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iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra compared
Samsung's latest high-powered flagship launched on Wednesday, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra taking aim at the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Here's the tale of the tape for the two smartphone heavyweights.
iPhone 17 Pro Max [left[ vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra [right]
Samsung Unpacked took place on February 25, and saw the South Korean electronics giant introduce its latest smartphone lineup. As usual, this included a lot under the Galaxy S26 brand, covering a wide range of performance levels and price points.
The highlight model is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, its highest-specification model and largest device on the roster. One that everyone will be comparing with Apple's similarly-framed model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
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iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra compared
[Malcolm Owen's profile picture]
Wed Feb 25 2026, 03:04 PM EST
11 minute read
iPhone 17 Pro Max [left[ vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra [right]
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Samsung's latest high-powered flagship launched on Wednesday, with the Galaxy S26 Ultra taking aim at the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Here's the tale of the tape for the two smartphone heavyweights.
Samsung Unpacked took place on February 25, and saw the South Korean electronics giant introduce its latest smartphone lineup. As usual, this included a lot under the Galaxy S26 brand, covering a wide range of performance levels and price points.
The highlight model is the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, its highest-specification model and largest device on the roster. One that everyone will be comparing with Apple's similarly-framed model, the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - Specifications
| Specifications | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (launch) | $1,199 | $1,299 |
| Dimensions (inches) | 6.43 x 3.07 x 0.34 | 6.44 x 3.07 x 0.31 |
| Weight (ounces) | 8.22 | 7.55 |
| Processor | A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
| Display type | 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR,ProMotion, always-on display,3,000 nits max | 6.9-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X,120Hz, HDR10+,3,000 nits max |
| Resolution | 2,868 x 1,320 at 460 ppi | 3,120 x 1,440 at 498 ppi |
| True Tone | Yes | No |
| Biometrics | Face ID | Under-display fingerprint reader |
| Connectivity | 5G (Sub-6GHz and mmWave)Gigabit-class LTEWi-Fi 7Bluetooth 6Ultra Wideband Gen 2NFCEmergency SOS via SatelliteRoadside Assistance via SatelliteUSB-C | 5GLTEWi-Fi 7Bluetooth 6NFCUSB-C |
| Rear Cameras | 48MP Fusion,48MP Ultra Wide,48MP Telephoto with 8x optical zoom,Camera Control | 200MP wide with OIS,10MP Telephoto with 3x optical zoom,50MP periscope telephoto with 5x optical zoom,50MP ultra-wide, |
| Video | 4K 120fps,4K 120fps HDR with Dolby Vision,1080p 240fps or 4K 120fps Slo-MoProRes 4K 120fps with external recording,Cinematic Mode,Dual Capture 4K Dolby Vision 30fpsAction Mode | 8K 30fps,4K 120fps, 1080p 240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+,Stereo sound recording,Horizontal Lock electronic image stabilization |
| Front Camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery Life (Video playback time) | Up to 39 hours | Up to 31 hours |
| Colors | Cosmic Orange,Deep Blue,Silver | White,Sky Blue,Black,Cobalt Violet,Silver Shadow,Pinkgold |
The iPhone 17 Pro Max is the biggest in Apple's range, both in terms of screen size and in physicality. At 6.43 inches long and 3.07 inches wide, it has a fairly large footprint for a smartphone, but that makes sense for something with "Max" in the name.
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is approximately the same size, if a tiny bit longer at 6.44 inches by 3.07 inches.
At 0.34 inches thick, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is heftier than the Ultra's 0.31-inch-thick enclosure. This also translates into a weight difference, with the Pro Max heavier at 8.22 ounces to the Ultra's 7.55 ounces.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: The Ultra is just a tiny bit longer and thinner.
For the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple switched from its use of titanium in its predecessor back to aluminum, resulting in the weight gain.
Samsung has gone the same way, losing its own titanium frame for an aluminum alloy.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - Display
While the two smartphones are practically the same width and length, you can easily assume the displays to be roughly similar as well. And you'd be right.
Apple calls its screen a 6.9-inch Super Retina XDR, an OLED panel with an always-on capability. Capable of displaying HDR content, it has Wide Color (P3) support and True Tone, and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio.
Samsung also uses a 6.9-inch display, with it using an LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. It also deals with HDR content, including HDR10+ support.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung's 6.9-inch display with punch hole camera
In terms of capability, Apple's screen has ProMotion, its adaptive refresh rate system that can go as high as 120Hz. Samsung's can also go to 120Hz if needed.
For brightness, the Ultra has a maximum of 3,000 nits at its peak. The iPhone goes to 1,000 nits for typical content, 1,600 nits peak brightness for HDR content, or 3,000 nits peak brightness when used outdoors.
Despite being similarly sized, there is a difference in resolution.
The iPhone has a resolution of 2,868 by 1,320, giving it a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch. Samsung's, however, goes to 3,120 by 1,440, with a higher density of 498ppi.
Technically, Samsung has the higher resolution screen. But at these levels on such a small display, it's not really going to be a massive difference to consumers.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra - Cameras
An obvious difference in the design of the two smartphones comes in with the cameras on the back. Chiefly, Samsung continues to have more of them.
There are also some aesthetic changes in the Ultra, in that the bump-free rear has now got one for three of the cameras. Apple migrated from a smaller square bump in favor of its new wider bump or "plateau" in Apple marketing speak.
When it comes to the actual cameras, Samsung has a few more tricks up its sleeve.
The Pro Max has three cameras, consisting of a 48MP Fusion camera, with a second-generation sensor-shift OIS system and 100% Focus Pixels. It also doubles as a virtual 12MP 2x "Optical Quality" Telephoto thanks to some cropping-based trickery.
There's also a proper 48MP Fusion Telephoto lens with a 4x optical zoom, 3D sensor-shift OIS, and Apple's fancy tetraprism lens system. Using a similar crop-in trick, Apple claims it can do a 12MP 8x "Optical Quality" zoom too.
Lastly, the 48MP Fusion Ultra Wide has a 120-degree field of view and Hybrid Focus Pixels.
Apple also includes its usual array of photography features, including Portrait Lighting thanks to its rear LiDAR scanner, 48MP macro photography, the Photonic Engine and Deep Fusion, Night Mode, Panorama, ProRAW support, and Spatial Photos, among others.
Samsung's camera roster starts off with a 200MP wide camera with OIS. There's a second Ultra Wide camera with a 50MP resolution, 120-degree field of view, and Dual Pixel PDAF.
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Samsung has more physical cameras on the rear than Apple
There are two telephoto cameras, with a 10MP option having a 3x optical zoom. The other is the 50MP periscope telephoto with OIS, offering a 5x optical zoom.
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