Apple iPhone 17 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S26+
Our verdict: Budget-conscious buyers should note the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is £144.00 cheaper on contract than the Apple iPhone 17 Pro. On the screen front, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ pulls ahead with 6.7" and 513 PPI. On paper, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ wins the camera battle with 50MP on the rear. Video callers will appreciate the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and its 18MP front camera.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
|
Samsung Galaxy S26+
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.3" | 6.7" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 1440 x 3120 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 513 |
| Rear Camera | 48 Megapixels | 50 Megapixels |
| Front Camera | 18 Megapixels | 12 Megapixels |
| Chipset | Apple A19 Pro | Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm) |
| Storage | 256GB, 512GB, 1TB | 256GB, 512GB |
| OS | Apple iOS | Android 16 |
| SIM Type | nano-SIM and e-SIM | nano-SIM and e-SIM |
| Connectivity | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 | 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7 |
| Bluetooth | 6.0, A2DP, LE | 5.4, A2DP, LE |
| Dimensions | 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm | 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm |
| Weight | 206 grams | 190 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP 68 |
| Contracts |
£44.99/mo
£29.00 upfront |
£38.99/mo
£29.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £1003.00 | £944.10 |
| Deals | Deals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+ cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is cheaper on contract at £977.40 over the life of the deal from £38.99 per month with £29.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17 Pro's 6.3", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 458, and the Apple iPhone 17 Pro uses a LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.
Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro features a 48 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a 50 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.
Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Samsung Galaxy S26+ is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £944.10.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is available in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26+ use?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is powered by the Apple A19 Pro, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).
Which is easier to carry and hold, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
It's a trade-off: the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is lighter but the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is more compact. It's 16g lighter at 190 grams, though the Apple iPhone 17 Pro is actually the more compact phone at 150 x 71.9 x 8.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro or Samsung Galaxy S26+?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is rated IP 68.
What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 Pro and Samsung Galaxy S26+ run?
The Apple iPhone 17 Pro runs Apple iOS and the Samsung Galaxy S26+ runs Android 16. This is one of the biggest factors when choosing between the two, as each ecosystem has its own apps, services and features.