Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. iPhone 17 Professional Max: Which premium flagship cellphone wins?

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Samsung’s February Unpacked 2026 occasion has left us with a brand new trio of flagship telephones, probably the most premium being the Galaxy S26 Extremely. On the opposite facet of the coin, Apple’s greatest cellphone, the iPhone 17 Professional Max is $100 cheaper, and has its personal execs and cons, however they’re each really distinctive.

You is likely to be questioning which one to purchase. The straightforward reply is, “Stick with whichever OS you have now,” however in all honesty, each telephones are adequate to justify a change. If you are going to go, go large! It would not get a lot greater than these two powerhouses, so let’s dive in and see which one is the winner.

Additionally: Samsung Unpacked 2026 stay weblog: Updates on Galaxy S26 Extremely, preorder offers, and pricing

Because it occurs, I carry the iPhone 17 Professional Max, and in addition the most recent Android cellphone, and it would not get far more “latest” than the S26 Extremely, so these opinions are based mostly on prior expertise with the S25 Extremely, a great quantity of hands-on time with the S26 Extremely, and the specs we now have available. 

You should purchase the iPhone 17 Professional Max if…

1. You (or your loved ones) are within the Apple ecosystem

Platform lock-in is a factor, and Apple has it higher than most. Apple gives a whole ecosystem of units and cross-device performance that almost all different OEMs cannot match. It is not that Samsung would not have an ecosystem of its personal, however Apple’s units are designed from the bottom as much as work collectively. They’re on a degree of element that different ecosystems — together with Samsung’s — cannot actually compete with.

Additionally: I examined the iPhone Air for every week, and this is why 17 Professional Max customers should not sleep on it

Then, there’s the 800-pound gorilla within the room. If your loved ones can be within the Apple ecosystem, there’s much more purpose to remain there. One of many causes I carry and iPhone in every single place is as a result of my youngsters even have iPhones. “Dad, can you ring my phone?” is a typical chorus in my home. Add to that iMessage and parental controls, and there are sufficient roadblocks to make not carrying an iPhone a reasonably large headache.

There are software program workarounds for nearly all the pieces that an iPhone allows with different units, however they’re simply that — workarounds. If you wish to be embedded within the Apple ecosystem, there is just one class of cellphone you may carry.

2. You desire a cellphone that simply works

It is a cliché, nevertheless it exists for a purpose. Apple has a protracted historical past of being late to the social gathering with a variety of options, however sometimes after they get the function, it is very polished. Apple would not take half-steps and it hardly ever (although not by no means) treats its customers like beta testers. It would take within the panorama, determine a function that individuals like, and make it considerably higher than the competitors.

Additionally: I’ve tried each iPhone 17 mannequin, and my golden rule for upgrading is altering in 2025

That philosophy extends to apps constructed for the platform as properly. Apple maintains excessive requirements with regards to its App Retailer and approvals. I routinely encounter the identical app on each platforms that works flawlessly, the primary time, on an iPhone, however struggles on an Android cellphone. There’s quite a bit that goes into app improvement, particularly on a platform like Android that may have a number of variations and flavors, so there isn’t any shade. Apple simply delivers a greater and extra constant expertise.

3. You are a video shooter

There are a number of the reason why the iPhone 17 Professional Max is the cellphone to make use of for video. At first, is storage. Put merely, the iPhone can stand up to 2TB of onboard storage; the S26 Extremely maxes out at 1TB. A terabyte of storage looks as if quite a bit — and it’s, however in case you’re capturing a ton of 8K and even 4K video, that is going to chew up your storage in a rush. That is additionally a strong argument in case you’re a hardcore gamer, as they take up a variety of house today.

Additionally: I’ve bought one large purpose to suggest a year-over-year improve to Apple’s iPhone 17 Professional Max

The iPhone additionally affords a very nice video expertise. From capturing in devoted ProRes Uncooked mode, to open gate capturing, in case you’re a filmmaker, you need choices, and the iPhone provides you a ton. There are additionally quite a few apps within the App Retailer that you should utilize to seize, improve, and edit your movies. 

Positive, there are apps within the Play Retailer for Android, however this mix of instruments constructed for filmmakers makes the iPhone 17 Professional Max the cellphone to get for video fanatics.

You should purchase the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely if…

1. You need the uncooked energy

As not too long ago as two years in the past, this heading would have belonged beneath the iPhone class. However after Qualcomm rolled out the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor for the Galaxy, issues modified. In fact, we’re speaking about uncooked numbers right here — consumer expertise and vertical integration go a good distance on Apple’s facet, however Qualcomm’s processors have began to out carry out Apple’s on benchmarking apps, and that is a giant deal.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. Galaxy S25 Extremely: I’ve tried each flagships, and this is my selection

Processing energy is essential within the realm of video processing/enhancing, gaming, and AI. If these are essential classes for you, Samsung is the most effective recreation on the town. The iPhone is a strong machine, make no mistake, however the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely is at present probably the most highly effective cellphone you should purchase in the intervening time. 

2. You are all-in on AI 

Sadly, Apple Intelligence has seen a number of false begins now. In the meantime, Samsung and Google hold rolling out AI-powered function after function. This technology of Samsung cellphone is not any exception, with Galaxy AI taking many of the headlines from this lineup of S26 smartphones. From enhancing photos, to the brand new Now Nudge function, AI is throughout this software program launch.

Additionally: Each Samsung Galaxy S26 mannequin in contrast: Do you have to purchase the bottom, Plus, or Extremely?

One notably intriguing new function is the power for Gemini to summon an Uber with a command. Simply inform Gemini the place you wish to go, and it will launch Uber, enter the vacation spot, and when you affirm it will summon the automobile. That is the primary of probably quite a few apps and providers that may be additional automated with AI. 

3. You worth your privateness

Apple has at all times prided itself as a privacy-first firm, and that is honest sufficient. However Samsung is upping the ante with Privateness Display, a {hardware}/software program mixture that might probably change how folks take into consideration their telephones and privateness. Samsung redesigned its display to function broad and slender angle pixels that the corporate can, by way of software program, flip off individually to obscure the display.

Additionally: Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely vs. S24 Extremely: I in contrast each fashions, this is who ought to improve

It would not simply block looky-loos within the airplane seat subsequent to you from studying your texts, however as a result of it is software program pushed, you may selectively block particular parts in your display. So your entire display is vivid and delightful, however a notification rolls in and solely blocks the realm the place it seems. 

Author’s selection

Each of those telephones are downright unbelievable — there isn’t any query. However on the finish of the day, if I needed to choose, I would go along with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Extremely. I’ve a dual-wielding cellphone way of life, however whereas I worth the iPhone 17 Professional Max for its consistency and its consolation, Samsung, and Android normally has a greater diversity of enjoyable kind components to play with, and that features a multitude of equipment that you would be able to purchase into.

Additionally: The perfect Samsung Galaxy S26 instances of 2026: Knowledgeable beneficial

Apple works nice inside its ecosystem, and it simply comfortable with everybody else. Android works very properly with nearly all the pieces from Home windows PCs to all kinds of smartwatches and Bluetooth equipment. For all the pieces an iPhone can connect with, an Android cellphone can connect with extra. Plus, I did not even speak in regards to the stylus right here, as a result of whereas I am not an enormous stylus particular person, I am positively a believer within the “it’s better to have it and not need it” philosophy.

In fact, as I discussed earlier than, I carry each. However I am finally on Group Android, the place I really feel there’s extra freedom. 

Specs