Samsung Galaxy A17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy A17 (2025) runs on the MediaTek Helio G99, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026) runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5; launch prices were $147 and $1299. By overall MobileRank rating, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads — 84/100 vs 45/100 (a 39-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 554,590); the Samsung Galaxy A17 is noticeably lighter (190g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy A17
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy A17 better?
- Lighter: 190g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $147 vs $1299
- Better portability (70/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 554590
- Better Geekbench Single: 3601 vs 727
- Better Geekbench Multi: 10686 vs 2047
- Faster charging: 60W vs 25W
- Better main camera: 200MP vs 50MP
- Higher refresh rate: 120Hz vs 90Hz
- Higher performance (96/100 vs 43/100)
- Better camera (86/100 vs 33/100)
- Longer battery life (61/100 vs 44/100)
- Better display (88/100 vs 67/100)
Comparison verdict
Comparing the Samsung Galaxy A17 vs the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 39 points higher (84/100 vs 45/100). In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (96/100 vs 43/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (86/100 vs 33/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads (61/100 vs 44/100). Value score: Samsung Galaxy A17 — 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 (96/100 vs 43/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (88/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (86/100 vs 33/100). In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (61/100 vs 44/100). In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (70/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy A17 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | MediaTek Helio G99 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 554590 | 3463142 | |
| Geekbench Single | 727 | 3601 | |
| Geekbench Multi | 2047 | 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 | 0W | 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) | 800 nits | 2600 nits | |
| NFC | yes | yes | |
| Protection | IP54 | IP68 | |
| Dimensions | 164.4×77.9×7.5 mm | 163.6×78.1×7.9 mm | |
| Weight | 190 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $147 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy A17
- 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
- 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
- 5000 mAh
- Wired: 25W
- No wireless charging
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 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy A17 by 84.0% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1152. Samsung Galaxy A17 was $1152 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (96/100 vs 43/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (88/100 vs 67/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (86/100 vs 33/100).
battery
In the "battery" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 (61/100 vs 44/100).
portability
In the "portability" category, the Samsung Galaxy A17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (70/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy A17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy A17 by 39 points (84/100 vs 45/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy A17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy A17 has a MobileRank rating of 45/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy A17 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 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads on performance (96/100 vs 43/100).
Should you choose the Samsung Galaxy A17 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.