Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads
by 2 points on overall. The category breakdown below shows where the gap comes from.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched overall. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads in build. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads in performance and camera.
Scoring profile: balanced
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Best for users who prioritize build.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera.
This is MyTechAdvisor's own independently compiled analysis, not the manufacturer's — it's provided for informational purposes only and isn't guaranteed to be complete or error-free. See our editorial policy.
Spec table
Start with the key differences, then expand a section to check the full specifications.
Visible rows
59
Meaningful differences
31
Layout
Full side-by-side mode
Resolution
Key differencePeak Brightness
Key differencePixel Density
Key differenceDisplay Protection
Key differenceDisplay Size
Refresh Rate
Panel Type
HDR Support
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Display Size Close match | 6.9" | 6.9" |
Resolution Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 1320 x 2868 | 1440 x 3120Better |
Refresh Rate Close match | 120Hz | 120Hz |
Peak Brightness Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 3000 nitsBetter | 2600 nits |
Pixel Density Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 458 ppi | 498 ppiBetter |
Panel Type Close match | OLED | OLED |
HDR Support Close match | Yes | Yes |
Display Protection Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | Ceramic Shield 2 | Anti-reflective coating | Corning Gorilla Armor 2 | DX anti-reflective coating Privacy DisplayBetter |
RAM
Key differenceCPU Clock
Key differenceCPU Cores
Key differenceCPU Cluster Speeds
Key differenceBenchmark Score
Key differenceAnTuTu Score
Key differenceGeekbench (Multi)
Key differenceStorage
Key differenceStorage Type
Key differenceChipset
Key differenceRAM Type
GPU
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
RAM Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 12GB | 16GBBetter |
RAM Type Needs more data | Not available | LPDDR5X |
CPU Clock Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 4.26GHz | 4.74GHzBetter |
CPU Cores Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 6 | 8Better |
CPU Cluster Speeds Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 2x4.26GHz + 4x2.60GHz | 2x4.74GHz + 6x3.62GHzBetter |
Benchmark Score Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 2331417 | 3892165Better |
AnTuTu Score Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 2331417 | 3892165Better |
Geekbench (Multi) Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 10118 | 11566Better |
Storage Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 2048GBBetter | 1024GB |
Storage Type Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | NVMeBetter | UFS 4.0 |
Chipset Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) | Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)Better |
GPU Different | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Adreno 840 (1.3GHz) |
Rear Camera
Key differenceRear Camera (All Lenses)
Key differenceRear Sensor Size
Key differenceRear Aperture
Key differenceOptical Zoom
Key differenceMax Video Resolution
Key differenceFront Camera
Key differenceFront Aperture
Key differenceFront Video Resolution
Key differenceDigital Zoom
Optical Image Stabilization
Camera Features
| Specification | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
Rear Camera Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 48MP | 200MPBetter |
Rear Camera (All Lenses) Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 48MP | 200MP + 50MP + 10MPBetter |
Rear Sensor Size Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 1/1.28Better | 1/1.3 |
Rear Aperture Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | f/1.8 | f/1.4Better |
Optical Zoom Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 4xBetter | 3x |
Digital Zoom Different | 40x | 100x |
Optical Image Stabilization Close match | Yes | Yes |
Max Video Resolution Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo sound rec. | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EISBetter |
Front Camera Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 18MPBetter | 12MP |
Front Aperture Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | f/1.9Better | f/2.2 |
Front Video Resolution Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EISBetter | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
Camera Features Different | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
Generating honest comparison...
iPhone 17 Pro Max and Galaxy S26 Ultra are closely matched. Chipset: Qualcomm SM8850-1-AD Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) vs Apple A19 Pro (3 nm) Battery Life (Estimated): 9 hours vs 7 hours The choice depends on your priorities.
Best for users who prioritize build. iPhone 17 Pro Max offers strong performance in these areas.
Best for users who prioritize performance and camera. Galaxy S26 Ultra excels in processing power and multitasking.
Non-PTA
PTA
| Price | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Non-PTA | ≈ Rs 264,737 | ≈ Rs 299,317 |
| PTA | Rs 410,000 | Rs 365,000 |
≈ Converted from a fetched price. Store offers, when available, are listed separately.
Choosing between Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra can be tough. This comparison breaks down performance, camera, battery, and listed pricing so you can decide faster.
We focus on practical differences that impact daily use, not just spec sheet noise.
Both phones excel in different areas. Choose based on your priority.
Both phones have strengths. Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max leads in Build. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra leads in Performance, Camera, Display, Battery, Software.
The top differences are: Resolution (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Peak Brightness (Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max advantage), Pixel Density (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), Display Protection (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage), RAM (Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra advantage).
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra delivers better camera performance overall.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra tends to last longer on a charge.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: non-PTA approximately Rs 264,737; PTA Rs 410,000. Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: non-PTA approximately Rs 299,317; PTA Rs 365,000. These are phone reference prices, not optional store offers.
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