Apple iPhone 17e vs Samsung Galaxy S26+

Our Verdict: With Samsung Galaxy S26+ versus Apple iPhone 17e, the stronger argument is display quality. The Samsung has the useful edge there with a larger 6.7-inch screen, a sharper 513 PPI display, and its Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel. The iPhone still has a role if you prefer its Super Retina XDR OLED panel, a lighter 169g body, and its IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) rating. A bigger mAh figure is useful context, but real battery life still depends on software and chipset efficiency. Software may decide it too: the Samsung is the Android choice, while the iPhone keeps you in Apple's iOS ecosystem. The Samsung is the stronger choice for display quality, with the iPhone better suited to portability.

The iPhone 17e is the cheaper one to own: around £660 over a typical contract, £156 less than the S26+.

Expert Rating
3.9
11 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen
6.1" 6.7"
Display
Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
457 513
Rear Camera
48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera
12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
4,005 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage
256GB, 512GB 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight
169 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance
IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts
£25.99/mo (£0.00 upfront) £32.79/mo (£29.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£539.99 £799.00
Apple iPhone 17e Apple iPhone 17e Samsung Galaxy S26+ Samsung Galaxy S26+
Expert Rating 3.9
11 reviews
3.9
10 reviews
Screen 6.1" 6.7"
Display Super Retina XDR OLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1170 x 2532 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 457 513
Rear Camera 48 Megapixels 50 Megapixels
Front Camera 12 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Apple A19 (3 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 4,005 mAh 4,900 mAh
Storage 256GB, 512GB 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/6 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3, A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm 158.4 x 75.8 x 7.3 mm
Weight 169 grams 190 grams
Water Resistance IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) IP 68
Contracts £25.99/mo
£0.00 upfront
£32.79/mo
£29.00 upfront
SIM-free £539.99 £799.00
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Apple iPhone 17e
Apple iPhone 17e

24 Months

256GB

Black

30GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£25.99 per month, with FREE phone.

Samsung Galaxy S26+
Samsung Galaxy S26+

24 Months

256GB

Black

Refurbished

10GB

Data

Unlimited

Unlimited

£32.79 per month, £29 upfront.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+ cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper on contract at £659.76 over the life of the deal from £25.99 per month with £0.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the bigger screen at 6.7" compared to the Apple iPhone 17e's 6.1", the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has the sharper display at 513 pixels per inch versus 457, and the Apple iPhone 17e uses a Super Retina XDR OLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 17e is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £539.99.

What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 17e is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26+ comes in 256GB, 512GB.

What processors do the Apple iPhone 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26+ use?

The Apple iPhone 17e is powered by the Apple A19 (3 nm), 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 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 17e is the more portable of the two: it's 21g lighter at 169 grams, it's also the more compact phone at 146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm, the Samsung Galaxy S26+ is slimmer at 7.3mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17e or Samsung Galaxy S26+?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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 17e and Samsung Galaxy S26+ run?

The Apple iPhone 17e 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.