Comparison
iPhone 17 Pro vs Galaxy S26 Ultra: Which Flagship?
Apple's and Samsung's top flagships, compared. Which one fits how you shoot.
Get the iPhone 17 Pro if you want a smaller flagship that fits your Apple gear. Get the Galaxy S26 Ultra if you want the biggest screen, two zoom lenses up to 5x and the built-in S Pen.
You want a 6.3-inch phone, not a 6.9-inch one
You use a Mac, iPad or AirPods
You want an 18MP Center Stage selfie camera
You want Apple Intelligence
You want a big 6.9-inch screen
You want 3x and 5x zoom lenses
You want a stylus in the phone
You want 7 years of updates in writing
The short version
Both are top-tier camera phones with 120Hz screens and IP68. The size gap is the first thing you'll notice: 6.3 inches against 6.9.
Choose by platform first, then by whether you want a big phone with a pen.
What's different
Same on both: IP68 water resistance.
See every spec side by side
| iPhone 17 Pro | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Released | September 2025 | March 2026 |
| Chip | A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy |
| Screen | 6.3" OLED, 120Hz | 6.9" AMOLED, 120Hz |
| Main camera | 48MP | 200MP |
| Ultra wide | 48MP | 50MP |
| Telephoto | 48MP, 4x optical | 10MP 3x + 50MP 5x optical |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Stylus | No | S Pen included |
| Weight | 204 g | 214 g |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
Camera
The Ultra has two zoom lenses (3x and 5x) and a 200MP main camera. The iPhone 17 Pro has one 4x zoom lens.
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All three iPhone rear cameras are 48MP, and its front camera is 18MP against 12MP on the Ultra. The iPhone 17 Pro also has LiDAR for faster focus in low light and portrait depth.
Size and the S Pen
The Ultra is a 6.9-inch phone with a stylus built in. The iPhone 17 Pro is 6.3 inches.
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If you want a big phone, compare the Ultra with the iPhone 17 Pro Max (6.9 inches) instead. The S Pen is handy for notes, signing documents and precise photo edits.
Software and updates
iOS fits Apple households. Samsung's One UI gives you more control.
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Samsung promises 7 years of OS and security updates for the S26 Ultra. Apple does not publish an end date for iOS updates.
Price range
A refurbished iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,149.99 in our store. A refurbished Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $2,209.99. Prices update live.
Still choosing? Our buying guides: best phones in Canada, best camera phones, best battery life and best phones for seniors.
FAQ
Which has better zoom, the iPhone 17 Pro or Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra reaches 5x optical with a 50MP telephoto and also has a 3x lens. The iPhone 17 Pro has a 48MP 4x telephoto.
Is the Galaxy S26 Ultra much bigger than the iPhone 17 Pro?
Yes. It has a 6.9-inch screen against 6.3 inches, and weighs 214 g against 204 g.
Does the Galaxy S26 Ultra come with the S Pen?
Yes, the S Pen is built in.
Still choosing? Read our guide to which iPhone to buy.
Skip the new-phone price
Get the iPhone 17 Pro pre-owned from $1,149.99, tested by real technicians with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
