Apple iPhone 17 vs Samsung Galaxy S26
Our verdict: On contract, the Samsung Galaxy S26 works out £149.05 cheaper overall than the Apple iPhone 17. The Apple iPhone 17 has the sharper display at 458 PPI. If you'd rather buy outright, the Samsung Galaxy S26 starts at £656.10 SIM-free.
Apple iPhone 17
|
Samsung Galaxy S26
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.3" | 6.3" |
| Display | LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED | Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 1206 x 2622 | 1080 x 2340 |
| Pixels Per Inch | 458 | 409 |
| 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 | 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 | 149.6 x 71.5 x 7.95 mm | 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2 mm |
| Weight | 177 grams | 167 grams |
| Water Resistance | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins) | IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes |
| Contracts |
£25.00/mo
£159.00 upfront |
£19.00/mo
£299.00 upfront |
| SIM-free | £697.00 | £656.10 |
| Deals | Deals |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26 cheaper on contract?
Based on total cost of ownership, the Samsung Galaxy S26 is cheaper on contract at £620.75 over the life of the deal from £19.00 per month with £299.00 upfront.
Which has the better screen, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26?
Both phones have a similar screen size at around 6.3", the Apple iPhone 17 has the sharper display at 458 pixels per inch versus 409, and the Apple iPhone 17 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 or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 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 or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is cheaper SIM-free, starting from £656.10.
What storage options are available for the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 is available in 256GB, 512GB, while the Samsung Galaxy S26 comes in 256GB, 512GB.
What processors do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 use?
The Apple iPhone 17 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 or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the more portable of the two — it's 10g lighter at 167 grams, both are similar in overall footprint, and is slimmer at 7.2mm thick.
Which is more water resistant, the Apple iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26?
The Apple iPhone 17 is rated IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 mins), while the Samsung Galaxy S26 is rated IP68 - Dust and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes.
What operating system do the Apple iPhone 17 and Samsung Galaxy S26 run?
The Apple iPhone 17 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.