Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra vs. iPhone 17 Pro Max: How I’m deciding between the two best phones

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Samsung’s February Unpacked 2026 occasion has left us with a brand new trio of flagship telephones, essentially the most premium being the Galaxy S26 Extremely. On the opposite aspect of the coin, Apple’s finest telephone, the iPhone 17 Professional Max is $100 cheaper, and has its personal execs and cons, however they’re each really distinctive.

You may be questioning which one to purchase. The simple reply is, “Stick to whichever OS you’ve now,” however in all honesty, each telephones are ok to justify a change. If you are going to go, go massive! It does not get a lot larger than these two powerhouses, so let’s dive in and see which one is the winner.

Additionally: Samsung Unpacked 2026 recap: Updates on Galaxy S26 Extremely, preorder offers, and pricing

Because it occurs, I carry the iPhone 17 Professional Max, and in addition the most recent Android telephone, and it does not get rather more “newest” than the S26 Extremely, so these opinions are primarily based on prior expertise with the S25 Extremely, a very good quantity of hands-on time with the S26 Extremely, and the specs we now have available. 

You should purchase the iPhone 17 Professional Max if…

1. You (or your loved ones) are within the Apple ecosystem

Platform lock-in is a factor, and Apple has it higher than most. Apple gives a complete ecosystem of gadgets and cross-device performance that almost all different OEMs cannot match. It isn’t that Samsung does not have an ecosystem of its personal, however Apple’s gadgets are designed from the bottom as much as work collectively. They’re on a stage of element that different ecosystems — together with Samsung’s — cannot actually compete with.

Additionally: I examined the iPhone Air for per week, and here is why 17 Professional Max customers should not sleep on it

Then, there’s the 800-pound gorilla within the room. If your loved ones can also be within the Apple ecosystem, there’s much more motive to remain there. One of many causes I carry an iPhone in every single place is that my youngsters even have iPhones. “Dad, are you able to ring my telephone?” is a standard chorus in my home. Add iMessage and parental controls to that, and there are sufficient roadblocks to make not carrying an iPhone a fairly large headache.

There are software program workarounds for nearly every part an iPhone can do with different gadgets, however they’re simply that — workarounds. If you wish to be embedded within the Apple ecosystem, there is just one telephone class you may carry.

2. You desire a telephone that simply works

It is a cliché, however it exists for a motive. Apple has a protracted historical past of being late to the social gathering with numerous options, however sometimes after they get the function, it’s extremely polished. Apple does not take half-steps and it hardly ever (although not by no means) treats its customers like beta testers. It is going to take within the panorama, establish a function that individuals like, and make it considerably higher than the competitors.

Additionally: I’ve tried each iPhone 17 mannequin, and my golden rule for upgrading is altering in 2025

That philosophy extends to apps constructed for the platform as nicely. Apple maintains excessive requirements relating to its App Retailer and approvals. I routinely encounter the identical app on each platforms that works flawlessly, the primary time, on an iPhone, however struggles on an Android telephone. There’s rather a lot that goes into app growth, particularly on a platform like Android that may have a number of variations and flavors, so there is no shade. Apple simply delivers a greater and extra constant expertise.

3. You are a video shooter

There are a number of explanation why the iPhone 17 Professional Max is the telephone to make use of for video. At first, is storage. Put merely, the iPhone can rise up to 2TB of onboard storage; the S26 Extremely maxes out at 1TB. A terabyte of storage looks like rather a lot — and it’s, however for those who’re capturing a ton of 8K and even 4K video, that is going to chew up your storage in a rush. That is additionally a strong argument for those who’re a hardcore gamer, as they take up numerous area nowadays.

Additionally: I’ve bought one massive motive to advocate a year-over-year improve to Apple’s iPhone 17 Professional Max

The iPhone additionally gives a extremely nice video expertise. From capturing in devoted ProRes Uncooked mode, to open gate capturing, for those who’re a filmmaker, you need choices, and the iPhone offers you a ton. There are additionally quite a few apps within the App Retailer that you should use to seize, improve, and edit your movies. 

Certain, there are apps within the Play Retailer for Android, however this mix of instruments constructed for filmmakers makes the iPhone 17 Professional Max the telephone to get for video lovers.

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…

1. You need the uncooked energy

As lately as two years in the past, this heading would have belonged below the iPhone class. However after Qualcomm rolled out the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for the Galaxy, issues modified. After all, we’re speaking about uncooked numbers right here — consumer expertise and vertical integration go a good distance on Apple’s aspect, however Qualcomm’s processors have began to out carry out Apple’s on benchmarking apps, and that is a giant deal.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. Galaxy S25 Extremely: I’ve tried each flagships, and here is my alternative

Processing energy is vital within the realm of video processing/enhancing, gaming, and AI. If these are vital classes for you, Samsung is the very best recreation on the town. The iPhone is a robust machine, make no mistake, however the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is at present essentially the most highly effective telephone you should purchase for the time being. 

2. You are all-in on AI 

Sadly, Apple Intelligence has seen just a few false begins now. In the meantime, Samsung and Google maintain rolling out AI-powered function after function. This era of Samsung telephone isn’t any exception, with Galaxy AI taking many of the headlines from this lineup of S26 smartphones. From enhancing pictures, to the brand new Now Nudge function, AI is throughout this software program launch.

Additionally: Each Samsung Galaxy S26 mannequin in contrast: Do you have to purchase the bottom, Plus, or Extremely?

One significantly intriguing new function is the power for Gemini to summon an Uber with a command. Simply inform Gemini the place you need to go, and it will launch Uber, enter the vacation spot, and when you affirm it’s going to summon the automotive. That is the primary of probably quite a few apps and providers that may be additional automated with AI. 

3. You worth your privateness

Apple has all the time prided itself as a privacy-first firm, and that is truthful sufficient. However Samsung is upping the ante with Privateness Display screen, a {hardware}/software program mixture that might probably change how individuals take into consideration their telephones and privateness. Samsung redesigned its display to function vast and slim angle pixels that the corporate can, by means of software program, flip off individually to obscure the display.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. S24 Extremely: I in contrast each fashions, here is who ought to improve

It does not simply block looky-loos within the airplane seat subsequent to you from studying your texts, however as a result of it is software program pushed, you may selectively block particular components in your display. So your complete display is brilliant and exquisite, however a notification rolls in and solely blocks the realm the place it seems. 

Author’s alternative

Each of those telephones are downright implausible — there is no query. However on the finish of the day, if I needed to decide, I might go together with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely. I’ve a dual-wielding telephone way of life, however whereas I worth the iPhone 17 Professional Max for its consistency and its consolation, Samsung, and Android usually has a greater diversity of enjoyable type elements to play with, and that features a multitude of equipment you can purchase into.

Additionally: The most effective Samsung Galaxy S26 instances of 2026: Skilled advisable

Apple works nice inside its ecosystem, and it simply happy with everybody else. Android works very nicely with nearly every part from Home windows PCs to all kinds of smartwatches and Bluetooth equipment. For every part an iPhone can connect with, an Android telephone can connect with extra. Plus, I did not even discuss concerning the stylus right here, as a result of whereas I am not an enormous stylus particular person, I am positively a believer within the “it is higher to have it and never want it” philosophy.

After all, as I discussed earlier than, I carry each. However I am finally on Workforce Android, the place I really feel there’s extra freedom. 

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