After months of speculation, Samsung's new $900 Galaxy S26 launched during the company's Galaxy Unpacked event in February. The new phone launched alongside the S26 Plus and the S26 Ultra, serving as the base model in the new 2026 phone line. While a lot of attention is on the Ultra's Privacy Display, the base S26's AMOLED display, solid feature set and improved Snapdragon processor provide a lot for anyone considering the base model.Â
Because this is Samsung's newest darling, we thought it best to compare it with Apple's current $799 flagship, the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 features plenty of updates over its predecessor, such as the display's 120Hz variable refresh rate, upgraded cameras and a faster A19 chip.Â
We take a closer look at how the Galaxy S26 compares against the iPhone 17 below.Â
The Galaxy S26 has a 6.3-inch screen and is slightly taller than last year's Galaxy S25.
Display
Both the Galaxy S26 and the iPhone 17 have 6.3-inch displays. The Galaxy S26 has an AMOLED display with 2,340 by 1,080 pixel resolution, while the iPhone 17 has an OLED display with a 2,622 by 1,206 pixel resolution. This does give the iPhone 17 a slightly higher pixel density of 460 ppi, while the S26 only has 411 ppi. The iPhone 17 is also a touch brighter with 3,000 nits of brightness, compared to the S26's 2,600 nits of brightness.Â
The S26 does not have the Privacy Display feature that's on the S26 Ultra, as it is hardware-based and not software-based. The S26 Ultra's Privacy Display gives the phone the built-in ability to control how visible your phone's screen is to people in your surroundings. But that Ultra phone starts at a much higher $1,300.
Both phones also have a 120Hz variable refresh rate that allows for an always-on display, smoother scrolling and more immersive gameplay.Â
The iPhone 17 has a 48-megapixel wide camera and a 48-megapixel ultrawide camera.
Cameras
The S26 has three cameras: a 50-megapixel wide, a 12-megapixel ultrawide and a 10-megapixel 3x telephoto. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, only has two, but the specs are pretty good: a 48-megapixel wide and a very impressive 48-megapixel ultrawide. That 48-megapixel ultrawide gives iPhone 17 users a lot of flexibility, especially in their macro shots.Â
The iPhone 17 also has an impressive 18-megapixel front-facing camera, while the S26 has a 12-megapixel front-facing camera.Â
The Galaxy S26 includes a telephoto camera, while the iPhone 17 does not.
Battery and performance
In terms of specs, the S26 has a slightly larger 4,300-mAh battery while the iPhone 17 has a 3,692-mAh battery. That said, those numbers might not tell the whole story. The iPhone 17's adaptive power feature apparently helps it conserve battery life with performance adjustments, giving it similar battery life to the S25, even though it has a 4,000-mAh battery. We'll need to do more testing to see how the S26's battery performs.Â
The S26 has 25-watt wired charging and 15-watt wireless charging but lacks built-in magnets. The iPhone 17 can charge to 50% in 20 minutes with a 40-watt or higher adapter, or to 50% in 30 minutes with a 30-watt or higher MagSafe charger.Â
Like the other S26 handsets, the S26 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 4 for Galaxy. Apple is powered by the company's very own A19 chip. The S26 and the iPhone 17 are available in 256GB and 512GB storage capacities.Â
Check out the chart below to compare more of the specs between Samsung's Galaxy S26 and Apple's iPhone 17.
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs. Apple iPhone 17
| Samsung Galaxy S26 | Apple iPhone 17 | |
|---|---|---|
| Display size, tech, resolution, refresh rate | 6.3-inch AMOLED; 2,340x1,080 pixels; 1-120Hz adaptive refresh rate | 6.3-inch OLED; 2,622 x 1,206 pixel resolution; 1-120Hz variable refresh rate |
| Pixel density | 411 ppi | 460 ppi |
| Dimensions (inches) | 5.89x2.82x0.28 | 5.89x2.81x0.31 |
| Dimensions (millimeters) | 149.6x71.7x7.2 | 149.6x71.5x7.95 |
| Weight (grams, ounces) | 167g (5.89 oz.) | 177 g (6.24 oz) |
| Mobile software | Android 16 | iOS 26 |
| Camera | 50-megapixel (wide), 12-megapixel (ultrawide), 10-megapixel (3x telephoto) | 48-megapixel (wide) 48-megapixel (ultrawide) |
| Front-facing camera | 12-megapixel | 18-megapixel |
| Video capture | 8K | 4K |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 for Galaxy | Apple A19 |
| RAM + storage | 12GB RAM + 256GB, 512GB | RAM N/A + 256GB, 512GB |
| Expandable storage | None | None |
| Battery | 4,300 mAh | 3,692 mAh |
| Fingerprint sensor | Under display | None (Face ID) |
| Connector | USB-C | USB-C |
| Headphone jack | None | None |
| Special features | 2,600-nit peak brightness; 7 years of OS and security updates; IP68 water and dust resistance; wireless PowerShare to charge other devices; 25W wired charging (charger not included); 15W wireless charging; lacks built-in magnets; Gorilla Glass Victus 2 cover screen; Galaxy AI | Apple N1 wireless networking chip (Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be) with 2x2 MIMO), Bluetooth 6, Thread. Action button. Camera Control button. Dynamic Island. Apple Intelligence. Visual Intelligence. Dual eSIM. 1 to 3,000 nits brightness display range. IP68 resistance. Colors: black, white, mist blue, sage, lavender. Fast charge up to 50% in 20 minutes using 40W adapter or higher via charging cable. Fast charge up to 50% in 30 minutes using 30W adapter or higher via MagSafe Charger. |
| US price starts at | $900 (256GB), $1,100 (512GB) | $829 (256GB), $1,029 (512GB) |