Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17
Shop Samsung Galaxy
Galaxy S26 Ultra
Starting at
£894.79£1,449.00 new
iPhone 17
Starting at
£713.34£799.00 newWhat's the difference between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17?
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Refurbished, the iPhone 17 starts at £713.34, £181.45 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer model, released in 2026.
Refurbished from
Chipset
RAM
Battery
Screen size
Main camera
- Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
- The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 specs
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a larger screen at 6.9 inches with a higher resolution, making it suitable for those who want more room for video and detailed viewing. The iPhone 17 has a sharper front camera with 18 megapixels, ideal for detailed selfies and video calls. Galaxy S26 Ultra provides more RAM and up to 1TB storage, which benefits users who multitask heavily or store large files. The iPhone 17 is more compact and lighter, which suits those preferring a smaller, easier-to-handle device. Both phones suit different needs depending on screen size, camera detail, and memory preferences.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 price
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 battery life and software updates
Durability covers the operating system, update support, and physical design aspects.
Operating System Choice
The Galaxy S26 Ultra runs Android, while the iPhone 17 uses iOS. Your choice depends on whether you prefer Android's customization options or iOS's integration with Apple services.
Design and Foldability
Neither phone is foldable, so both offer a traditional smartphone design. This is suitable if you want straightforward handling without folding mechanics.
Battery
Fast charging
Foldable
Ip rating
Software updates
Wireless charging
Year of release
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 performance
Chipset
RAM
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 screen
Screen quality impacts how you view content and interact with your phone daily. Both phones have 120 Hz refresh rates for smooth motion, but their sizes and resolutions differ noticeably.
Screen Size and Resolution
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 6.9 inch screen with a resolution of 1440 by 3120 pixels, providing a spacious display for watching videos or multitasking. The iPhone 17's 6.3 inch screen has a resolution of 2622 by 1206 pixels, offering sharper image detail on a smaller panel, which suits users who want a compact but crisp display.
Refresh Rate
Both phones support a 120 Hz refresh rate, which delivers smooth scrolling and animations. This makes either device responsive and pleasant for browsing, gaming, and general use.
Refresh rate
Resolution
Screen size
Screen type
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 camera
Audiovisual features include the front camera, which is important for selfies and video calls. The two phones differ in megapixel count, which influences image detail.
Front Camera Detail
The iPhone 17 has an 18 megapixel front camera, capturing more detail in selfies and video calls. The Galaxy S26 Ultra offers a 12 megapixel front camera, which suits everyday use and video chatting with good clarity.
Camera type
Front camera
Main camera
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 size and design
Miscellaneous features cover size, weight, connectivity, and storage options. These details affect portability, compatibility, and how much data you can keep on your phone.
Dimensions and Weight
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is larger and heavier at 163.6 mm tall, 78.1 mm wide, 7.9 mm deep, and weighing 214 grams. The iPhone 17 is smaller and lighter at 149.6 mm tall, 71.5 mm wide, 8 mm deep, and 177 grams. Choose the Galaxy for a bigger device or the iPhone for easier one-handed use.
Storage Options
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is available with 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage. The iPhone 17 comes in 256GB and 512GB sizes. The higher storage capacity of the Galaxy suits users who need more space for apps, media, and files.
Connectivity Features
Both phones are unlocked and support 5G networks with physical SIM and eSIM options, giving flexibility for network use. Both use USB-C connectors for charging and data transfer, which is widely compatible.
Carrier compatibility
Connector
Depth
Height
Mobile network
Release date
SD card slot
SIM card
Weight
Width
Galaxy S26 Ultra or iPhone 17: which should you buy?
Buy the Galaxy S26 Ultra if
- you want more RAM (12 GB vs 8 GB)
- you want a bigger battery (5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh)
- you want a bigger screen (6.9 inch vs 6.3 inch)
Buy the iPhone 17 if
- you want to spend less: it starts at £713.34, £181.45 less than the Galaxy S26 Ultra
- you want a higher-resolution front camera (18 megapixels vs 12 megapixels)
- you want a lighter build (177 g vs 214 g)
What our customers say
Customers say the Galaxy S26 Ultra feels like a premium phone with excellent camera quality and smooth performance. Many note that refurbished models look like new or even arrive brand new. The phone is praised for its battery life and condition, although some users mention minor cosmetic marks that are hidden by cases. Overall, users enjoy the larger screen and report satisfaction with speed and camera quality.
Reviews for the iPhone 17 highlight its like-new condition and excellent battery health, with users appreciating the compact size and sharp front camera. Some customers mention easy setup and smooth performance, enjoying the premium feel of the device. The iPhone 17 is seen as a solid upgrade with no noticeable wear, offering a good balance of size and power.
Both phones suit different needs: the Galaxy S26 Ultra appeals to those wanting a large, spacious screen and higher storage, while the iPhone 17 is ideal if you prefer a smaller, lighter device with a detailed front camera.
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 FAQs
Galaxy S26 Ultra vs iPhone 17 comes down to the chipset, RAM and battery. Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy on the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Apple A19 on the iPhone 17. The Galaxy S26 Ultra has more RAM: 12 GB vs 8 GB.
The iPhone 17 is cheaper refurbished, from £713.34 compared with £894.79 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a bigger battery: 5000 mAh vs 3692 mAh.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra has a higher-resolution main camera: 200 megapixels vs 48 megapixels.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra gets updates until Mar 2033. The iPhone 17 is still supported and can run iOS 27.
Refurbished, the Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB, and the iPhone 17 in 256GB and 512GB.
