Between the Galaxy S26+ and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the Galaxy S26+ comes out ahead in wired charging and weight, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max wins on wireless charging and screen size. Overall, the Galaxy S26+ scores 68.5 and the iPhone 17 Pro Max scores 67.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (68.5 vs 67.5). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the Galaxy S26+ if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. The biggest gaps in its favor are wired charging, weight, pixel density, among others.
Pick the iPhone 17 Pro Max if the display is what you stare at all day — refresh rate, brightness, or sharpness is where the difference will be most visible. Its strongest claims are wireless charging, screen size.
Both ship with comparable ram, refresh rate, 5g support, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Samsung - Galaxy S26+ wins
- ▲Wired charging — 50.00% more. 45 W vs 30 W.
- ▲Weight — 31.00 g less. 196 vs 227.
- ▲Pixel density — 11.52% more. 513 ppi vs 460 ppi.
- ▲AnTuTu — 4.76% more. 2200000 vs 2100000.
- ▲Battery capacity — 4.59% more. 4900 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
- ▲Main camera — 4.17% more. 50 MP vs 48 MP.
- ▲Promised OS updates: 7 (vs 6).
Why Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max wins
- ▲Wireless charging — 66.67% more. 25 W vs 15 W.
- ▲Screen size — 2.99% more. 6.9 " vs 6.7 ".
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 196 glead | 227 g |
| Thickness | 7.6 mmlead | 8.3 mm |
| Water resistanceⓘ | IP68 | IP68 |
| Form factor | bar | bar |
Display
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Screen sizeⓘ | 6.7 " | 6.9 "lead |
| Pixel densityⓘ | 513 ppilead | 460 ppi |
| Refresh rateⓘ | 120 Hz | 120 Hz |
| Peak brightnessⓘ | 2600 nitslead | 2200 nits |
Performance
Cameras
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Main cameraⓘ | 50 MPlead | 48 MP |
| Front camera | 12 MP | 12 MP |
| Optical image stabilizationⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| Battery capacity | 4900 mAhlead | 4685 mAh |
| Wired chargingⓘ | 45 Wlead | 30 W |
| Wireless chargingⓘ | 15 W | 25 Wlead |
Connectivity
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| 5G supportⓘ | true | true |
| Headphone jack | false | false |
| microSD slot | false | false |
Operating System
| Spec | Samsung - Galaxy S26+ | Apple - iPhone 17 Pro Max |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Android | iOSlead |
| Promised OS updates | 7 yearslead | 6 years |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 17 Pro Max?+
Galaxy S26+ has 4.6% more battery — 4900 mAh vs 4685 mAh.
Which is lighter, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 17 Pro Max?+
Galaxy S26+ is 31g lighter — 196g vs 227g.
Is Galaxy S26+ waterproof?+
Galaxy S26+ has an IP68 rating.
Does iPhone 17 Pro Max support 5G?+
Yes, iPhone 17 Pro Max supports 5G.
Which has a better camera, Galaxy S26+ or iPhone 17 Pro Max?+
Galaxy S26+ has a 50 MP main camera vs 48 MP.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.