Samsung Galaxy A17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Our Verdict: The Samsung Galaxy A17 has the clearer appeal for the lighter 192g body versus 214g; the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra pushes back through the larger 6.9" screen versus 6.7", the higher-resolution 200MP rear camera against 50MP, up to 1TB storage. The Samsung Galaxy A17 is currently cheaper on the lowest total contract cost at about £159, roughly £740 less than the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra. There is also much wider deal availability for the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, with 16,176 active deals versus 1,655. That makes the Samsung Galaxy A17 the value-led pick, unless the larger 6.9" screen versus 6.7" on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is worth paying extra for.

The A17 is the cheaper one to own: around £256 over a typical contract, £684 less than the S26 Ultra.

Expert Rating
3.5
11 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen
6.7" 6.9"
Display
Super AMOLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution
1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch
385 498
Rear Camera
50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera
13 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset
Exynos 1330 (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery
5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage
128GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS
Android Android
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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth
5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions
164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight
192 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance
IP54, dust and splash resistant IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts
£5.00/mo (£125.00 upfront) £16.00/mo (£545.00 upfront)
SIM-free
£159.00 £899.00

Prices updated 26 July 2026

Samsung Galaxy A17 Samsung Galaxy A17 Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Expert Rating 3.5
11 reviews
4.4
12 reviews
Screen 6.7" 6.9"
Display Super AMOLED Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X
Resolution 1080 x 2340 1440 x 3120
Pixels Per Inch 385 498
Rear Camera 50 Megapixels 200 Megapixels
Front Camera 13 Megapixels 12 Megapixels
Chipset Exynos 1330 (5 nm) Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm)
Battery 5,000 mAh 5,000 mAh
Storage 128GB 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
OS Android Android
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 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e/7
Bluetooth 5.3 with A2DP, LE 5.4, A2DP, LE
Dimensions 164.4 x 77.9 x 7.5 mm 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 mm
Weight 192 grams 214 grams
Water Resistance IP54, dust and splash resistant IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
Contracts £5.00/mo
£125.00 upfront
£16.00/mo
£545.00 upfront
SIM-free £159.00 £899.00
Prices updated 26 July 2026
Deals Deals

Cheapest Deals

Samsung Galaxy A17
Samsung Galaxy A17

24 Months

128GB

Black

300GB

Data

£5 per month, £125 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

24 Months

256GB

White

300GB

Data

£16 per month, £545 upfront.

Use code: 30JNOFF (£30)

Related Comparisons

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra cheaper on contract?

Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy A17 is cheaper on contract at £256.40 over the life of the deal from £5.00 per month with £125.00 upfront.

Which has the better screen, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the bigger screen at 6.9" compared to the Samsung Galaxy A17's 6.7", the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has the sharper display at 498 pixels per inch versus 385, and the Samsung Galaxy A17 uses a Super AMOLED panel while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X.

Which has the better camera, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 features a 50 Megapixels rear camera, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra has a 200 Megapixels rear camera. Both devices also have front-facing cameras for selfies and video calls.

Which is cheaper to buy SIM-free, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £159.00.

What storage options are available for the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is available in 128GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra comes in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB.

What processors do the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra use?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is powered by the Exynos 1330 (5 nm), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra uses the Qualcomm SM8850-AC Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 (3 nm).

Which is easier to carry and hold, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is the more portable of the two: it's 22g lighter at 192 grams, both are similar in overall footprint, and is slimmer at 7.5mm thick.

Which is more water resistant, the Samsung Galaxy A17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra?

The Samsung Galaxy A17 is rated IP54, dust and splash resistant, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra is rated IP68 dust tight and water resistant (immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min).

What operating system do the Samsung Galaxy A17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra run?

Both phones run Android.