Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Apple iPhone 17 (2025) runs on the Apple A19, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; estimated prices are $799 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 75/100 vs 55/100 (a 20-point difference). Key differences: the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3692); the main camera is 48 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,515,964 vs 2,450,000); the Apple iPhone 17 is noticeably lighter (177g vs 214g).
Apple iPhone 17
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Better Geekbench Single: 3608 vs 3601
- Lighter: 177g vs 214g
- Cheaper: $799 vs $1299
- Better design/ergonomics (78/100 vs 32/100)
- Better value for money (55/100 vs 20/100)
- Higher AnTuTu: 3515964 vs 2450000
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 8810
- Bigger battery: 5000 vs 3692 mAh
- Faster charging: 60W vs 40W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 48MP
- Higher performance (84/100 vs 64/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 43/100)
- Longer battery life (51/100 vs 13/100)
Comparing the Apple iPhone 17 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 20 points higher (75/100 vs 55/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (84/100 vs 64/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (51/100 vs 13/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17 leads (55/100 vs 20/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (84/100 vs 64/100). In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100. In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (86/100 vs 43/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (51/100 vs 13/100). In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (78/100 vs 32/100). In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (55/100 vs 20/100).
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Apple A19 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 2450000 | 3515964 | |
| Geekbench Single | 3608 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 8810 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 2622x1206 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 3692 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 | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 256GB / 512GB | 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 | 149.6×71.5×8.0 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 177 g | 214 g | |
| Price | $799 | $1299 |
Apple iPhone 17
- Main: 48MP f/f/1.6
- Ultrawide: 48MP
- Front: 12MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Apple iPhone 17
- 6.3" LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
- Resolution: 2622x1206
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Apple iPhone 17
- 3692 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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Apple iPhone 17 by 30.3% in our overall performance rating.
Price difference: $500. Apple iPhone 17 is cheaper by $500.
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (84/100 vs 64/100).
display
In the "display" category, both devices are on the same level — 100/100.
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (86/100 vs 43/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 (51/100 vs 13/100).
design
In the "design" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (78/100 vs 32/100).
value for money
In the "value for money" category, the Apple iPhone 17 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (55/100 vs 20/100).
Which is better: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Apple iPhone 17 by 20 points (75/100 vs 55/100).
What is the rating of the Apple iPhone 17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 17 has a MobileRank rating of 55/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 75/100.
Which has the better camera: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 43/100).
Which is more powerful: the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (84/100 vs 64/100).
Should you choose the Apple iPhone 17 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Apple iPhone 17 is a better fit for active users. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts.