Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Side-by-side specs and price comparison for buyers in Algeria.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Quick Verdict
Who wins each category, side by side.
Better price
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Faster chip
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Bigger battery
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Faster charging
Even
Higher-resolution camera
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Better display
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Lighter body
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Best value for money
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Full specs comparison
Display
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Size (inches) | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| Panel Type | OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED |
| Resolution Height | 2868 | 3120 |
| Resolution Width | 1320 | 1440 |
| Refresh Rate | 120 | 120 |
| Peak Brightness | 3000 | 2600 |
| PPI | 460 | 500 |
| Glass Type | Ceramic Shield 2 | Corning Gorilla Armor 2 |
| Screen-to-body | 90.7 | 90.7 |
Platform
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Hexa-core (2x4.26 GHz + 4xX.X GHz) | Octa-core (2x4.74 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix L + 6x3.62 GHz Oryon V3 Phoenix M) |
| GPU | Apple GPU (6-core graphics) | Adreno 840 |
| Chipset Name | Apple A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Process (nm) | 3 | 3 |
| OS Name | iOS | Android |
| UI Skin | — | One UI 8.5 |
| OS Version | 26 | 16 |
Benchmarks
Geekbench (Single-Core)
Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max +15%Geekbench (Multi-Core)
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra +8%AnTuTu
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra +58%| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench (Single-Core) | 3,900 | 3,400 |
| Geekbench (Multi-Core) | 9,700 | 10,500 |
| AnTuTu | 2,150,000 | 3,400,000 |
Memory
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Card Slot | No | No |
| Variants | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM, 2TB 12GB RAM | 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 16GB RAM |
Main Camera
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60/100/120fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 120fps), ProRes, ProRes RAW (up to 120fps), Apple Log 2, 3D (spatial) video/audio, stereo | 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, HDR10 + , stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS |
| Features | Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR (photo/panorama) | Laser AF, Best Face, Horizon Lock, LED flash, auto-HDR, panorama |
| Count | 3 | 4 |
| periscope telephoto | 48 MP, f/2.8, 100mm, (periscope telephoto) | 50 MP, f/2.9, 111mm, (periscope telephoto) |
| Telephoto | — | 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm, (telephoto) |
| ultrawide | 48 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, (ultrawide) | 50 MP, f/1.9, (ultrawide) |
| Wide | 48 MP, f/1.6, 24mm, (wide) | 200 MP, f/1.4, 24mm, (wide) |
Selfie Camera
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Video | 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps |
| Features | HDR, Dolby Vision HDR, 3D (spatial) audio, stereo sound rec., ProRes RAW, Apple Log 2 | HDR, HDR10 + |
| Count | 1 | 1 |
| Lens | 18 MP, f/1.9, (wide) | 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm, (wide) |
Battery
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity (mAh) | 4832 | 5000 |
| Chemistry | Li-Ion | Li-Ion |
| Wired Charging (W) | — | 60 |
| Wireless Charging (W) | 25 | 25 |
Body
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Build | Glass front (Ceramic Shield 2), aluminum alloy frame, aluminum alloy back/ glass back (Ceramic Shield) | Glass front (Corning Gorilla Armor 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame |
| SIM | Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time; International)eSIM + eSIM (8 or more, max 2 at a time; USA)Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM (China) | · Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - INT· Nano-SIM + eSIM + eSIM (max 2 at a time) - USA· Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM - CN |
| Height (mm) | 163.4 | 163.6 |
| Thickness (mm) | 8.8 | 7.9 |
| Weight (g) | 233 | 214 |
| Width (mm) | 78 | 78.1 |
Launch
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2025, September 09 | 2026, February 25 |
| Status | Coming soon. Exp. release 2025, September 19 | Available. Released 2026, March 06 |
Network
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 2G Bands | GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 | GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 |
| 3G Bands | HSDPA 850, 900, 1700(AWS), 1900, 2100 | HSDPA 850, 900, 1700(AWS), 1900, 2100 |
| 4G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 48, 53, 66 - A3526 | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 - International |
| 5G Bands | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 30, 38, 40, 41, 48, 53, 66, 70, 75, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 - A3526 | 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 12, 20, 25, 26, 28, 38, 40, 41, 66, 75, 77, 78 SA/NSA/Sub6 - International |
| Speed | HSPA, LTE, 5G, EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps | HSPA, LTE (CA), 5G |
| Technology | GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, 5G | GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, 5G |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | 6 | 6 |
| NFC | Yes | Yes |
| Positioning | GPS (L1 + L5), GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS, QZSS, NavIC | GPS, GLONASS, BDS, GALILEO, QZSS |
| Radio | No | No |
| USB Type | Type-C | Type-C |
| USB Version | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 7 | Wi-Fi 7 |
Sound
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5mm Jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | Yes, with stereo speakers |
Features
| Spec | Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max | Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Sensors | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | Fingerprint (under display, ultrasonic), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer |
Buying advice for Algeria
Both Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra are sold in Algeria, but they fit different priorities.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is 26% cheaper at 270,000 DZD versus 365,000 DZD for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max, leaving room for accessories or a longer screen-protection plan.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra packs a 5000 mAh battery, which translates to longer screen-on time when you are away from a charger.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra posts a stronger benchmark score, useful for heavier games and multitasking on Algerian carriers' busier 4G networks.
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra reaches a higher main-sensor resolution at 200 MP, which helps with crops and lower-light photos.
Above 100,000 DZD you are paying for the chipset, camera tuning, and long-term software support, so weigh those against price.
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