The iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra both have 6.9-inch screens, but they suit different buyers. At US launch, the 256GB Galaxy cost $100 more; the iPhone lasted longer in one published battery test, while the Galaxy charged faster and added an S Pen, privacy display mode, and stronger long-range zoom examples. Choose by comparing current local prices and the features you will actually use.
Price and storage: compare the same configuration
TechRadar’s comparison lists these launch prices, which are reference points rather than current quotes. Promotions, trade-ins, taxes, and regional configurations can change the amount you pay.
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| Market | iPhone 17 Pro Max, 256GB | Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256GB | Launch-price difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $1,199 | $1,299 | Galaxy was $100 more |
| United Kingdom | £1,199 | £1,249 | Galaxy was £50 more |
| Australia | AU$2,149 | AU$2,149 | No difference |
In that comparison, iPhone storage options ran from 256GB to 2TB; Galaxy options ran from 256GB to 1TB. Check the seller’s current listing for the exact capacity and price in your country. TechRadar’s comparison provides the launch-price reference.
Display and design: similar size, different strengths
Both phones have a 6.9-inch display. PhoneArena lists the iPhone at 2868 × 1320 pixels and the Galaxy at 3120 × 1440, so Samsung has the higher listed resolution. Samsung also offers Privacy Display, a feature intended to make off-angle viewing less clear. Tom’s Guide found the iPhone slightly brighter in its HDR lab measurement and Samsung slightly more accurate; those findings reflect that publication’s test conditions, not every viewing environment.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
PhoneArena lists the iPhone at 233g and the Galaxy at 214g, a 19g difference in its database. Samsung is also described as thinner and lighter in the cited comparisons. PhoneArena’s specifications comparison lists the resolution and weight figures.
Cameras: decide which shots matter most
There is no single camera winner across every kind of shot in Tom’s Guide’s comparison. Its reviewers preferred the iPhone in several of the tested still-photo examples. The Galaxy produced stronger long-range zoom examples and won that publication’s Horizon Lock stabilization comparison. These are editorial results from specific examples, not a guarantee that one phone will produce the better image in every scene.
If you frequently photograph distant subjects, Samsung’s zoom results may matter more. If you care more about the tested still-photo examples, the iPhone has the stronger case in that review. Treat video stabilization and still photos as separate priorities rather than assuming a result in one predicts the other. Tom’s Guide’s head-to-head comparison describes its camera assessments.
Rank #2
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
Battery life and charging: endurance versus speed
In Tom’s Guide’s continuous web-surfing test at 150 nits, the iPhone 17 Pro Max ran for 17 hours 54 minutes and the Galaxy S26 Ultra for 16 hours 10 minutes. That result favors the iPhone in this particular test; real-world runtime varies with signal strength, screen settings, apps, and use.
Charging favored Samsung in the same publication’s 30-minute test: the Galaxy reached 77%, compared with 64% for the iPhone. TechRadar reports Samsung wired charging up to 60W and Apple’s video playback rating of up to 37 hours. The playback figure is Apple’s manufacturer rating as reported by TechRadar, not a head-to-head runtime test. TechRadar also reports 25W wireless charging for both, with MagSafe/Qi2 support on the iPhone.
TechRadar lists the Galaxy battery at 5,000mAh and cites 5,088mAh for the iPhone as a reported, unofficial figure; Apple does not publish that capacity figure. Battery capacity alone does not establish which phone lasts longer. TechRadar’s comparison covers the manufacturer rating and charging specifications; Tom’s Guide reports the timed tests.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charger and charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Hardware and ecosystem: stylus, magnets, and familiar devices
- Pick the Galaxy if you will use its S Pen. It is integrated into the phone, making stylus input a built-in feature rather than an accessory purchase.
- Pick the iPhone if MagSafe attachment matters. Its magnets are built in. A Galaxy requires a compatible magnetic case for attachment to magnetic accessories.
- Consider your existing devices and services. If you already rely on Apple devices, the iPhone may fit your routines better; if you prefer Samsung’s Android experience or need the Galaxy’s privacy mode, S Pen, or zoom approach, those preferences can outweigh the launch-price gap.
The iPhone also has an Action button and Camera Control, while the Galaxy’s distinctive hardware in this comparison includes its integrated S Pen and Privacy Display. See TechRadar’s feature comparison and PhoneArena’s specifications listing.
Which one should you buy?
- Choose iPhone 17 Pro Max if you are already invested in Apple devices, prioritize the longer result in Tom’s Guide’s battery test, or prefer the still-photo examples its reviewers favored.
- Choose Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want an integrated S Pen, higher listed screen resolution, off-angle privacy viewing, stronger long-range zoom examples, or faster wired charging.
- Before paying, compare the same storage capacity at current local prices, including any carrier terms or trade-in conditions. Launch pricing is not a reliable substitute for today’s offer.
PhoneArena lists announcement dates of September 9, 2025 for the iPhone and February 25, 2026 for the Galaxy, with release dates of September 19, 2025 and March 11, 2026. TechRadar describes the Galaxy’s arrival as March 2026. Availability dates can vary by market; check local listings if timing matters. PhoneArena and TechRadar provide the cited chronology.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
