Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: specs comparison
How the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max (2025 phone) and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra (2026 phone) differ, worked out only from the values on each maker’s official spec page. No prices, ratings or benchmark scores.
Key differences
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model: it launched in 2026, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more storage: up to 2 TB vs up to 1 TB.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's main rear camera has more megapixels: 200 MP vs 48 MP.
- Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max has the higher-resolution front camera: 18 MP vs 12 MP.
- Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter: 214 g vs 231 g for Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, 17 g less.
In common: both list a display of up to 120 Hz and a 6.9-inch screen.
Who should pick which
- Pick the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want more storage (up to 2 TB) and a 18 MP selfie camera.
- Pick the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the newer model (2026), a 200 MP main camera and the lighter build (214 g).
Full specifications side by side
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Launched | 2025 | 2026 |
| Display | 6.9-inch all-screen OLED, 2868 x 1320 at 460 ppi, ProMotion up to 120Hz | 6.9-inch (174.9 mm, full rectangle) Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 3120 x 1440 (Quad HD+), up to 120 Hz |
| Processor | A19 Pro chip with 6-core CPU, 6-core GPU, 16-core Neural Engine | Octa-Core (4.74GHz, 3.6GHz) |
| RAM | Not stated | 12 GB / 16 GB (16 GB with 1 TB) |
| Storage | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB | 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB |
| Rear camera | 48 MP Main (24 mm, f/1.78) + 48 MP Ultra Wide (13 mm, f/2.2) + 48 MP Telephoto (100 mm, 4x, f/2.8) | 200 MP (F1.4) + 50 MP (F2.9) + 50 MP (F1.9) + 10 MP (F2.4); 3x and 5x optical zoom, up to 100x digital zoom |
| Front camera | 18 MP Center Stage (f/1.9, autofocus) | 12 MP (F2.2) |
| Battery | Up to 37 hours video playback, up to 33 hours streamed video | 5000 mAh (typical) |
| Charging | USB-C; up to 50% in 20 minutes with 40W or higher adapter; MagSafe and Qi2 wireless up to 25W | Super Fast Charging 3.0 |
| Operating system | iOS 26 | Android |
| Weight | 231 g | 214 g |
| Dimensions | 163.4 x 78 x 8.75 mm | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm |
| 5G | Yes (sub-6GHz 5G with 4x4 MIMO) | Yes (5G Sub6 FDD / TDD / SDL) |
| SIM | Dual SIM (nano-SIM and eSIM) and dual eSIM | Dual SIM (Nano-SIM + eSIM; SIM 1 + SIM 2 / SIM 1 + eSIM / Dual eSIM) |
| Source | Official specs · checked 2026-10-28 | Official specs · checked 2026-10-27 |
Questions
What is the difference between Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model: it launched in 2026, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max offers more storage: up to 2 TB vs up to 1 TB. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra's main rear camera has more megapixels: 200 MP vs 48 MP.
Which is lighter, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter: 214 g vs 231 g for Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, 17 g less.
Which is newer, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model: it launched in 2026, Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max in 2025.
Every difference above is calculated from the two spec tables, which are copied from Apple’s and Samsung’s official pages. A spec that only one page states is not compared. Variants and options differ by region, so confirm on the official page before you buy. Spotted a difference? Report a correction.