Samsung officially introduced the Galaxy S26 Ultra at its Unpacked event on February 25, 2026, marking the launch of the company's latest high-end device. This flagship model features several notable upgrades aimed at enhancing the user experience.
Although the S26 Ultra retains many similarities to its predecessor, the question is whether it can compete with the iPhone 17 Pro Max, Apple's top-of-the-line product?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max are two of the most high-end flagship phones currently available. (Image: CNET)
Screen and design
The Galaxy S26 Ultra features a 6.9-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 3,120 x 1,440 pixels and a 120Hz dynamic refresh rate. The device is still protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2, which reduces reflections and glare, similar to its predecessor.
The most notable feature of the S26 Ultra this year is the brand-new Privacy Display. Samsung has developed this feature at the pixel level, with wide-angle illuminated pixels alternating with narrow-angle illuminated pixels. When activated, the narrow pixels illuminate at a 90-degree angle, minimizing the possibility of people nearby peeking at the content.
Users can select specific apps or time slots for the feature to automatically activate, with two modes: Partial Screen Privacy and Maximum Privacy Protection. In maximum mode, the brightness is further reduced to enhance privacy.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max also features a 6.9-inch OLED display, but with a lower resolution of only 2,868 x 1,320 pixels and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate.
Apple has equipped its screens with Ceramic Shield 2, which reduces reflections, but in terms of anti-glare capabilities and display security, Samsung's solution is still considered superior.
In terms of design, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is 7.9mm thin and weighs 214g, making it lighter and more elegant than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, which is 8.5mm thick and weighs 233g. When held in the hand, the iPhone feels more solid and secure. Both products are IP68 dust and water resistant.
Performance and AI
When Privacy Display is enabled, the Galaxy S26 Ultra's screen turns almost completely black when viewed from any angle. (Image: CNET)
Samsung's Galaxy S26 Ultra is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, coupled with up to 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of internal storage. Notably, Samsung has redesigned the vapor chamber cooling system, improving performance when handling demanding tasks, a feature commonly found in gaming devices.
Meanwhile, Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max uses the latest A19 Pro chip, which is faster than last year's A18 Pro. This chip integrates new neural accelerators, optimizing AI processing capabilities. The iPhone 17 Pro Max comes in multiple storage options, from 256GB to 2TB, the highest currently available on smartphones.
Samsung has also upgraded its Bixby virtual assistant, making it more conversational and contextually aware. Bixby works in conjunction with Google's Gemini, capable of performing tasks such as ordering an Uber ride, although it cannot yet make payments automatically.
Apple is also preparing a smarter version of Siri this year, but the A19 Pro chip has already shown an advantage in AI processing efficiency thanks to its optimized hardware-software architecture.
In terms of battery, the Galaxy S26 Ultra boasts a 5,000 mAh battery with 60W fast charging, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a 5,088 mAh battery and can charge from 0% to 69% with just a 40W charger. In recent battery tests on 35 2025 phone models by CNET, the iPhone 17 Pro Max led in battery life, a significant advantage for users who prioritize battery longevity.
Camera
Samsung has updated Bixby while users continue to wait for the Siri upgrade. (Image: CNET)
The Galaxy S26 Ultra retains the same quad-camera setup as its predecessor, but with improved aperture. Specifically, it features a 200MP main camera with an f/1.4 aperture (expanded from f/1.7), a 50MP 5x telephoto camera with an f/2.9 aperture, a 10MP 3x telephoto camera with an f/2.4 aperture, and a 50MP ultrawide camera with an f/1.9 aperture. The front camera is 12MP with an 85-degree wide-angle view.
Meanwhile, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is equipped with a triple 48MP camera system, including a standard, ultrawide, and 4x telephoto lens, with image stabilization for video recording at 8x zoom. The most notable feature is the newly designed front camera, positioned next to Dynamic Island, which automatically switches between portrait and landscape modes without rotating the phone, offering a more flexible and creative experience.
Samsung also introduced "AI ISP" technology to improve selfie image quality, but surpassing Apple's image processing and optimization capabilities will be a significant challenge.
With starting prices of 36.99 million VND for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and 37.59 million VND for the iPhone 17 Pro Max, both products represent significant investments. Samsung stands out with its pioneering display technology, unique display security features, and diverse focal length camera system. Meanwhile, Apple scores points for optimized performance, excellent battery life, and a groundbreaking front-camera experience.
The clash between these two giants is not simply a comparison of technical specifications, but also reflects differences in their ecosystems and product development philosophies. The final choice will depend on whether users prioritize the flexibility and customization of Android or the synchronization and deep optimization of iOS.
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/so-sanh-galaxy-s26-ultra-va-iphone-17-pro-max-ar1004749.html
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