15 sources analyzed

Compare iPhone and Samsung

Search intent

Comparison

Items

iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Goal

Choose a flagship phone

Comparable independent measurements required

Titanium smartphone, rear view — iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra

Quick answer

Choose iPhone if

Video and sustained performance matter

Holds peak clocks longer under load and leads in video capture tests.

Choose iPhone if: Video and sustained performance matter
Choose Samsung if: Zoom reach and display size matter
Effectively tied: Everyday speed and update policy

Sources disagree on battery ranking depending on the test workload used.

Based onAnandTech DXOMARK

Key findings

Choose iPhone if

Video and sustained performance matter

Holds peak clocks longer under load and leads in video capture tests.

DXOMARK AnandTech

Choose Samsung if

Zoom reach and display size matter

5x periscope with the strongest measured long-range detail; larger, brighter panel.

DXOMARK Samsung

Effectively tied

Everyday speed and update policy

Both vendors now commit to seven years of OS updates.

Apple Samsung

Comparison

iPhone 17 ProGalaxy S26 Ultra

Price

€1,299

€1,449

Display

6.3" 120 Hz

6.9" 120 Hz

Zoom

3x optical

5x periscope

Sustained CPU

Excellent

Very good

Attribute	iPhone 17 Pro	Galaxy S26 Ultra
Price	€1,299	€1,449
Display	6.3" 120 Hz	6.9" 120 Hz
Zoom	3x optical	5x periscope
Sustained CPU	Excellent	Very good
Video	Class leading	Very good
OS updates	7 years	7 years

Source conflict

Sources disagree on battery ranking

Video-loop testing favours the Galaxy; mixed real-world testing favours the iPhone. The workload explains the gap.

Video-loop test

Galaxy +1h 40m

Mixed-use test

iPhone +45m

Last checked: Aug 24, 2026

Why we trust this

Camera

Strong evidence

Standardised laboratory camera protocol ·DXOMARK

Performance

Strong evidence

Sustained benchmark analysis ·AnandTech

Specifications

Moderate evidence

Manufacturer documentation ·Apple

Strength reflects the method behind a claim — measured tests rank above vendor claims and estimates.

Full answer

AI answer

Both flagships are close on raw capability. The meaningful differences are camera reach, software lifespan and how each handles sustained load.

Pick the Galaxy S26 Ultra if zoom photography, the stylus or display size matter most. Pick the iPhone 17 Pro if you want the stronger sustained performance, better video and the simpler long-term ecosystem.

Sources disagree on battery ranking depending on the test workload used.

Evidence qualityStrongBased on 9 relevant sources with comparable methods

Why this answer?

Camera

Standardised laboratory camera protocol

DXOMARK

Performance

Sustained benchmark analysis

AnandTech

Specifications

Manufacturer documentation

Apple