Apple iPhone 17 256GB vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: which one suits you?
The two differ in 10 of the specs we have recorded (prices checked 5 Nov 2026).
Which one should you choose?
Choose the
Apple iPhone 17 256GB if you care about:- Higher front camera: 18 MP vs 12 MP
- Has dual SIM; the other doesn't
- Lower weight: 177 g vs 213 g
- Bigger battery for a longer day (5,000 mAh vs 3,692 mAh)
- Higher wired charging: 60 W vs 25 W
- Higher optical zoom (telephoto): 5 x vs 2 x
The deciding difference here: battery capacity and wired charging.
Compares recorded specs; a missing spec does not mean the feature is absent.
Smartphones · Samsung
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB- Storage:
- 256 GB
- Screen size:
- 6.9 in
- Reference price:
- SAR 3,688
Key differences
Screen size
6.3 in✓ 6.9 inProcessor
Apple A19Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5Battery capacity
3,692 mAh✓ 5,000 mAh
Specifications side by side
23 of 23 specs
Scroll the table sideways to see the rest.
| Spec | | |
|---|---|---|
| Reference price | SAR 3,663 | SAR 3,688 |
| Memory (RAM) | 8 GB | — |
| Processor | Apple A19 | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| Battery capacity | 3,692 mAh | ✓ 5,000 mAh |
| Wired charging | 25 W | ✓ 60 W |
| Main camera | 48 MP | — |
| Years of OS updates | — | 7 years |
| Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB |
| 5G | Yes | Yes |
| Optical zoom (telephoto) | 2 x | ✓ 5 x |
| Front camera | ✓ 18 MP | 12 MP |
| Screen size | 6.3 in | ✓ 6.9 in |
| Display type | OLED | — |
| Resolution | 2622 x 1206 | — |
| Screen refresh rate | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| eSIM | Yes | — |
| Dual SIM | ✓ Yes | No |
| Operating system | iOS 26 | Android 16 |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Water and dust rating | IP68 | IP68 |
| Release year | — | 2026 |
| Colour | — | Black |
| Dimensions | 14.96 x 7.15 x 0.8 cm | 16.4 x 7.8 x 0.8 cm |
| Weight | ✓ 177 g | 213 g |
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Direct comparison questions
What is the difference in processor between the Apple iPhone 17 256GB and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB?
Apple iPhone 17 256GB: Apple A19; Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. This is a spec difference, not a verdict that one is better overall.
What is the difference in storage between the Apple iPhone 17 256GB and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB?
No difference here: storage is 256 GB on both.
What is the difference in battery capacity between the Apple iPhone 17 256GB and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB?
Battery capacity is higher on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: 5,000 mAh vs 3,692 mAh on the Apple iPhone 17 256GB. If this spec is your priority, the difference favours it.
What is the difference in wired charging between the Apple iPhone 17 256GB and the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB?
Wired charging is higher on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra 256GB: 60 W vs 25 W on the Apple iPhone 17 256GB. If this spec is your priority, the difference favours it.