 "Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 pro")
Samsung has just launched its Galaxy S26 Ultra in India, priced at Rs 1,39,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB variant.
With its thinnest body any flagship phone ever had, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip and Galaxy AI smarts, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra aims to push the boundaries of what a smartphone can do. Meanwhile, Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro, which debuted in September 2025, continues to represent precision design and camera excellence with the mighty Apple A19 Pro chip and iOS 26.
Let’s break down how the two flagships compare, and which one deserves your hard-earned money.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro: Design and display
Apple went bold with a design refresh for the iPhone 17 Pro, slimming bezels and refining its build to a sleek 8.75mm-thick profile that weighs just 204g. Available in Silver, Cosmic Orange and Deep Blue, it exudes the kind of minimalist sophistication Apple fans adore.
Samsung, on the other hand, is sticking with what works. The Galaxy S26 Ultra carries forward the familiar squared-off, S Pen-friendly design, but this year it’s the slimmest Ultra ever, measuring just 7.9mm thick. It still feels unmistakably “Ultra”, all glass, all confidence.
Display-wise, Samsung clearly dominates the visual game. The S26 Ultra flaunts a 6.9-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 120Hz refresh rate, delivering punchy colours and deep contrast levels.
Meanwhile, Apple’s 6.3-inch Super Retina XDR display also runs at 120Hz and packs a resolution of 1206x2622 pixels, with pixel density at 460 ppi. Both are brilliant for media and gaming, but Samsung’s extra screen real estate and adaptive LTPO tech make it slightly more immersive.
The real twist? Samsung’s Privacy Display, a world-first for smartphones. It hides on-screen content from wandering eyes, no more awkward glances from the person next to you on the train. You can finally ditch those tacky privacy screen protectors.
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View AllGalaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro: Processor
Under the hood, both devices are silicon powerhouses. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is fuelled by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, built for high-performance multitasking and AI integration. It’s paired with Android 16, which brings tighter Galaxy AI integration across apps and the interface.
The iPhone 17 Pro packs Apple’s custom A19 Pro chip, a hexa-core beast that pairs perfectly with iOS 26. It’s optimised for energy efficiency and raw processing power, giving Apple’s flagship an edge in sustained performance and graphics-intensive tasks.
We will only be able to tell you how the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra performs in real-world, once we get our hands on the phone.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro: Camera
Photography is where things get cinematic. The Galaxy S26 Ultra leads with a 200MP primary sensor, supported by a 50MP ultrawide, 10MP 3x telephoto (OIS), and 50MP 5x periscope (OIS) lens, all capable of up to 100x Space Zoom. On the front, there’s a 12MP selfie shooter that benefits from Samsung’s AI-powered auto-framing.
The iPhone 17 Pro keeps things balanced and consistent, featuring three 48MP sensors, wide (f/1.78), telephoto (f/2.8) and ultra-wide (f/2.2). The front camera gets an 18MP sensor, promising stellar detail and natural tones.
While Apple’s camera still reigns supreme for colour accuracy and low-light realism, Samsung’s arsenal offers flexibility and detail beyond anything else.
Its AI Photo Assist can regenerate images, remove unwanted objects and refine lighting, while Circle to Search makes it easy to identify everything in a frame. Apple may shoot truer-to-life photos, but Samsung gives you creative control.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro: Battery
Battery life has always been Samsung’s strong suit. The Galaxy S26 Ultra houses a 5,000mAh battery with 60W wired and 25W wireless charging, and Samsung claims it can hit 75 per cent charge in just 30 minutes.
Apple, on the other hand, remains conservative about numbers, but the iPhone 17 Pro supports wireless charging and delivers a day’s use comfortably thanks to iOS optimisation and the A19 Pro’s efficiency. Still, Samsung’s faster charging and larger cell make it a better travel companion for power users.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 Pro: Verdict
Both flagships showcase their brands’ philosophies perfectly, Samsung betting on intelligence and versatility, Apple on refinement and control.
But, it is noteworthy that Samsung has introduced several new AI features, and we are still waiting for Siri to become smarter. However, this may change as soon as the iPhone 18 Pro make its debut.
For now, the Galaxy S26 Ultra, though, feels more exciting. Its AI suite, from Call Screening and Audio Eraser to Privacy Display, redefines what “smart” means in a smartphone. Add its superior display, larger battery and bold AI-first approach, and Samsung’s Ultra might just be the most futuristic phone of the year.
Unnati is a tech journalist with almost half a decade of experience. She has a keen interest to cull out unique story angle. She reviews the latest consumer and lifestyle gadgets, along with covering pop culture and social media news. When away from the keyboard, you might find her reading a fiction, at the gym or drinking coffee.