Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra edges out with a sharper camera, better display, and stronger value, while iPhone 17 Pro Max leads on software and battery.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro MaxVSSamsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
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Sheet-backed lanes, not a lab chart. Your stake gets the most weight.
Overall · stake
Galaxy S26 Ultra wins the lanes that matter most, especially camera.
01
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a more versatile camera setup with higher megapixels and zoom
02
iPhone 17 Pro Max delivers longer software support and a cleaner, more stable iOS experience
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Samsung's value edge comes from a lower price and stronger display brightness despite slightly weaker battery
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max if you want the longest software support and better battery endurance.
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Choose Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for the best camera, display, and overall value.
This is a close call with Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra winning by a narrow margin thanks to its superior camera and display plus better value. iPhone 17 Pro Max holds the edge on software updates and battery life but that is not enough to beat Samsung's overall package. Go Samsung if camera and screen matter most, pick iPhone for software longevity and battery.
Get the winner
How the winner holds up in other locked calls.
Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraVSVivo X200 Pro
Vivo X200 Pro wins
Vivo X200 Pro leads with stronger performance, brighter display, longer battery life, and better value, while Samsung offers cleaner software and longer updates.
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Samsung Galaxy S26 UltraVSXiaomi 16 Ultra
Xiaomi 16 Ultra wins
Xiaomi 16 Ultra leads on performance, display, battery, and value, while Samsung S26 Ultra shines in camera and software updates.
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