Head to head
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S26 Ultra
Full specs side by side — plus the one table nobody else shows you: what each phone actually costs to repair.
At a glance
- Galaxy S26 Ultra is the newer phone (2026 vs 2025).
- iPhone 17 Pro Max carries the bigger battery (5,088 mAh vs 5,000 mAh).
- Galaxy S26 Ultra is lighter (214 g vs 233 g).
- iPhone 17 Pro Max is cheaper to fix — screen replacement runs $349 vs $399 at our counter.
Specifications
Spec for spec.
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | 2025-09-19 | 2026-03-11 |
| Display | 6.9" LTPO OLED Super Retina XDR (ProMotion) | 6.9" Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X |
| Resolution | 2868x1320 | 3120 x 1440 |
| Refresh rate | 120Hz | 120Hz |
| Chip | A19 Pro | Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 |
| RAM | 12GB | 12 / 16 (1TB model)GB |
| Storage options | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB / 2TB | 256GB / 512GB / 1TB |
| Rear cameras | 48MP Fusion wide + 48MP ultrawide + 48MP 4x telephoto (8x optical-quality) | 200MP wide + 50MP ultrawide + 10MP 3x tele + 50MP 5x periscope |
| Front camera | 18MP Center Stage | 12MP |
| Battery | 5088 mAh | 5000 mAh |
| Charging | USB-C, 40W wired (50% in 20 min), MagSafe 25W, Qi2 25W | USB-C, 60W wired, 25W wireless |
| Dimensions (mm) | 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 | 163.6 x 78.1 x 7.9 |
| Weight | 233 g | 214 g |
| Colors at launch | Silver, Cosmic Orange, Deep Blue | Black, Cobalt Violet, Sky Blue, White, Silver Shadow (online), Pink Gold (online) |
| Connectivity | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, NFC, UWB, Thread | 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, NFC, UWB |
| OS at launch | iOS 26 | Android 16 (One UI 8.5) |
| Water resistance | IP68 | IP68 |
| SIM | eSIM only (US) | Nano-SIM + eSIM |
Specs reflect the US models as published by the manufacturer.
What buyers pick
The configurations people actually choose.
Based on current used-market sales data, updated August 2026.
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra | |
|---|---|---|
| Most-chosen color | Deep Blue | — |
| Most-chosen storage | 256GB | — |
Repair pricing
What each costs to fix.
Real walk-in prices at BK Wireless — every repair backed by a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
| Repair | iPhone 17 Pro Max | Galaxy S26 Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Screen replacement | $349 | $399 |
| Battery replacement | $119 | $119 |
FAQ
iPhone 17 Pro Max vs Galaxy S26 Ultra, answered.
Which is newer, the iPhone 17 Pro Max or the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
The Galaxy S26 Ultra is newer — it launched in 2026, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max launched in 2025.
Which has the bigger battery?
The iPhone 17 Pro Max: 5,088 mAh vs 5,000 mAh.
Which is cheaper to repair?
Screen replacement is $349 for the iPhone 17 Pro Max and $399 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra at BK Wireless — both with a 60-day parts and labor warranty.
Does BK Wireless repair the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the Galaxy S26 Ultra?
Yes — both. Walk into 1054 Beach 20th Street in Far Rockaway for same-day screen, battery, and charging port repairs on either phone, backed by a 60-day warranty. No appointment needed.
Can I trade in my old phone toward either one?
Yes. Bring your current phone and a photo ID — we test it in front of you and pay cash on the spot, working or broken.
Upgrading to either one?
Get cash for your current phone at 1054 Beach 20th Street — tested in front of you, paid on the spot.
Get cash todayAll device comparisons · iPhone 17 Pro Max repairs · Galaxy S26 Ultra repairs · Free IMEI check