Samsung Galaxy A17 5G vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (2025) runs on the Samsung Exynos 1330, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $166 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 48/100 (a 36-point difference). Key differences: the main camera is 50 MP vs 200 MP; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is faster in AnTuTu (3,463,142 vs 603,772); the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G is noticeably lighter (192g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy A17 5G better?
- Lighter: 192g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $166 vs $1299
- Better portability (68/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 603772
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 960
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 1826
- Faster charging: 60W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 46/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 33/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 52/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 67/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 36 points higher (84/100 vs 48/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 46/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 33/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A17 5G — 66/100, 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 significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (96/100 vs 46/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (88/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (86/100 vs 33/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (68/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A17 5G | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 1330 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 603772 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 960 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 1826 | 10686 | |
| Display | 6.7" Super AMOLED | 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X | |
| Resolution | 1080x2340 | 3120x1440 | |
| Refresh rate | 90 Hz | 120 Hz | |
| Battery | 5000 mAh | 5000 mAh | |
| Charging | 25W | 60W | |
| Wireless charging | — | 25W | |
| DXOMark (camera) | — | 157 | |
| Main camera | 50 MP | 200 MP | |
| Ultrawide | 5 MP | 50 MP | |
| Telephoto | 0 MP | 50 MP | |
| Front camera | 13 MP | 12 MP | |
| RAM | 4GB / 6GB / 8GB | 12GB / 16GB | |
| Storage | 128GB / 256GB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 / One UI 7 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | — | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | — | yes | |
| Protection | — | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | — | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 192 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $166 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
- Main: 50MP f/1.8
- Ultrawide: 5MP
- Front: 13MP
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- Main: 200MP f/1.7
- Ultrawide: 50MP
- Telephoto: 50MP
- Front: 12MP
Display comparison
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
- 6.7" Super AMOLED
- Resolution: 1080x2340
- Refresh rate: 90 Hz
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
- 6.9" Dynamic AMOLED 2X
- Resolution: 3120x1440
- Refresh rate: 120 Hz
Battery and charging
Samsung Galaxy A17 5G
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- Wireless charging: no data
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 Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy A17 5G by 82.6% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1133. Samsung Galaxy A17 5G was $1133 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (96/100 vs 46/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (88/100 vs 67/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G (86/100 vs 33/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a bit better (61/100 vs 52/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (68/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G by 36 points (84/100 vs 48/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A17 5G has a MobileRank rating of 48/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on camera score (86/100 vs 33/100).
Which is more powerful: the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 46/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A17 5G over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.