81/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (71/100 vs 40/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 (53/100 vs 31/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (89/100 vs 30/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max edges out the Samsung Galaxy S26 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?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has a MobileRank rating of 75/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 — 66/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on camera score (71/100 vs 40/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max over the Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max is a better fit for gamers and power users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 is a better fit for gamers and power users.