Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes out ahead overall, scoring 82.5% to 17.5% across the categories compared — particularly battery capacity (4900 mAh vs 3692 mAh).

Apple iPhone 17 scored 17.5%, Samsung Galaxy S26+ scored 82.5%.

Apple iPhone 17 is priced around $659, Samsung Galaxy S26+ around $1099.

How Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ Rank

Apple iPhone 17

Apple A19 ranks in the top 11% of 37 chipsets we track.

Super Retina XDR display ranks in the top 38% of 16 display types we track.

Glass/Aluminum build ranks in the top 40% of 5 build materials we track.

Wi-Fi 7 ranks in the top 25% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 43% of 7 front-video specs we track.

4K@24/25/30/60fps main camera video ranks in the top 13% of 16 video-recording specs we track.

Samsung Galaxy S26+

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 ranks in the top 14% of 37 chipsets we track.

Dynamic LTPO AMOLED display ranks in the top 7% of 16 display types we track.

Glass/Aluminum build ranks in the top 40% of 5 build materials we track.

Wi-Fi 7 ranks in the top 25% of 4 Wi-Fi standards we track.

4K@30/60fps front camera video ranks in the top 15% of 7 front-video specs we track.

8K@24/30fps main camera video ranks in the top 63% of 16 video-recording specs we track.

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Display

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Display size 6.3 in 6.7 in
Refresh rate 120 Hz 120 Hz
Brightness 1000 nits 2600 nits
Display type Super Retina XDR Dynamic LTPO AMOLED
Resolution 1206 x 2622 1440 x 3120

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Camera

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Main camera resolution 48 MP 50 MP
Ultrawide camera resolution 48 MP 12 MP
Front camera resolution 18 MP 12 MP
Main aperture 1.6 f 1.8 f
Front aperture 1.9 f 2.2 f
Ultrawide aperture 2.2 f 2.2 f
Optical image stabilization Yes Yes
Main video 4K@24/25/30/60fps 8K@24/30fps
Front video 4K@24/25/30/60fps 4K@30/60fps
Camera features Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Battery

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Battery capacity 3692 mAh 4900 mAh
Charge time 20 min 30 min
Wired charging 25 W 45 W
Wireless charging 25 W 20 W
Charging port USB-C USB-C

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Performance

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
RAM 8 GB 12 GB
Storage 256 GB 256 GB
Chipset Apple A19 Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
Storage options 256GB, 512GB 256GB, 512GB

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Network & Connectivity

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
5G (sub-6) Yes Yes
5G (mmWave) No No
5G capable Yes Yes
NFC Yes Yes
Bluetooth version 6 6
Wi-Fi generation 7 7
SIM type Nano-SIM/eSIM Nano-SIM/eSIM

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Build & Design

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Weight 177 g 190 g
Thickness 8 mm 7.3 mm
Build material Glass/Aluminum Glass/Aluminum
IP rating IP68 IP68
Available colors Black, White, Mist Blue, Sage, Lavender Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, Black, White, Silver Shadow, Pink Gold

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: OS & Software

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Operating system iOS 26 One UI 8.5
OS version 16
Update policy Not Specified 7 Updates

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Audio

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Dolby Atmos No No
Stereo speakers Yes Yes
Headphone jack No No

Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26+: Extras & Features

Spec Apple iPhone 17 Apple iPhone 17 Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Desktop mode No No
Stylus support No No
Satellite connectivity No No
Wireless reverse charging Yes Yes

Where each phone wins

Apple iPhone 17

  • Charge time: 20 min (vs 30 min)
  • Wireless charging: 25 W (vs 20 W)
  • Ultrawide camera resolution: 48 MP (vs 12 MP)
  • Front camera resolution: 18 MP (vs 12 MP)
  • Main aperture: 1.6 f (vs 1.8 f)
  • Front aperture: 1.9 f (vs 2.2 f)
  • Weight: 177 g (vs 190 g)

Samsung Galaxy S26+

  • Battery capacity: 4900 mAh (vs 3692 mAh)
  • Wired charging: 45 W (vs 25 W)
  • Main camera resolution: 50 MP (vs 48 MP)
  • Display size: 6.7 in (vs 6.3 in)
  • Brightness: 2600 nits (vs 1000 nits)
  • RAM: 12 GB (vs 8 GB)
  • Thickness: 7.3 mm (vs 8 mm)

More Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26+ Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the better battery capacity, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the better battery capacity at 4900 mAh, versus 3692 mAh on the Apple iPhone 17.

Which has the better main camera resolution, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the better main camera resolution at 50 MP, versus 48 MP on the Apple iPhone 17.

Which has the better RAM, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the better RAM at 12 GB, versus 8 GB on the Apple iPhone 17.

Which has the better display size, the Apple iPhone 17 or the Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the better display size at 6.7 in, versus 6.3 in on the Apple iPhone 17.