Apple YOUR MATCH
iPhone 17 Pro Max
More screen. Up to 37 hours of video.
97MATCH / 100
Deep Blue£1,199UK reference price
Check Apple YOUR PHONE FACE-OFF
Real specs. Clear sources.UK models · Checked 4 Sept 2026iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S26
THE CHOICE IS PERSONALWhich one
Make it personal How are scores calculated?
Which one
is your one?
Two great phones.
Different things to love.
93Display79
82Camera—
100Battery81
Samsung256 GB · UK MODEL
Galaxy S26
6.3 inches. Just 167 grams.
80MATCH / 100
Sky Blue£879UK reference price
Check SamsungAs an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
EVERYDAY PRIORITIESiPhone 17 Pro Max takes the lead.
Change what matters 16.4 points ahead across your selected display, battery priorities.
Scores compare published capabilities, not lab-tested quality. Camera image quality and independent performance tests are not rated. See scoring
Camera scoring is unavailable for this pair. Known hardware specs still appear below; default scores use only shared, verified categories.
THE DIFFERENCES THAT MATTER
Every specification A quick read on the trade-offs.
Galaxy S26
64g lighter.
Published device weight, without a case.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 231g
- Galaxy S26
- 167g
Schematic balance · not a physical simulation
iPhone 17 Pro Max
0.6″ larger diagonal.
Bigger is a preference, not a quality score.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 6.9″
- Galaxy S26
- 6.3″
Relative diagonals · illustrative shape, not actual size
iPhone 17 Pro Max
A different perspective.
Dedicated telephoto reach. No digital or crop zoom.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- 4×
- Galaxy S26
- 3×
Lens illustration · not an image-quality test
MANUFACTURER CLAIMS
Playback on paper.
Up-to claims. Different test methods; no endurance winner.
- iPhone 17 Pro Max
- Up to 37h
- Galaxy S26
- Up to 30h
Shared 40-hour scale · not mixed-use battery life
BEYOND THE TOTAL
Why choose each?
Different strengths. Your call.
REASONS TO CONSIDER
iPhone 17 Pro Max
Longer native telephoto reach
4× vs 3× native telephoto. Lens reach, not digital zoom or an image-quality verdict.
Verified hardware; Camera is not scored for this pair.More screen, if you want it
6.9″ vs 6.3″ diagonally. Larger is a preference, not an automatic win.
Preference, not included in the match score.
REASONS TO CONSIDER
Galaxy S26
64 g lighter
167 g vs 231 g, before a case. Also 6.3 mm narrower.
Preference, not included in the match score.An 8K recording option
8K recording is verified on this phone and absent on the other. Resolution alone does not establish video quality.
Verified hardware; Camera is not scored for this pair.
Published facts, not hands-on recommendations. These preferences do not add extra points to the match score; no tested battery gains are inferred.
GO A LITTLE DEEPER
Where each phone shines.
Explore the numbers behind the match.
iPhone 17 Pro Max Galaxy S26
Relative published specs · outer edge = higher value
Display explainediPhone 17 Pro Max leads
iPhone 17 Pro Max: Scores Apple-published 3,000-nit outdoor peak brightness, 460 ppi and adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. Peak brightness is not independently measured.
Galaxy S26: Uses Samsung's 2,600-nit peak, calculated pixel density from 2340×1080 / 6.3 inches and maximum adaptive 120Hz. These are published capabilities, not lab quality measurements.
Explore the sources YOUR PHONE, YOUR RULES
What matters to you?
Make the comparison fit your life.
Any must-haves?
SIDE BY SIDE. NOTHING HIDDEN.
Get into the details.
All specs13 specificationsiPhone 17 Pro MaxGalaxy S26
iPhone 17 Pro MaxGalaxy S26Weight
231g
167g
Width
78mm
71.7mm
Thickness
8.75mm
7.2mm
Screen size
6.9″
6.3″
Published peak brightnessManufacturer peak claims use different test conditions.
3000 nits
2600 nits
Pixel density
460 ppi
409.08 ppi
Maximum refresh rate
120Hz
120Hz
Native telephoto reach
4×
3×
Rear camera modules
3
3
8K video recording
NoApple's video specification lists up to 4K recording, not 8K.
YesSamsung lists 8K recording at 30fps, distinct from playback capabilities.
Claimed video playbackUp-to manufacturer claims. Playback protocols differ.
37 hours
30 hours
Wireless charging
Yes
Yes
Published support term
Not verified
7 years
UK models · 256GB · Manufacturer specificationsView sources
GO BEYOND THE SPECS
Make this comparison yours.A little perspective. A better decision.
THE PRICE THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING
What price changes your mind?
A great phone. An even better deal. Find the point where the value flips.
Galaxy S26 matches value at£994.86
vs iPhone 17 Pro Max£1,199.00 reference MSRP
MORE SCORE PER £ ↑
Galaxy S26iPhone 17 Pro Max reference
Galaxy S26 offers more score per £ at this price.
A score-per-price simulation, not an objective buying verdict. Starts from reference MSRP; no live retailer offers.
NO LOGOS. JUST YOU.
Would you choose it blind?
Forget the brand for a moment. Which set of specs feels more like you?
Manufacturer specifications. Your choice doesn’t change the comparison above.
Good comparisons start with good sources.8 cited sources for this pair. Every number has a story.See the evidence
Your selected categories: Display, Battery. Scores reflect published capabilities, not hands-on testing. Manufacturer battery claims can use different test conditions. Verified specifications remain visible even where a category cannot be scored.
How we calculate scoresApple iPhone 17 Pro Max
256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026
Your weighted score96.5 / 100Selected categories: Display, Battery.
(93.00 × 1 + 82.00 × 0 + 100.00 × 1) ÷ 2
Display93.0 / 100
Scores Apple-published 3,000-nit outdoor peak brightness, 460 ppi and adaptive refresh up to 120Hz. Peak brightness is not independently measured.
Selected weight: 1.
medium confidence · 100% model coveragePublished peak brightnessSource value: 3000
100.00 × 40% = 40.00Manufacturer-published peak figure; not an independent measurement.
AppleCategory score = 40.00 + 28.00 + 25.00 = 93.00
Camera82.0 / 100
A published-capability score, not an image-quality verdict. It counts a native 4x telephoto, Apple's 8x optical-quality mode and four named pro workflows; Apple does not claim 8K recording.
Not included in your current weighted score.
medium confidence · 100% model coverageNative telephoto reachSource value: 4
80.00 × 25% = 20.00The 4x/100mm telephoto is native. Apple describes 8x/200mm as optical-quality, not a separate native 8x lens.
ApplePublished optical-quality reachSource value: 8
80.00 × 15% = 12.00The 4x/100mm telephoto is native. Apple describes 8x/200mm as optical-quality, not a separate native 8x lens.
ApplePublished pro workflowsSource value: 4
100.00 × 35% = 35.00Counts Apple Log 2, RAW, external recording and genlock. This measures published workflow support, not output quality.
AppleCategory score = 20.00 + 12.00 + 35.00 + 0.00 + 15.00 = 82.00
Battery100.0 / 100
Uses Apple's up-to 37-hour local-video claim and up-to-50%-in-20-minutes claim. The v1 runtime component is capped at its published 35-hour ceiling; these are not independent endurance measurements.
Selected weight: 1.
low confidence · 100% model coverageManufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 37
100.00 × 65% = 65.00Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.
AppleAppleManufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 2.5
100.00 × 35% = 35.0050% divided by 20 minutes using Apple's 40W-or-higher adapter claim; not a sustained charging measurement.
AppleCategory score = 65.00 + 35.00 = 100.00
PerformanceNot scored
Apple publishes chip configuration and relative marketing claims, but no comparable cross-platform benchmark under this methodology.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Comparable independently measured CPU benchmark, Comparable independently measured GPU benchmark, Comparable sustained-performance test.
LongevityNot scored
Apple describes long software support and lists iOS 27 compatibility, but its UK material does not promise a fixed support duration for this model.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Published model-specific OS support duration in years.
Specifications & verification
Width78 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple
Thickness8.75 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceApple
Display size6.9 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence
Nominal diagonal; 6.86 inches as a standard rectangle and actual viewable area is smaller.
ApplePeak brightness3000 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence
Apple-published outdoor peak, not an independent measurement; HDR peak is 1,600 nits and typical maximum is 1,000 nits.
AppleClaimed video playback37 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence
Manufacturer up-to local-video claim, not independently measured mixed-use endurance. Apple's playback method differs from Samsung's.
AppleAppleClaimed charging rate2.5% per minutecalculated · low confidence
A normalized rate derived from a manufacturer up-to claim, not a sustained charging measurement. Apple requires a 40W-or-higher adapter.
50 percent divided by 20 minutes.
AppleWireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Apple lists MagSafe and Qi2 wireless charging up to 25W.
AppleHeadphone jackNocalculated · high confidence
Derived from Apple's exhaustive connector specification, which lists USB-C and no 3.5mm connector.
AppleExpandable storageNocalculated · medium confidence
Apple lists fixed capacities and no removable storage interface.
AppleeSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence
The UK specification lists nano-SIM plus eSIM and dual-eSIM support.
AppleIP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence
Apple's controlled-lab claim is up to 6m for 30 minutes under IEC 60529; resistance is not permanent.
AppleNative telephoto reach4×manufacturer · high confidenceApple
Claimed optical-quality reach8×manufacturer · high confidence
Apple's sensor-derived optical-quality mode is not a separate native 8x lens.
AppleRear camera modules3manufacturer · high confidenceApple
8K recordingNocalculated · high confidence
Apple's video specification lists up to 4K recording, not 8K.
AppleReference MSRP£1,199.00Apple Newsroom UKApple UK
All sources5
- iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max - Technical SpecificationsApple · accessed 2026-09-04
- Apple unveils iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro MaxApple Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- iPhone - Battery Test InformationApple · accessed 2026-09-04
- iOS 27 Preview and CompatibilityApple · accessed 2026-09-04
- Buy iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB Deep BlueApple UK · accessed 2026-09-04
Samsung Galaxy S26
256 GB · checked 4 Sept 2026
Your weighted score80.1 / 100Selected categories: Display, Battery.
(78.76 × 1 + 81.38 × 1 + 100.00 × 0) ÷ 2
Display78.8 / 100
Uses Samsung's 2,600-nit peak, calculated pixel density from 2340×1080 / 6.3 inches and maximum adaptive 120Hz. These are published capabilities, not lab quality measurements.
Selected weight: 1.
medium confidence · 100% model coveragePublished peak brightnessSource value: 2600
86.67 × 40% = 34.67Manufacturer-published peak figure; not an independent measurement.
Samsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UKPixel densitySource value: 409.08
54.54 × 35% = 19.09PPI is calculated from published full-rectangle diagonal and resolution; it is not a separately measured specification.
Samsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UKMaximum adaptive refresh rateSource value: 120
100.00 × 25% = 25.00Samsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UKCategory score = 34.67 + 19.09 + 25.00 = 78.76
CameraNot scored
Native zoom, camera modules and 8K support are verified below. A complete model-specific pro-workflow audit is still missing, so the v1 camera score is withheld rather than assuming unknown features are absent.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Complete verification of the four model-defined pro workflows.
Battery81.4 / 100
Uses Samsung's up-to 30-hour local-video claim and up-to-55%-in-around-30-minutes charging claim. Manufacturer test methods differ across brands.
Selected weight: 1.
low confidence · 100% model coverageManufacturer-claimed local video playbackSource value: 30
85.71 × 65% = 55.71Samsung's internal pre-release estimate uses locally stored 720p video, Bluetooth earphones and default settings over LTE; it is not mixed-use endurance.
Samsung Business UKManufacturer-claimed charging rateSource value: 1.83
73.33 × 35% = 25.67Derived from Samsung's up-to-55% in around 30 minutes with a 25W adapter. Not a sustained charging measurement.
Samsung Newsroom UKCategory score = 55.71 + 25.67 = 81.38
PerformanceNot scored
No comparable independently measured CPU/GPU and sustained-performance results are included.
Not included in your current weighted score.
Missing: Comparable CPU, GPU and sustained-performance measurements.
Longevity100.0 / 100
Samsung's seven-year security-update commitment reaches the v1 duration ceiling. This is total support from launch, not support remaining today.
Not included in your current weighted score.
high confidence · 100% model coveragePublished software-support durationSource value: 7
100.00 × 100% = 100.00Seven years from global launch; not an estimate of physical lifespan.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung Business UKCategory score = 100.00 = 100.00
Specifications & verification
Weight167 gmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
Width71.7 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
Thickness7.2 mmmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
Display size6.3 inchesmanufacturer · high confidence
Full-rectangle diagonal; actual viewable area is smaller. The model-specific specification takes precedence over the buying guide's inconsistent S26 6.2-inch table entry.
Samsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UKPeak brightness2600 nitsmanufacturer · medium confidence
Manufacturer's FAQ lists 2,600-nit peak for both S26 and S26+; not independently measured.
Samsung Business UKClaimed video playback30 hoursmanufacturer · medium confidence
Samsung's internal pre-release estimate uses locally stored 720p video, Bluetooth earphones and default settings over LTE; it is not mixed-use endurance.
Samsung Business UKClaimed charging rate1.8333333333333333% per minutecalculated · low confidence
Derived from Samsung's up-to-55% in around 30 minutes with a 25W adapter. Not a sustained charging measurement.
55 percent divided by approximately 30 minutes.
Samsung Newsroom UKPublished total support7 yearsmanufacturer · high confidence
Seven years of security updates from launch, not seven years remaining from today. Model-specific security support is listed to 28 February 2033.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung Business UKWireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung publishes WPC-compatible wireless charging.
Samsung Newsroom UKReverse wireless chargingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Published as Wireless PowerShare; subject to device compatibility and battery-level restrictions.
Samsung Newsroom UKHeadphone jackNomanufacturer · high confidence
The earjack specification is USB Type-C, not a 3.5mm socket.
Samsung Business UKExpandable storageNomanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung's model comparison marks Micro SD as N/A. Storage capacity is verified against the model-specific specification.
Samsung UKeSIM onlyNomanufacturer · high confidence
The UK model supports nano-SIM and eSIM combinations.
Samsung Business UKIP ratingIP68manufacturer · high confidence
Controlled-lab fresh-water claim: up to 1.5m for 30 minutes. Resistance is not permanent.
Samsung Newsroom UKSamsung Business UKRAM12 GBmanufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
Native telephoto reach3×manufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
Claimed optical-quality reach2×manufacturer · high confidence
Published Adaptive Pixel mode at 2x. A separate native telephoto lens reaches 3x; this value is the named sensor-crop mode, not maximum optical reach.
Samsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UKRear camera modules3manufacturer · high confidenceSamsung Business UKSamsung Newsroom UK
8K recordingYesmanufacturer · high confidence
Samsung lists 8K recording at 30fps, distinct from playback capabilities.
Samsung Business UKReference MSRP£879.00Samsung Newsroom UK
All sources3
- Galaxy S26 256GB — SpecificationsSamsung Business UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Samsung Unveils Galaxy S26 Series: The Most Intuitive Galaxy AI Phone YetSamsung Newsroom UK · accessed 2026-09-04
- Introducing the Latest Galaxy S26 SeriesSamsung UK · accessed 2026-09-04
THE BEST PHONE IS PERSONAL.
Make your next choice a clear one.
Your priorities. The real differences. All in one place.