iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Direct side-by-side battle analyzing display brightness, chipset benchmark percentiles, multi-camera arrays, battery capacity, and charging speeds.

Smartphone Battle

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Apple · 2025

iPhone 17

$799

76.9/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

76.9

Benchmark

Performance80/100

Camera82/100

Battery58/100

Samsung · 2026

Galaxy S26 Ultra

$1299

88.2/ 100

Overall

Exceptional

BeastScore

88.2

Benchmark

Performance90/100

Camera100/100

Battery86/100

Which Phone Should You Buy: Key Reasons & Hardware Advantages

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Reasons to buy iPhone 17:

✓37g lighter chassis (177g) optimized for one-handed ergonomics
✓$500 lower launch MSRP ($799 vs $1299)
✓48MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording

Reasons to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

✓Larger 5,000 mAh battery capacity (+1,308 mAh more capacity)
✓200MP primary camera sensor with 4K/120fps video recording
✓6.9" display with 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate

How Do the Specifications Compare Side-by-Side?

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Specification	iPhone 17	Galaxy S26 Ultra
1. Display & Screen
Screen Type & Tech	LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED	Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X (Privacy Display)
Screen Size	6.3"	6.9"
Resolution & Density	2622x1206 (460 ppi)	3120x1440 (501 ppi)
Refresh Rate	120 Hz ProMotion	120 Hz ProMotion
Brightness	3,000 nits peak	2,600 nits peak
Screen Protection	Scratch-resistant glass	Scratch-resistant glass
2. Platform & 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	iOS 26	Android 16
3. Memory & Storage
RAM Memory	8 GB	12 GB
Internal Storage	256GB / 512GB	256GB / 512GB / 1024GB
Storage Speed	High-speed flash	High-speed flash
Card Slot	No	No
4. Main Camera Optics
Primary Camera	48 MP, f/1.6, OIS, Fusion 48MP	200 MP, f/1.4, OIS, Samsung HP2
Telephoto Zoom	None (Digital zoom only)	10 MP (3x optical zoom), f/2.4, OIS + 50 MP (5x optical zoom), f/2.9, OIS
Ultrawide Camera	48 MP, f/2.2	50 MP, f/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	18 MP, f/1.9	12 MP, f/2.2
7. Body & Dimensions
Dimensions	149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm	163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight	177 g	214 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
Battery Capacity	3,692 mAh	5,000 mAh
Wired Fast Charging	40W wired fast charging	60W 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 2.0	USB-C 3.2
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	$799	$1299

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 advanced processor architecture and verified 100/100 camera rating.

When to buy iPhone 17:

Brighter screen: 3,000 nits peak vs 2,600 nits · Lighter body: 177g (37g lighter in hand)

When to buy Galaxy S26 Ultra:

Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 76.9 · Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+1,308 mAh more)

Quick Answers

Frequently Asked Questions: iPhone 17 vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Which phone is better: iPhone 17 or Galaxy S26 Ultra?

Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with an overall BeastScore of 88.2/100 compared to iPhone 17 (76.9/100), driven by advantages in Higher overall BeastScore: 88.2 vs top rival 76.9 and Larger battery capacity: 5,000 mAh (+1,308 mAh more).