Are you also going through the crazy trends of the Samsung S26 Ultra and thinking that this is the best phone coming in 2026? But that depends on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max debate: whether this phone is better than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is the best flagship phone of 2025 currently. To analyse this, we have compiled all the upcoming features of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and presented this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison. Let us dive into this article and see this comparison.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Get Ready For The Most Amazing Samsung Phone
Samsung’s S26 series is on the verge of launch, and the hype has been surreal over the last few days. Hype is majorly because the features of this phone have been leaked out, and after all the features are out, the fans are going crazy over this phone.
Samsung and Apple go neck-to-neck when it comes to flagship phone comparisons. When Apple launched the iPhone 17 series, and we saw the iPhone 17 Pro Max being the best and the most complete package flagship phone coming in 2025, people thought that the chances of Samsung surpassing such a complete package are very less. However, with the release of S26 Ultra’s features, we believe this hype will shift.
Samsung S26 Ultra is coming with Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Moreover, it will also bring the biggest ever battery in a Samsung flagship phone, and with a 200MP camera and S-pen convenience, the phone will surly rock the market trends.
Let us have a look at all the upcoming features of the Samsung S26 Ultra and see what makes this phone special.
All Expected Features Of Samsung S26 Ultra
- Display: 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED display.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5.
- Rear Camera: Quad camera: 200MP main camera, 50MP Ultrawide, 12MP Telephoto, 50MP Periscope Telephoto.
- Front Camera: 12MP.
- RAM and Storage: 12GB and 16GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB and 1TB storage.
- Battery: 6000mAh.
Also Read: Xiaomi 17 Pro Max vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which Pro Phone Should I Buy?
This phone might come as the strongest contender to the competition of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and hence, giving rise to this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max debate. But will it surpass the iPhone 17 Pro Max in terms of specs? Well, for that, let us first have a look at the key features of the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Meet The Best iPhone Of 2025
Apple has been way ahead of all its competitors in terms of flagship features. If you can keep the affordability factor apart, you will witness that iPhones are actually the most versatile flagship phones that you can get. Best camera quality, out-of-the-league OS features, a premium flagship structure, and many more cool specs. That’s why people say that once someone uses an iPhone, he/she stay with the iPhone. And when we talk of this hype, we find that the iPhone 17 Pro Max did the best justice to this tag.
iPhone 17 Pro Max has everything it needs to be the most unbeatable flagship phone: The A19 Pro chip for performance, the best centre-stage front camera, some cons and mostly pros. This phone nails it in almost every department. Let us take a quick listing of all specs and see why this phone is a masterpiece.
All Features Of iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Display: 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display.
- Processor: Apple A19 Pro.
- Rear Camera: Triple camera: 48MP main camera, 48MP Ultrawide, 48MP Periscope Telephoto.
- Front Camera: 18MP.
- RAM and Storage: 12GB RAM, 256GB, 512GB, 2TB and 1TB storage.
- Battery: 5088mAh.
Now, let us get into the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison. Let us give you the complete analysis of this comparison and see whether the upcoming Samsung S26 Ultra can beat the iPhone 17 Pro Max in this comparison or not.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Overall Comparison
| Category | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra [Expected] | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and 3000nits brightness. | 6.9-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED with 120Hz refresh rate and 2000nits brightness. | S26 Ultra wins for brighter outdoors and more solid display features. |
| Processor | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 | Apple A19 Pro | Samsung has a more advanced processor for gaming anfd versatile specs. |
| RAM & Storage | Up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage. | 12GB RAM; up to 2TB storage. | Choose S26 Ultra for RAM and performance, and iPhone if you want bigger storage. |
| Rear Camera | 200MP main + 50MP UW + 12MP 3x tele + 50MP 5x periscope. | 48MP main + 48MP UW + 48MP 5x periscope telephoto. | S26 Ultra wins in terms of camera megapixels and editing. |
| Front Camera | 12MP | 18MP | iPhone has better front camera and good for vlogging. |
| Battery | Rumoured to be 6000mAh. | 5,088mAh. | Samsung S26 Ultra might have a bigger battery. |
| Software & Updates | Android 16/One UI 8, 7 years support | iOS 26, 7+ years support | Apple wins in terms of OS ecosystem and features. |
Also Read: Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Google Pixel 10 Pro: Which Is The Best Buy in 2025?
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Who Has Better Processor
For performance, gaming and AI features, processors like the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 and Apple A19 Pro both excel. But if you talk of overall specs and speed, Snapdragon will win.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which Has Better Camera
If you ask overall camera performance and features, Samsung S26 Ultra wins.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max: Which Phone Should You Buy?
Now, coming to the verdicts of this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison. Which phone should you buy between these two phones? Let us give you some bullet points to describe this.
Who Should Buy the Samsung S26 Ultra?
- Power Users and Gamers: If you prefer a better performance phone.
- Photography Enthusiasts: Although the iPhone gives better clicks, for photography enthusiasts who want a versatile setup, go for the S26 Ultra.
- Battery Lifespan Seekers: S26 Ultra might come with a bigger battery than the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
- People who enjoy S Pen functionality.
Who Should Buy the iPhone 17 Pro Max?
- Video and Selfie Pros: If you are a vlogger or like making reels, the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s camera will suit you better.
- Apple Loyalists: If you are an iPhone lover, then the 17 Pro Max is the best choice.
- If you want a more compact and more stylish phone with a new and funky design
- If you want more privacy features.
End Note: Will Samsung Beat Apple This Time?
That’s it from our side in this Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro Max comparison. Both these phones are wonderful. For me, I guess with the S26 Ultra, Samsung might beat Apple this time in terms of premium flagship features. Let’s wait and watch for Samsung S26 Ultra to come and see whether these specs come true and S26 beats iPhone 17 Pro Max, or the iPhone 17 Pro Max continues to stay the OG!
Also Read: 5 Hidden AI Features on Your Phone You Didn’t Know Existed
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