Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing hardware specifications, benchmark percentiles, battery endurance, and category performance advantages.

Smartphone Battle

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Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

88/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,299 USD

Apple · 2025

iPhone 17 Pro Max

85/ 100

Launch MSRP$1,199 USD

WHO WINS WHERE

WHY IS Galaxy S26 Ultra BETTER THAN iPhone 17 Pro Max?

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Galaxy S26 UltraWinner 🏆

iPhone 17 Pro Max

BIGGEST HARDWARE DIFFERENCES

Margin Delta

SPEC FACTOR	Galaxy S26	iPhone 17	LEADER
Refresh Rate	120Hz	120Hz	120Hz
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,088 mAh	+5,088 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	60W	40W	60W Max
Main Camera Sensor	200 MP	48 MP	200 MP
Screen Display Size	6.9"	6.9"	6.9"
Chassis Weight	214g	233g	214g Lightest

Compare All 177+ Specifications Below↓

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

✓19g lighter chassis (214g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

Reasons to buy iPhone 17 Pro Max:

✓$100 lower launch MSRP ($1199 vs $1299)
✓Larger 5,088 mAh battery capacity (+88 mAh more capacity)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	Galaxy S26 Ultra	iPhone 17 Pro Max
1. Display & Screen🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Display
Screen Type & Tech	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED
Screen Size	6.9"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	3120x1440 (501 ppi)	2868x1320 (460 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	2,600 nits peak	3,000 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & Performance🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Performance
Chipset / Processor	High performance SoC	High performance SoC
CPU Cores	Multi-core high performance	Multi-core high performance
GPU Graphics	Integrated Graphics	Integrated Graphics
Operating System	Android 16	iOS 26
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	12 GB LPDDR	12 GB LPDDR
Internal Storage	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB / 2048GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Camera
Primary Camera	200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2	48 MP, f/1.78, OIS, Fusion 48MP
Telephoto Zoom	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS	48 MP (8x optical zoom), f/2.8, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	50 MP, f/2	48 MP, f/2.2
LiDAR / Depth	None	None
5. Video Recording Capabilities
Main Camera Video	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR	4K@60fps1080p@240fpsHDR
Front Video	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS	4K@60fps1080p@60fpsgyro-EIS
6. Selfie Camera
Selfie Lens	12 MP, f/2.2	18 MP, f/1.9
7. Body & Dimensions🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Lightest Chassis
Dimensions	163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm	163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm
Weight	214 g	233 g
Build Materials	Glass front, metal/glass frame	Glass front, metal/glass frame
SIM Type	Nano-SIM / eSIM support	Nano-SIM / eSIM support
Water Resistance	IP68	IP68
8. Battery & Charging🏆 Galaxy S26 Ultra Wins Battery
Battery Capacity	5,000 mAh	5,088 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	60W wired fast charging	40W wired fast charging
Wireless Charging	25W wireless charging	25W wireless charging
Reverse Charging	Reverse wireless charging	Reverse wireless charging
9. Sound & Audio
Loudspeaker	Stereo speakers	Stereo speakers
3.5mm Headphone Jack	No	No
10. Connectivity & Comms
Wi-Fi Standard	Wi-Fi 7	Wi-Fi 7
Bluetooth	6.0	6.0
USB Port & Speed	USB-C 3.2	USB-C 3.0
NFC	Yes (contactless payment)	Yes (contactless payment)
11. Sensors & Security
Sensors	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass	Biometric fingerprint/face, accelerometer, gyro, compass
Satellite Features	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)	Emergency SOS via satellite (select markets)
12. Colors & Overview
Colors	Standard finishes	Standard finishes
Launch Price	$1299	$1199

Editorial Lab Verdict

Galaxy S26 Ultra edges ahead with a BeastScore of 88.2/100

After comprehensive hardware benchmark comparisons, Galaxy S26 Ultra ranks as the overall top pick in this matchup. Key differentiators include its superior specifications and verified build advantages.

When to choose Galaxy S26 Ultra:

Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 84.5 · Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 40W

When to choose iPhone 17 Pro Max:

Brighter screen: 3,000 nits peak vs 2,600 nits · Lower launch price: $1199 (save $100)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max

Which is better: Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17 Pro Max?

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to iPhone 17 Pro Max (84.5/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 84.5 and Significantly faster wired charging: 60W vs max 40W.