Samsung Galaxy M17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
The Samsung Galaxy M17 (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 $130 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 607,489); the Samsung Galaxy M17 is noticeably lighter (192g vs 214g).
Profile comparison
Category scores
Samsung Galaxy M17
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
What makes Samsung Galaxy M17 better?
- Lighter: 192g vs 214g
- Cheaper at launch: $130 vs $1299
- Better portability (69/100 vs 51/100)
What makes Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra better?
- Higher AnTuTu: 3463142 vs 607489
- 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 M17 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 M17 — 76/100, 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 M17 (96/100 vs 46/100). In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 (88/100 vs 67/100). In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 (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 M17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (69/100 vs 51/100).
Specs comparison
| Specification | Samsung Galaxy M17 | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processor | Samsung Exynos 1330 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | |
| AnTuTu | 607489 | 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 / 512GB / 1TB | |
| OS | Android 15 | Android 16 / One UI 8.5 | |
| Brightness (peak) | 1100 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 | 192 g | 214 g | |
| Launch price | $130 | $1299 |
Camera comparison
Samsung Galaxy M17
- 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 M17
- 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 M17
- 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 M17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, covering their specs and all relevant benchmarks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads Samsung Galaxy M17 by 82.5% in our overall performance rating.
Benchmarks
Launch prices and where to check today's
Launch price difference: $1169. Samsung Galaxy M17 was $1169 cheaper at launch.
Detailed category analysis
performance
In the "performance" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 (96/100 vs 46/100).
display
In the "display" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 (88/100 vs 67/100).
camera
In the "camera" category, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 (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 M17 notably outperforms the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (69/100 vs 51/100).
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: the Samsung Galaxy M17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra significantly outperforms the Samsung Galaxy M17 by 36 points (84/100 vs 48/100).
What is the rating of the Samsung Galaxy M17 and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M17 has a MobileRank rating of 48/100, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra — 84/100.
Which has the better camera: the Samsung Galaxy M17 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 M17 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 M17 over the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Samsung Galaxy M17 is a better fit for budget-conscious buyers. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is a better fit for gamers and power users, mobile photography enthusiasts, budget-conscious buyers.