Phone Comparison
Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Comparison
A detailed, side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right phone.
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Verdict
Pros & cons
iPhone 17 Pro
A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.
+
What's good
+
Improved battery life
+
Outstanding performance
+
High-quality cameras
+
Advanced cooling system
+
Vibrant display
−
What's not
−
High price point
−
Heavier design
−
Limited AI features
−
Camera control issues
−
No charger included
Galaxy S26 Ultra
A premium phone that offers some unique features but also brings familiar elements for those looking to upgrade.
+
What's good
+
Privacy Display feature
+
Camera improvements
+
Fast AI performance
+
Comfortable design
+
S-Pen inclusion
−
What's not
−
Heavy weight
−
Short battery life
−
S-Pen positioning
−
No Qi2 magnets
−
Camera bump issue
iPhone 17 Pro
A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users.
+
Good
+
Improved battery life
+
Outstanding performance
+
High-quality cameras
+
Advanced cooling system
+
Vibrant display
−
Not
−
High price point
−
Heavier design
−
Limited AI features
−
Camera control issues
−
No charger included
Galaxy S26 Ultra
A premium phone that offers some unique features but also brings familiar elements for those looking to upgrade.
+
Good
+
Privacy Display feature
+
Camera improvements
+
Fast AI performance
+
Comfortable design
+
S-Pen inclusion
−
Not
−
Heavy weight
−
Short battery life
−
S-Pen positioning
−
No Qi2 magnets
−
Camera bump issue
Spec data
How they compare
Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17 Pro means giving up most on: Battery life, Wired charging
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
$1,399
$200/yr of support
OS
iOS
Android
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Octa-core
Camera zoom
16×
5×
Battery life
15h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
16h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
40W
60W
Wireless charging
25W
25W
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Color, 120Hz
2600 nits peak
Software support
—
Until 2033
7 years guaranteed
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
5/10
iFixit
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
214g (7.5 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
Spec data
How they compare
Choosing the cheaper iPhone 17 Pro means giving up most on: Battery life, Wired charging
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price (MSRP)
$1,099
Price (MSRP)
$1,399
$200/yr of support
OS
iOS
OS
Android
Processor
Apple A19 Pro Hexa-core
Processor
Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Octa-core
Camera zoom
16×
Camera zoom
5×
Battery life
15h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
Battery life
16h 23m
GSMArena Active Use
Wired charging
40W
Wired charging
60W
Wireless charging
25W
Wireless charging
25W
Display
Color, 120Hz
3000 nits peak
Display
Color, 120Hz
2600 nits peak
Software support
—
Software support
Until 2033
7 years guaranteed
Repairability
7/10
iFixit
Repairability
5/10
iFixit
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
214g (7.5 oz)
Fingerprint
No
Fingerprint
Yes
Highlighted cells indicate the stronger value where a clear winner exists.
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Third-party data
Testing & benchmarks
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S26 Ultra
DxOMark v6
168
photo 166 · video 172
157
photo 160 · video 153
AnTuTu v10
2.63M
3.89M
GSMArena endurance
15h 23m
Active Use
16h 23m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
5/10
Third-party data
Testing & benchmarks
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S26 Ultra
DxOMark v6
168
photo 166 · video 172
DxOMark v6
157
photo 160 · video 153
AnTuTu v10
2.63M
AnTuTu v10
3.89M
GSMArena endurance
15h 23m
Active Use
GSMArena endurance
16h 23m
Active Use
iFixit repairability
7/10
iFixit repairability
5/10
Physical comparison
Size & weight
Footprint · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
5.9" × 2.8"
Galaxy S26 Ultra
6.4" × 3.1"
Thickness · to scale
iPhone 17 Pro
0.3"
Galaxy S26 Ultra
0.3"
iPhone 17 Pro
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
6.4" (163.6 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
0.3" (7.9 mm)
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
214g (7.5 oz)
Screen
6.3"
6.9"
Height
5.9" (150 mm)
Height
6.4" (163.6 mm)
Width
2.8" (71.9 mm)
Width
3.1" (78.1 mm)
Depth
0.3" (8.8 mm)
Depth
0.3" (7.9 mm)
Weight
206g (7.3 oz)
Weight
214g (7.5 oz)
Screen
6.3"
Screen
6.9"
Dimensions shown in inches (mm). Silhouettes are proportionally scaled for visual comparison.
Also compared
Related comparisons
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Common questions
iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: FAQ
Which is better, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Based on aggregated critic reviews, the iPhone 17 Pro earns a Compass Score of 8.9 compared to 8.6 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. That 0.3-point gap reflects stronger reviews across the board, though individual priorities like camera quality, battery life, or price could tip the scales the other way. Scores aggregate dozens of expert opinions, so they are a useful starting point, not the final word.
Which phone has better zoom, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro offers 16 optical zoom, while the Galaxy S26 Ultra tops out at 5. Optical zoom preserves full detail at distance; digital zoom crops and upscales, which softens fine textures. If you regularly shoot sports, wildlife, or concerts, the iPhone 17 Pro gives you noticeably sharper reach.
Which phone has a better display, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro runs at 120Hz and the Galaxy S26 Ultra at 120Hz. Since both panels match, day-to-day scrolling and animation fluidity will feel identical. Screen sizes are 6.3" and 6.9" respectively. Peak brightness hits 3,000 nits on the iPhone 17 Pro and 2,600 nits on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, which affects outdoor readability.
Which takes better photos, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
DxOMark rates the iPhone 17 Pro at 166 and the Galaxy S26 Ultra at 160 for still photography. A 6-point gap on DxOMark's scale typically translates to visible differences in dynamic range, noise control, or colour accuracy. Real-world results also depend on computational processing and your shooting habits, so consider browsing sample shots for scenes you care about most.
Which lasts longer on a charge, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
In GSMArena's standardised endurance test, the Galaxy S26 Ultra scored 16h 23m of active use compared to 15h 23m for the iPhone 17 Pro. That gives the Galaxy S26 Ultra a measurable edge in screen-on time between charges. Keep in mind that real-world battery life varies with signal strength, screen brightness, and app usage patterns.
Which is faster, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra scores 3,892,165 in AnTuTu benchmarks compared to 2,634,433 for the iPhone 17 Pro, roughly 48% higher in raw throughput. That gap is most noticeable in heavy gaming, video rendering, and large multitasking sessions. For everyday tasks like messaging and web browsing, both phones will feel responsive.
Which phone is more affordable, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro launches at $1,099, which is $300 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra at $1,399. Street prices shift after launch, so check current deals for both phones before deciding.
Which is easier to repair, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The iPhone 17 Pro scores 7/10 on iFixit's repairability scale compared to 5/10 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra. A higher score means more accessible internals, standard fasteners, and readily available parts. If out-of-warranty repair cost matters to you, the iPhone 17 Pro has the advantage here.
Should I buy the iPhone 17 Pro or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Our critics' take on the iPhone 17 Pro: "A sturdy design with focused camera enhancements and extended battery life, aimed at creators and heavy users." On the Galaxy S26 Ultra: "A premium phone that offers some unique features but also brings familiar elements for those looking to upgrade." Both phones have clear strengths in different areas; scroll through the comparison above to see which trade-offs align with your priorities.
Specifications sourced from manufacturers and third-party databases. Last updated November 2026. Suggest a correction →