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It has been a number of months since Samsung launched its Galaxy S26 sequence of telephones, so now that the mud has settled, I am reevaluating them towards the business’s finest. That begins with the flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra.
Between it and the very best iPhone accessible, the iPhone 17 Professional Max, you is perhaps questioning which one is the higher funding. The simple reply is, “Persist with whichever OS you might have now,” however in all honesty, each telephones are ok to justify a swap. If you are going to go, go huge! It does not get a lot greater than these two powerhouses, so let’s dive in and see which one is the winner.
Additionally: Google Pixel vs. Samsung Galaxy: I’ve tested both brands extensively, and there’s a clear winner
Because it occurs, I carry the iPhone 17 Professional Max, and likewise the newest Android telephone, and it does not get rather more “newest” than the S26 Extremely, so these opinions are based mostly on prior expertise with the S25 Extremely, a very good quantity of hands-on overview time with the S26 Extremely, and the specs we now have available.
You should purchase the iPhone 17 Professional Max if…
1. You (or your loved ones) are within the Apple ecosystem
Platform lock-in is a factor, and Apple has it higher than most. Apple gives a whole ecosystem of units and cross-device performance that almost all different OEMs cannot match. It is not that Samsung does not have an ecosystem of its personal, however Apple’s units are designed from the bottom as much as work collectively. They’re on a stage of element that different ecosystems — together with Samsung’s — cannot actually compete with.
Additionally: I tested the iPhone Air for a week, and here’s why 17 Pro Max users shouldn’t sleep on it
Then, there’s the 800-pound gorilla within the room. If your loved ones can be within the Apple ecosystem, there’s much more cause to remain there. One of many causes I carry an iPhone in all places is that my youngsters even have iPhones. “Dad, are you able to ring my telephone?” is a standard chorus in my home. Add iMessage and parental controls to that, and there are sufficient roadblocks to make not carrying an iPhone a fairly large headache.
There are software program workarounds for almost all the pieces an iPhone can do with different units, however they’re simply that — workarounds. If you wish to be embedded within the Apple ecosystem, there is just one telephone class you may carry.
2. You desire a telephone that simply works
It is a cliché, but it surely exists for a cause. Apple has an extended historical past of being late to the occasion with quite a lot of options, however sometimes, after they get the characteristic, it is very polished. Apple does not take half-steps, and it not often (although not by no means) treats its customers like beta testers. It’s going to take within the panorama, determine a characteristic that folks like, and make it considerably higher than the competitors.
Additionally: I’ve tried every iPhone 17 model, and my golden rule for upgrading is changing in 2025
That philosophy extends to apps constructed for the platform as effectively. Apple maintains excessive requirements for its App Retailer and approval course of. I routinely encounter the identical app on each platforms: it really works flawlessly the primary time on an iPhone however struggles on an Android telephone. There’s so much that goes into app growth, particularly on a platform like Android that may have a number of variations and flavors, so there isn’t any shade. Apple simply delivers a greater and extra constant expertise.
3. You are a video shooter
There are a number of the explanation why the iPhone 17 Professional Max is the telephone to make use of for video. Before everything, it’s storage. Put merely, the iPhone can rise up to 2TB of onboard storage; the S26 Extremely maxes out at 1TB. A terabyte of storage looks as if so much — and it’s, however if you happen to’re taking pictures a ton of 8K and even 4K video, that is going to chew up your storage in a rush. That is additionally a stable argument if you happen to’re a hardcore gamer, as they take up quite a lot of area nowadays.
Additionally: I’ve got one big reason to recommend a year-over-year upgrade to Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro Max
The iPhone additionally affords a extremely nice video expertise. From taking pictures in devoted ProRes Uncooked mode to open gate taking pictures, if you happen to’re a filmmaker, you need choices, and the iPhone offers you a ton. There are additionally quite a few apps within the App Retailer that you should utilize to seize, improve, and edit your movies.
Positive, there are apps within the Play Retailer for Android, however this mix of instruments constructed for filmmakers makes the iPhone 17 Professional Max the telephone to get for video fans.
You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…
1. You need the uncooked energy
As just lately as two years in the past, this heading would have belonged below the iPhone class. However after Qualcomm rolled out the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for the Galaxy, issues modified. After all, we’re speaking about uncooked numbers right here — person expertise and vertical integration go a good distance on Apple’s aspect, however Qualcomm’s processors have began to outperform Apple’s on benchmarking apps, and that is a giant deal.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. Galaxy S25 Ultra: I’ve tried both flagships, and here’s my choice
Processing energy is necessary within the realm of video processing/modifying, gaming, and AI. If these are necessary classes for you, Samsung is the very best recreation on the town. The iPhone is a robust machine, make no mistake, however the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is at present probably the most highly effective telephone you should purchase in the mean time.
2. You are all-in on AI
Sadly, Apple Intelligence has seen a number of false begins now. In the meantime, Samsung and Google preserve rolling out AI-powered options one after one other. This era of Samsung telephones is not any exception, with Galaxy AI taking many of the headlines from this lineup of S26 smartphones. From modifying photos to the brand new Now Nudge characteristic, AI is throughout this software program launch.
One significantly intriguing new characteristic is Gemini’s potential to summon an Uber with a command. Simply inform Gemini the place you need to go, and it will launch Uber, enter the vacation spot, and when you affirm, it’s going to summon the automobile. That is the primary of probably quite a few apps and companies that may be additional automated with AI.
3. You worth your privateness
Apple has all the time prided itself as a privacy-first firm, and that is honest sufficient. However Samsung is upping the ante with Privateness Display, a {hardware}/software program mixture that would probably change how individuals take into consideration their telephones and privateness. Samsung redesigned its display to characteristic large and narrow-angle pixels that the corporate can, by means of software program, flip off individually to obscure the display.
Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. S24 Ultra: I compared both models, here’s who should upgrade
It does not simply block looky-loos within the airplane seat subsequent to you from studying your texts, however as a result of it is software-driven, you may selectively block particular components in your display. So your entire display is shiny and exquisite, however a notification rolls in and solely blocks the realm the place it seems.
Author’s alternative
Each of those telephones are downright incredible — there isn’t any query. However on the finish of the day, if I needed to decide, I would go together with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. I’ve a dual-wielding telephone way of life, however whereas I worth the iPhone 17 Professional Max for its consistency and its consolation, Samsung and Android on the whole have a greater variety of enjoyable type components to play with, and that features a multitude of equipment that you may purchase into.
Apple works nice inside its ecosystem, and it is simply OK with everybody else. Android works very effectively with nearly all the pieces from Home windows PCs to all kinds of smartwatches and Bluetooth equipment. For all the pieces an iPhone can connect with, an Android telephone can connect with extra. Plus, I did not even speak in regards to the stylus right here, as a result of whereas I am not an enormous stylus particular person, I am undoubtedly a believer within the “it is higher to have it and never want it” philosophy.
After all, as I discussed earlier than, I carry each. However I am finally on Group Android, the place I really feel there’s extra freedom.
Specs
|
iPhone 17 Professional Max |
Samsung Galaxy S26 |
|
|
Show |
6.9 AMOLED with 120Hz, 3000 nits peak |
6.9″ QHD AMOLED 120Hz, TBD nits peak |
|
Weight |
233g |
214g |
|
Processor |
Apple A19 Professional |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
|
Storage |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB |
256GB, 512GB, 1TB |
|
Battery |
5,088mAh, 25W wired charging and 25W wi-fi charging |
5,000mAh, 60W wired charging and 25W wi-fi charging |
|
Digital camera |
48MP large / 48MP Extremely Extensive / 48MP telephoto (4xx) / 18MP entrance |
200MP large / 50MP telephoto (5x) / 10MP telephoto (3x) / 50 MP ultrawide / 12MP entrance |
|
Worth |
