Both have 6.3-inch screens, both weigh under 180 g and cost noticeably less than the "Pros" and "Ultras". But Samsung offers something the iPhone 17 doesn't have - a telephoto. And the iPhone answers with its own trump cards.
Short answer
Galaxy S26 - lighter, thinner, with a 3× telephoto, two SIMs and noticeably cheaper. iPhone 17 - a brighter screen, 48 MP ultra-wide, 18 MP front camera and the Apple ecosystem.
Key differences
| Spec | iPhone 17 | Galaxy S26 |
|---|---|---|
| Display | 6.3", 1206×2622, up to 3000 nits | 6.3", 1080×2340, Dynamic AMOLED 2X |
| Chip | A19 | Exynos 2600 (2 nm) |
| RAM | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Main | 48 MP | 50 MP, video 8K |
| Ultra-wide | 48 MP | 12 MP |
| Telephoto | none | 10 MP, 3× |
| Front | 18 MP | 12 MP |
| Battery | 3692 mAh | 4300 mAh |
| Charging | 30 W / 25 W wireless | 25 W / 15 W wireless |
| SIM | nano-SIM + eSIM | 2 nano-SIM + eSIM |
| Thickness / weight | 7.95 mm / 177 g | 7.2 mm / 167 g |
| Price | current prices | current prices |
Design
The Galaxy S26 is thinner (7.2 mm) and lighter (167 g). Both are compact, but the Samsung is one of the lightest flagships of the year.
Display
The diagonal is the same, but the iPhone has a higher resolution and up to 3000 nits. Samsung has FHD+ and its signature AMOLED panel with excellent colours. In real life both screens are very good.
Cameras
An interesting split here. Samsung has a 3× telephoto - an advantage for portraits and details. iPhone has a 48 MP ultra-wide and an 18 MP front camera - stronger for landscapes and selfies. 8K video on the Samsung is a bonus, while video stabilization and colour on the iPhone are Apple's traditional strengths.
Performance
The Exynos 2600 is the first 2 nm mobile chip with RDNA 4 graphics, paired with 12 GB of RAM. The A19 is proven and efficient. Both have plenty of headroom for everyday tasks.
Battery
Samsung has the bigger battery (4300 vs 3692 mAh), but the iPhone charges faster (30 W vs 25 W). Tests will show the final battery life, but on capacity Samsung has the edge.
Verdict: who should buy which
- Zoom and portraits - Galaxy S26.
- Selfies and landscapes - iPhone 17.
- Two physical SIMs - Galaxy S26.
- Price - Galaxy S26.
- Apple ecosystem - iPhone 17.
FAQ
Which chip does the Galaxy S26 use?
The Exynos 2600 according to our device page; the chip can differ by region.
Does the iPhone 17 have a telephoto?
No, only a 2× crop from the main camera.
Which is lighter?
The Galaxy S26 - 167 g vs 177 g.