Samsung launched Galaxy S26 a couple of days back, its all-new flagship, bringing a sleeker design and a next-generation 2nm Exynos chip into the spotlight. On the other side of the fence sits Apple’s iPhone 17, launched back in September 2025 by the Cupertino-based tech giant and the iPhone-maker finally introduced ProMotion to the standard lineup along with the A19 chip. If you’re weighing your options between these two flagships, here’s how they stack up across display, performance, cameras and price in India.
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs iPhone 17: Performance And Battery
Samsung’s latest runs on its in-house 2nm Exynos 2600 chipset, featuring a prime core clocked at 3.9GHz. The Galaxy S26 ships with 12GB RAM as standard and storage options up to 512GB. Samsung says the repositioned vapour chamber improves heat dissipation by 29 percent. A 4300 mAh battery powers the device, with support for 25W wired and wireless charging.
The iPhone 17 is powered by Apple’s A19 chip, equipped with a 16-core Neural Engine to support Apple Intelligence features. Apple claims up to 40 percent faster CPU performance compared to the iPhone 16. While Apple does not reveal battery capacity, it says the iPhone 17 lasts up to eight hours longer than its predecessor and supports fast charging, reaching 50 percent in minutes.
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs iPhone 17: Display And Design
The Samsung Galaxy S26 has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with full-HD+ resolution and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Armor 2 and keeps Samsung’s flat-edge, minimalist styling intact. The phone measures 149.6 x 71.7 x 7.2mm and weighs just 167g.
Apple’s iPhone 17 also sports a 6.3-inch panel, this time a Super Retina XDR OLED display with ProMotion support up to 120Hz. Apple claims peak brightness of up to 3,000 nits, along with Ceramic Shield 2 protection and an IP68 rating. Both phones now match each other on refresh rate.
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs iPhone 17: Cameras
Samsung equips the Galaxy S26 with a triple rear setup. The primary camera is a 50-megapixel sensor with OIS, accompanied by a 10-megapixel telephoto lens offering 3x optical zoom and a 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera. It supports 8K video recording at 24 and 30fps.
Apple opts for a dual rear system. The iPhone 17 features a 48-megapixel Fusion main camera with sensor-shift OIS and a 48-megapixel ultra-wide lens that enables macro shooting.
Samsung Galaxy S26 vs iPhone 17: Price In India
The Samsung Galaxy S26 starts at Rs 87,999 for the 12GB + 256GB model and goes up to Rs 1,07,999 for the 512GB variant. The iPhone 17 is priced at Rs 82,900 for the 256GB model and Rs 1,02,900 for the 512 GB. The handset is offered in Lavender, Mist Blue, Sage, White and Black colour variants.
