If there’s one phone matchup I’m looking forward to testing most myself, it’s the Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max. This rivalry should determine which flagship is truly the best phone moving forward.
My colleague Richard Priday has already spent 24 hours with the Galaxy S26 Ultra, providing useful insights and impressions about the phone’s most unique feature: the Privacy Display. While the device still needs more testing — especially regarding battery life — it won’t be long before we know exactly how much of an upgrade it is over last year’s model.
That’s why I’m taking everything we know and have tested so far to show you all the ways the Galaxy S26 Ultra beats the iPhone 17 Pro Max.
World's first Privacy Display
Without question, the most innovative new tech is the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s Privacy Display — a world's first on a phone. In the past, you’d have to buy a physical privacy screen protector, but Samsung has now integrated this technology directly into the S26 Ultra’s panel.
If you’re concerned about shoulder surfing in public, activating this feature makes it nearly impossible for others to snoop — it works at the pixel level to shield the screen from side angles. The iPhone 17 Pro Max lacks any equivalent hardware, and it’s also worth noting that the S26 Ultra maintains its lead with a higher display resolution for sharper overall visuals.
It’s lighter
Despite ditching titanium, the Galaxy S26 Ultra somehow manages to be lighter thanks to its new Armor Aluminum frame. In the past, Ultra models have often been unwieldy for one-handed use due to their beastly size and heft, but that’s not the case here. The Galaxy S26 Ultra tips the scales at 7.55 ounces (214 grams), making it notably lighter than the 8.22-ounce iPhone 17 Pro Max.
Way more powerful AI features
This is one area where Samsung is clearly leaping ahead of Apple, as the Galaxy S26 Ultra gains an assortment of new Galaxy AI features. New Apple Intelligence features were virtually non-existent at the iPhone 17 Pro Max’s launch last fall, allowing Samsung to widen the gap.
Tools like the upgraded Photo Assist and Creative Studio demonstrate how Samsung is effectively using generative AI to enhance photography. However, it’s the shift toward Agentic AI that really puts Samsung on the map. New productivity tools like Now Nudge work like a personal assistant, proactively offering helpful recommendations based on your real-time activity.
AI-powered zoom
Samsung continues to dominate the telephoto game, and the Galaxy S26 Ultra is no exception. It follows the long-standing tradition of offering 100x Space Zoom to get you closer to your subjects than ever before.
It’s worth noting that the S26 Ultra benefits from a dedicated 5x optical zoom lens, whereas the iPhone 17 Pro Max tops out with a 4x optical zoom and a much more limited 40x digital zoom. Plus, because the Galaxy S26 Ultra utilizes AI-powered zoom, capturing sharp images at those extreme distances is significantly easier.
Faster 60W charging
Whether you’re running on empty or just need a quick top-off, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s 60W wired charging will replenish your battery significantly faster than the competition. The iPhone 17 Pro Max currently tops out at 35W, which reached 64% capacity in 30 minutes during our testing.
Given that last year’s Galaxy S25 Ultra already hit 71% in 30 minutes with slower 45W charging, I’d wager the S26 Ultra will easily eclipse its predecessor's mark.
More versatile cameras, new Ocean Mode
There are several reasons why the iPhone 17 Pro Max is our current best camera phone pick, but that might change once we fully put the Galaxy S26 Ultra through its paces. Not only does it benefit from a more versatile quadruple camera system, but Samsung is leaning heavily on AI and computational photography to make the S26 Ultra its most powerful camera yet.
Beyond the hardware, there is a broader range of camera modes to appeal to enthusiasts — including the new Ocean Mode added to its hidden Expert RAW suite, which optimizes underwater shots for better clarity and color.
Continued utility of the S Pen
Even though it hasn't received a major overhaul this year, the S Pen remains a vital tool that bolsters the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s productivity experience — and it’s a feature the iPhone 17 Pro Max simply doesn't offer.
From jotting down quick notes to utilizing its pressure sensitivity for precision sketches, it doubles as a powerful tool to give Samsung a clear edge for power users.
Stabilized video footage with Horizontal Lock
One feature I’ve always appreciated on action cameras like my GoPro Hero 13 Black is horizon lock. It keeps the frame perfectly level, ensuring your clip remains stabilized no matter how much the camera rotates or moves.
The Galaxy S26 Ultra now offers this exact capability with Horizontal Lock, which ensures your video stays level even if the phone itself is tilted or spinning during a recording.
High-Resolution 8K Video Recording
Finally, the Galaxy S26 Ultra’s video capabilities remain a step ahead with support for 8K recording at 30fps. This ultra-high-resolution option provides creators with immense flexibility in post-production, allowing for cropping without detail loss and the ability to apply digital pans or zooms.
While Apple has been reluctant to make the leap, leaving the iPhone 17 Pro Max limited to 4K, Samsung continues to push the boundaries for mobile videographers who want more flexibility.
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